Orland celebrates the end of summer

Children, parents and grandparents wandered through Library Park, leaned against trees or sat in fire department chairs or ones they brought themselves.

They enjoyed dishes of vanilla, chocolate and strawberry ice cream, cookies and punch served by the Friends of Library.

They also enjoyed a mix of entertainment.

Upwards of 350 people spent Sunday evening eating ice cream, watching children dance and listening to local musicians in Library Park.

The annual fundraiser for Friends of Orland Free Library brought out a cross section of the local population by offering entertainment to suit all ages and many tastes.

Dorothy Brouse, co-president of Friends, said the turn out was about average. She noted that last year more people came, because the event was held in conjunction with Orland's centennial celebration.

Librarian Jody Meza explained that Friends of the Library use the money to help buy books, computers, children's programs and other items.

Friends' support will provide the backing for a new book club for children ages 9 to 13 starting next month, Meza said.

Sunday was a day to bring in money to help those causes.

The evening started with ice-cream-social veterans Music Express playing folksy tunes. Then things took a turn with Mexican-inspired music and dance. Rounding out the event was local rock group Seven Days.

In large, that variety was due to Tracey Quarne.

He said Meta St. Louis called and asked if he would help line up the music, thinking he might bring the Glenn Chorale — which he directs.

Since the group had only one rehearsal prior to the event, that would not work. So, Quarne suggested including "some groups in town that are touring in Florida and Arizona and nobody here knows they exist."

"The goal was to bring people in who were unfamiliar with Friends of the Library," Quarne said. "We did that. Now a lot more people know about the Friends."

Plus, the groups he gathered "are representative of our community," he said.

The result was a stronger Hispanic and youth presence.

Many people in the Hispanic community attended for the first time, even though they are life-long Orland residents.

Maria Nares came with her family to see Groupe Folk Loreco de Orland, a dance troupe in which girls dress in traditional costumes and perform traditional Mexican dances.

Nares said her grandson dances and they were looking for a partner for him.

More than that, though, "we're having fun," she said through a translator.

Sandra and Lorenzo Suarez initially came out to watch their daughter Sophia dance. But they agreed, "it's good to include Mexican culture," because they are part of the Orland community.

Before the dancers stomped and twirled their big-skirted dresses, Solution Musicale played under the gazebo.

Their high-energy music and movements kept the entire crowd enthralled and moving. Youngsters openly danced to the Latin beat, while others clapped their hands and tapped their feet.

Maria Lozano, also attending for the first time, thought all of it was "awesome."

"I love what the little girls did with the dancing" as well as the Mexican band, she said. "It brings that culture out. I thought that was beautiful."

Brandy Branzelle, who has been to the event many times, said, "This is historic and it's a bridge for our community. I love it."

Rae Turnbull shared Branzelle's attitude. "This is a perfect day. The weather is nice and the mix of music is great," she said.

For Nancy Preciado, attending the Friend's Ice Cream Social was about more than seeing her daughters dance.

"I'm trying to get more involved in the community where I live," she said, adding that "it was nice" that the Hispanic community came out. "I didn't think anybody would be here."

Brouse said the organization decided to include the mix of entertainment, because "having more variety fits with the community. We'll probably have bigger variety next year."

Her husband, Richard Brouse, gave Quarne credit for pulling the broader range of Orlanders together.

"Tracey did a great job organizing the music. It's great," he said.

The only complaint about the event came when Seven Days band started playing under the gazebo.

"It's too loud," many seniors said as they left.

But, as Quarne said, "for the first time out not everything was perfect," acknowledging the last band was too loud. He said that will change again.

Contact Lydia Harris at 934-6800, 865-3100 or lharris@tcnpress.com.