Table
of ContentsSweet Grass Participants
GINSEY BATES
I am going to include Ginsey Bates with the “binyas,” even though she also had roots in Columbia, SC. Although she is one of our newer members, she has enthusiastically tossed her hat in our ring and participated in many of our hat-pin-Ings…tonight’s being a perfect example.
Ginsey has had a variety of job experiences. They include being on the Staff of The Office of the Governor in Delaware, a Medical Assistant at DuPont Children’s Hospital, Property Manager, and Teacher’s Assistant for special needs students at Mt. Pleasant Academy. Like another hatsister, Ginsey has done some modeling.
But of all the jobs she has had, she is most proud of being a grandmother of four.
Of course, we thank Ginsey for being an active member of The Hat Ladies and here tonight. But we especially join her in thanking her lovely Mother, a Charleston Lady who shared her love of hats and gloves with her lovely daughter.
MARGUERITE CHALMERS
Marguerite Chalmers is definitely a “been ya,” In fact, she is a 9th generation binya. Although she has stayed and visited many places, she has never lived anywhere else.Marguerite has had the most and most UNUSUAL careers of anyone I have ever known: Hold onto your hat while I list them. The first I had to look up: Cheese monger.
She was a Cheese monger (a person who sells cheese, butter, and other dairy products), followed by dairy goat farmer, personal trainer, and body builder. (I’m just getting warmed up): She was also an Executive Chef and owner of North Central Delicatessen, Owner of a hospitality staffing company, Restaurant Consultant, Director of Operations for two local catering companies and a destination management company, and Executive Food Stylist for PEC Photography.
Her latest venture I ALSO had to look up: She is a Hydroponic Farmer, which means she cultivates vegetables and flowers in nutrient-enriched water with or without the mechanical support of an inert medium such as sand, gravel, or perlite. But most of all, Marguerite is tending to her twin 18-month-old daughters who she can’t wait to bring to Hat Lady events and involve them in our volunteerism. Almost forgot: In her “free” time she enjoys playing chess and was a 2nd grade Greek and Latin Teacher.
When asked if there is a back story to discovering her love of hats, Marguerite wrote (and I quote): She went to Second Sunday and attended the first Bagel Nosh sponsored by the Temple on Hasell. She saw my hatsister, Jackie, and me dancing, laughing, and wearing beautiful hats. That sight was enough for her to take a picture. NINE years later, she thought about that moment, looked up The Hat Ladies, and joined us!
LIZ FRANCHINI
Liz Franchini, born and raised in Queens, is one of our comeyas. She left New York in the late 60’s when her husband was in the military. They lived in Florida, Ohio, Missouri, and Pennsylvania. But they had visited Charleston. What started as a joke that she would gladly move here took on a life of its own…especially when she realized The Citadel had the same graduate program she had found elsewhere. The range of places Liz lived and worked would eventually pale in comparison to the range of countries to which she has traveled and the projects she created as a result. If there is anywhere in the WORLD you are thinking of going, contact Liz.
Liz’s answer to which careers she has had is “MANY.” But they all involved working with young people, usually in an educational setting. It was in her capacity as School to Work counselor at Garrett Academy that she went to the first Hat Ladies’ Luncheon. A colleague had encouraged her to attend, even though it was on a school day, by saying, “Go. I see you wear hats. Besides, you never know who you’ll meet.” GOOD ADVICE for anyone. She sat next to me. That was 23 years ago.
Because Liz took a chance…and tossed her hat in our ring…, she became a Hat Lady and The Hat Ladies Scholarship became a reality for a Senior Girl who personified our ideals: A concern for her appearance and a volunteer spirit. It continued until Garrett closed. Liz also exemplifies OUR volunteer spirit by serving as a guardian ad Litem, working at Charleston County Parks, and ushering at Dock Street, Footlight Players, and Spoleto.
On a personal level, Liz has a married son, two teenage grandchildren living in Atlanta, and a married daughter who is a veterinarian with 2 grand dogs and 3 cats living in Baltimore.We are lucky to have Liz with us tonight because in true Liz spirit, she heads to Bali in a few weeks!
IDA GOODWINE
Ida Goodwine has the distinction of being both a “Binyah” and “Comeyah.” She is FROM Johns Island. However, she lived in NEW YORK for over 50 years. Upon her retirement six years ago, she relocated back to Charleston (and I quote) “for a better quality of life.”
Thus her life story coincidentally parallels Tomesena’s. We are honored to be honoring HER tonight and honored to have IDA as one of our hatsisters every night.And just what did IDA retire from? Once again, like Tomasena she had notable careers: Social worker in New York City and Lt. Colonel in the United States Army. The Hat Ladies have Ida’s desire to wear stylish hats as protection from New York’s cold weather to thank for her return to the warmth of Charleston and toss those hats in our ring.
However, Ida did not merely return back home; she continues to GIVE back. She is one of our most active volunteers for causes such as The March of Dimes and Day of Caring, and enjoys sharing a good meal at our monthly Luncheons. Participating in faith-based organizations, traveling, reading, and line dancing complete her days.
A few more feathers in Ida’s cap are her adult son Earl, still living in New York City and two grandchildren: One (also named Earl) is a high school graduate who will attend North Carolina Agriculture and Technical State University and Patice, who recently graduated from Virginia State University. Welcome home, IDA.
JACKIE LEAR
Jackie Buerro Lear definitely qualifies as a “Binya” with relatives having arrived in the 1700’s and buried in some of Charleston’s most prestigious graveyards. We’re delighted she’s still “earth bound.”
