DAPHNE, Ala. — A group of Daphne teens recreated a bygone era Tuesday as they attended a formal tea at the library held as part of an etiquette class taught by retied teacher and librarian, Debaroh Norris.

Norris, 63, who was the reference librarian at Daphne Library for five years before her retirement, regaled the teenage girls with tales of the days when ladies wore hats and gloves to visit each other for tea.

To get the group of 16 girls in the mood she brought part of her collection of vintage accessories so that each participant could sport a period hat as she drank tea from china cups and ate pastries and cookies.

“Etiquette is sometimes viewed as too old fashioned to be bothered with,” said Norris, who credits her mother with teaching her the art of manners. “But much of what is called etiquette is just common consideration. Humans are social beings and want to be together, and a few rules just make it go smoother,” she said.

Norris said that etiquette was a broad subject but in the time available the focus would be on the formal afternoon tea. She also took the girls through the use of cutlery at a formal dinner party.

The class was full and several participants said they had staged formal tea parties of their own for friends and family. The class, which was restricted to 16, was full.