The  seventh annual “Friends of Sims Library Marjorie Morrison Members’ Tea” will feature journalist John Pope as the speaker. File Photo/The Lion's Roar

Journalist John Pope is scheduled to speak at the seventh annual “Friends of Sims Library Marjorie Morrison Members’ Tea.” 

The tea will be held on Saturday, March 3 at 2 p.m. This fundraising event will be held in Marjorie Morrison’s honor at Sims Memorial Library. 

Sims Library Director Eric Johnson discussed the price of the tea’s tickets and the purpose of the event.

“The tea is actually a gift to members of the Friends of Sims Library,” said Johnson. “Members may attend at no cost. Their guests and the general public are also invited and pay $25 to attend.  In addition to enjoying the tea, paying guests will receive a one-year membership in FoSL.”

Johnson discussed having John Pope as a speaker at the fundraiser.

“John Pope has lectured widely to great acclaim,” said Johnson. “He is a delightful and entertaining speaker. His book will be available for purchase at the event, and a book signing will follow the tea.” 

Johnson explained that the funds raised from the tea will be put back into the library.

Johnson said, “About 99 percent of the money raised goes into a special account for Sims Library to purchase books, videos, electronic items, furniture, charging stations and anything else that we might need for which we don’t have funding in our regular budget. A negligible amount is used for dining supplies for the tea and the fall wine tasting, and any other programs or events that we sponsor. But again, most of the refreshments for our events are donated.”

Johnson shared his opinion on why community members should attend the tea. 

 “First, by attending, you are helping provide materials and equipment for Sims Library, which is the reason that we started the organization,” said Johnson.  “Secondly, it’s a fun event. The tea and foods are delicious, and everyone will have a wonderful time.”

Johnson described the accolades of the guest speaker.

Johnson said, “Our author this year is John Pope, longtime contributing writer for NOLA.com and The Times-Picayune, who is a witty and entertaining speaker and part of the newspaper’s team, which won two Pulitzer Prizes, a George Polk Award, a National Headliner Award and the Medill Award for Courage in Journalism for coverage of Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath. He also has turned the writing of obituaries for the newspaper into an art form, and he will talk about and sign his book ‘Getting Off at Elysian Fields,’ a collection of his wonderful essays.” 

To purchase tickets, call 985-549-2186.