Tea for Tails: No Barks, No Bites, Just Purrs of Delight

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Valerie Urry, Stephanie & Lincoln Chafee, Christie

Smith in front of Land's End

The lovely lawn of Land’s End, the home of Joe and Victoria Mele, was the setting for a “scrumptious” high tea to benefit The Potter League’s programs and building fund recently, and it was many old friends and generations of families greeting each other, including the Pells, the Butlers, Oatsie Charles, Helen Winslow, Frolic Weymouth, David Ford and David, Jr., and Dorrance (Dodo) and Anne Hamilton. The Pell youngsters were exuberant with their mother, artist Christina Pell Randall, at a large center table.

Patty & Mary Spigel with State Senator

Teresa Paiva Weed

Tea sandwiches, champagne, desserts, and truly creative hats were the order of the afternoon, and the original owner of Land’s End, author Edith Wharton, would’ve felt right at home with the gentility of it all.

Outrageous hats, including those of prize winners Judy McLennan and the animal skin worn throughout by intrepid Claude Newton, elicited comments, as guitarist David Enstone strummed at the edge of the tent. New York fashion designer Mary McFadden, fresh from the previous evening’s Art Museum Gala, made an appearance in her signature flowing clothing, and spoke quietly with Oatsie Charles, this year’s honorary chairman.

Sheila Reilly

In a sweet speech, Mrs. Charles lauded the work of The Potter League, and spoke about her dog Fusspot, now gone, as “the heart that beat at my feet.”

Outgoing Board chairman Sheila Reilly told the crowd that “the time is now” to give to the League, and announced the winners of the three fabulous raffle prizes. Executive Director of the Potter League Christie Smith and Pat Heller, Director of Development, worked ceaselessly with other volunteers, delivering trays of delectable treats. Hugh D. (Yusha) Auchincloss III sauntered down the road just as people were leaving, greeting Nuala and Dallas Pell.