Tie on your best apron, enjoy tea at Leeza’s Place
By Denise Baran-Unland For The Herald-News June 15, 2012 3:52PM
If you go
What: Grandma’s Apron: An Afternoon Summer Tea Party
When: 1-3 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Leeza’s Place at Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center, 50 Uno Circle, Joliet
Etc: An opportunity to buy chances to win a hand-crocheted, vintage apron
Cost: Free. Must R.S.V.P. because seating is limited.
Contact: 815-741-0077
Updated: July 18, 2012 6:20AM
JOLIET — Staff and volunteers at Leeza’s Place at Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center invite the community to “tie one on” with them.
They’re talking about aprons, of course.
On Wednesday, wear your favorite apron and enjoy a cup of tea while listening to and sharing apron-related stories with the other guests. There will also be games about aprons, fun facts about aprons (Grandma’s apron protected her dress; do you know what other purpose it had?) and a mini fashion show, so guests can fully display their aprons.
“A lot of what we do at Leeza’s Place is about telling stories,” said Kathy Miller, program and outreach director. “We do this through scrapbooking, journaling and our tea parties. This tea party is a wonderful way for us to remember our mothers and grandmothers who always wore aprons: workday, everyday and fancy.”
Each guest will receive a mini water bottle apron to take home. They may also purchase a chance for a beautiful, one of a kind, hand-crocheted, vintage apron embellished with crocheted flowers. Connie Bromley, Leeza’s Place volunteer and mentor for new caregivers, created the apron for the event.
“When I saw Connie’s apron, it brought tears to my eyes at how incredibly beautiful it is,” Miller said. “The flowers are so delicate and intricate. Anyone who wins this will have a treasured heirloom.”
Bromley and her husband Roger had moved to Joliet in 2009 to care for Roger’s mother. The couple found such caring support through Leeza’s Place that, after Roger’s mother died, they remained with the organization as volunteers. Bromley is also part of Leeza’s Place’s Tuesday crochet group.
Forty-five years ago, while on medical leave, Bromley, to pass the time, learned to crochet, so she has put plenty of experience behind her apron. Bromley prefers working with vintage patterns and thread; favorite projects include doilies, doll clothes and Christmas decorations.
Bromley had already discovered the pattern for a decorative apron when Miller asked Bromley to crochet one for the tea party. It was just the excuse Bromley had been seeking, since Leeza’s Place was the perfect recipient for her efforts, all 120 hours of them.
“Being a caregiver is very difficult,” Bromley said. “Leeza’s Place was a big help to us, as it is to many people. We can’t help but get emotional when we think about it.”
