Like the calendar girls in the 2003 British flick, 25 otherwise conservative women from Sandalwood exchanged their straight-laced apparel for something a little bit more risqué during a day-long photo shoot in September.
“We may be old now, but we have young ideas,” said Norah Simpson - aka Ms. March - one of the spearheaders of the idea.
The project came about after a group viewing of Calendar Girls. Simpson was having tea with co-conspirator Dodi Redmond (Ms. January) a day later, when the conversation turned to the movie.
“We said, ‘we could do that,’” Redmond related.
So they went to activity director Susan McQuoid and shared their idea. She said she’d organize it if they could get 12 women, one for every month, willing to show some skin for the camera.
“We had 25 signed up, and another 50 said they wished they had,” McQuoid said.
While they didn’t take it all off, like their movie star counterparts, the flirtatious girls of Sandalwood may have set a new precedent with their age. Their youngest model is 77 years of age; their oldest is 97.
Doris Bafford was the senior model of the group. She posed in high heels and something purple for the calendar’s cover.
“It shatters the stereotype of retirement facilities,” said Kristin Kornell, the facility’s director for enhanced living.
“A lot of times people have the idea that retirement means slowing down. This just shows retirement can be the spice of life. These ladies are more confident, more sassy, now than maybe even when they were 20.”
Most say they would never have dreamed of posing for a calendar like this in their 20s.
“I wouldn’t have posed in a bathing suit when I was younger – never,” said Pat Gibbeson. “We weren’t allowed to be this way when we were 20 – to put your shoulder out and your leg up.
Now, we’re free to express ourselves.”
For her Ms. May shot, Gibbeson appears as a sexy scholar, in a micro-mini, bandeau-style graduation gown and cap, behind a stately desk.
Other months feature naughty maids, bathing beauties, rowdy cowgirls, and the busy bees knitting club sporting only strategically placed knit blankets.
According to McQuoid, the women had no inhibitions. Simpson, who posed as a sassy leprechaun in a short skirt and feather boa, playfully threatened to wear only shamrock pasties.
“You get more daring when you get older,” Redmond said. “This may be our last chance.”
McQuoid is quick to point out, however, that there is no pornography going on in Sandalwood.
“Everyone is still prim and proper,” she stressed.
All the models had the support of their families and friends.
“My family can’t wait to see them,” Gibbeson said.
“They all say, ‘good for you guys,’” Redmond added.
The fear now is that the 1,000 calendars initially printed off may not be enough. Close to 350 were pre-sold before anyone even saw the pictures.
Money from the sales will go to Sandalwood’s staff bursary fund, to assist staff members who want to continue their education. Last year, residents raised $2,000 by selling snacks in an on-site tuck shop. This year, they expect to triple that, thanks to the calendars.
But while the money goes to a good cause, the bigger value will probably be the memories made by those involved. It’s not often that the girls get quite that gussied up. Jewellry was provided on loan by Fifth Avenue Jewellry, and Sandalwood’s official Mary Kay consultant donated the make-up.
“They were feeling classy and sassy,” McQuoid said.
“It was a fun, great day. We felt like we were in this world – come on, let’s go! – and not in a retirement place,” explained Redmond.
“I felt proud to be 84,” Gibbeson said. “I saw those bare legs, the net stockings, and thought, ‘wow!’”
They’re now making plans for next year’s issue.
“Of course the guys need to do one next year,” Gibbeson noted.
“Yeah, in the full Monty,” added Redmond.
Yes, they assured me, they’ve always been this cheeky.
3 comments:
Now there's something to look forward to in 50 yrs.
OK I was dubious, even scoffing, at first, but this is just nifty. I wish I had EVER had their confidence. Good for them.
It will be interesting to see kelly (all of her) in 50 yrs....but why do we have to wait sooooo long???
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