It was an afternoon of lunching, Bingo, and a special Mother’s Day Tea at the Newtown Senior Center, Wednesday, May 6. Nearly 30 women wearing festive springtime hats — and a few men — laughed and visited over a teatime selection of baked goods and hot tea.

Most all who sported hats were proud to note that they had created them. Rose Cipolla made her rose-covered cap the night before. “I have lots of hats. I love to wear them,” said Ms Cipolla.

Claire Theune created a simple bow-adorned headband for the party, and had encouraged Paula Catalano to do the same. Ms Catalano heeded the suggestion, coming up with a delicate floral headband.

Dottie Dellapiano reached into the shopping cart for her hat, weaving a pink fedora out of plastic bags.

Was there a hat larger than that worn by Louise Zierzow? Possibly not, as the sombrero the former Spanish teacher had on her head spread the width of her shoulders. “Yesterday was Cinco de Mayo,” explained Ms Zierzow, “and really, this was the only hat I had to wear today!”

Joining in on the fun, Bob Sharpe and John Spremullo put on fancy hats for the day. A flower-covered straw hat for Mr Sharpe and a hat made of playing cards for Mr Spremullo were in keeping with the afternoon’s theme.

Guests at the Mother’s Day Tea were treated to brief entertainment by one of their own, as well.

Connie Sciglimpaglia, decked out in a fruit-laden bonnet, was not too shy to take the floor and share her rendition of Carmen Miranda’s “Chicka-Boom-Boom,” to the delight of all in attendance.

Each table in the main room of the Senior Center was draped in linen, with a central pedestal to hold a tray of assorted cookies and sweets. Former member of the Commission on Aging, Karin Aurelia, assisted Senior Center Director Marilyn Place the evening before to make meringues, cupcakes, and chocolate-dipped strawberries. Those who desired a savory, rather than sweet, accompaniment to the tea were pleased to find that Ms Aurelia had put together trays of cucumber tea sandwiches. Teas and treats were displayed on tables, where Judy Thomas, assistant to the director, served up the tea sandwiches and smiles.

As they sipped and supped, several members shared their thoughts on motherhood. Barbara Millard said she hoped to see her son, Billy, on Mother’s Day, this year. “I always told him to be a good guy — and he is. He’s a principal in East Haven now,” said Ms Millard.

Joyce Goldin passed on her own mother’s advice to her sons, Ethan and Michael. “Do the best you can, no matter what you do,” were the words passed along, and it is advice she believes they have taken to heart.

“Mind my own business, is what my mother told me,” said Marilyn Chernin, who also recalled what a wonderful cook her mother had been.

For Claire Theune, it is the recollection of her mother’s gardens that comes to mind. “She loved to garden and she loved flowers. I remember she grew her own balloon flowers from seed, which is hard to do. I remember her, and her beautiful flowers,” said Ms Theune.

As she looked at the display of Ms Place’s personal teapot collection, Kay Epp’s memory was jogged. “I remember saving up to buy my mother a cookie jar, when I was about 10 years old. It’s funny, what we think our mother’s want,” she said.

 “My mother was European, and we didn’t do much about holidays like this,” admitted Ms Aurelia. “We lived in England. She was a wonderful, hardworking mother. She walked five miles to work each day, and back again, and lived to the ripe old age of 94,” she recalled.

“My mom is 96 years old,” said Ms Place. “Her advice to me was to ‘Enjoy life and never say you’re sorry. You have to learn every day,’” said Ms Place.

As director, she looks forward to providing a special event to celebrate mothers each year, inspired by her own mother.

“She grew up in the South. She and my grandmother, Sadie, always loved their tea and sweets, served on beautiful China plates,” she said. Each delicate teacup and plate at Wednesday’s tea was from her own collection, said Ms Place. “We want to make it special for them,” Ms Place said, passing out a goodie bag of Godiva and Dove chocolates to each guest — “Sweets for the sweet”— as well as a copy of the classic poem, “When I Am An Old Woman.”

“She gave me my personality,” remembered Rose Cipolla, of her mother. “I talk too much, and I love to be with people. I wish I had her still today.”