Celebrating Mother’s Day with a tea

By Mary-Justine Lanyon

Nearly 50 guests enjoyed the Mother’s Day tea sponsored by the Crest Forest Senior Citizens Club and coordinated by Lori Wickes and Vicki Vargas.

The community room at Leisure Shores was decorated with colorful flowers and the tables were set with beautiful teapots and teacups.

Vicki Vargas shared tips on tea etiquette – some of which the guests had already violated.

Also on the tables were a variety of sandwiches – egg salad, chicken salad, cream cheese – fruit kabobs, several different desserts and, of course, a variety of teas.

Each place had a tiny bag filled with a tea bag, Hershey’s kisses and a tiny teaspoon.

After the guests were seated, Vargas – who introduced herself as “Victoria” who had just arrived from England – shared a number of tea etiquette tips. The guests had already violated tip #1 as many had already sampled the sandwiches; they were supposed to wait for the invitation to begin. Victoria demonstrated the proper placement of a napkin on the lap (the fold should be toward you), how to stir your tea (never in a vigorous circle but north to south) and proper tea sipping (never gulp your tea).

Should those pinkies be out? Never! according to Victoria. And leave those saucers on the table.

Given the go-ahead, the guests enjoyed the sandwiches while Aron and Rose Macias circulated among the tables, refilling teacups and replenishing sandwiches. Aron had also served as the sous chef. Wickes noted that they had volunteered their time as their Mother’s Day gift to Vargas, their mother.

Many of the guests wore beautiful hats to celebrate the day. There was a selfie station set up for photos.

Among the guests were mothers and daughters, mothers and sons and friends celebrating the special day together.