Post by admin on Jul 8, 2008 14:41:27 GMT -5
newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2008/0702/front_page/015.html
FREEHOLD - Tea parties are traditionally seen as an activity for little girls to entertain their dolls and stuffed animals. But a high tea party? Now that's a different story.
Reminiscent of traditional American high tea parties that were held during the late 18th century, the Court Street School Education Community Center conducted its second annual version of this elegant and respected custom June 21 at the school on Court Street.
The high tea featured tables covered with linen tablecloths and fine china tea sets. Ladies and young girls wore their best afternoon dresses, formal hats and gloves, while young men put on their finest clothes. The goal of the event was to bring adults and children together to get to know one another.
The tables were set with delicately fashioned white fine china with tiny flowers and fine white linen tablecloths and napkins. The tables were beneath green and white tents that had been set up on the lawn of the school grounds. The menu included hot and cold teas, scones, fruit and homemade pastries.
Andrea McPherson, vice president of the Court Street School Education Community Center, explained that the Center Programs for Court Street School and United Families of African Descent (UFAD) sponsored the high tea as a fundraiser for the historic school. The Court Street School is one of the principal structures associated with the segregated history of early-20th-century education for African-Americans in Freehold.
Lillie Ham Hendry, the president of the Court Street School Education Community Center, wore a colorful flowered print afternoon dress and wide-brimmed summer hat for the occasion. She began the affair by ringing the ceremonial Court Street School bell.
After tea and refreshments had been served, the guests had a chance to mingle.
"We wanted people to join together and become more active members of the community, to know each other and to want to help bring greater opportunities and a brighter future for our children," McPherson said.
Activities included Getting to Know You Bingo, an interactive game created by McPherson.
McPherson, who works as a training manager/project manager for Accume Partners, Moorestown, called the game a corporate training icebreaker.
Sharon Brown received a fine china teapot as the winner of the bingo game. Brown was also recognized for the "Best Dress" and "Best Hat." Rianna Chase, of Manalapan, entertained guests with a lovely medley of classical violin songs. Davia Echoles, 10, of Freehold, sang "What a Wonderful World." Davia has auditioned for "The Lion King" on Broadway and recently made it past the first cut of the audition process.
Geneva Kelly, formerly of Manalapan, directs the new Tribal Dance and Exercise Program at the school. Under Kelly's direction, the group of 10 girls between the ages of 8 and 16 performed for the guests at the tea. The program is part of the Court Street School's multicultural and diversity programs and is sponsored by the Freehold Borough Recreational Commission.
In 1990, the Court Street School Education Community Center Inc. was formed as a nonprofit organization to restore the historic school for use as an education community center and to preserve it as an African-American historic landmark. In 1995 the building became an official historic site in the state of New Jersey and was placed on the National Register of Historic Sites. Proceeds from the high tea will support programming at the education center.
FREEHOLD - Tea parties are traditionally seen as an activity for little girls to entertain their dolls and stuffed animals. But a high tea party? Now that's a different story.
Reminiscent of traditional American high tea parties that were held during the late 18th century, the Court Street School Education Community Center conducted its second annual version of this elegant and respected custom June 21 at the school on Court Street.
The high tea featured tables covered with linen tablecloths and fine china tea sets. Ladies and young girls wore their best afternoon dresses, formal hats and gloves, while young men put on their finest clothes. The goal of the event was to bring adults and children together to get to know one another.
The tables were set with delicately fashioned white fine china with tiny flowers and fine white linen tablecloths and napkins. The tables were beneath green and white tents that had been set up on the lawn of the school grounds. The menu included hot and cold teas, scones, fruit and homemade pastries.
Andrea McPherson, vice president of the Court Street School Education Community Center, explained that the Center Programs for Court Street School and United Families of African Descent (UFAD) sponsored the high tea as a fundraiser for the historic school. The Court Street School is one of the principal structures associated with the segregated history of early-20th-century education for African-Americans in Freehold.
Lillie Ham Hendry, the president of the Court Street School Education Community Center, wore a colorful flowered print afternoon dress and wide-brimmed summer hat for the occasion. She began the affair by ringing the ceremonial Court Street School bell.
After tea and refreshments had been served, the guests had a chance to mingle.
"We wanted people to join together and become more active members of the community, to know each other and to want to help bring greater opportunities and a brighter future for our children," McPherson said.
Activities included Getting to Know You Bingo, an interactive game created by McPherson.
McPherson, who works as a training manager/project manager for Accume Partners, Moorestown, called the game a corporate training icebreaker.
Sharon Brown received a fine china teapot as the winner of the bingo game. Brown was also recognized for the "Best Dress" and "Best Hat." Rianna Chase, of Manalapan, entertained guests with a lovely medley of classical violin songs. Davia Echoles, 10, of Freehold, sang "What a Wonderful World." Davia has auditioned for "The Lion King" on Broadway and recently made it past the first cut of the audition process.
Geneva Kelly, formerly of Manalapan, directs the new Tribal Dance and Exercise Program at the school. Under Kelly's direction, the group of 10 girls between the ages of 8 and 16 performed for the guests at the tea. The program is part of the Court Street School's multicultural and diversity programs and is sponsored by the Freehold Borough Recreational Commission.
In 1990, the Court Street School Education Community Center Inc. was formed as a nonprofit organization to restore the historic school for use as an education community center and to preserve it as an African-American historic landmark. In 1995 the building became an official historic site in the state of New Jersey and was placed on the National Register of Historic Sites. Proceeds from the high tea will support programming at the education center.