When it comes to coping with Long Island’s recent bout of wintry weather, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Central Nassau has the right idea.
Last month, the UUCCN held its annual Victorian Tea Time event at the group’s Garden City headquarters. Based on Queen Victoria’s traditional afternoon tea time, the event ran from 2 to 4 p.m. and served as a fundraiser for the organization.
“Queen Victoria used to get very hungry in the afternoon,” explained Vice President Patsy Kaplan. “At the beginning, she had her servants sneak her a pot of tea and some bread, but eventually she started inviting her friends over for tea.”
In honor of Queen Victoria’s afternoon snacking, the UUCCN served English tea alongside five courses of food. These included small sandwiches, sweet breads, scones, cookies and chocolate-covered strawberries.
Many people came out for the event, despite the predictions of ice and snow that day. Guests included Garden City community members, UUCCN members and quite a few groups from the “Red Hat Society.” Each of the large tables set up throughout the room was completely full and even the seats in the “walk-in” section were largely taken.
The tables were elaborately decorated, with unique teacups, fine china and sandwich tiers. Members of the UUCCN served the tea and the majority of food was donated and cooked by the organization as well. The kitchen was chaotic throughout the event, as those working the event wanted to assure that all guests were satisfied.
Tables also lined the back of the room, displaying raffle baskets and items for visitors to bid on. Assortments of tea, coffee, mugs and other various items were raffled off. More antique articles, such as quilts, teapots, lamps and framed pictures, were kept for auctioning.
Overall, the event seemed to be a success. “I think it was great,” Patsy Kaplan commented. “I stayed at the door and thank people for coming, and they were all very complimentary.”
Kaplan is looking forward to future events being held by the UUCCN including its pumpkin patch sale, service auctions and Juneteenth.
