Girls enjoy a ‘lady-like’ afternoon at Tea for Two fundraiser
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By Mary Louise Speer | Monday, March 03, 2008 |
Jeff Cook/QUAD-CITY TIMES From left, Lucy Nelson, 5, of Moline, Madeline Patramanis, 7, and Cecilia Patramanis, 4, both of Coal Valley, Ill., pose for their mothers’ cameras. The little girls enjoyed dressing up and the "lady-like" activities of the day during the Tea for Two fundraiser. Buy this Photo
Little girls dressed in their prettiest frocks daintily sipped tea during Sunday’s Tea for Two and Purse Auction benefit in Moline.
Dancers from the Ballet Quad-Cities youth troupe delighted guests at the late-morning, traditional-style tea for children, parents and grandparents and afternoon event for adults. The tea and purse auction was held at the University Club in downtown Moline, and the proceeds
benefit the Alternatives for the Older Adult caregiver support program.
The tea “provides a lovely opportunity for grandparents to get together with their grandchildren. The little girls love this,” said Angela Myers-Cook, a board member for the caregiving group.
She stopped to help a small lass in purple who was struggling to slip on formal gloves. A few minutes later, the child held up her hands and wiggled her fingers in triumph.
“You got them on,” Myers-Cook cheered.
Myers-Cook’s experience is similar to those of many volunteers at Alternatives, she said. Their lives have been touched by a loved one who needed extra help to remain at home. The agency also provides advocacy in dealing with issues in care facilities.
“We provide care managements assessments to help people stay in the home as long as possible,” Michelle Jech, program director, said. Alternatives offers a support program for caregivers at Sage Center, Moline.
Children and adults browsed through the display of tea sets that included whimsical teapots shaped like buildings, tea cups and books of tea lore. Guests bid on silent auction items donated by area businesses and sporting organizations.
Sisters Madeline, 7, and Cecilia Patramanis, 4, avidly watched the ballet dancers perform pirouettes and dance moves flavored with jazz and tap.
“My children just love tea parties and lady (like) things like this, so we thought this day would be a special time for mother-and-daughter time,” said their mother Alexia Patramanis, of Coal Valley, Ill.
The troupe launched their performance with a new ballet piece “Harmony” before illustrating the beat ripping through them during “Dr. Jazz.”
Dancers Heidi Dunn and Jacob Lyon delighted the audience with the wedding pas de deux, or dance for two, from the Coppelia ballet. The presentation wrapped up with “Par Avion,” a modern piece choreographed by Lynn Bowman.
Helen Douglas, of Rock Island, savored the taste of tea, finger sandwiches and cake while sharing a table with her daughter, Trudy O’Melia, of Rock Island, and granddaughter and great granddaughter, Jessica Bopes and Emily, 6, of Taylor Ridge, Ill.
The best part of the event was staying connected with her family, Douglas said. “I love to get together with them,” she said.
“I think it’s good for the little ones to have an understanding of the multiple generations,” O’Melia said. “For her 70th birthday, my sister and I took mom to Mackinac Island in Michigan. As the highlight of the trip we had high tea.”
The city desk can be contacted at (563) 383-2450 or newsroom@qctimes.com.
Alternatives for the Older Adult
Alternatives for the Older Adult began serving seniors 60 and older in the early 1980s. The nonprofit social service agency is funded in part by the Illinois Department on Aging, Western Illinois Area Agency on Aging, Illinois Department of Human Services, grants from United Way and community foundations. For more information, call (309) 277-0167 or visit 4olderadults.org.
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