Locals join Mary Poppins for tea time

By TOM STANKARD

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Hurley - Local residents and the cast members of "Mary Poppins" had a tea party at Sharon's Coffee Company on Sunday.

To set the mood, volunteers decorated the coffee shop. The walls were lined with "Mary Poppins" posters with famous quotes on them. Tables were decorated with colorful table cloths, tea pots and balloons "soaring above it all."

As the sun shined outside in the afternoon, several party guests checked in with volunteer Kathy Santini then sat down for a cup of tea with Mrs. Banks (Heather Steckling) her children, Jane (Rebekah) and Michael (Elijah) and the famous nanny, Mary Poppins, played by Heather's daughter, Hannah.

Behind the counter, Santini helped attendees get their tea.

Residents had two tea options and could add honey, sugar cubes or a spoon full of (colored) sugar to help the medicine (crumpets) go down. Cookies and candy were served to go with the tea.

During the tea party, Heather talked about the upcoming play at Historic Ironwood Theatre and made small talk with party guests.

Heather said she and her family have all been working hard to prepare.

"We started rehearsing in May," she said. "We have a dress rehearsal today. It's been a lot."

Heather said Hannah and her other children are naturals at their respected roles.

"They talk like British people just for fun," she said. "It comes natural for them."

Heather said the play will include music that people "probably haven't heard," and there's a lot of "surprises" in store.

Later on, Rebekah, Elijah and Hannah sat at a table with Kalynne Mendez, 10, and Jane Van Order for more tea.

Mendez said this was her first tea party and she was having fun.

"It's cool. I like all the fancy trinkets. I like dressing up and I like the sweets," she said.

While sipping tea and eating crumpets, the Banks children talked about having Poppins as a nanny.

"She's lovely," Elijah said.

Poppins said they like to go on "outings" together.

"We play at the park, (go) to see the 'bird woman' and fly kites," she said.

Rebekah said Poppins has "completely changed our family."

"We were rather naughty before," she said. "My father was always yelling at us."

Hannah said she liked the decorations.

"They're very pretty and colorful. "I think someone else is trying to tell my story," she said as she looked at a poster of Mary Poppins.

After talking with party guests, Heather, Hannah, Rebekah and Elijah sang "A Spoon Full of Sugar," and marched around a table.

Shortly after the musical performance, the Stecklings had to go rehearse for the play.

Heather said the tea party was "lovely" and enjoyed chatting with party guests.

Santini said the tea party was a "magical moment."