Floral teas and garden club fair
MILO — On June 4 Milo Garden Club held the final business meeting of 2023-24. Floral teas and a discussion about the annual Garden Club Summer Fair were on the agenda.
Before the business meeting and program, “A Collection of Teapots”, members and guests were treated to a variety of teas, tea sandwiches, and dainty desserts, including sugared violet cookies and cookies shaped and colored to resemble watermelon slices. Planning the tea party were Wendy Bailey, Juanita Swazey, Allison McCullough, Bev Martell, and Victoria Eastman. Each person attending brought their own teacup. Twelve vintage teacups, painted with lovely floral designs, were provided by the program committee. By meeting’s end, five cups found new homes with garden club members and guests.
MEETING ATTENDEES — Allison McCullough and Wendy Bailey at the June 4 Milo Garden Club meeting.
In keeping with the tea party theme, an interesting selection of teas were also offered. Chocolate mint tea brewed from the herb cultivated by member Allison McCullough was the most popular. Another loose tea, from the Giving Bean Company, was an Earl Grey blend with black tea, bergamot, and tiny blue cornflower petals. Member Danielle Bender brought in a loose tea, especially made for the garden club by Shannon Lord of Triple Goddess Apothecary in Brownville. Pu-Ehr tea made of lavender, butterfly pea, cacao, jasmine and rose, when brewed and poured into a teacup becomes a beautiful blue color. Or purple when lemon is added!
While members enjoyed their desserts and tea, talk about the annual club fair and plant sale began. Scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 1 at the Kiwanis campus in Milo. Proceeds from this event are the club’s only fundraiser which supports a number of non-profit organizations and planting projects.
Milo Garden Club has held the Annual Summer Fair and Plant Sale every August for over 40 years. Of course, perennials, houseplants, and produce are major features of the fair. But, be prepared to find so much more, including baked goods, a silent auction, a raffle, and plan to enjoy a delicious luncheon.
CLUB MEETING — Among those attending the June 4 meeting of the Milo Garden Club were, from left, Wendy Bailey, Barbara Reed, Ethelyn Treworgy, and Joanne DeWitt.
Following fair discussion Eastman began her presentation “A Collection of Teapots”. She introduced Wendy Bailey and Danielle Bender who spoke briefly, then answered questions about teas they shared with the club that day. McCullough spoke about her teapot and cups which her brother brought to her from Japan.
Eastman then gave a brief history of the teapots she brought for display. Dating from the 1940s to the present, she spoke about Trainware, Gibson Earthenware, and Cottage Ware, as well as other potteries from England and Occupied Japan. Among the teacups provided for the tea, Eastman mentioned one had been made specifically for Ben Franklin Stores by Edwin M. Knowles China Co. USA and was most likely bought at the Ben Franklin Store in Milo.
Ethelyn Treworgy concluded the June meeting with a story. During a youthful exploration of an abandoned building, which no longer exists, she discovered a dumb waiter. Inside and unharmed was a set of pretty pink and white teacups and saucers. In fact, she was using one of them at the Garden Club Tea that day.
If you would like more information about Milo Garden Club, please call Victoria at 207-943-2400.