This past Saturday, May 5, there were several ladies enjoying an afternoon of tea and treats at the Community Center in Riverbank for the Fifth Annual Tea Party Fundraiser hosted by the Royal Neighbors of America Chapter 9890. Doors opened at 11 a.m. and the party lasted until 2 p.m.

With ladies in fancy hats it was time to sip tea, enjoy some good eats, mingle and have fun on a Saturday afternoon.

Royal Neighbors chief Diane Talbert and a team of volunteers organized the tea party with a Butterfly Tea Garden theme. There were 85 guests in attendance and each ticket included an entry into the door prize drawing. Attendees also enjoyed an assortment of tea, water, fruit punch, and delectable edibles.

“About 20 more than last year,” Talbert said about the attendance this year. “We had a wonderful turn out.”

There were twelve items on the menu including shrimp ceviche, fresh fruit, and cucumber sandwiches as well as some guest favorites like the mini cheesecakes, lemon truffles, and egg salad sandwiches served up by a club from Enochs High School in Modesto.

“They (students) were very professional and did a great job serving our guests,” stated Talbert.

Fred Stepp and the Stompers played for the guests throughout the afternoon.

“They are a great little band and had our guests singing along with them,” said Talbert.

Also provided was a photo booth so attendees could capture the moment There were raffle tickets that were purchased for a variety of items and a table with homemade jams and a few craft items for sale.

“We had a huge amount of raffle prizes, over 50 items,” added Talbert. “We had gift certificates for Perko’s, Black Oak Casino, Round Table Pizza, jewelry items, children’s science project kits and craft kits and many other items. Our door prize was a beautiful Hydrangea plant.”

This year they raised $1,800 and all the proceeds will go to the Veterans luncheon that will be held later this year.