Tea Party for the Whole Family Entertains and Educates

Boys & girls learned how to make their own preserves to top the scones with tea. Ariana Alvarada, Naiomy Zepeda and Emilin ZepedaPhoto byChris Sloan

“This year’s American Girl Doll tea party delighted toddlers to grandparents,” says Cheryl Brown, San Bernardino City Library Foundation Board Member.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA. — Toddlers, teens, parents and grandparents all showed up at the Dr. Mildred Dalton Henry Elementary School, which hosted a morning-long American Girl Doll tea party sponsored by the San Bernardino City Library Foundation.

Former California Assemblymember Cheryl Brown began organizing the event on behalf of the Foundation five years ago. Cheryl, Board member Debra Fields and a team of supporters brought together families for the event. “This year’s American Girl Doll tea party delighted toddlers to grandparents,” said Ms. Brown.

Cheryl Brown (San Bernardino City Library Foundation Board Member), Dr. Mildred Dalton Henry and Ina Buckner-Barnett (storyteller)Photo byChris Sloan

Superintendent Mauricio Arellano, Dr. Mildred Dalton Henry, Cheryl Brown (Foundation Board Member) and school Principal Dr. Chris TickellPhoto byChris Sloan

American Girl dolls are teen favorites but are very expensive to buy. So, Brown brought the idea to the library foundation board that these dolls, along with the life story books that accompany them, be made available for checkout at the downtown library. The board approved her initiative and the library has a large variety of dolls that youngsters can borrow.

San Bernardino City Unified School District Superintendent Maurice Arellano, school Principal Dr. Chris Tickell, library foundation President Mary Kay DeCrescenzo, library Executive Director Ed Erjavec, along with Denneigh Denton and Lynn Summers from the University of California Master Gardeners and Master Food Preservers, and student volunteers from Arroyo Valley High School combined forces to support the event.

Student volunteers from Arroyo Valley High School handled registration for the American Girl Doll tea party.Photo byChris Sloan

Photo caption: Student volunteers from Arroyo Valley High School handled registration for the American Girl Doll tea party. Left to right: Boisabi Chalema (Arroyo Valley High School student volunteer), Donna Morales (Arroyo Valley High School student volunteer), Fabiola Cazares (Arroyo Valley High School student volunteer), Natalie Castaneda (Arroyo Valley High School student volunteer) and Joselyn Ramirez (Arroyo Valley High School student volunteer)

Dr. Tickell has made this his signature event and wants to host it every year. This is the second year that the tea was held at the school. The school’s namesake, Dr. Henry, came and she enjoyed interacting with families, especially the youngsters who have always been dear to her heart.

This year’s event surprised her with a mural on one wall that showed her likeness saying the title of her book, Dare to Do the Impossible.

The Master Gardeners and Preservers provided educational content as the attendees learned about growing microgreens and taking home a container of seeds to grow. The Preservers handed out small cups of pureed fruit, pectin and sweetener that attendees mixed to create toppings for the scones that were served as part of the tea.

Tea party table-top crafts were a family affair. Left to right: Everhrda Gomez, Valentin Gomez and Maria Gomez.Photo byChris Sloan

Participants included both girls and boys, old and young, as this year’s event showcased new educational content meant for everyone, not just young ladies. Attendees learned how to spin reels of thread on a modern version of an old-time spinning wheel, learned the history of tea, and were introduced to its many varieties. Children made Mother’s Day gifts for moms.

Entertainment included an engaging storyteller, Ina Buckner-Barnett, table-top craft games and a lively opening performance by the multi-instrumental musician Craig Newton, who played a variety of both string and reed instruments: guitar, ukulele, banjo, flute, trombone…a one-man band, with music from the different eras.

The high point of the day may have been the door prizes. “Many of the children went home with a gift,” said Mary Kay DeCrescenzo. “We gave away nine large dolls and six mini dolls, along with several sticker books.”

American Girl dolls and books were raffled off to children who attended the tea party.Photo byChris Sloan

Dr. Henry expressed her thanks and her love for the youth when she addressed the crowd. She said later that this was an unbelievably fantastic day. “I was overwhelmed with excitement and joy. To be able to experience such a splendid event was a wonderful opportunity.

San Bernardino City Unified School District Superintendent Mauricio Arellano addresses the audience.Photo byChris Sloan

“The activities, the gorgeous mural, the creative, professional Black History presentations by the students and other presentations were absolutely superb!”

Special thanks also go to Board Member and School District Manager Tex Acosta, Dr. Paulette Brown Hinds, who provided transportation for Dr. Henry and the Inland Empire Caregiver Resource Center, as well as the San Bernardino Unified School District.

For more information, call (909) 381-8201.

About the San Bernardino City Library Foundation

The mission of the San Bernardino City Library Foundation is to make sure that our public libraries continue to be places where everyone in the community can gather, learn, grow, and interact.

Since 1995, the San Bernardino City Library Foundation has provided the San Bernardino Public Library system with the financial support it needs to provide new books for patrons, offer free tutoring for all academic levels, provide patrons with access to e-books and audiobooks, and provide innovative programs like a Makerspace and the American Girl Doll program.

https://play.americangirl.com/