Jackie attended Rivers High School and worked at a bank on Broad Street, upon graduation. The bank ultimately went bankrupt. She swears she had nothing to do with it. Like some of our native hatsisters, she didn’t always live here.Being married to an Air Force pilot…”A Yankee, no less! she experienced living in many states and countries, such as Oklahoma, California, and Japan. But “The Land of the Magnolias” always called to her. She likes to say “you can take the girl out of Charleston but you can’t take Charleston out of the girl. She’s been home for many years now—where dozens of loud, fun, loyal, helpful, hardworking playful, relatives reside, along with her heart and hats.
Fortunately for The Hat Ladies, Jackie faithfully reads The Post and Courier. So her eye caught the announcement of our first Easter Promenade. After all, she didn’t remember a time when hats WEREN’T in her life She didn’t notice, however, one was supposed to be a member. To this Day, we lovingly joke she crashed it. But we’re sure hatpy she did.
One of my personal favorite images is seeing Jackie “DO The Charleston” when musicians played the song on King Street on Second Sunday. One of HER favorite things to do was entertain with her hatsisters at the Assisted Living facilities throughout the tricounty area. Her enthusiasm can also be seen as being an ardent cheerleader for The Citadel, even taking the email address of “Bull Dog.”
But truth be told, Jackie’s greatest passion, next to hats, is CATS. Her support of The Hat Ladies volunteerism and The Animal Society is legendary. We are lucky she faithfully reads the newspaper.
CORINNE MISTRETTA
We finally have a “comeya” in Corinne. This New York native lived in three different cities: Hornell, Elmira, and Binghamton. FORTUNATELY retirement, along with a love of Charleston after many vacations brought her here permanently.
Corinne’s work experience was equally diverse: It began by her coming from a working-class family. She helped on the original family farm and gained lots of love and appreciation of wildlife. Her first foray into the world of work was a couple of years in the beauty industry, after graduating from Cosmetology School. Eventually Corinne changed course and went to work for the local utility as a customer representative. She spent 35 years with the Company...many of them as a supervisor in a call center and as a trainer.
Corinne always loved hats. But a trip with a girlfriend to try on hats many years ago didn’t turn out very well for her. All her friends said she shouldn’t wear a hat. That said they just didn’t look good on her. So Corinne didn’t bother to wear them for many years! t would take a move to Charleston and an encouraging neighbor for her to join The Hat Ladies. Being a member changed all that!!! She says she has many favorites now!!! Yay!!
KIMBERLY PERRY
Kimberly Perry is also a binya. In fact, she is a 6th generation binya on her Mother’s side. Although she lived in various other cities, we are fortunate she came back home to US.,Kimberly is a Legal Operations Professional at Blackbaud, a Company that has been a major contributor to our International African American Museum.
Despite a highly responsible work load, she finds time to participate in Hat Ladies hat-pin-ings: Three of the most notable being Head Docent for Historic Charleston Foundation’s Tour of Homes and Gardens and attending The Hats of The World Luncheon we made for the female ambassadors and high officials of The United Nations at one end of the volunteer spectrum and donning a Hard Hat to work on Habitat for Humanity Houses.
Kimberly has always loved hats but didn’t start wearing them (other than for utilitarian purposes) until joining The Hat Ladies. She first learned about and met us at the Awards Program sponsored by Charleston Magazine when both Blackbaud and The Hat Ladies were honored back in 2012.
The Hat Ladies and Blackbaud are lucky she is STILL with both of us!
LIVIA THOMAS
Livia Thomas is definitely a “Comeya,” having come all the way from Jakarta, Indonesia…just to join US…
As a military wife, she had the opportunity to travel all around. Thus they called Canada, North Carolina, and Georgia home...until they found Charleston. Upon her late husband’s retirement, Charleston became home for the last 15 years. We are so pleased she’s here and has been a Hat Lady for almost all those years.
In Indonesia, Livia did some modeling. She currently works as the Area Sales Manager for Marriott and is kept busy by her two children and three grandchildren. We Hat Ladies are lucky they love to get dressed up and Promenade with us, even if they DO steal the show... We have also had the privilege of meeting her Mother when she comes from Indonesia to visit. She actually volunteers with us at such times!
Livia was introduced to hats by her mother-in-law in Darlington, SC when she first came to the United States from Indonesia. While spending time with her, she observed fabulous church hats-- unlike anything she had ever seen in her country. She loved how all the womenmeticulously coordinated themselves from head to toe, adorning their crown with the most amazing hats. Take a good look at Livia. She clearly learned her lesson WELL!
SUSAN (HARRELSON) TUMBLESON
Susan Harrelson is yet another binya, having been born at St. Francis Hospital. Her parents were ALSO natives. Her Father, Julius Tumbleston, grew up on Drake Street near The Cigar Factory. He was a World War II Veteran who raised three daughters and passed away at age 94. One of his most favorite things to do was to share stories about our beautiful City, Charleston.
Susan’s Mother, Hannah, made and sold lunch to the Cigar Factory workers. She was a member of various garden clubs and sang in her Church choir. She was also a talented seamstress, who made evening gowns for Susan’s sister’s many beauty contests, as well as gorgeous window treatments and pillows. Susan still has a pink wool coat lined with ivory satin, that she lovingly made for her. The best thing she feels she received from her Mother was: QUOTE: “It’s always better to be overdressed than underdressed.”
Susan has owned several home décor, retail businesses. She now shares a booth, with her Sister, at Mt. Pleasant Mall. Whether decorating a house or themselves, her Mother taught her daughters well.