Gemma Stemley and Susan Delaney. Gemma played instrumental calypso music during the fundraiser.
Leslie Savisky | For TribLive
Monroeville Public Library office manager Rose Shirer, head of public relations Alice Rathjen and library director Nicole Henline.
Courtesy Janet Bowland
Marian Copp, Karla Berkley, Penny Morse, Beth Thompson, Rayetta Walters, Charlotte Kreger, Lisa Elms and Janet Bowland.
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Sami Rathjen, library board member Kelly Meredith and Erin Zeigler.
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Benny Kuster, head of teen services, and Terry Madarish, children’s librarian, oversee the fascinator craft table.
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Former library board member Mary Francis Thorn and Debbie Iszauk, current board president.
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Natalee Covington, 11, with her mother, Charlene, in front of the “Wizard of Oz” backdrop.
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Nancy Balfe of Irwin and Mary Lou Zeravica of North Huntingdon.
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A huge turnout this year at the “Wizard of Oz” tea fundraiser, with 21 tables in all.
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Dorothy’s ruby slippers highlighted the “Dorothy” table, hosted by the library’s head of public relations, Alice Rathjen.
Leslie Savisky | For TribLive
All of the cupcakes and other desserts were provided by library staff and their families.
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Leigh Frank, Johanna Bartoli, Jamie Rossi, Kim Rader, Adele Morelli, Heather Kratsas and Emily Balawejder show off their “Wizard of Oz” themed fascinators.
Leslie Savisky | For TribLive
Sally Michalski, Nicole Smith and her son, Ethan Smith, 11, all of Monroeville.
The Monroeville Public Library hosted “Wizard of Oz” tea fundraiser on June 2 at the Lourdes Center at Christ the Divine Shepherd, Monroeville Campus.
Patrons were invited to dress up in “Wizard of Oz attire,” though costumes were not required.
This was the library’s third consecutive tea fundraising event — there have been six total teas, however a few years were missed due to covid.
Hosts decorated their tables, 21 in all, compared to 16 tables at last year’s fundraiser.
Attendees enjoyed a variety of tea sandwiches, sliders and veggie pizza, fruit and charcuterie cups, spring rolls and quiche, as well as beverages and a huge assortments of cookies.
Basket raffle and 50/50 drawing tickets were available for purchase.
Activities included instrumental music by Gemma Stemley, crafts, a selfie photo booth, “Wizard of Oz” trivia, voting for 2025’s tea theme and a free drawing for “Wizard of Oz” themed items.
All proceeds from the tea fundraiser go to the Monroeville Public Library.
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