The Tea Room Times

THE TEA ROOM TIMES

Published by The White Heron Tea & Gifts and Driftwood Tea Company November - December 2019 How Much Do You Really Know About the Boston Tea Party? Many of us have heard, and even probably learned, about the Boston Tea Party when we were in school. We were taught that, as an act that pre-empted the Revolutionary War, men dressed as Native Americans and boarded ships in the Boston Harbor on December 16, 1773. They dumped hundreds of chests of tea overboard in an act of protest that ultimately led to war, and then to independence. However, even before this “treasonous” act took place, there were other things happening that turned the “tea toting” colonists of English descent against their beloved drink, and on a path to embrace another popular drink. "We were merry, in an The event that has become known as the Boston Tea Party was brought on by the passage of undertone, at the idea of such laws as the Townshend Acts of 1767. These acts enforced the collection of duties on making so large a cup of imported British goods, including paper, glass, and tea. Seeing this as a wrongdoing by the tea for the fishes." British government, groups such as the Sons of Liberty were created. - Joshua Wyeth, In addition to groups created for gentlemen to show their dismay with their “mother country”, Cambridge ladies felt the need to help with boycotting British goods, and do so by creating the Daughters of Massachusetts resident Liberty. who participated in the According to the History of Massachusetts Blog, “The Daughters of Liberty didn’t join in on the Boston Tea Party, public protests and riots incited by the Sons of Liberty in 1765. Instead, they organized and December 16, 1773 participated in boycotts and helped manufacture goods when non-importation agreements caused shortages.” It was at this time that the women boycotted the purchase of tea. But to take it a step further, they also signed agreements In This Issue pledging they wouldn’t drink any tea offered to them. “In Boston on January 31, 1770, the Boston Evening Post • Article: Managing published a copy of the No Tea Drinking agreement that over Holiday Stress with 300 Boston women had signed.” In fact, in 1777, the women Tea. even went on to have “their own version of the Boston Tea Party, later dubbed the ‘Coffee Party,’ during which they confronted and assaulted a local merchant who was hoarding • Book Your Holiday coffee in his warehouse.” Tea Party Now. Women, at this time in history, were the primary purchasers of consumer goods for their • Small Business households. Therefore, their boycotts of commodities, such as British teas led to a transformation in the goods consumed by colonists, and shifted the country to primary Saturday consummation of another beverage, coffee. • 2 Holiday Teas You Women of the Boston Tea Party: Women tried to do their part to help support the causes that Don’t Want to be ultimately led to the Revolutionary War. Their stories are numerous and harrowing. Below are tidbits of two ladies who became notable for their support of the Boston Tea Party. Caught Without

Sarah Bradlee Fulton: Often called the “Mother of the Boston Tea Party.” “According to the • Mark Your Calendar: Boston Tea Party Museum website, she is credited with the idea of disguising the men as November and Mohawk Indians, painting their faces, and donning Native American clothing.” Additionally, she December helped dispose of the disguises and cleaned their faces to remove their red paint. Upcoming Events Susan Boudinot: At nine years old, this young lady made a statement by pledging not to drink tea, and kept her word. “While visiting the home of New Jersey’s Loyalist Governor, William • Annual Holiday Franklin, she was served a cup of tea and after refusing it multiple times she then accepted it Open House politely, crossed the room and threw the tea out the nearby window. Boston Tea Party, visit: Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum at https://www.BostonTeaPartyShip.com and the • Holiday Hours History of Massachusetts Blog at https://historyofmassachusetts.org At the Boston Tea Party 342 tea chests (90,000 pounds) were thrown overboard. Our Holiday Open House, Special Holiday Editions of Tea After Dark, and VIP Winter Tea Tastings are just a few of our exciting upcoming events, dedicated to inspire you this Holiday season.

