Hat Judges Revealed for Mad Hatter’s Tea Out of Africa Into the Garden at the Patron Party at Northwood Club
Mad Hatter’s Tea is Celebrating its 33rd Year benefiting the Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden and A Woman’s Garden
(Fetured photo: Jolie Humphrey, Chair, Mad Hatter’s Tea; Kay Weeks, President, Women’s Council; Carole Ann Brown, Honorary Chair.)*
Jolie Humphrey, chair of Mad Hatter’s Tea Out of Africa Into the Garden, along with Kay Weeks, president of the Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, hosted patrons at a party in their honor at Northwood Club underwritten by Linda and Frank Spina and chaired by Therese Rourk and Dyann Skelton.
Therese Rourk, Dyann Skelton, Patron Party Chairs 
Linda and Frank Spina, Patron Party Sponsors
An excited anticipation filled the air, as this was also the evening when the Hat Judges were going to be revealed. Kay welcomed the crowd thanking sponsors, including Presenting Sponsor Park Place Motorcars, TOOTSIES, who is sponsoring the informal modeling at Mad Hatter’s Tea on April 15, 2021 at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, along with media sponsors People Newspapers and My Sweet Charity.
Special recognition was also given to honorary chair, Carole Ann Brown, who chaired the first Mad Hatter’s Tea in 1989, and many thanks to Hats by Jennie Mathison-Foster for her very chic display for the evening and to Elements’ Connie Segal and the beautiful collection of handmade South African ceramics presented by Ardmore’s Ed Pascoe with 15% of proceeds benefiting the Women’s Council through April 15th.
It was a very special moment when Jolie introduced her mother, Barbara Elam, a nationally renowned artist who created the poster for the Mad Hatter’s theme and the limited-edition custom silk scarf. The scarf is 100% silk twill measuring 40”x 40” and features a hand-rolled hem. Cost is $185. It highlights the magnificent animal life, savannahs, rain forests and coastal areas, which are all part of Africa’s special appeal and inspiration. Bold colorful blooms, exotic plants and rare species native to the continent are world-renowned for their great beauty and horticultural diversity. Elam’s artwork brilliantly captures the theme of this year’s Mad Hatter’s Tea with its whimsical animals and vibrant flowers in this exquisite, commemorative silk scarf. The scarf can be purchased through the Women’s Council website at www.womenscouncildallasarboretum.org or on Thursday, April 15, 2021 at Mad Hatter’s Tea.
Scarf by Barbara Elam 
Jolie Humphrey, Barbara Elam
Then came the moment when the Judges and their Hat Categories were revealed to rounds of applause:
Judge: Gregg Hudson, President and CEO, Dallas Zoo: Out of Africa: Most “True to Theme;
Judge: Ken Weber, Vintage Martini: Safari Riders: Best Group in Hats;
Judge: Kim Noltemy, President and CEO, Dallas Symphony Orchestra: African Floral Garden: Best Botanical Using Fresh Florals.
Judge: Patti Flowers, Patti Flowers Design Studio: Karen Blixen Style: Most Elegant & Romantic;
Judge: Giuliano Matarese, Chef Restauranteur and partner in Fattoria Svetoni, a winery/luxury resort in Montepulciano: Sundowner Chic: “Cocktail Hour in Africa,” Most Fascinating Fascinator;
Judge: C’Mone Wingo, DPD, retired detective: African Queen: Most “True to Africa”
Judge Nick Wingo, DPD, retired sergeant: Animal Instinct: Most Outlandish! Go Wild!
Hat Judge Patti Flowers 
Hat Judge Kim Noltemy
This is the event’s 33rd year benefiting the Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden and A Woman’s Garden. “This year is unlike any other year for Mad Hatter’s Tea,” Jolie said, “and we’ve created a wonderfully unique experience for our guests which follows all of the CDC guidelines and has some new surprises.”
The fanciful fun begins at 1:00 p.m. with a champagne reception at Dallas Arboretum’s Scott K. Ginsburg Family Plaza. This is the best time to view the wild and wonderful over-the-top hats and outfits along with the very chic, sleek and sophisticated fashions. Guests will also have an opportunity to purchase Safari Surprise Boxes and participate in a Silent Auction.
The Program and Hat Awards will be presented at the conclusion of the reception and guests will then move to A Tasteful Place Garden to enjoy a seated afternoon tea and featured fashion promenade throughout the garden’s walkways presented by TOOTSIES. The event concludes at 4:00 p.m. which allows perfect timing to get together with friends amongst the glorious springtime azalea displays and flowers that grace the Dallas Arboretum.
Visit: www.WomensCouncilDallasArboretum.org for additional information about Women’s Council and to participate in the Mad Hatter’s Silent Auction and purchase a Safari Surprise Box or a Commemorative Silk Scarf.
ABOUT THE WOMEN’S COUNCIL: Since 1986 the major goal of the Women’s Council has been the design, construction, funding and endowment of A Woman’s Garden, the only public garden in the United States conceived by women, funded by the efforts of women and dedicated to the spirit of women. The support of over 500 members of the Women’s Council makes possible the continued expansion and development of A Woman’s Garden. The Women’s Council is an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. www.WomensCouncilDallasArboretum.org
ABOUT A WOMAN’S GARDEN: A Woman’s Garden is the only garden in the nation conceived, constructed and maintained by the funding efforts of women. Ablaze with color in every season, A Woman’s Garden sits majestically as a living testament to the passion and vision of the Women’s Council founders and the boundless energy and devotion of its members whose commitment to creating a garden dedicated to the universal spirit of women across generations is realized in its inspired design. Our beautiful garden celebrates the power, creativity, resourcefulness, passion and unwavering commitment of the women who came before us and those entrusted with its care now, and into the future.
*Photos by Rob Wythe, Wythe Portrait Studio.
(Sharon Adams, Adams Communications Public Relations, is honored to represent the Mad Hatter’s Tea.)
