Politics & Government
Belleville Library Invites Residents to Tea, 'Taste' in April
The Belleville Public Library invites residents to two of its major events during April, a traditional English Tea and A Taste of Belleville, which features great food from the area.
With spring's arrival comes to major events at the Belleville Public Library and Information Center - a traditional English Tea and a "Taste" of the best food in Belleville and Nutley.
The annual Friends of the Belleville Public Library English Tea, presented by Friends President Margery Lordi, comes Sunday, April 14, at 2 p.m.
"This is always very popular," said Joan Taub, library director. "Tickets are $15, and are on sale now at the library’s circulation desk. "
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Taub said the library becomes something out of a storybook as visitors participate in a formal English tea, which includes white gloves, hats, pastries, and desserts donated by local restaurants.
Tickets are limited to a total of 60 attendees, and sell out quickly, so Taub said anyone interested should act now.
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The library sends invitations to those who have come to past teas, but anyone is welcome, she said.
It is a 16-year tradition at the library and Lordi is a volunteer for many years whose family came from England, and she is well-versed in how to put on the traditional ceremony, Taub said.
Lordi has called the event one of the library’s highlights of the year.
For the occasion, the library is transformed into a traditional English drawing room to add to the festive mood, according to Taub.
Then, there is "A Taste of Belleville," featuring some of the best food in the area.
Tickets are on sale for the annual Taste of Belleville event, set for Friday, April 26, at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets are $20 to partake in the specialty dishes from more than 25 local restaurants, Taub said.
Space is limited, so residents are urged to get tickets now, also at the library’s circulation desk.
"The Taste of Belleville drew a full house last year to sample specialty foods from Belleville and Nutley restaurants," Taub said.
Taub said more than 150 people again attended the event last September, as in previous years, and the food was "better than ever."
The leftovers in recent years were given to the food pantry and soup kitchen in the otherwise abandoned church at the corner of Washington Avenue and Joralemon Street in recent years, Taub said.
The library is at 221 Washington Ave.
