On May 11th, 2025, Willow Pond Senior Care hosted its 3rd annual High Tea Party: a celebration bringing elegance, laughter, and a whole lot of heart.
“These residents are lucky to reach their golden years,” said Lynn Futch, who helped inspire the event. “They deserve more than just tea; we’re talking warm teapots, clinking porcelain, scones, finger sandwiches, gooey brownies, and more.”
The tradition began when Futch’s mother, Sally Deal, became a resident at Willow Pond.
“Meeting the residents was truly inspiring. So much wisdom and experience packed into a single life! I wanted to find a way to honor them and pamper them, too,” shared Futch.
"Attending an ‘Afternoon Tea’ is a special occasion, an invitation to dress up in your Sunday best and feel just a little bit royal,” smiled Futch. “They’ve ruled over households, raised families, adapted to change, and kept things going through every season of life. They are the storytellers, the keepers of memory; it's a celebration of life well-lived and savors the sweetness of the moment. It’s a chance to reminisce about the past, like a summer romance from 1952.”
“The residents love the idea; it awakens that inner child who used to play tea parties,” shared Sara Chandler, Life Enrichment Director. “Giving them a special opportunity to connect with one another in a meaningful way! The Mother’s Day tea party is a time to acknowledge our mothers: ‘amazing and timeless’ (like a fine china),” Chandler continued. “Personally, the tea party brings me back to my childhood, having tea parties with my mom and my grandmother.”
Chandler fondly shared a memory of being 8 years old living in Brooklet, packing her plastic tea set in a Walmart bag and walking to her grandmother’s house for weekend tea. “We’d sit in her formal dining room with our tea and Cheerios as our fancy snack.”
The hostesses were a gracious group of ladies from Bible Study Class and Book Club, including Lynn Underwood, Marcia Deal, Kathy Spacher, Linda Crosby, Janice Rushing, Diane Sims, and Sally Marie Futch. A delightful menu of pimento cheese sandwiches, chicken salad in puffed pastry, buttery scones, fresh fruit tarts, rich brownies, and delicate macaroons rounded out the tea.
The table settings were memorable: 30 complete sets of fine china were used, along with an assortment of elegant pieces collected over time. One cherished set belonged to Sally Marie’s great-grandmother, Jewel Zetterower, Much of the silver came from the historic Donehoo/Brannen house on Savannah Avenue.
“Tea time turns small talk into big heart-to-hearts. It’s cheaper than therapy and it comes with cookies," Futch said. "Medical science hasn't officially endorsed 'more cookies equals more life,' but afternoon tea gives everyone permission to indulge in sweet goodies without guilt. It's a social event that doesn't involve standing up. Senior residents have survived wars, The Great Depression, dial-up internet, modern cell phones, and work in their golden years. Everyone is seated, everyone's relaxed, and the only lifting is a dainty teacup and maybe a pinky finger. Nothing gets the neurons firing like a spirited debate over which goodie is the best. These conversations keep the mind active and curious.”
"Afternoon tea is a connection in a cup. Tea invites us to gather, share, and savor the moment. So go put the kettle on, gather some friends, ‘let life steep’ for a while. Some things like good tea and good company only get better with age,” concluded Futch.
Below is Mrs. Marguerite Perkins' recipe for chicken salad. She is 92 years young and made her recipe for the High Tea.
- 2 cups cut up cooked chicken
- 3 boiled eggs, cut up
- 1/2 cup chopped lime sweet pickles
- 1/4 cup juice from pickles
- 1/4 cup finely chopped celery
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- Salt and pepper to taste
Mix ingredients together. Refrigerate overnight.
Below is the recipe for Lynn Futch's "Perfect Scones." It has never failed!
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 cup cake flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, frozen
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
- Optional: 1 cup fruit, nuts, chocolate chips
- Whisk flours, sugar, salt, baking powder in large bowl.
- Grate frozen butter using box grater.
- Add to flour mixture until pea sized crumbs form.
- Whisk buttermilk, egg, vanilla.
- Add to flour mix until everything moist.
- Don't over mix!
- You can do drop scones or cut triangles.
- Place on lined baking sheet.
- Bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes.
Cheers! It's Tea Time!
