Out & About: Greensburg Garden Center tea a floral-scented success

Greensburg Garden Center’s annual Spring Tea was like a breath of fresh air in a weekend of otherwise foreboding news — bringing with it the scent of tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, forsythia, pussy willows and roses.

Tables at the “March Into Spring” event, held March 14 at Maplewood Presbyterian Church in Hempfield, sported vases of fragrant flowers, festively patterned china and teacups, crystal and other seasonal decor.

So lovely were the tables that viewing time was built into the schedule, before guests sat down to partake of fruit cups, finger sandwiches and sweet treats, all artfully made and arranged. Table hostesses created their own decor.

“Every year it’s different, and it’s always beautiful,”event chair Angie Raitano said. “It really makes you feel ready for spring.”

Organizers were pleased with a good turnout, at a time when so many events have been postponed and so many people are choosing to stay home.

“These women went to such effort — they decorated their tables; they made food,” center president Carla Rusnica said. “There was no way I was going to cancel.”

She noted, however, the church sanitized the banquet room beforehand and accommodations were made to give guests as much space as possible.

A show of garden-themed jewelry by Marie Mueller of Whitehall followed the meal. Mueller said she started making her pieces, adorned with flowers, butterflies, dragonflies and stars, around 2008 and selling to garden clubs.

“They were such a hit, I just stayed with it,” she said.

Those involved in staging the tea included Mary Ann Artman, Barbara Cseh, Diane Dale, Marian DeBone, Judy Geary, Glenda Gebert, Sara Martin, Arlene Kendra, Agnes Lapa, Christine Larry, Donna Lee, Nadine Mason, Ed and Elizabeth Pesci, Terry Rodgers, Carol Ross, Deneise Snyder, Joan Stairs, Saige Jen Taylor, Pam Turner, Penny Turner, Susan Wisneski, Margie Wolff and Barbara Yohman.

Cheshamac Garden Club also sponsored two tables.

Seen: Josie Sismondo, Margaret Ziolkowski, Jennifer Hepler, Kathleen Herrod, Ashley Yohman, Kristin Miller, Renee Seifert and Mary Veazey Clark.