As Anne, Rosemary and Meg stood, they were approached by Mr. and Mrs. Yoder from the Amish bakery. Although they had only met that day almost two years earlier, they all recognized each other and greeted one another warmly but with proper restraint due to the circumstances. Meg introduced Tom to the couple, telling him later that Mr. Yoder baked marvelous shoofly pies, and she’d be sure to get two while there, since those she bought previously never made it home.
Tom and the women did not go to the reception, but rather stayed at Stone Brook and played host along with Ed and Paul. That evening they joined the Benson family — Ed, Drew and Beverly, Paul and Peggy and several of their relatives — for dinner at a country inn in Lincoln. As they sat around the table in front of the fireplace, they discussed the day’s events.
Standing with wine glass in hand, Ed proposed a toast.
“I’d like to toast a very important person who is not here with us tonight, at least not physically, but she’ll always be with me in spirit. My wife, Claire, who was the joy of my life for more than forty years and still is. Today many came to honor her memory and learned about her for the first time. But all of us here knew the person she was,” he continued, looking around the table, “as wife, mother, sister, cousin, friend. We all loved her and she loved us in return, and she’s left us all with special memories. She’s gone, but she’ll never be forgotten.”
Then raising his glass, he said, “To Claire, we’ll all miss you, Darling.”
Chapter 36
The four North Shore Red Hat chapters did not have the mystery trip the following spring as planned during the weekend of Claire’s death. Not that year, nor the next. The three surviving women couldn’t bring themselves to talk about it, although they continued as active members of the Red Hat Sisterhood and Queens of their respective chapters.
Eleanor Cowan had been Claire’s Vice Queen and reluctantly stepped in to lead the Bean Town Beauties.
“But I’ll never take her place,” she said when the chapter members elected her Queen. “I’ll do the best I can and our chapter will remain active, but we all know it will never be the same without Claire.”
One afternoon a month after the opening of the children’s cancer clinic, Anne called Meg and Rosemary and invited them to lunch at the Wenham Tea House. Described by one reviewer as a “genteel place for special occasions,” this charming women’s tea room went back nearly a century. Built in 1916, it is one of the oldest continually operating tea houses in the country. Originally called the Tea Kettle and Tabby Cat Tea House, it came under the auspices of the Wenham Village Improvement Society in 1925 as a philanthropic enterprise selling books, china, and handiwork to benefit the community. For many years the tea house generated enough money to fund scholarships and summer camps for needy children, but in recent years the practice had been discontinued due to increasing operating costs.
The popular tea house became a vital historical part of the Wenham community, considered by many to be “a jewel in the crown of Essex County.” Its reputation as a pleasant gathering place for families, and for men as well as women, became widely known throughout the New England region. Local businessmen often dropped by for a hearty meal, and a children’s tea was held on Wednesday afternoon once a month to the delight of young schoolgirls. To add to their enjoyment, waitresses donned costumes of fairy tale characters Snow White, Cinderella and Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. Toto was not allowed for health reasons.
But it was the delicious food that brought people back again and again. Everything was made from scratch, and “everything is irresistible,” as one male reviewer wrote, “from two-fisted diner grub like Yankee pot roast and turkey with all the trimmings, including moist sage dressing, mashed potatoes, whipped butternut squash, and cranberry-orange sauce, followed by hot milk sponge cake for dessert.”
Perhaps a New York City reviewer’s succinct one-liner best summed up the popularity of this time-honored tea room: “Worth driving from any place.”
When Anne called for a reservation, a must at this historic luncheon spot, she requested a table for three in a quiet corner. She also asked for a seating after the busy lunch hour so she and her friends could linger over tea without disturbance. Although this would not be a Red Hat luncheon, the manager, Sally Thomas, knew all the North Shore Queens and was happy to accommodate her. Every Red Hat chapter within a radius of one hundred miles had dined here. Mrs. Thompson was the perfect hostess at these luncheons, decorating tables with red cloths, purple napkins and fresh flowers from the garden.
