Thursday, October 1, 2026
79 ° Clear
79 ° Clear
The room at the American Legion Hall in Newtown was transformed into a scene straight out of a storybook on April 22, as the Martha Washington Garden Club hosted its annual Scholarship Gala Luncheon. This year’s theme, “Alice in Wonderland Tea Party,” brought together imagination, artistry, and a festive atmosphere in a cheerful and colorful celebration, all in support of student scholarships.
From the moment guests entered, it was clear this was no ordinary luncheon. Each table offered its own interpretation of the beloved tale, creating a visual feast of creativity.
“We wanted something whimsical this year,” said club president Arlene Gordon. “We wanted it to be fun and different; a day when people could come here and forget about all the problems in this world and just have a good time.”
The gala, which has long been the club’s primary fundraiser, carries a legacy of tradition.
“This gala has always been a part of this garden club,” Gordon explained. “We celebrated our 90th year last year... I was looking at some older pictures, and even though past galas had lovely table decorations, they have gotten more elaborate every year."
That evolution was on full display in this year’s themed designs. Fifteen tables were initially planned, but due to overwhelming interest, a sixteenth was added.
“When we decide on a theme, we ask who would like to design a table,” Gordon said. “Usually, some people volunteer, and then they ask a few of their friends to help them.”
While the theme provided inspiration, each table designer brought a unique perspective. “What’s nice is that we have a main theme, but then everyone is interpreting that differently with their own ideas,” Gordon noted.
One table leaned fully into the Queen of Hearts motif, featuring a striking arrangement of red carnations shaped like a heart, surrounded by heart-themed mugs and candies. Another displayed a towering stack of teacups with flowers spilling from each level, creating a cascading effect. Black-and-white patterns, striped and checkered, appeared throughout the room, echoing the story’s iconic imagery.
Clocks, illustrating the White Rabbit’s famous urgency, were another popular design element. “Some had big clocks because of the white rabbit,” Gordon said. “A lot of them had great big antique clocks on their table as part of their design.”
Teacups were also featured prominently, with some tables incorporating antique sets at each place setting, while others used oversized decorative cups. One particularly inventive arrangement included a black-and-white urn with teacups hanging from its edges.
Another table designer chose a more subtle interpretation, focusing on the elegance of a traditional tea party. Blue and white china, ornate teapots, and blue wine glasses set the tone, complemented by red carnations arranged in antique vessels. “Rather than an Alice in Wonderland decor, they decorated it as a tea party,” Gordon explained.
Creativity extended beyond the tables and into the attire of several attendees. While many guests opted for festive accessories like Mad Hatter-style hats or bunny ear headbands, a few fully embraced the theme with elaborate costumes.
The highlight came as a surprise to many. “Patty Appel, a club member, dressed up as the Queen of Hearts, and her husband, Nat Bosco, dressed up as the Mad Hatter,” Gordon said. “We had no idea they were dressing like that. It was a great surprise.”
The couple’s daughter completed the trio, appearing as Alice in a blue chiffon dress. “They are both very creative and full of fun,” Gordon added, noting that their costumes were among the most memorable of the day.
The luncheon itself also reflected the theme. Departing from the traditional hot meal, the club opted for a tea party menu. “We normally would have had a hot lunch, but this year we asked Joey (from Joseph’s Premier Catering) to put together a tea party,” Gordon said.
Guests enjoyed an assortment of salads, fresh fruit, crustless finger sandwiches filled with chicken salad, egg salad, and tuna salad, along with scones and miniature pastries such as cannolis and cream puffs.
In addition to the décor and dining, the event featured approximately 25 raffle baskets. “They filled up the whole front of the place,” Gordon said. The baskets included a variety of items, many containing gift cards, gardening supplies, and artwork.
“Two of our members are part of Artists of Yardley and they always donate one or two small paintings, and they are always well received,” she noted.
The gala drew about 130 attendees, with roughly three-quarters being club members and the remainder guests. For many, it was not only a social gathering but also an introduction to the organization. “Many of our guests now want to be members,” Gordon said. “These galas are a good way to meet club members and learn about our garden club."
While the atmosphere was lighthearted, the purpose of the event was meaningful. Proceeds from the luncheon support the club’s scholarship program, which benefits students pursuing careers in horticulture and related fields.
“This luncheon is for this scholarship; that is our goal,” Gordon emphasized. “We hope to give at least $2,000 to a local student who is going to major in horticulture, landscaping, architecture, environmental science, anything in that field.”
In addition to the scholarship funded by gala proceeds, the club also awards the Jane Parr Scholarship. Established in memory of a longtime member, it was funded by her husband, Russell Parr, and continues to provide financial support to a student each year.
“It has always been important to this organization from the very beginning to award these scholarships,” Gordon said. “We feel it’s wonderful to attract more people in this field, so those people can someday take our place in this organization and take care of the land and the plants and the pollinators and the birds.”
The event also included a featured presentation by Kathy Lang, who captivated attendees with a demonstration on botanical printing and dyeing techniques on scarves.
Arlene was delighted by the positive feedback she received after the gala. “So many people have reached out to me since then, telling me what an enjoyable time this gala was.”
She added that the gala served as a good reminder that even something as simple as a beautifully decorated table can have a lasting impact, especially when it helps support the next generation of environmental stewards.
For more information about the Martha Washington Garden Club, visit marthawashingtongardenclub.online
MORE: Go a little wild this summer at these Bucks County parks
