Photo by Robert Saunders Librarian Renne Casto of Buffalo models one of the hats that will be auctioned off at the Mad hatter's Tea Party.

LITERACY VOLUNTEERS

Wacky hats good for tea party

A Mad Hatter’s Tea Party wouldn’t be quite the same without an assortment of fancy hats.

Elaborately decorated hats will serve as table decorations and then be raffled at a silent auction at the third annual tea party from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 2 at the Putnam County Library to raise money for the Literacy Volunteers of America-Putnam County.

Petals and Silk Florist of Teays Valley, Eleanor Floral, Nitro Flowers and Gift Shop, Hurricane Floral and Gift Shop and St. Albans Floral have all donated hats and specially decorated baskets.

And since the party wouldn’t be complete without a Mad Hatter, Otis Baker returns as the over-the-top host with fanciful balloon creations for adults and children alike.

Refreshments include teas, punch and desserts with flutist Denise Monroe, who is new to the area, playing traditional Appalachian and old European music.Children’s coordinator Christie Cook, better known as "Miss Christie" will tell traditional fairy tales along the lines of "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" and "The Three Billy Goats Gruff."

Last year’s tea party drew about 200 people at the Hurricane Valley Community Center, but high overhead cut down on the profits compared to its first year, when it raised $1,000, said Cook.

With the tea party moved back to the library and just about all the services donated, there’s very little overhead this year, she said.

That means almost all of the proceeds from the sale of tickets will go to the LVA. Tickets are $5 for individuals and $15 for a family and can be purchased at the library, at the LVA office in the library or from LVA board members and volunteers.

With director Jan Hargate and assistant director Lois Martin having completed their first year at the helm, the LVA is busier than ever, said Cook.

"It’s been a year of growing with more teams being tutored than ever before and Lois gets about five or six inquires a month."

With 32 tutors and more than 40 people signed up to be tutored, the proceeds go to support volunteers with material, training and supplies, she said.

Area residents can also check out the new renovations at the library. The old meeting room was turned into a children’s room with a bathtub for reading and relaxing, and two small meeting rooms were created elsewhere. The project isn’t quite complete, but Cook has already seen an increase in use by library patrons.

"I have seen an increase in use and browsing and checking out of children’s nonfiction, which they didn’t take advantage of when with the books were shelved with adult nonfiction. And I have the capabilities in the children’s department to check items in and out and do searches. Plus, there are two public use computers with children’s game and with their parents, children can check out usage time and learn more about the computer."

With something for everyone, the tea party is a good activity for the entire family, said the children’s librarian.

"Tickets are affordable for a family, and when you have good food and wonderful entertainment and you’re helping a much needed cause here in the valley."

For more information, call the LVA office at 757-1550 or the library at 757-7308.