Tennis and Tea
The 106th Ojai Valley Tennis Tournament is in its second day of play today. Yesterday I met Tea Tent Vice Chair Peggy Chase, who, in a lovely wide brimmed garden chapeau, shared the magic and mystique of the tea tent with me. Her account follows...
The scent of orange blossoms every year is a harbinger of other spring stirrings, the most special of which, in my Valley childhood, was the hustle and bustle of preparations for the Ojai Valley Tennis Tournament.
Today the memories still swirl in my mind: the courts all over the Valley being swept and readied amid hopes and prayers for a rainless last week-end of April; seemingly endless crates of oranges being squeezed for delicious, free morning orange juice; the romantic Saturday night dances; and the most magical of all, the afternoon Tea Tent.
As a young girl, I was enchanted by the two glistening silver tea services and the “dressed up ladies” who so elegantly poured the tea and passed cookies to players and spectators. Almost a legend in her time, glamorous Connie Wash would appear in vibrant colors and extraordinary hats, one, as I remember, topped by a huge assortment of artificial fruit!
In the Tea Tent, graced by gorgeous floral concoctions, time seemed to stand still for a few moments. The players, some just off the courts, would stand a bit straighter, speak a bit more softly, and might even crook a little finger as they sipped from china cups.
The Tea tent, a tradition started by William Larned Thacher over one hundred years ago, harkens back to simpler, gentler times. It brings the women of the community together to create a center for connection and conversation in the hectic activity of the day.
This year Lynne Pierpont is the Chair of the Committee, with Peggy Chase serving as Co-Chair. Day Hostesses for the four day Event include: Linda Law, Mickie Butterbaugh, Barbara Haggerty, and Liz Hermes. Responsible for the beautiful flowers are: Joanna Berry, Glenys Hook, Jane Weirick, Jean Booth, and Virginia Hill. Ruby Morrison, as always, is the invaluable Honorary Chair.
I don't know why, but the tea tent has always intimidated me. Maybe it's the ladies, all dressed up and wearing the pretty hats. Or it's the real china cups (there are 1500 of them) and perfectly polished silver tea pots. But I will, nonetheless, scoot into the tent this weekend, in flip-flops, shorts and baseball cap, to enjoy a cuppa. And why not, it's free! Won't you join me?
The Tea Tent is open from 2:30-5:00 Thursday, Friday, and Saturday and from 1:00-4:00 on Sunday.
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