Get Turned on to Tea campaign brewing at fire hall

Jill Summerhayes, Cambridge

By now, many of you will be aware that indeed there are big things brewing at the Cambridge Fire Department [that’s Cambridge in Canada, for those of you in the UK wondering why you’ve not heard about this!].

The ‘Get Turned on to Tea’ campaign has begun. You may have seen the photo of firefighter Sid DaSilva at the community kiosk selling tea and red teapots. This is a fundraising campaign for the Fire Hall Museum and Education Centre, housed in the old fire hall on Dickson Street.

On Oct. 29, a firefighters’ tea party will take place at the Galt Country Club from 2 to 4 p.m. This will be quite the tea party, with a fashion show, firefighters in full uniform, a raffle for some fabulous prizes and a traditional afternoon tea of sandwiches, scones, cakes and a selection of teas. Tickets are $35 each and can be purchased at the fire stations.

This event will launch three new teas selected by the committee to be sold to raise funds for the centre. Tea was chosen as it is a known anti-oxidant and firefighters have a high incidence of cancer due to the carcinogens formed when fighting fires.

Not only is it a clever campaign, one with a difference, but for $35 you can have an afternoon of fun out with your friends.

Leave the kids with dad, or a sitter, and call you mother, grandmother, aunt, sister or best friend and get dressed up and come out to play and socialize. It is a good way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

The red teapot, part of the campaign, has travelled far and wide across the country and into the U.S. to promote the event. Not only will you be able to purchase from four selected teas, but you can buy a red teapot and all the funds go toward the project.

Delighted to be asked to be honourary chair of the tea party, I’ve had great fun joining the committee for preparations for the event. Four of us spent a morning with Peter Barker, the tea guru from Waterloo, who is supplying the teas selected. We have chosen selections to suit all tastes.

One of the teas for sale has been selected by the committee and several firefighters. It is a roibus tea, an infused fruit blend of cherry and cranberry.

The tea leaves are red, making a clear cup a colourful and attractive sight. The aroma is wonderful and the taste very fruity. There are also two green teas, one Chinese green and white tea, and one green tea with lemon. Again, light and tasty. But to me the best tea is the black one. A highland Scots blend with a magnificently rich flavour.

If you are not able to attend the tea, which you may later regret when you hear about it from friends, you can still purchase these special teas from the firefighters as Christmas gifts.

So dress up - hats welcome. I’ll be wearing one of mine and hope you will too.

After several weeks away in the U.K. sorting out my ailing mother, helping my daughter and family move into a beautiful, but much neglected house, and attending a family wedding, we are pleased to come home to a more relaxed lifestyle.

Tea is an important necessity in my relaxation and I can well understand why it is suitable for the firefighters.

(this article was taken from cambridgetimes.ca)