Mrs. Stella & The Pinky Patrol: 1880s etiquette expert visiting Pamela’s

May 07, 2004
Santa Paula News

A genteel time will be had by all when the legendary Mrs. Mary “Stella” Ball arrives by stagecoach and train from her home in San Francisco at Pamela’s on Saturday where the socialite will gently expound on the proper way to serve and enjoy tea and other matters of etiquette.

By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesA genteel time will be had by all when the legendary Mrs. Mary “Stella” Ball arrives by stagecoach and train from her home in San Francisco at Pamela’s on Saturday where the socialite will gently expound on the proper way to serve and enjoy tea and other matters of etiquette.Mrs. Stella, AKA historical re-enactor Modenia Joy Kramer of Oxnard, will be passing the tea and crumpets as well as advice on proper ladylike conduct at Pamela’s Antiques Gifts & Tea Room on May 8 from 3 to 5 p.m.Pamela’s is located at 861 E. Main St., at the corner of Davis Street and owner Pamela Colvard said Saturday’s appearance of Mrs. Stella is a perfect gift for Mother’s Day. The $20 cost includes High Tea, a rose and a surprise gift for each guest.Kramer’s persona of Mrs. Stella comes complete with a lofty pedigree and the rules she teaches of the 1880s may or may not apply to the 21st century. Her character is reminiscent of the time when women spent much time socializing including impressing one another and living a more genteel life. Mrs. Stella will be well armed with good etiquette guidance as well as Tea Rules of the 1880s, when things like teas had strict presentation and participation guidelines. The pinky patrol indeed!Colvard said she first met Mrs. Stella when she visited Pamela’s: “There she was in costume,” after appearing locally. Colvard also saw the re-enactor at the Faulkner Farm Farmfest.
“I told Modenia that I would love it if she could do something on tea and she said she did,” Colvard noted. “Modenia, excuse me, Mrs. Stella, is very interesting and humorous and includes the audience members in her presentation. She stays in character the entire time and has a full history for her characters.”The appearance of Mrs. Stella will be followed by other such events on a regular basis in the future, Colvard added.Modenia is a docent at Heritage Square in Oxnard, a docent of the Dudley House in Ventura and a member of the Ventura County Museum of History & Art where she performs as a Time Traveler. She is the founder of the Women’s Spiritual Repertory Company, a group that explores the lives of Biblical women and presents their stories.A history buff, Modenia is also a “thespian” – Mrs. Stella would never be called an actress! – who enjoys portraying historical personalities and giving life to activities and issues of the past.The published author of “Lilly Going West,” Modenia in her spare time also paints, is a puppeteer and rope spinner.For more information or to make reservations, call Pamela’s at 525-3050.



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