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2004 Home Tour

Mitford Tea Party - The Social Event of July

Announcement

Anna's similarities to Mitford are remarkable! Jan Karon, best selling author of the Mitford Books, writes about the people of a fictitious town in North Carolina. Fictitious Mitford is a small town, not unlike Anna, Illinois. Both small towns are filled with interesting characters going about their daily lives.

Jan Karon's stories revolve around the life of Mitford's Episcopal Church. The church is depicted on a book cover as a small stone church with bright, red doors. Another similarity to Anna's (formerly Episcopal) historic St. Anne's Church located on Main Street.

Last year, Dr. Lynn Steveson adapted Jan Karon's first book "At Home In Mitford" into a stage play. It was presented by a cast of community players in the auditorium of the Stinson Library the last weekend of July 2003.

Dr. Steveson re-introduced Anna to some of its own interesting characters during the sesquicentennial celebration with her clever production of "Moments To Remember."

Noting the similarities of fictitious Mitford to the small southern Illinois town of Anna, the organizations P.A.S.T. plans to host a Mitford event each July to benefit the restoration of St. Anne's Church.

P.A.S.T.'s 2004 Mitford event will be a "Mitford Tea Party" staged at the historic Bell Hill House in Cobden. Readers familiar with the Mitford Books will recall tea parties with "Miss Sadie" at the stately old mansion "Fernbank." Southern Illinois' version of "Fernbank" is indeed the historic Bell Hill House with its rich history, grand vistas, and vintage antique furnishings. Hostess Julia Suwana will oversee the "high tea" complete with a savory meal and sweet treats.

P.A.S.T. promises that "Miss Sadie" and possibly a few other Mitford characters will stop by to greet local guests. Tickets to the "Mitford Tea Party" on Saturday, July 31, 2004 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. are $25.00 with all proceeds going to the restoration of St. Anne's Church. A limited number of tickets are available by calling 833-6694.

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