Westminster-Canterbury Calendar Girls remain young at heart

By Jan Warren

Correspondent

VIRGINIA BEACH

You're never too old to have fun!

That's the spirited message of the Westminster-Canterbury Calendar Girls.

Last summer, inspired by the 2003 film "Calendar Girls," the six women, ages 73 to 83, decided to surprise their family and friends with a little calendar exposure.

They bared just enough skin to raise an eyebrow or two - and some dollars for a worthy cause.

Today, their "little" calendar is a big seller. And the calendar girls hold something of a celebrity status locally.

The "girls," all widows, are Iris Kennedy, 82; Betty Clarke, 73; Marion Keeter, 79; Lib McAlpine, 83; Ethelyn Register, 79; and Ruth Lee Wooldridge, 81.

"What a year it's been!" said Kennedy, who conceived the idea. "I wish every woman could have this much fun."

The women credit their success to David Iwans, president and owner of DIA Inc., an advertising, marketing and public relations agency in Norfolk.

Iwans, who was wowed by the photos, offered to supervise the design of the calendar, arrange for printing 10,000 copies and help with promotion, they said.

To date, more that 7,900 calendars have been sold. The more than $13,000 in profits has been given to the Westminster-Canterbury Fellowship Assistance Fund, which provides financial help to residents when needed.

The calendars are creating happy vibes in Hampton Roads, on Navy ships around the world and in barracks in Baghdad and have been purchased by Virginia notables including Mayor Meyera Oberndorf and Gov. Tim Kaine.

Last year, the women were featured in T he Virginian-Pilot and on local television. They've held several calendar signings.

In September, they will appear on "Living the Life," a CBN production that airs daily on the ABC Family Channel.

On tap, too, are more signings, where the women turn out in demure black dresses and flamboyant flowered hats. Each signs the calendar with a flourish, in brightly colored ink.

"When people see the calendars, the first thing they do is laugh," Keeter said. "Then they buy them for friends, sisters and grandmothers.

"We're delighted by the young women who say that at our age, they hope to be just like us."

Their exuberance for life shines from every photo, from a January snow scene, to summer shots at the beach.

They have had careers as teachers, social workers and housewives. Their husbands were educators, businessmen, a surgeon, a federal judge and a minister.

The calendars will never be outdated. They are "perpetual" - designed to record birthdays and anniversaries year after year.

All the photos were taken by Jackie Wooldridge, 56, and her daughter, Caroline, 25 - the daughter-in-law and granddaughter, respectively, of calendar girl Wooldridge.

Props, ranging from balloons to bathing caps - Some coverage was allowed! - cost $56 at a local Dollar Tree.

To escape detection, photo shoots were held early in the morning before most residents were up. If caught posing, the women were ready with a cover story: "We're part of a scientific study on geriatrics."

They introduced the calendar to fellow residents at a Saturday night showing of the "Calendar Girls" movie.

"We were all so nervous we didn't want to come out of our apartments," Kennedy said.

The calendar, though, was an instant hit and most residents were caught up in the spirit of fun.

"I think the calendar girls are wonderful," said Westminster-Canterbury resident Bernard "Bee" Rhees. "Life doesn't end because you grow older. "

Fellow resident Mary Ann Lipscomb said: "The calendar spells fun in capital letters and shows the joy of living in this community."

Response from family members ranged from," Go Mom go!" to "You're going to do WHAT, Mother?" Today the families - even the more reticent members - applaud the women's success.

The jackpot question on inquiring minds seems to be, "What are the girls hiding behind those flower-pot and beach-ball props?

Sorry. They choose to maintain the mystery.

"We all give the same answer," said Wooldridge, glancing at her friends with a knowing smile. "What are we hiding? Now what do you think?"

Jan Warren, janwarren@wcbeach.com