A weekend of tea events in April: A family affair with a surprise visit from Victoria's Tea Salon

Rebekah C., Associate Director w/ BTS & Doug K., Director - under Martha Baldwin's portrait.

In April, Barb's Tea Service presented four events:  Downton Abbey-inspired teas at the Townsend Hotel and Walled Lake Library and on the third weekend of the month, back-to-back teas in Birmingham and Canton.

The first event was a volunteer/patron appreciation afternoon tea at Birmingham's Baldwin Library. BTS presented Tea History and Etiquette along with preparing and serving tea. We were invited by Rebekah Craft, Associate Director and Doug Koschik, Library Director. The room was filled with volunteers and board members - a truly wonderful and friendly group of people.

Rachel starts brewing the tea before guests arrive.

The library supplied the scones and pastries and BTS brewed up some delicious  Earl Grey and Lomi Lomi, a tasty herbal, both from Socra Tea.

Baldwin supplied the scones and pastries. BTS served up tea from Socra Tea

Centerpieces were fresh flowers in Fiestaware pitchers from Rebekah's personal collection. They added a vibrant splash of color and a bit of spring to the table decor.

Half of the room filled with dedicated volunteers.

It was a lovely time spent at this hometown library that blends the old with the new: a place that has meant a lot to me over the years.  I grew up in Birmingham and came here frequently as a child with my dad and later in high school I well remember clocking in some long hours working on term papers. When my own children attended Birmingham schools, we were once again a collective fixture at Baldwin.

It was really such an honor to spend an afternoon with such dedicated folks who do so much  to make Baldwin Library the fantastic Birmingham treasure that it is.

And, that was just Saturday! The next day, we were at the Canton Library - another great community treasure - for our Tea from China program. This was part of the "Everyone's Reading" program which featured "Shanghai Girls" by author Lisa See.

Next day, Tea from China at Canton Library

Because this was a tea tasting, we brought in extra staff. Rachel had company with her older brother, Rob.

BTS staff, Rob and Rachel, keeping it all in the family

We had another wonderful treat from Victoria's Tea Salon. Vicky O'Neil, who also catered the Downton Abbey event we were part of at the Southfield Public Library, brought trays of scones and pastries for the guests. They were as beautiful as they were delicious. Many thanks to Vicky for coming out and serving such a fabulous afternoon tea fare.

Vicky O'Neil of Victoria's Tea Salon brought tasty tea treats

Scones and pastries from Victoria's Tea Salon, as beautiful as they are delicious!

Along with the presentation on the history of tea, guests sampled four different Chinese teas.

Some of the guests getting settled before the program.

The guests and staff at the Canton Library were wonderful. It was another amazing tea afternoon. A heartfelt thank-you to the library, the guests, Victoria's Tea Salon and BTS' charming staff.

Thanks to Canton Library, Victoria's Tea Salon and BTS' excellent staff

And, we're not done yet. Another back-to-back weekend of tea events is coming. This Saturday, we will be near Kalamazoo at the Schoolcraft Libary and on Sunday, we will be in Linden at Sweet D's Tea Room with our Downton Abbey-inspired afternoon teas. For more information, see our events page at Barb's Tea Service.

Hope to see you there!