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Arts & Entertainment

Tea for Twenty-Two

Huntington Historical Society's "Dolly and Me" tea party draws a crowd from across Long Island.

The Huntington Historical Society hosted its first annual "Tea with Dolly and Me" in the Conklin Farmhouse  Thursday.

Girls, ranging in age from 6 to 11, were invited to bring their favorite dolls and a tea cup for an afternoon of fun, which included learning about antique and collectible dolls, the history of tea and old-time crafts.

The event, conceived of by society trustee and co-treasurer Patricia Ernst and educator/ volunteer JoAnn Alario-Paulsen, drew a crowd from across Long Island and proved so popular that every spot was taken, according to office coordinator, Maria DeLeo.

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Alario-Paulsen, a Huntington resident who is a doll expert and collector, enthralled her young audience with a discussion of rag, topsy-turvey, and other old dolls. Her young guests, accompanied by their mothers and grandmothers, were surprised to learn that, in days-gone-by, thrifty mothers fashioned dolls from corncobs. Some whimsical creations sported button eyes and embroidered faces.

February break turned out to be the ideal time for the tea party which she had tried out with her granddaughter, Alario-Paulsen said, adding that during her talk, she hoped "to get back to the roots and what dolls mean to us and their place in history."

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She couldn't have found a more receptive audience, and the girls willingly shared their thoughts about what makes their own dolls special.

Many were captivated by a doll which was the size of an average 4-year-old, belonging to Olivia Rini Hosie, a Northport kindergartener.

According to Olivia's mother, Lisa Rini, the doll, which bears an uncanny resemblance to her daughter, and happened to named Olivia, also walks.

"She wanted a doll just like her," Rini indicated, adding that the doll, which is 42 inches tall, wears clothing outgrown by her daughter.

Old-fashioned crafts were next on the agenda. Educator/volunteer Monica Manner instructed the group on the art of embroidery, and the girls also made yarn dolls and spinning toys known as whirligigs.

Then it was time for the main event, the tea party.

As Education Outreach Coordinator Cathi Horowitz spoke about the history of tea, sharing the interesting tidbit that early teabags were made out of silk, guests, seated at lace-covered tables with china and cloth napkins, experienced the height of elegance.

The young girls and their companions enjoyed tea (or in some cases, apple juice) served from whimsical teapots, diminutive tea sandwiches and dessert.

Rini and her daughter clearly took great pleasure in the afternoon's proceedings.

She enjoys exposing her Olivia to culturally enriching opportunities, Rini said, adding that such hands-on experiences give children a chance to "discover their hidden artistic talents and to be creative."

Nine-year-old Kathryn Doner and her mom, Patricia Bahnken-Doner, who traveled in from South Amityville with doll Rebecca Rubin, said that the experience was well-worth the trip.

"The tea has a distinct taste," Kathryn said, adding that she particularly enjoyed the tea sandwiches and the embroidery.

According to DeLeo, the event could not have been more aptly situated for this step-back in time.

The Conklin Farmhouse is one of the few remaining hand-built shelters from the early days of the Long Island settlers, DeLeo said. The 150-year-old structure, originally located on a property in Laurel Hollow, was dismantled and moved to its present location in 1991, with its reassembly recalling an old-fashioned barn-raising.

Historical Society Executive Coordinator Toby Kissam invited guests who enjoyed the event to consider what may well be the most unique summer camp experience around- -the Huntington Historical Society's "Passport to Past" Summer Camp.

Open to 7 -to-12 year olds, the society's acclaimed program immerses campers in the crafts and games enjoyed during the Victorian and colonial eras at the historic Kissam Barn on Park Avenue. There are three weeklong sessions beginning in July, and activities include weaving, candle-making, historic re-enactments, butter-churning and bread-baking. .To learn about the program and take advantage of the $25 early bird discount for registration by March 1, contact Direction of Education, Wendy Andersen, at 631-427-7045, ext. 404 or visit

http://huntingtonhistoricalsociety.org

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