By Taylor Colby
This year, Margaret Strayer’s ladies’ lunch group is turning 28. Margaret said she is so grateful for the friendships that have formed and strengthened since she started the group in 1998 at the encouragement of her childhood friend, Pam.
Margaret is from Pennsylvania, and she and Pam met in Latin class in ninth grade. Years later, Margaret moved nearby to Pam, who had previously moved to Ponte Vedra. Pam suggested that they form a social group. It began with 12 friends, most of whom Pam knew from Christ Episcopal Church.
Once a month, each member cooked an entree and invited everyone else over to their home to share a meal. Each member pitched in and brought delicious sides and desserts. Margaret recalled cooking Cornish hens for their first meal at her home in October of 1998. Margaret said that, after COVID, the group had to stop meeting for a time. Today, five of the original members and a few newer ones, meet up for lunch at a local restaurant once every few months. They keep in touch and are still very close.
Most of the women in the group are widows, divorced or single and came from different backgrounds. Margaret said that she enjoyed learning how each individual got to Ponte Vedra. Only one member, Mary Alice, is local to the area. Jeanine is from Delaware, Jackie is from London, England, Mayes is from Minnesota, and Malinda is from New Mexico. There is a diversity of careers as well. One member became an Episcopalian priest and another flew airplanes.
Outside of the group, many of members see each other at church or plan to meet up individually. Margaret often got together with one friend for aqua aerobics and spent holidays with another friend and her family. Some friends are very close and more like family than biological family, Margaret said.
The group enjoys celebrating birthdays together and their ages range from 75 to 92. Birthdays are commemorated with flowers instead of cards. Each member brings the birthday girl a flower to create a beautiful bouquet. Margaret shared that the group recently celebrated a friend’s birthday at Pusser’s Bar and Grille who also beat cancer. The group celebrated her getting to ring the bell.
When asked about advice for forming strong friendships, Margaret said the most important thing is to be present. Friendships are something to treasure. It’s important to be there for people, even when it’s hard to be. It’s important not to be judgmental. Margaret said the definition for friend is not strong enough for the lasting friendships that she has with these ladies.
The group recently met up at Anejo Cocina Mexicana. There was a lot of laughter, reminiscing and good food. The group is upbeat, spunky and each of their personalities shine through. They are planning their next meeting in September. These lasting friendships and sweet traditions are truly inspirational, and the group can’t wait to continue celebrating friendship and life together.