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‘Tea with Henri’ at the Lynbrook Library

Historical Society hosts annual party (new photos added!)

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The Historical Society of East Rockaway & Lynbrook held its 11th annual Tea Party at the Lynbrook Library last Sunday, hosting an almost-sold-out crowd of 80 people.

The event, called “Tea with Henri” paid tribute to the famous chef and restaurant owner of the 1920’s, Henri Charpentier, rumored to have created the popular Crêpe Suzette dessert.

“Every year we have a different theme for the tea,” said HSER&L Executive Director Madeline Pearson. “Last year we started working on the history of Henri Charpentier, so it was decided to use Henri as the theme for our 11th annual tea.” A Lynbrook Library exhibit of the life and times of Charpentier will be held from April 16-28, and then will be moving to the East Rockaway Library.

Members of the East Rockaway Jr./Sr. High School’s Key Club, ELLM’s Girl Scout Troop 2151and several youth HSERL members serve the guests.

The event was coordinated by Mary Colway, the chairwoman of the Tea Committee.

In honor of Charpentier, instead of the traditional first course of serving scones, they served crepes, calling them “Crêpes Suzie Symplified,” and Bob Sympson oversaw the preparation of this course. Each delicious crepe, had raspberry jam spread on it, rolled and folded, and served with whipped crème and raspberry garmi.

The second course included quiche, Henri’s Chicken Salad sur la Croissant, Cucumber Sandwiches a la Scranton Avenue, Asiago Cream Cheese sur la Baguette, and Egg salad on endive with a strawberry slice. The third course included: French chocolate mini cakes, Madeleines, Mini cupcakes a la Bev, Les Macarons, almond cookies and crème puffs

The tea is one of the major yearly fundraisers that HSER&L holds. Every year we have a sellout crowd! This year, guests also had the opportunity to view the art exhibit entitled: “The Beauty of Everyday Life; The Art of John Edward Bishop.” Bishop had been a great resource to the organization about East Rockaway’s history. So, Pearson said, it was also appropriate that his artwork was on display during HSERL’s Tea.

Executive Director, Madeline Pearson, thanked all the guests for continuing to support the tea. “For those reading this article I extend an invitation to become a member of HSER&L,” she said. “A membership application is available on the website www.hserl.com or you can follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/HSERL1.”

Photos by Rubaa Zubair/Herald