THE STANDARD CLUB’S MAD HATTER’S TEA
CELEBRATES 100 YEARS OF LIBRARY BENEFITS
by
Helen Burlingham
100 years ago, In 1910, "…we had our first Benefit Show, and what a show it was…" according to an early Club historian. The same can be said for the April 7, 2010 Standard Club Library Benefit – what a show it was!
Gilbreath Memorial Library was filled to the hilt with jovial supporters. The beautifully decorated bookshelf tops were laden with platters of finger foods and delicious anniversary cake. There were exhibits of violet enhanced chinaware, and ,at noon, lively musical entertainment by the 
Winnsboro Elementary School’s 4th grade choir, led by Jennifer Van Brasch.
In their finest chapeaus, Standard Club members and the librarians welcomed the 142 men and women who came to help celebrate the centennial event. Most of the guests wore beautiful hats including one old-fashioned bonnet; even the 25 choir members wore hats or caps to the “Tea.”
Tracy Hopkins (L) chaired the 2010 “Mad Hatter’s Tea” with Project Committee members, Bettye Gilbert and Suzie Hamm.
All the Club members helped decorate the library and prepared the food, the memento violet pots, and “Special Salads for a Special Day” recipe booklets.
Librarians Vickie Martin, Diane Fite, and Keri Pullin had arranged the library’s 
vestibule display case with elegant tea party ware, and helped Club members welcome the many guests from Winnsboro, some Federated Club members from Pittsburg, friends from Mt. Vernon and Gilmer, and an array of Red Hatters from Winnsboro, Quitman, and Mineola. (L-R: Diane Fite, Vickie Martin, Keri Pullin)
The “icing” on the anniversary celebration is the $2712.00 in donations collected at the Tea. All of this will be presented to Gilbreath Memorial Library for their circulating collection. Congratulations to The Standard Club for again supporting Winnsboro’s library and giving us another enjoyable community event.
The woman and her baby were not identified, but they sure were having a good time.
A happy R
ed Hat Lady.
(L) Mickey Stewart --- The lovely cake was made by Frostings in Winnsboro. Enjoyed by Lori Forsyth & Vickie Martin.
The Standard Club Members
For a full history of the Library benefits click HERE