Annual Tea - January 21 2012

Murder of a Matchmaker - A Jane Austen Murder Mystery Tea 

The Dove's Nest in Glenmore Landing was the perfect backdrop for this year's Jane Austen Tea and the mystery game, "Murder of a Matchmaker". The pretty rooms were abuzz with gossip, slander and accusations. Between courses of finger sandwiches, scones, pie and endless cups of tea, members of the Jane Austen Society of Calgary became characters from Austen's books. Miss Bates, Jane Fairfax, Fanny Price, Isabella Thorpe, Lucy Steele and Mrs. Bennet - all had ample opportunity and motive for killing Miss Anne A. Juste, a well-known matchmaker in Highbury, England. The charming mystery was written by Samantha Adkins, and the event was planned by program co-ordinator, Helen Gardner.

Those in attendance were also delighted with props made by a team of Regency sewers. Together they created eight fetching bonnets and eight sweet lace caps which brought out the Miss Bates and Mrs. Bennet characters seated at our tables. 

Linda Payne gave a marvellous tribute to Jane on her 236th birthday and several lucky members won Austen-related door prizes. 

Happy Birthday, dear Jane, we only wish you could have joined us.

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