Center Woman’s Reading Club Receives Grant, Enjoys Mad Hatter's Tea Party

October 29, 2015 - The Center Woman's Reading Club met on October 1, 2015 at the home of Deborah Chadwick. Deborah Chadwick was the hostess and program leader. Carole Rogers was a special guest. President Janene Walker conducted the business portion of the meeting.

Mrs. Walker was excited to announce the Center Woman's Reading Club received a grant in the amount of $200 from the General Federation of Women's Clubs. The Center Club will donate the money to the Fannie Brown Booth Memorial Library for the purchase of audio books for dyslexic children.

In keeping with the course of study, “Famous Women”, Mrs. Chadwick chose an individual who was actually more famous as her fictional character. The Real Alice in Wonderland — A Role Model for the Ages is a book about Alice Liddell, the real life Alice in Wonderland.

Alice Liddell was the beautiful and charming girl who grew up in Victorian England and inspired Lewis Carroll to write his Alice in Wonderland books. Alice Liddell was born in 1852 and grew up in Oxford where her father was a Dean. Her family was very aristocratic and academic. Alice met many famous English leader‘s, artists, authors etc. She even became a close life-long friend with Prince Leopold, the youngest son of Queen Victoria. Lewis Carroll met the Liddell family when Alice was just 4 years old.

He began writing Alice's Adventures Through the Looking Glass when Alice was 10 years old. The first manuscript was completed and presented to Alice when she was 12 years old. Alice married a wealthy gentleman, had three sons, and lived a very full and philanthropic life. She died in 1934 at the age of 82.

After the program, the ladies enjoyed a Mad Hatter's Tea Party. The Center High School Culinary students provided the delicious and fun refreshments. They did an outstanding job! Thank you Jennifer Fausett and your students.