ROBERTSDALE, Alabama — Participants at the Robertsdale High School Alumni Association’s 12th Annual Tea Party Saturday, March 7 at the Baldwin County Coliseum, were transported to the Magic Kingdom, and Wonderland, and Never, Never Land, and many other places associated with Disney.
“Hats Off To Disney” was the theme for this year’s event, held annually to raise money for 2019 scholarships for graduating seniors who have plans to attend college.
Another fundraiser, the Annual Forks and Spoons Tasting Spree is held in October at the PZK Hall in Roberstdale.
For the second year, the event included 57 tables, with five displays that took up two tables. Each table represented a Disney Theme, an attraction at one of Disney’s theme parks, a Disney movie, or Disney-sponsored activity.
“The Alumni Association would like to thank off of the wonderful hostesses and their fantastic guests for their continuing support of this program,” said event organizer Evelyn Lowery.
While there are traditionally no men allowed in during the event, at least one was allowed to take photos and partake in the festivities.
The event was started from humble beginnings with just a few participants, Lowery said, and has grown to include nearly 500 participants.
The event also included entertainment, provided by Bill Clark and family, and a quilt raffle, donated by the Ole Ladies Quilting Circle, which was won by Jane Penry. Tea cup service items were also raffled off, in addition to gift baskets donated by members of the Club. Each table also had a specially-marked program for a tea cup set.
The organization also announced officers for 2020-22, President Jennifer King Shipp, Class of 1997; Vice President Rita Baker Turner, Class of 1975; Secretary Diane Baker Foster, Class of 1982; Treasurer Evelyn Davison Lower, Class of 1966; Membership, Stephanie Kroll, friend of RHS; and Publicity, Lori Lowery Miller, Class of 1994.
A special display honored members of the Alumni Association, who organized the original event, including Mertis Teel Childress, Class of 1937; Inez Childress Davison, Inez Willis Springer, Class of 1943; Jane Willis Knight, Class of 1947; and Carolyn Harrison Sellers, Class of 1964.
Lowery and her husband Walter were also honored by their daughters, Lora Lowery Miller and Lori Lowery Terrell, for their upcoming 50th wedding anniversary and it was announced that 2021 would be her last year as chairman for the event, which will celebrate Robertsdale’s 100th birthday with tables decorated highlighting businesses, people, events and families from Jan. 6, 1921 to Jan. 6, 2021.
Themes and hostesses for this year’s event were:
Tea Cup Ride: Class of 1937.
Mickey Mouse: Stephanie Kroll.
Minnie Mouse: Donna Givens.
Pinocchio: Class of 1943.
Mary Poppins: Lisa Girard.
Magic Kingdom: Jenna Darby.
Up: Jessica Arendall.
Lilo & Stitch: Jessica Arendall.
Cinderella (two tables): Tricia Steele.
Lego Store (two tables): Diane Foster and Rita Turner.
Beauty and the Beast: Frances Mitchum.
The Little Mermaid: Diane Havard.
The Parent Trap: Lori Miller.
The Pirates of the Caribbean: Rachel LaCoste.
Peter Pan/Tinkerbell: Lauree and Jordan Johnson.
Secretariat: Lauren Terrell-Class of 2018.
The Princess and the Frog: Cindy Schulze.
Disney Main Street (two tables): Jennifer Shipp.
The Mickey Mouse Club: Cheryl Russell.
It’s A Small World: Joyce Callaway and Trudy McKinley.
Disney Christmas: Lisa Terrell.
Toy Story: Peggy Branch.
Lady and the Tramp (two tables): Susan Fant and Suzi Lee.
Aladdin: Janet Cheney and Cayden Cheney.
Frozen: Bridget Beckum and Ashley Kucera.
101 Dalmatians: Gayle Pierce.
Enchanted: Johnnie Miller.
Disney Divas: Michelle Middleton.
Mulan: Katina Hubbard.
A Fairy Tale Ending: Joni Wofford.
Disney Villains: Joni Wofford.
Princess Diaries: Avery Patterson and Sydney Weeks.
Alice in Wonderland: Teresa King and Susan Cooper.
Bambi: Kathleen Harvison.
Animal Kingdom: Jennifer Fidler.
Dumbo: Sandra Clark.
Splash: Julie Grant.
Prince of Persia: Julie Grant.
Hocus Pocus: Jessica Giardina.
Saving Mr. Banks: Peggy Nelson and Haley Stewart.
Treasure Island: Dolores Sturma.
Sleeping Beauty: Ercia Evans.
Jungle Book: Paige Boykin.
Finding Nemo: Sabrina McCranie.
Aristocats: Amanda Spears.
Walt Disney: Class of 1952.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: Margaret Mickelsen.
Star Wars: Nicole Plato.
Epcot Flower & Garden Festival: Casey and Chloe Hooper.
Winnie the Pooh: Audra Shaw.
Mad Hatter: Vicki Dyess and Sabrina Blackwelder.
For more information visit the RHS Alumni Ladies Tea Fundraiser page on Facebook.
