High tea, drama bring ‘Famous First Ladies’ to Barrington

Posted November 12, 2013 1:07 pm

Submitted by Lucinda Seibert

Signal Hill Chapter Officers pictured, from left, at the High Tea are: Treasurer Deb Edlund of Lake in the Hills, Regent and co-chair fundraising Kathy Boyle of South Barrington, co-chair fundraising Candice Meyer of Cary, Second Vice Regent and co-chair fundraising Catherine Packer of Cary, and First Vice Regent Kathy Casey of Barrington. Courtesy of Laura Ekstrom

Attendees of the annual Signal Hill Chapter DAR English High Tea and Drama fundraiser enjoyed a traditional High Tea luncheon, antique and boutique shopping and a special performance of “Famous First Ladies” by actress Jenny Riddle.

The highly successful event took place on Wednesday, Oct. 23, and was host to 100 members and guests at The Garlands of Barrington.

Riddle entertained the group through portrayals of Eleanor Roosevelt, Jackie Kennedy, Mary Todd Lincoln and Hillary Clinton. Guests heard personal stories from the former first ladies biographies. Adding an additional dramatic flair were period 1890s costumes worn by several members representing the founding members of the Chicago Chapter; the first chapter of the DAR.

The costumes had been created for a play written and performed by Signal Hill members at their 40th anniversary meeting and again at the state conference earlier this year, where the play was awarded first place for best Commemorative Event.

The fundraiser was the most successful in its four-year history. The proceeds from the tea will support the Barrington area Signal Hill Chapter’s scholarship programs, youth awards, conservation efforts and veterans services.

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Dressed in period 1890s costume and representing women of the first DAR chapter founded in Chicago are, from left, members Mary Ostrum of Barrington Hills, Helen Martin of Arlington Heights and Regent Kathy Boyle of South Barrington. Courtesy of Laura Ekstrom

Jill Hidding, Lisa McCaleb, Beverly Ritch of Barrington and Mary Staros of South Barrington enjoy shopping at the boutique before the performance at the fourth annual English High Tea and Drama fundraiser supporting the Signal Hill Chapter, NSDAR. Courtesy of Laura Ekstrom

Actress Jenny Riddle as Jackie Kennedy, one of four famous first ladies portrayed at the English High Tea fundraiser. Courtesy of Laura Ekstrom

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