Teatime, auction in Pilot Mountain raise funds for Stone Library

The Friends of the Charles H. Stone Memorial Library in Pilot Mountain hosted a “Love the Library Tea” on Saturday that also doubled as the end of a silent online auction with proceeds from both events benefiting the library.

Before the tea began there was time for one last look around the room at the plethora of items that were up for auction. As the dulcet tones of musicians Wilson Smith and Sherri Collins entertained, some folks were making lists of favorite items or checking on an item they had only online.

Nancy Carter of the Pilot Mountain Civic Club said as the group was unloading and unpacking items at First United Methodist Church, where the tea was held, that they were impressed with the haul of donations.

Seeing them listed online simply did not do the items justice, she said.

For anyone who was not getting enough Pilot Mountain gear outside at Mayfest, there were a variety of paintings, photos, and even a baby-onesie decked out with the familiar knob of Pilot Mountain. Bidding was kept open until the tea concluded and some folks were face down in their phones looking to see if they had been notified of being outbid by the team on hand from Rogers Realty & Auction Company Inc.

Among those keeping an eye on the clock and the end of bidding was Pilot Mount Mayor Evan and wife Emily Cockerham, who were watching a particular squirrel painting. Carter was playing it pretty cool, but she informed closer to the end of the timed auction that she was in the running for four auction items but did not disclose what those were.

Truly she could have been bidding on anything on the kitchen counter from a charcutier board, pottery salad bowl, a wooden wine holder with a bottle of Jolo Vineyards wine and ceramic wine tumblers in which to enjoy them.

Sport enthusiasts had a choice of items to bid on including tickets to the NASCAR Hall of Fame, seats at an Appalachian State University baseball game, or a football autographed by UNC Chapel Hill’s once-coach, now-once-again football coach Mack Brown, among several other signed items.

The West End Arts Market sent along 82 items donated by 33 members. Included was an oval-shaped rock with Pilot Mountain painted on it that seemed to garner a lot of attention during the walk through. Also sent were a mantle clock, stained glass, woven basket with a book-worm themed fabric, as well as hand crocheted snowflakes that were among the donations.

A beaded vintage drawstring purse was donated by LaVonda Nelson of Pilot Mountain that came with something else that made it more than just an accessory to be won at auction, but also a direct connection to the history of the library which the group was trying to preserve.

She included with it a handwritten note explaining her mother, Nancy Nelson, was gifted the bag more than a quarter century ago from Ruth Tuttle Jarrell Stone who was a retired librarian at the Charles H. Stone Library; they shared the surname, but no relation.

With a cadre of representatives from sister branches of the Northwest Regional Library System in attendance, it was perhaps fitting the late Stone joined with them in spirit Saturday to give of herself for the library one more time.

A spot of tea

The tea service itself was quite an unexpected treat for many of those in attendance who may not sit down for high tea in the late afternoon. Attendees classed up the place with festive garb and some lady’s hats that may have been stolen from Churchill Downs ahead of the Kentucky Derby — not a Mint Julep in sight though

Carts moved around the room dropping off dozens of decorative teapots, a real mishmash of colorful styles and designs, at tables including a tea that was made for the library. Tea lovers can attest that enjoying tea means taking time to drink it in with as many senses as possible noting its color and aroma and the two teas from The Grove Teas & Botanical Gifts did not disappoint.

Their “Love the Library” blend was being called a Lady Grey by some as it was an Earl Grey tea with hints of vanilla, orange, and lemon. DreamBerry tea was a caffeine-free Rooibos tea with what was labeled as a hint of raspberry and white chocolate. Subtle raspberry flavor crept up the back of one’s tongue to surprise taste buds who may have thought the party was over once the tea washed over.

As the volunteer servers brought out the food, mouths began to water. They dropped off triple-decker trays layered of food including cucumber dill finger sandwiches, chicken salad in puff pastry, and scones including buttermilk, blueberry, and a unique lemon lavender.

Also, for good measure the becoming world famous macarons from Pilot Mountain’s Liv For Sweets bakery just a stone’s throw away from First UMC; find a second location in King.

It was after all the Love the Library tea, so author and poet Brett Gordon showed her love by offering a gift of her own to the event. Her poem for the Charles H. Stone Library entitled “A Stone’s Throw” follows:

“A library holds worlds within walls.

Traveling time to live another life — after school special with a spine.

Hands breezing over hard backs until you feel the perfect one.

Textured linen taking you to Wales today to see a saint ordained — read of his life in the supernatural shadows.

You feel the relief of his triumphs — learn from his mistakes, there’s no need to repeat them.

“Seeds of empathy strike through soft soil and into small souls.

Growing with each tale and adventure.

Each time you finish a story and close your book, you leave a dash of your spirit for the next reader.

Community lives within bright, weathered pages.”