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Former Tribune Columnist Judges Hat Contest At Women's Tea

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By BARBARA ROUTEN, Tribune correspondent

Published: October 3, 2007

Updated: 10/01/2007 07:55 pm

BRANDON - At a tea sponsored by the Women's Guild of Nativity Catholic Church on Sept. 24, former Tampa Tribune columnist Judy Hill pulled double duty. She was the featured speaker and the judge for the most-unique hat contest, picking Marilyn Evans's Robin Hood-style black felt cap with red, yellow and magenta feathers flowing down her back.

The evening began with a meditation by Kathy Riggs-Stites about the variations among the teacups in her collection.

'Some are dainty, some are bold and some are plain on the outside with surprises inside,' she said. 'Some are flawed, but they look great on the shelf.

'They all started as a lump of red clay that was poked and prodded, molded and fired until they were beautiful. ... Just like us, formed by God, who fashioned us. ... And even though we're all flawed, we, too, are beautiful.'

In a speech laced with humorous stories, Hill exhorted the 130 women present to share with the younger generation what it was like growing up in the United States in the 1900s. Women could not vote at the start of that century. Florida women could not own and control property without proof that they were emancipated. Career choices were limited - women were expected to stay home and cook and iron. Things are different today.

The ladies of the guild had dressed up the social hall with plain and flowered tablecloths, flower arrangements and china teacups. Assorted teas, sandwiches and pastries were set on each table.

Riggs-Stites did a lot of the groundwork. She said her husband, Tom Stites, also helped with the preparations.

'When I came in from picking up supplies Sunday, I heard Tom yelling at the football game,' she said. 'I went into the room, and there he was in front of the TV, ironing my flowered tablecloths for the tea while yelling at the ref.'

Things really are different today.

Brandon Team Places At Bishop Invitational

BRANDON - Sept. 15 marked the 25th annual Don Bishop Invitational cross-country meet at Brandon High School's McLane Stadium. Of the 19 participating schools, Brandon's boys placed third and the girls team placed second, said Robert Maestas, Brandon's cross-country coach.

A ceremony after the races commemorated the anniversary of the name change of the yearly fall meet. It was renamed for Don Bishop, who taught at Brandon High in the 1950s, '60s and '70s. Bishop was described as a devoted educator who loved sports and announced the games and meets in the stadium.

Present at the commemoration was Bishop's daughter, Judi Bishop of Brandon, who arrived at 8 a.m., saw all the races and heard Brandon High Principal Leslie Granich's speech about the meet's namesake.

'It was very nice,' she said. 'It was a very well-run race, very organized. The other teams' coaches said the meet was very well done. They enjoy coming to this one. The principal did a very good job. She got information from The Tampa Tribune and from teachers who knew my dad. ... I got a little emotional.'

'Judi was overwhelmed that we had gotten all that information, to say the least,' Maestas said. 'She was presented a plaque with the kids' picture on it and ... a silver anniversary T-shirt and one for each of her siblings. ... I wish her other family members could have been here, but am very pleased with how it turned out. Seeing the joy that Judi had that day truly made it all worthwhile.'

Council Hosts Art, Music, Poetry Gathering

LITHIA - The Greater Brandon Arts Council invites friends of the arts to enjoy an afternoon of music, art and poetry starting at 2 p.m. Sunday at the home of artists Anne and Garth Drewry, 5210 Pine Rocklands Ave.

'I hope to have an artist doing a demo and maybe a collage table for a GBAC group collage effort ... we shall see,' Anne Drewry said.

Guests are asked to bring a plate of finger food and to contact the council or the Drewrys by Friday at info@brandonarts.org or grdasd@aol.com for directions and inclusion on the neighborhood gate guard's list.

Snippets

The Brandon Lions Club will hold a garage sale at 8 a.m. Saturday at the clubhouse at 610 Limona Road, Brandon. Members are selling everything - maybe not the kitchen sink, but they do have an electric range with self-cleaning oven, cabinets and a new lime-green bench with storage ottoman. For information call Michael Kirk, project chairman, at (813) 655-9343. ... Cats, dogs, hamsters, parakeets and other creatures and their owners are invited for a blessing of the animals at 10 a.m. Saturday near the statue of the Blessed Mother at Nativity Catholic Church, 705 E. Brandon Blvd., Brandon, in celebration of the Feast Day of St. Francis. Members of the St. Francis Circle will give a St. Francis medal and a treat to every pet.

Send news and photos of community interest to Barbara Routen at The Tampa Tribune, 505 W. Robertson St., Brandon FL 33511, e-mail neighbors@tampa bay.rr.com or call (813) 657-4531.

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