It was a wonderland of fun for all ages as guests joined the Mad Hatter, Alice, Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee, the Queen of Hearts and the White Rabbit for tea on Sunday,

The Mad Hatter’s Tea benefits the Children’s Advocacy Center and Hope House. They provide assistance and counseling for younger victims of crime and their families.

District Attorney Walter Reed received the Carol Keay Award given to an individual or group that has shown uncompromising dedication to the healing of abused children in our community. Although Reed could not attend, Hammy Gascon of his office accepted the award.

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The award is named for Carol Keay, a child abuse survivor and wife of Curt Keay, one of the CAC’s founders. She is a “shining example to us all that lives can be healed after the trauma and tragedy of child abuse,” according to the CAC. She represents hope and healing to many children in the St. Tammany and Washington parish area who are served by the CAC and Hope House.

Participating in the event were several characters of the book, including Alexis Welliver as Alice, Johnny Venezia as the Mad Hatter, Amy Smith as the Queen of Hearts, Robert Juneau as the White Rabbit, Misti Geissler as Tweedle Dum and Jenna Taylor as Tweedle Dee. Stilt walkers included Scotty Heron and Billy Schultz. Magician for the afternoon was Jim Chester.

Activities included, of course, tea and sandwiches; face painting; games; coloring; fingerprinting; and endless autographs by Alice and the crew. Granny Gertie was also on hand to tell stories to the children.

Main sponsors of the event included Fidelity Homestead Savings Bank, Coastal Cargo Company, Capital One, Lakeview Regional Volunteers Association and the Junior League of Greater Covington.

– Photos and Story

by Debbie Glover