Retiring First United Methodist Betsy Bramlett, left center, hugs Hope Mayor Don Still after he proclaims today Betsy Bramlett Day at the First United Methodist Church Community Coffee this morning.

Today's Hope-Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce Coffee was held in a part of First United Methodist Church called The Mall, which is well-lined with historical photos, art and documents from the church's long history. It was the fitting place to celebrate Betsy Bramlett's 24-year teaching career in the church's pre-school.

"What a great lady to have a party for!" said retired optometrist Don Freel as he came into The Mall to greet Bramlett. This was the general sentiment as dozens of attendees arrived starting even before the 9:30 a.m. scheduled start.

First United Pre-school and Kindergarten Director Jessica Beaver said of Bramlett, "She brings her heart to teaching. She has been here for all the right reasons."

Proclaiming May 3, 2023 to be Betsy Bramlett Day, Mayor Don Still said before making the announcement that his children had been students there. "Seems like it was yesterday, we were taking our girls out here to drop them off, and the last one's graduating from college. I wish I knew how many band-aids you've put on."

There was applause and calls of Yay when he said it was his pleasure to proclaim the day Betsy Bramlett's. "You get a free straw at McDonald's," he joked, but then added. "Some people go to work to go to work. Some people go with a passion."

Bramlett herself said of her retirement, "It's going to be all right, but I'm going to miss these people. I told them you can't get rid of me like that. I'll be out here for sure. This is beautiful what they have done."

That it was, with many church board members, parents of pre-school students and staffers bringing lovely goodies to the coffee, from olive roll-ups to every variety of cookie, from deviled-eggs and bacon mini-quiches to fruit and vegetable trays. Coffee was available, as was a choice of grape-infused or orange-infused water.

Asked what she prided herself on bringing to her students, Bramlett said she likes to start them off with Biblical stories, but she also has a trick for getting them to learn. "We wanted to learn to play together. That's important. With a three- and four-year old, it's just a certain amount of time and then we have to transition to something else."