On this day Anne, Meg and Rosemary arrived a little before one o’clock and were greeted warmly by their hostess. They browsed the gift shop during a brief wait before being led to a corner table overlooking the side garden. Anne and Rosemary selected hot entrees, which they often did when lunching with friends. Both lived alone and no longer cooked heavy meals, except when they entertained. After studying the menu, Anne ordered the Perfect Beef Stroganoff served over wild rice and Rosemary selected the Georgian Chicken, a tasty mixture of chicken, shrimp and almonds served in patty shells.
“Well, I promised Tom a pot roast for dinner tonight, so I’ll settle for the crabmeat salad,” said Meg.
They all had apple pan dowdy for dessert, but different teas. Rosemary chose a black tea with orange flavor, Anne stayed with her longtime favorite, Earl Grey, and Meg chose a chamomile herb tea.
After they placed their orders, Anne explained her reason for the meeting.
“I’m sure you’ve been thinking about Claire as much as I have,” she began. As Meg and Rosemary listened, she said she’d like to honor Claire in a meaningful way. “I thought perhaps we could establish a fund or a foundation in her honor to benefit the children at the cancer center.”
“That’s a marvelous idea,” said Meg. “I love it, and so will the gals in my chapter. It’s a great idea,” she repeated. “I’ve been wanting to do something, too, to honor her memory and this is the perfect answer.”
Rosemary, too, warmed to the idea. “I’ll help all I can,” she offered.
Anne was thrilled at their initial response, but she was not surprised. They had known and loved Claire as long as she had and she knew they would want to do something significant to keep her memory alive. She felt very deeply that Claire had been an extraordinary woman, the kind of person who should be remembered not only by those who knew her while she was alive, but future generations who would benefit from the endowment at Woodbridge Notch. Yes, they all agreed that it was a marvelous idea.
“We’ll ask Eleanor Cowan to work with us on it,” Anne continued. “I’ll give her a call when I get home and invite her to our next meeting. In the meantime, let me share some things we need to do to get the ball rolling.”
Taking out a notebook and pen, she began, “First of all, we should get Ed’s approval, not that we’d involve him at all, but I think we owe him the courtesy of getting his permission. We could call it the Claire Endicott Benson Memorial Foundation or something like that and set it up as a non-profit civic or social organization, whatever the law requires. Then have a special event every year on her birthday, June 18th, with all the proceeds going to the treatment center.”
“Oh, Anne, that’s wonderful,” Meg exclaimed enthusiastically. “There’s so much we could do to help Paul and the children with this extra money. We could decorate their rooms, buy toys at Christmastime and gift certificates for them to enjoy attractions in the area, like the cog railroad trip up Mt. Washington . . .”
“Yes, those are exactly the things I’d like us to do,” interrupted Anne. “Since the center will be open all year, we could buy the children holiday gifts: Halloween costumes and pumpkins, valentines, Easter baskets, and we could be sure that every child left the clinic with a gift of some kind, dolls for the girls, teddy bears for the boys, the younger ones, I mean. We’d have to come up with something else for the older children.
“Claire’s endowment will cover operating expenses, and the founda
tion could add the little extras to brighten their stay at the center.”
Looking at her notes again, Anne continued, “Assuming Ed agrees, I’ll check into what we need to do to set up the foundation legally. Are we agreed that we’ll call it the Claire Endicott Benson Memorial Foundation?”
“Yes, definitely.” answered Meg and Rosemary enthusiastically.
“We’ll need to elect officers and have a board of directors, so please give that some thought.” Anne advised.
Meg spoke up quickly. “I’m too busy with my real estate business, Anne. If Rosemary agrees, I’d like to see you take the office of president. We’d all be involved in the fund-raisers and I’d be glad to serve as treasurer.”
“That leaves secretary, Rosemary. Would you consider doing that, at least for the first year? Then we can hold elections.”
