Woman’s club plans birthday tea for Washington

Red, white and blue decorations will add to the festivities at Van Wert Woman’s Club’s Tea at 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 22 in honor of George Washington’s birthday.

On hand will also be balloons and a special birthday cake.

This birthday celebration will be in addition to the regularly-scheduled program, “Fresh and Frugal Ideas for Your Home,” with Mary Beth Longstreth and Sherry Hughes. Longstreth is associated with Ironwood Designs in Delphos, and Hughes and her family operate The Hughes Bed and Breakfast in Van Wert.

In the past, many guests have commented that the refreshments served at the teas actually constitute a late lunch. The first course consists of five different savory items, as well as the traditional scones with lemon curd, clotted cream, and jam. Second course offerings are five sweets of various types. Traditionalists may use milk in their tea, but lemon slices are also offered.

Members of the club take great care to plan and prepare unusual and dainty foods for each tea, making sure that the same savories and sweets are not offered at succeeding teas.

Unique and unusual teapots, some china and some pottery, are used to fill and refill guests’ cups with the club’s own specialty tea, and more colorful and whimsical teapots sit atop the lace-covered mantel of the fireplace and on various surfaces throughout the dining area.

The teas at the club are true to the traditional teas of the past with lace tablecloths and beautiful china teacups. Three-tiered servers on each table are adorned with flowers and ornaments for the occasion, and each guest receives a small memento of the day.

Tea is set at the clubhouse, 654 S. Washington St., Van Wert. Reservations are $12 per guest. Off-street parking is available behind the clubhouse.

Because seating is limited, reservations should be made well in advance by contacting Jean Perchalski, 419-232-4108, cell 419-231-0495; or Jean Owens, 419-238-6639, e-mail joytrips@watchtv.net.

(this article was taken from delphosherald.com)