What's Next for Barb's Tea Service? Tea Customs Around the World!

Barb G. of BTS with Pam Hall, Program Director at Birmingham's Next

As we near a record number of tea events for the year and wrap up our September tea talks, Barb's Tea Service was ready for its next adventure—at Birmingham's welcoming community hub, Next.

This marked our third visit to this gracious venue (fun fact: it’s just a stone’s throw from Seaholm High School, my alma mater from “many” years ago!). This time, we brought a fresh topic to the tea table: Tea Customs Around the World.

Next provided festive goodie bags for attendees.

Tea Around the World in one hour!

                             

In under sixty minutes, we journeyed back 4,000 years to ancient China, where the first cup of tea was sipped and savored. From there, we followed tea’s path across continents—through Asia, Europe, and Africa—and explored its slow but steady rise in popularity in the United States.

Barb and Pam at Birmingham's Next.

Joined by BTS team member Pam B., we were once again warmly welcomed by Pam Hall, Program Director at Next. Pam H. went above and beyond with meeting prep, festive room décor, and delightful goodie bags for all attendees.

Before the program, guests finding their seats, including Carol M. (far right).

We were thrilled to reconnect with cherished tea friends—Carol M., Kim and her mother Gail, our neighbor Clay—and send a special "Hello!" to tea hostess extraordinaire, Rosemary. We also had the pleasure of meeting new friends, many of whom shared their own family tea traditions and brought along some truly special tea cups.

Kim, along with her mom, Gail, have attended many BTS programs. Always a delight to see them!

As we shared stories from our travels to China, India, and Europe—with tea cups in hand—it was a fabulous afternoon filled with warmth, culture, and connection. A heartfelt thank you to the staff and guests who made it so memorable.

We're looking forward to our Next time! 

Barb's Tea Service is already looking forward to our Next time!

Celebrating Downton Abbey at Lyon Township Public Library

 

BTS team setting up Downton Abby-inspired tea talk at Lyon Township Public Library

Just over a week after our last Downton Abbey tea talk—and only days following the premiere of the final film in the trilogy—Barb's Tea Service returned to celebrate the closing chapter of the Crawley family saga at the Lyon Township Public Library. Once again, we were warmly welcomed by the exceptional LTPL staff, including Community Relations Specialist Mercedes Krebs, and a room full of gracious, engaged guests.

BTS was invited & welcomed by Mercedes Krebs, LTPL's Community Relations Specialist

Joined by BTS team member Pam B., it was our first visit to LTPL. While setting up, we were treated to serene views of Lake Angela, which provided a picturesque backdrop to the meeting room and set the tone for a charming evening.

Scones, cookies and tea were provided by LTPL with buffet table views overlooking the lake. 

A lively crowd of more than thirty Downton Abbey enthusiasts gathered, enjoying tea, scones, and cookies generously provided by the library. Many guests arrived in festive and elegant attire—some ready for a formal dinner, others dressed for a cozy tea time—but all brought delightful energy and enthusiasm.

Library friends, two of which immediately recognized my Herend porcelain tea cup.

Two guests, including LeAnne, recognized my cherished tea cup as Herend porcelain (yes, there’s a Downton Abbey connection!). One is a collector of fine china, and the other has family ties to Hungary, where Herend originated.

Dressed in fun and fancy attire accessorized with a twisted beaded necklace and pretty fascinator.

Following our tea talk, we were treated to stories from attendees about their travels to England and their shared love for Downton Abbey. Although Pam and I had already seen Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, we kept our promise of no spoilers—only sharing that we thoroughly enjoyed it.

BTS thoroughly enjoyed our evening at Lyon Township Public Library.

While LTPL is set to move to a new location in 2026, we truly cherished our evening in this lakeview venue. Heartfelt thanks to the LTPL team and all the wonderful guests who joined us for a memorable night steeped in tea and Downton charm.

Celebrating Downton Abbey at Lincoln Township Public Library

Downton Abbey Tea at LTPL with librarian Amy N. and BTS' Barb G.

