The April 24 fundraiser, the Plen-Tea at Christian Temple on Edmondson Avenue, sold out two weeks after tickets went on sale. The planning committee for the tea, led by volunteer Pat Lafon, wanted an event that would feel cozy and not commercial. The group, which included Jane Byers, Mary Kay Willing, and Susan Bloomer, certainly succeeded.
Janice Kellner (left) and Jane Byers
having a good time at the greeting table.
The church’s Fellowship Hall took on the ambience of a light and bright tea room. It was filled with eight round tables for guests, a table of door prizes, and a room divider hung with a small art exhibit. In addition, old framed photos and small vases of flowers sat on each window sill lining both sides of the hall. The tables each had a center piece which included a miniature rose plant, donated by Blue Iris Flowers, and a miniature tea pot. The volunteers used their own china and silverware for the table settings.
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Pat created bookmarks that included the menu and she designed name tags for the servers who wore maroon aprons over white tops and black slacks. The event was festive and elegant. Many guests said that it was the best tea they had ever attended. In fact, one guest sent a note the next day that said, “Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the “High Tea” yesterday. It was really lovely in every way. Even the window sills looked lovely – what a clever idea. It was just so much more than I expected. You ladies are really good cooks. Everything was done in such good taste.”
From left are Gertrude Shaver,
Marie Casio, Livia Rimka before the
meal began.
Mary Kay Willing getting food ready
to be served.
The committee members provided the food and Edible Arrangements donated chocolate dipped strawberries. The door prizes were donated by Dimitri’s International Grill and Restaurant, Narcissus Salon, Cafe di Roma, Mary Kay Willing, Gene Cashour, Jane Byer, Blue Iris Flowers, and Classic Interiors.
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| Susan Saulsbury smiles after winning one of the door prizes. | Edie Jones serving Claire Ward Fulton (left), while Barbara Goldstein and Marissa Goon look on. |
And a note of thanks goes to the volunteer servers: Edie Jones, Laurie Lane, Vicky Fisher, Amy Bower, Kathy Kruger, Maureen Parkhurst and Susan Bloomer.
Laurie Lane serving Jean O’Donnell
(left) and Annette Joehnk.
Photo credit: Doug LaFon.