Thrift Shop's High Tea & Fashion returns

TICONDEROGA | The ladies of the Methodist Church Thrift Shop are dusting off the assorted china, getting out their pearls, and preparing to fasten their hats. The Thrift Shop's traditional premiere spring event, "High Tea & Fashion", is returning for year three on Sunday, April 26, with all of Fellowship Hall transformed into a grand dining room with decor and ambiance fit for royalty. "When I used to have a tea room, it brought an emotion to the customer, and that is what we are finding now," revealed Margot Anello, event founder and former owner of Crown Point's Woodland Coffee and Tea Room. "People are enjoying dressing up and sitting together and talking and connecting on a different level. They really look forward to this." The event will begin at 1 p.m., and all guests are encouraged to dress in their finest. If you have a beloved heirloom brooch, wear it! If there is a bedazzled clutch in the back of your closet that never seems right for any other event, pack and bring it! If there is a gown that you'd feel overdressed wearing any other place, the High Tea is begging you to show it off. In 2024, the thrift shop volunteers were brainstorming a fundraiser for the church. In Anello's experience with her previous business venture, her tea room introduced relaxation into the lives of her patrons, sipping tea and the mental space the activity put her patrons in, proving to be a remarkable stress reliever. The idea seemed like it would appeal to people on a larger scale, so the gals collectively decided to give high tea a whirl. Now, as they are fleshing out this year's menu (always printed out in script like a Victorian-era Valentine, no detail is left overlooked), the women are excited that what began as a leap of faith has turned into a community tradition for a cause. Every year, all proceeds are donated to the church to support its many charitable and benevolent missions. "I think people will find the experience of having tea in this environment worth doing," Anello expressed. "It is a very positive experience and a good ending to a long winter." Between the Friday night and Sunday morning of the event it will be all hands on deck as the thrift shop volunteers will be working away in the kitchen preparing a menu that will include broccoli and cheese soup, the customary scones with clotted cream and jam, with the savory course featuring egg salad, egg white frittata, and stuffed mushrooms. "Desserts will include baklava, pineapple upside down cake, and cheesecake, all in individual servings," Anello noted. Homemade cakes and other baked confections will be for sale (cakes will be sold as halves this year due to guest feedback), and handmade ornate centerpieces at every table will also be available for purchase. And as has become customary, thoughtfully executed attire displays complete with jewelry, will be one of the main fundraisers, and the popular (and competitive) silent auction will once again feature a curated collection of specialty items. "We have 35 dresses already tagged to sell," revealed thrift shop volunteer Leona Simpson. "Brand new dresses with the tags still on them are $3." There will be 15 volunteers in total offering their time and talent in making the High Tea come to life. And though there is no shortage of dedication, the thrift shop is always seeking volunteers to continue maintaining the extremely busy and heavily trafficked store full of new-to-you treasures. "We are primarily older women, and would especially love to see some new young blood volunteer with us," Anello invited. Currently, the thrift shop is in need of household items, jewelry, and clothing donations. Holiday items are accepted all year long, regardless of the season, and the shop even has an avenue to sell vintage clothing and antiques. "Very little goes to waste at the thrift shop," Anello assured, adding that even if an item doesn't sell, the ladies find a place for it to be donated where needed out in the community. This year, High Tea & Fashion is being made possible thanks to the generosity of Costco, Hannaford, Maplefield's, Ticonderoga Natural Foods Co-op, Burleigh's Luncheonette, P&C, BJ's, and Stewart's Shoppes. Tickets will begin selling the first week of April and are available at the thrift shop on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, and within the church office. Adults are $25 and children under twelve are $15. The event is capped at 60 guests, so it is advisable to not wait. The First United Methodist's thrift shop is located at 1045 Wicker St. in Ticonderoga and may be reached by phone at 518-585-7995.

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Thrift Shop's High Tea & Fashion returns

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