Mrs. Gould’s 12th Annual Holiday Social at Georgian Court University’s Mansion–November 20, 2013

 

Well, we did it again.  We managed to find another holiday event that tickled our fancy!     

 Mrs. Gould’s Twelfth Annual Holiday Social.

The History of Georgian Court---

By the late 1800’s Lakewood had become a premier winter getaway for the wealthy elite of New York City and Philadelphia.   The likes of the Rockefellers and the Astors flocked to Lakewood in the winter months to take advantage of the fresh pine air and quiet country surroundings.

In 1896, railroad magnate George Jay Gould commissioned architect Bruce Price to create a regal country estate on a pine-laden tract along the north shore of Lake Carasaljo.   The 155-acre estate was completed in 1902.   Named Georgian Court for its extensive use of British Georgian-style architecture, the estate featured soaring structures, lush gardens, and inspiring statuary.

For nearly 30 years, the Gould family vacationed and entertained guests during the winter months at Georgian Court.  During that time, George Jay Gould’s wife, Edith Kingdon Gould, became widely known for throwing parties of unparalleled opulence.

In 1924, the Sisters of Mercy purchased the estate to house the growing Mount Saint Mary’s College.   At the Gould family’s request, the Sisters agreed to rename the college so the estate could retain the Georgian Court title.

Thanks to the Sisters’ loving preservation, much of Georgian Court’s original gilded glory remains on display or in use to this day.  

The cast included Mrs. Gould, Ruth Etting (a celebrity singer and former Ziegfield Follies showgirl) and Daisy, the hilarious Maid.   All were equally talented and sang many songs that the audience knew and loved.   Some we even sang along!    It was very well done and entertaining.    Our Tea Luncheon was equally good.  We started out with Linzer Tarts, Warm Apple Cider, A selection of finger sandwiches and assorted pastries and hot tea.   No one left hungry, as sometimes happens with with Tea’s.    Georgian Court was generous in making sure that we had our fill of food.

Below is our beautiful group, with the cast on the beautiful staircase of the Parlor.

Last but not least, Sheri and Terry were very curious about 2 “large lady” guests.  It seems these “Ladies” were not part of the show, but rather were transvestites who loved dressing up and going out to “tea”.    The blond seated was 6’4 and has had a sex change operation.   Yep.  How do I know that?    Sheri, the inquisitor, had a nice conversation with the couple prior to entering the Parlor.   

Anyone interested in the many events that take place at Georgian Court can go to…

www.georgian.edu/events or by phone (732)987-2263

 

Revenge is Sweet! Murder Mystery Luncheon–October 6, 2013

 

Thanks to Sheri and Judy W. for planning our fantastic afternoon at Aleathea’s Restaurant at the beautiful Inn of Cape May.

Revenge is Sweet takes place in 1911when automobiles have superseded the horse for most travelers visiting the shore.   The automobile club is having a banquet at the Mistflower Hotel, which is managed by its two proprietors, Preston Cooley and his sister in law Toinette.   A recent car accident caused by a mysterious stranger at the hotel fuels the resentment of some regarding automobiles as a menace to the public’s safety.  The stranger raises the curiosity of the ladies attending the banquet when they learn that he is connected with the motion picture industry in Fort Lee, New Jersey.   Soon peculiar and disquieting incidents disrupt the festive evening:  theft, tawdry family secrets, and bitter rivalries.   Will all parties finally ride into the sunset or run into a dead-end?  

Lunch was excellent.   Cream of Smoked Roasted Red Pepper soup was simply delish.   This was followed by a turkey wrap and dessert of Chocolate Mousse while we enjoyed the antics of the cast.   

The cast was hilarious!  They included the dining guests in the show which was especially funny when they referred to Judy A as Dr. Quackenbush!     She played the part like a pro! 

The Inn of Cape May is a beautiful Victorian Inn and a perfect place for this show.   There is also a dining room that overlooks the ocean and is open for lunch. 

Delicious Orchards–Happy Hatters Get Lucky on Friday the 13th!

 

 

Once again, the fearless fourteen piled into our cars and headed North on the Parkway to Delicious Orchards Country Food Market in Colts Neck.  (Exit 100B)

http://www.deliciousorchardsnjonline.com

Thanks go to Sheila and Jeannie for coordinating our day.  Judging by the shopping bags and coolers carried out by the ladies in purple, I would say we had a successful day of shopping.   We certainly were a big hit in the market.  We received lots of comments on our purple outfits and red headgear.   We even encountered a young man in the parking lot who questioned us on what the requirements are to become a Red Hatter!  He met our age requirement, but not our gender requirement!      Sheri was quick to tell him that “no men are allowed”.    

Although some clouds rolled in, we managed to enjoy lunch in the outdoor café before we left. 

Since the day was still young, the die hard shoppers made a quick stop at the Jersey Shore Premium Outlets in Tinton Falls.  These ladies are Pro’s!  

Roaring 20’s Tour of Atlantic City– August 29, 2013

 

We boarded our Victorian Trolley at Gardner’s Basin to begin our tour highlighting one of Atlantic City’s most provocative eras: when it was considered the grand dame of resorts with luxury hotels, speakeasies and a free-wheeling nightlife.   Our tour guide was a colorful old gent who kept us laughing as he morphed into different characters as he begin his historical account of the 1920’s era.

As we departed from Gardner’s Basin, we were treated to a short history lesson on the attached housing that was built by Donald Trump in an effort to appease the hundreds of people that were displaced as he was buying property to build casinos.

We enjoyed his stories about the speakeasy lifestyle, the gangsters, and the illegal booze parlors and women of the night.  He talked about Enoch “Nucky” Johnson, the political boss and racketeer of Atlantic City, who helped shape much of the atmosphere seen and felt in Atlantic City even today.

Pictured above is a home owned by the Sinatra family located across the inlet in Brigantine.    He mentioned that Nancy Sinatra occasionally visits the area.

The Absecon Lighthouse is the tallest in New Jersey and the third tallest in the country.   It’s light can be seen for 19 miles.

We arrived for lunch at the Irish Pub where we would also tour the Elwood Hotel.  (built in 1904) 

Before heading back to Gardner’s Basin, we were treated to a ride through a secret tunnel which is used to bring celebrities and politicians into Boardwalk Hall (formerly the Convention Center).   Evidently, these tunnels were used to bring alcohol into the city during the prohibition years.  

The tour was great!  Although none of us are strangers to Atlantic City, we enjoyed learning about the 1920’s era.

The tour was one of many tours offered by Atlantic City Trolley Tours.