“Thanks, Anne, but I suggest you ask Eleanor and just let me help in other unofficial ways. I’d prefer not to have a major responsibility, but I’ll help all I can and I really want to. I’ll enjoy buying gifts for the children and helping with special events for them on holidays. I really want to help.”
“I know you do, Rosemary, and we’ll surely be calling on you.”
Consulting her notes again, Anne said, “Let’s talk about fund-raisers. We’ll need volunteers, and lots of them. This won’t be a Red Hat project, because Ed and Claire had a wide circle of friends and they’ll want to be involved. I envision it more as a community thing, and anyone who wants to participate is welcome—as volunteers, sponsors, and so forth. It should be a project that involves anyone who wants to support Claire’s legacy, and I think we’ll have a lot of takers.”
She then called for a meeting the following month to get volunteers involved. “Why don’t each of us here, plus Eleanor, invite three people to join us. They will be the worker bees. We’ll ask them to chair committees, and the four of us will serve as the council overseeing these various chairmen. In other words, the chain of command will be volunteers assigned to committees who report to their chairmen, and the chairmen, in turn, report to us. We can have a weekly or monthly meeting of the committee chairmen to get progress reports on everything that’s happening.”
“How many committees do you think we’ll need?” asked Meg.
“Off-hand, I’d say someone to negotiate the venues, others for entertainment, ticket sales, publicity, decorations, and someone to coordinate all of the volunteers.”
“If I’m going to be treasurer, I’ll take venue negotiations and ticket sales, because there will probably be costs involved there,” said Meg.
Anne offered to take publicity and entertainment.
“I’ll do the decorations,” said Rosemary.
“Great, that leaves Eleanor to coordinate the volunteers, and I think she’ll do a good job in that position.”
“About venues,” added Rosemary, “I know a great place to have our first fund-raiser if we can get her to agree, and I think she will.”
She then told them about a friend, Jenny Adams, a wealthy widow who owned a beautiful oceanfront home in Manchester-by-the-Sea which had been a summer embassy before World War II.
“It would be a wonderful place for a lawn party. It’s an English manor and has a great lawn for outdoor dining and a place for a band and dance floor overlooking the sea.” Then she explained, “I’m thinking of her because Harold and I attended a fund-raiser there about ten years ago for a Christian academy when her husband was on the board of directors. She lives alone now, but she’s still very active socially, and maybe she’d let us hold one there.”
“It sounds divine, exactly the type of social I was thinking about for fund-raisers,” said Anne. “They’d have to be very elegant, very special, so people will want to attend year after year. Would you mind asking her about having something there next June?”
Rosemary agreed and made a note to call her friend, Jenny Adams. In closing the meeting, Anne had one final item in her notebook: “Shall we agree to meet next month and if so, where?”
Again Rosemary, who usually held back and let others take the lead, was quick to answer.
“This I can do. Let’s have it at my house. I can have about twenty or so comfortably inside if it rains; more outside if the weather is nice. I’m fairly convenient for everyone, and I’m free any day of the week so let me do it this time.”
“Wonderful, Rosemary,” said Anne. “Thanks. It’ll be better to have it in the daytime for most women, and maybe Eleanor can get a few hours off. If not, we can cover a lot by e-mail. Let’s see about a date and time.”
As the meeting ended, Anne thanked them both for coming, “and more importantly,” she added, “for agreeing to the foundation idea. It’ll involve hard work and dedication and we’ll need lots of help, but dear Claire who has done so much for others certainly deserves to be remembered. And I think this is the best way to do that.” Both women wholeheartedly agreed.
After paying their bills, the ladies visited the gift shop again and Meg called attention to the fact that two of Anne’s books were on display.
“Yes,” Anne noted. “We had a book signing here when Eyes on My Windowsill came out and it sold very well. I really love their book selections and always buy at least one every time I come here.”
