Mitford Tea Party - The Social Event of July

The tables were set and waiting. Elegant settings complete with a lady's fan at each place awaited the guests. Each table had a different type of place setting and color theme.

Julia Suwana, the hostess for this event, bustled about seeing to each last minute detail - her crew of helpers busy in the kitchen or making other adjustments at her direction. The valets awaited their cue of cars driving up the winding lane to the portico of the house.

As the guests arrived, they were delighted to find Esther Cunningham, the mayor of Mitford herself played by Lynn Steveson, on hand to greet them in her usual small-town North Carolina style. Even Cynthia, the minister's lovely neighbor, was present at the tea.

Forty-five guests arrived at the appointed time dressed up and ready for tea inside the old Bell Hill House which stood in for Fernbank of fictitious Mitford. The guests were treated to a variety of delectable treats and tea as they leisurely spent the afternoon engaging in the old-fashioned past-time. Most attendees wore hats in honor of the occasion. It was easy to relax and enjoy the day imagining what it might have been like at Fernbank or years ago at such an event at the Bell Hill home.

This fundraiser for the St. Anne's Project was a delightful success. Besides the tea, the P.A.S.T. gift shop with a variety of items was set up on the portico of the lovely site.

At the end of the afternoon, everyone declared the party a 'wonderful time'. However, after such a day of activity and the weeks of planning prior to it, many of those who worked on this event in all aspects felt much like the cat who kept up with the happenings outside.

P.A.S.T. would like to thank all who participated in the tea as guests, the volunteers who helped behind the scenes, and especially, the hostess, Julia Suwana for her gracious hospitality.