It may have been cloudy with rain outside, but inside the Steele House at Historic Hanna’s Town it was fun, sunny, and bright. At 9:30am a small group of volunteer ladies gathered in the kitchen to prepare and plate food that would be served at the Annual Fall Tea.
We prepped what we could ahead of time, but so much needed to wait until the last minute. The first sitting was at 11:30am and we had 24 ladies attending. Lillian, the head tea-master (or maybe the Queen Tea?), explained the protocol for a Victorian tea, and also talked about the upcoming programs at the site.
It was a scramble to gather up everything from the first group, completely clean and reset the tables, and be ready to serve the second group at 2:00pm. Again, 24 people were served, but this group included one gentleman, as well.
The ‘scullery crew’ – kitchen food prep and clean up – worked in shifts throughout the day, from 9:15am until the last of us left about 4:30pm. We had a great time together, and the conversation ran as strong and as long as the tea. The ‘newbies’ mixed with the veteran volunteers and by the end of each shift we were all friends, new and old. And the bonus? We got to munch on the excess food that wasn’t needed for the plating. My favorite, as always, is Lisa’s pound cake. That being said, everything was wonderful.
I’m blessed to be part of this group, and spent a wonderful day sharing time and chores and friendships. Already looking forward to the next time, which will hopefully be in the spring! Keep watching the website (www.westmorelandhistory.org) for updates and program schedules.
This was only the first crew – we got really busy and I didn’t have time to take photos. When I wasn’t making sandwiches or plating food, I was up to my elbows – literally! – in soapy dishwater! This was Kath’s first Tea, and she did a great job and had a ‘wonderful day’ (quote from Kath!).
Memory book – September 3: What do you remember about your first day of school? “I visited school so often when I was 5 years old that Miss Mary Marshall told Dad if I got vaccinated she would let me be with the first grade class. I learned to enjoy school that year. I don’t even remember my “First” day of “Real” school.” Isn’t it great to hear of a young girl who absolutely loved school and learning? Such a blessing!
On this day in 1781 Americans under George Washington and the French under comte de Rochambeau begin bombardment of Yorktown, the last battle of American Revolutionary War. In 1934 was the first running of the Rolling Rock Steeplechase races. In 1888 the Washington Monument opened to the public. John Lennon was born in 1940. John D Rockefeller Jr married Abby Aldrich in 1901 (They were huge contributors to the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation). Elvis & Priscilla Presley divorced in 1973.
TOMORROW October 10th is:
- National Walk to a Park Day *
- National Angel Food Cake Day
- National Cake Decorating Day
- National Handbag Day
- National Metric Day
- World Mental Health Day
- Clergy Appreciation Day
Please take time to let your minister(s) know how much you appreciate them. They are unsung heroes! I will say that I pray for Mike Hazelton (& family) and Kyle Drown (& family) and wish them God’s speed each day in their walk with the Lord on their journeys. God bless…
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