Afternoon Tea Party Fundraiser Welcomes Decorated Hats

By Marie Gilmore 

Brandon South Rotary will kick off its Rotary fundraising for 2011 with its fourth annual MadHatter Tea Party scheduled for the events pavilion at Cross Creek Ranch, 12950 E. Wheeler Road, in Dover on Sunday, Feb. 27, 2 p.m.

The event, with MadHatter table hostesses, custom-decorated hats and a silent auction and raffles, also will be a fundraiser for local service projects for Brandon South Rotary.

The event will include tea tastings from local businesses, a silent auction and live music from Bloomingdale piano teacher Amanda Cooley of Music Showcase and Theatre Arts & Dance Alliance.

Food will be provided by Chick fil A in Lake Brandon Village, The Original Leena’s Chocolates, The Catering Company, Jaymer Que BBQ and Ms. Cyndi’s Cafe, and tea by the Tea Cup and Palmer House Bed & Breakfast, to name a few.

Silent auction prizes include piano lessons, a free advertisement in the Osprey Observer Newspapers, a Chick-fil-A basket and a one night’s stay at The French Country Inn Bed & Breakfast at Cross Creek Ranch.

Tickets for the event are $25 per person or $250 for a table of eight. Food vendors and auction donations are still welcome. Table hostesses will be asked to decorate their MadHatter hat, which will be provided.

For more information or to reserve a table, call 657-2418.

All proceeds will benefit club service projects including the beautification of the flagpole at Rotary's Camp Florida in Brandon, literacy and local community nonprofits.

The Brandon South Rotary District 6890, Club 28395 earned its charter in 1989 and was established by Betty Jo Thompson, a longtime local resident, Rotarian and Paul Harris Fellow.

Event sponsors include Canine Cabana, Valrico State Bank, Dynamic Painting USA, The Maids and Brandon Sports & Aquatic Center.

Silent auction, raffle items and goodie bag contributions are still being accepted. Tickets are available at Osprey Observer offices at 900 Lithia-Pinecrest Road or at Ms. Cyndi’s Café in the Albertsons plaza on Lithia-Pinecrest Road.

For more information, feel free to stop by a meeting every Wednesday at noon at Buckhorn Springs Country Club on Miller Road or visit www.brandonsouthrotary.com.