FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STAR-BULLETIN.COM Karen Leatherman brought a bear to Salon Du Tea's party last month.

Tea time for Teddy

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By Nancy Arcayna
narcayna@starbulletin.com

Old vintage lace dresses, bonnets, pinafore vests and decorated hats. This is what teddy bears wear when they venture out to a tea party.

The Soci-tea hosts monthly tea parties where folks can gather to enjoy tea and swap teddy bear tales.

FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STAR-BULLETIN.COM Many other bears also enjoyed the social occasion.

The tea is held on the third Saturday monthly and at various tea rooms. "It's really a comfort club. Teddy bear people are usually warm and fuzzy themselves," said Linda Kai, who organized a tea at Salon du Tea, which she'll return to on Saturday.

The tea party was so elegant, said Bonnie Prebula, who brought along her own furry friends. "It was a nice group of gals interested in beautiful things," said Prebula. We are just a bunch of gracious ladies."

Teddy Bear Soci-tea Where: Salon du Tea When: 2 p.m. March 16 Call: 239-7679 by Wednesday for reservations

Kai enjoys the bears more as an adult because she never had them in childhood. "It's wonderful to be like a child again -- we all need that. I don't remember having any bears when I was young -- only dolls," she said.

Kai added, "It reminds me of gentler times that take us away from the fast pace. We are all trying to do too many things nowadays."

The tea party took Lani Mall back to the Old World. "I have a European background, so it reminded me of the quiet and relaxing teas, a time where we could just sit and share ideas. The difference at this tea, was that we brought some of the teddy bears that we treasure."

Mall makes miniature bears that range in size from 2 to 3 inches. She said she gets a charge out of the surprise and satisfaction of completing each bear. "Each one tells you how it should be dressed as it is completed. Sometimes a simple bow is just enough," she added.

Kai's 4-foot life size bear accompanied her to the grand event adorned in St. Patrick's day attire. "I need to go to the thrift store and get him a new outfit to wear to tea. He needs something nicer to wear to tea. I want to get him something really Fred Astaire," she said.

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