 The Grace Moore Senior Citizens Center staff hosted a “Happy Mother’s Day Celebration 2010" on Friday, May 7th at 11:00 a.m. Sara DeClerk-Director, Sally Allen-Cook and Helena Thompson-volunteer, prepared a wonderful Tea Luncheon for Tribal elders to celebrate Mothers Day early.
The menu was wonderful and festive. The tribal elders and guests were served: Citrus Tea Punch (a sparkling, sunny combination of brewed tea and orange and lemon juices), Fruited Chicken Salad (pineapple & almond enhanced the salad), Cucumber Finger Sandwiches, Biscuit-like bread made with sharp cheddar cheese, Chocolate stuffed strawberries, creamy mint dessert. There was ice tea, lemon aid and coffee for the traditional lovers of cold tea and hot coffee.
The tables were decorated with mauve table clothes and fresh  apple blossoms and lilacs. The elders were given a program made by Sara DeClerk which included the menu, tea facts, tea time etiquette and Mother’s Day themed poems.
Sara read “When Mother Came to Tea” to the group before lunch was served by Sally Allen, Sara and Helena Thompson.
The ladies were asked to bring in a tea cup or china dish that was cherished by them that was given to them by their mother or grandmother. Elder ladies from the downtown Flandreau community brought their “moustache cups” that were handed down to them. One cup was approximately 125 years old.
Helena Thompson brought her blue china pitcher from her collection of blue china dishes.
Lillian Beane, Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe’s eldest tribal member (98 years old), brought a cup and saucer that belongs to her eight place set of china given to her by her parents when she got married to Sidney Beane. Lillian told the group of ladies: “My parents gave me this set of china for my wedding. I still have all eight of the place settings. I moved several times and with all my moving I never had one broken or misplaced piece. I will be 99 years old this August. I was married to the same man all my married life.” Everyone clapped for Lillian (Moore) Beane. Lillian’s daughter Linda Olson attended the Tea Luncheon with her.
 Beverly (Redwing) Wakeman, Tribal elder, had a small souvenir china cup with a picture of Winona Hall, the old and original girl’s dorm at Flandreau Indian School. It is approximately 60 years old and was given to her by Mr. Tony Firman. Beverly displayed it and told the group the story about her china cup. Beverly worked at FIS for 40 years and retired in October of 2004.
Fannie Armstrong, Tribal elder, had four generations at her table for the Mother’s Day Tea. Eating lunch with Fannie was her daughter Betty Armstrong, grandson Mike Tolleffson and great grandson Mikey Tolleffson.
It was a nice way to “pre-celebrate” Mother’s Day with this nicely hosted tea and luncheon. Thank you Sara, Sally and Helena! -Editor
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