Special to the Herald

SPRINGFIELD – Sporadic tears didn’t put a damper on a special event at the Effingham County Senior Citizens Center a few days before Mother’s Day May 8.

The center paid tribute to moms among its membership by conducting a Mother’s Day Tea Party. The women in the group, and a few men, also honored their mothers and grandmothers by sharing memories of them.

Fifty-nine people attended.

All the women in attendance were given a fascinator, an elegant, decorative headpiece often worn at formal events, typically secured to the head with a clip or headband. The idea for the tea party and the headpieces was the brainchild of Director Theresa Johnson.

Cecilia Brown, 62, was recognized as the center’s youngest mother for the second straight year. Essie Lee, 92, got the nod as its oldest mother.

Brown, Lee and Bigham also received flowers.