 

The final chapter of the Downton Abbey movie trilogy premieres today, and at Barb's Tea Service, we’re celebrating all month long. We kicked off the festivities earlier this week with an unforgettable evening at the Lincoln Township Public Library, joined by an exceptional group of guests.

At the invitation of librarian—and baker extraordinaire—Amy Nolan, we hosted a Downton Abbey-inspired tea talk for over thirty attendees. Many brought their favorite teacups, each with a charming backstory that added a personal touch to the gathering.

The library served tea along with cookies and scones with jam and clotted cream.

Nestled in Stevensville on Michigan’s west side, just five minutes from St. Joseph, the Lincoln Township Public Library welcomed us with warmth and hospitality. Though Stevensville is a three-hour drive from Detroit, we felt instantly at home. With help from BTS podcast co-host (and husband), Chris, we seamlessly set up and settled in.

Setting up before the tea.

BTS Podcast Co-host, Chris,  helps plug us in.

The library itself is as delightful as its patrons, featuring a cozy fireplace, a beverage station, and a whimsical children’s section complete with a cabin for indoor and outdoor play.

For the evening’s refreshments, the library treated guests to shortbread cookies and cream scones— prepared by Amy Nolan—served with preserves, clotted cream, and a selection of teas. Barb’s Tea Service sent everyone home with a tea-at-home goodie bag and a Downton Abbey-inspired scone recipe card.

BTS provided "tea-at-home" goodie bags.

Sans group photo, but still great memories.

Our only regret? Amid the excitement and travel, we forgot to take a group photo. But the memories will remain, especially of the guests who stayed after the program to share stories of family, travel, and their own Downton Abbey connections.

The LTPL - a great place to begin our DA celebration.

 

As we eagerly await the Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale this weekend, we couldn’t have imagined a more perfect way to begin our month of celebration than with the wonderful team and attendees at Lincoln Township Public Library.

Barb's Tea Service Celebrates 50th Podcast with 5-timer special guest (and he's got the hoodie to prove it!)

Barb and Chris G. of BTS' podcast in ONTV studios, honor 5-timer guest, Rob G. with special hoodie.

This week Barb's Tea Service marked a milestone - we were in the studio for our 50th podcast and there was no better way to celebrate than with our five-time special guest, Rob.  

Along with studio engineer, co-host and arm candy (and husband) Chris and I recorded our first podcast, March 27, 2024 at ONTV Studio in Lake Orion. A barely 20-minute program that was a bit stiff, we were encouraged by the great staff at ONTV - who also provided us with podcast training and instruction earlier that same month - to keep going.

Just five weeks into our podcast, we had our first "special guest", Rob Gulley, who, along with his baritone "radio voice" and easy manner in front of microphone, brought a new dimension to our program and set the stage for future guests.

In a year and a half of podcasts, we've had six additional guests, received a public access award, hosted a remote program and sampled over 50 different teas (with almost equal references to Chris' flavor wheel).

In a addition to tea, we've covered a great deal of "tea-adjacent" topics, too - from public speaking to thrifting to embroidery - many of which were passions of podcast visitors. We invite them to not only share their interests, but a favorite tea and tea cup (or mug).  It keeps the podcast as fresh as our tea inventory (oh, yes, shelf life of tea is covered in Podcast 11).

And, on this 50th BTS Podcast, our 5-time special guest (who is also our eldest son) joined us in the studio to share in a sparkling tea toast to the occasion and receive his custom-made 5-timers hoodie. Borrowing from a practice of Saturday Night Live, celebrities who have hosted five shows, are presented with smoking jacket with the number 5 emblazoned on the side. With the help of Honeywood Embroidery, BTS presented Rob with a one-of-a-kind zip up sweater that honors his equally unique, and much appreciated, contribution to our podcast. 

A special thanks to all our special guests, including Rob and Megan, Rik and Carol, Matt and Jenna and Cara (of Honeywood Embroidery), ONTV studios and all our listeners/viewers. We look forward to another 50 with returning visitors and some who have yet to grace our studios. To quote our first five-timer guest:  "Rachel, your days are numbered!". 

To see Podcast 50 (and the other 49), check out ONTV's YouTube channel or visit us at:

Barb's Tea Service - YouTube