By Philip R. Devlin
(November 9, 2026) — There was an unusual sight at Brainerd Memorial Library in Haddam on Sunday, November 8, 2026. Both parking lots were full of cars on the only day of the week that the library is closed! That’s because the library held an Autumn Tea fundraiser to support adult programming.
About fifty people bought tickets at $45 each to attend the event, catered by Cafe Laurel of Killingworth.
Tables and chairs were set up in the oldest part of the library— in the history and reading rooms as well as under the historic dome. Each table was beautifully set with colorful tablecloths, napkins, and vintage china and decorated with flowers and bundles of books tied together with colorful ribbons. There was a literary genre theme. Judging from all of the smiling faces at the two-hour event, all attendees had a great time.
According to Autumn Tea Committee Chair Kaycee Blancaflor, the idea for this event evolved from a Friends Committee meeting last March, and planning commenced immediately. Other members of the Tea Committee included Catherine Worthley, Marie Bayley, Betty Devlin, and Tina Moore (who, sadly, passed away just last month). Local sponsors generously contributed about $1,200 dollars both in cash and in nine items donated for a silent auction.
Recently appointed Brainerd Library Executive Director Marissa Lehmacher was excited about the big turnout and hoped that it might become an annual community event, saying that, “The food was wonderful and the conversations at each table were great.”
Photos by Philip R. Devlin