True to her word, she left with the coffee table edition of The Small Garden Book by John Brookes, which was a guide to transforming small urban space into an attractive garden. And Anne’s small Cape Ann plot would certainly have an English flavor with a rose-covered trellis and hollyhocks.
After saying goodbye in the parking lot, the women drove off in separate directions. Elated at the prospect of setting up a foundation to honor Claire, they were eager to get started. There was much to do to make their dream a reality.
Chapter 37
Anne’s first call the next morning was to Ed Benson, who was pleased with the idea that a memorial would be established for the wife he had loved so much, and that the funds would be designated for the Children’s Inn.
“It’s very thoughtful of you ladies, and the family will greatly appreciate it, Anne. Thank you.” Then, being astute in matters of finance, he added, “There’ll be some initial expense to set it up, Anne. Let me help.”
“Oh, no, Ed. This foundation will be separate from the Children’s Inn. We don’t want to use any funds from Claire’s endowment.”
“I realize that, but I can help privately. And if it’ll make you feel better, you can repay me later after the foundation is operating. Believe me, there will be costs to set it up and I want to help.”
“That’s very kind of you, Ed. If we need it, I’ll let you know.”
Anne told him all that was expected of him was that he attend the social events, which he was happy to do, and use the money from the foundation for little extras for the children, which he was also happy to do. In fact, he was pleased that the women were thinking of the children in this way, and knew that Paul would be also.
Then he asked, “Have you decided on an attorney to set it up?”
“Not really. One of our Red Hatters is an attorney, but I haven’t discussed it with her or anyone. Do you have someone in mind?”
“Yes, as a matter of fact. Bill Watson does a lot of work for the bank, setting up trust funds, mortgages and other legal matters. He’d do a good job for you and he’d be reasonable, if he charged you at all. I’ll give you his number if you’re interested.”
Again he offered to help. “There’ll be costs involved,” he repeated, “and I’m available if you need start-up funds.”
And again Anne thanked him and said she’d call him if necessary.
Anne’s next call was to Eleanor Cowan, Queen of Boston’s Bean Town Beauties, who was thrilled to learn the purpose of the mid-morning call. Her response was immediate.
“Of course, I’ll work with you on it, Anne,” she said, “And I’ll be honored to be secretary and serve on the Council. Thank you for asking me.”
Eleano
r was an account executive for a classical music station in Boston, and was on a first-name basis with clients who were long-time friends of the Endicott and Benson families. Also, her membership in several civic clubs would be invaluable in getting donations from the business world.
Anne was anxious to set up the foundation immediately, and next dialed the number for the attorney Ed had recommended. And he was right about application fees. She quickly learned that a sizable amount in investible assets was required to justify foundation costs, which Ed agreed to guarantee. Within ten days, the Claire Endicott Benson Memorial Foundation, a fully functioning private foundation, was up and running with all documents properly signed, sealed and delivered, including the IRS filing for tax-exempt status.
By-laws for the foundation designated that all funds, after expenses, were to go exclusively to the Stone Brook Children’s Inn. They also included a conflict-of-interest clause, qualifications and duties of the Board of Directors, plus time and place for Board meetings, which were scheduled quarterly at the Children’s Inn. An Executive Committee consisting of five board members was also required, which Anne planned to arrange as soon as possible.
The following month plans got under way at a morning meeting at Rosemary’s house, during which Anne read the Foundation preamble and by-laws in their entirety. The sixteen women present agreed enthusiastically to comply with all requirements, dedicating themselves fully to its altruistic mission as outlined.
During this meeting, committees were established, chairmen selected, duties outlined and guidelines set. Rosemary reported that her friend, Jenny Adams, was thrilled to host the first Spring Gala at her home by the sea and invited the Council members out to view the site. It was agreed that all contracts with entertainers, caterers, florists, equipment suppliers, printers, and others would be approved by the Council and signed by Meg. It was also agreed that the Council would hold monthly meetings with all chairmen in order to keep up to date on their progress and provide assistance as needed.
The Mystery Trip Page 21