Taking Time for You… It’s something that we often forget to do this time of year. With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season right around the corner, it’s easy to get wrapped up in the excitement, and the stress, that this time of year brings. It’s no wonder so many of us enter into the New Year with resolutions to relax and take time for ourselves. But what if, perhaps, we did a few things this holiday season to destress and relax? Not only would we enjoy the season more, but we would be refreshed and ready to face the New Year head on. Last month, for the first time since we started offering it, I attended our Tea and Yoga series. Yes, I have been that person, the one too busy to slow down and take time to relax. I forced myself to take our 30-minute class and I have to admit, the first 5 minutes all I could think about is all the things I still had to do that afternoon. After some deep breathing and centering techniques taught by our amazing and warm instructor, Dawn, I started to relax. Through the breathing I felt my shoulders relax, my back loosen, and my whole demeanor change to that of solitude and calm. We worked through the different poses slowly and by the time we were finished with our class I wondered why I hadn’t taken it before, and that I will again next month. You see, for many of us, the hardest thing to do is slow down, to actually relax. We say we do it but in reality we are sitting still but our minds are going a mile a minute. We tell ourselves we are relaxing but its truly a tale. At least that is what I learned during that few minutes of class. Knowing there is truly a difference between saying we are relaxing and taking time to really do it, I have three things that I am going to encourage you to do during this holiday season to truly relax and destress, and enjoy your season even more. Challenge 1 (Done in our Yoga class): Sit in a chair in a quiet place. Place your feet flat on the ground, hands in your lap, palms up, and shoulders back. As you count to 10, control your breathing. Take 4 counts to breathe in through your nose, 2 counts to hold the breath, and 4 counts to breathe out through your mouth. Do this 6-8 times and you will find your mind relax and your body quiet. *I use this when I just need a minute to relax or regroup. Challenge 2 (Done in our QiGong class): Stand with your feet shoulder width apart, your arms at your side. Breathe in to the count of 4, and as you do raise your hands above your head. Join your hands together above your head and hold your breath for a count of 4. Lower Special Holiday Hours your hands back to your side, as you exhale out your mouth to the count of 4. Repeat up to 5 times. Please note the following holiday hours. November Challenge 3: Sit quietly with a cup of tea (yes, in your nice china tea cup or your favorite Wed., Nov. 27th - 11 am - 6 pm pretty mug!). Slowly lift the cup up to your mouth to the count of 4 and take a slow sip. Then lower the cup back down to the count of 4. Just taking time to slowly move with your tea will Thur. Nov. 28th - Closed (Thanksgiving) force your body to slow down and naturally reduce stress. Fri. Nov. 29th - 11 am - 7 pm If you can do even one of these things during this stressful season when you start to feel Sat. Nov. 20th - 11 am - 7 pm yourself getting worked up, you will begin to feel more at ease during the stressful time, and December will find that your holiday season will be an enjoyable one. Tues. Dec. 24th - 11 am - 4 pm Wed. Dec. 25th - Closed (Christmas) Happy Steeping and Happy Holidays! Kelly Thurs, Dec 26th - Sat. Dec. 28th - 11 am - 4 pm Join me at one of our two stress reducing activities: Yoga Tues. Dec. 31st - 11 am - 4 pm and Tea, and Qi Gong and Tea. Both are designed to relax Wed. Jan 1st - Closed (New Year’s Day) Thurs. Jan 2nd - 11 am - 6 pm (Resume and destress your body. Check our calendar for upcoming regular schedule) dates and sign up early. Tea Room and Gift Shop Events Tea After Dark - Tuesday, November 5th at 6 pm - Tea After Dark is an elegant evening event held monthly in our tearoom. The evening will include instrumental music by Chris Poe and delicious tea-fare: side salad, tea sandwiches, a scone, petite desserts, and a pot of tea of your choosing. *No substitutions, as this is a special event. RESERVATION REQUIRED. $20 per person (plus tax & gratuity).

Chair Yoga and Tea - Wednesday, November 13th at 4 pm - What goes better together to relax than yoga and tea? Join us for a 30-minute Chair Yoga session, followed by a pot of tea. Guests will enjoy a relaxing session of yoga (no getting on the floor here) with Dawn, our expert yoga instructor. $13 per person. RESERVATION REQUIRED.

VIP Tea Tasting - Thursday, November 21st - 6 pm -Join us for a sneak peek of our Winter Teas at this private tasting event. We will be sampling the teas that will be released at our Winter Tea Preview on Sunday, November 24th. Be the first to sample these delicious seasonal teas and learn about their history and inspiration. $10 per person. RESERVATION REQUIRED. *Please call early as private tea events tend to fill quickly.

Holiday Open House and Winter Tea Preview – Sunday, November 24th from Join us for 12-4 pm – See top left of this page for event information.

Small Business Saturday! Preparing for the Holidays - Transforming Stress & Restoring Balance with Saturday, November 30th QiGong - Tuesday, November 26th at 4 pm - By focusing on a few 11 am to 7 pm specific, simple movements you can change the stress stored in your body and experience greater balance, energy, and peace in your life. Enjoy Our Specials Join us for a 30 minute energy building session, followed by…. You Hot or Iced Teas-To-Go, just $2 guessed it…. A tasty pot of tea and talk. Guests of all abilities are (plus tax) (All Day) welcome while Joan guides you to experience this lovely exercise flow. $13 per person. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. 20% off Cream Tea in The Tea Parlour (11 am - 4 pm) Small Business Saturday, Saturday, November 24, 2018 from 11 am - 7 pm - Join us as we celebrate Small Business Saturday with fun activities, free giveaways, and more.

Chair Yoga and Tea - Wednesday, December 11th at 4 pm - See above for more information on this offering. $13 per person. RESERVATION REQUIRED.

Tea After Dark – Holiday Edition - Thursday, December 12th at 6 pm – Join us as we enjoy the holidays in our festively decorated tearoom. During this special evening, we will enjoy listening to a reading from a holiday inspired book as we enjoy delicious tea food and friendship. LIMITED SEATING-RESERVATION REQUIRED. $25 per person (plus tax and gratuity).

Tea After Dark – Holiday Edition (2) Tuesday, December 17th at 6 pm - Join us as we enjoy the holidays in our festively decorated tearoom. During this special evening, we will enjoy musical tunes of the season from one of our area local musicians. Sing along to some of your favorite Christmas carols throughout teatime. LIMITED SEATING - RESERVATION REQUIRED. $25 per person (plus tax and gratuity). Two Winter Teas You Don’t Want to Be Without! Contact Us When it comes to the holiday season, few flavors invoke such wonderful memories as these two teas will. Personally, it wouldn’t be the holidays The Tea Room Times is a without these, and if you haven’t tried them, you don't know what you’re publication of missing! The White Heron Tea & Gifts 6228 Grand Boulevard Vienna Eggnog: This delicious black tea tastes just New Port Richey, FL 34652 like the real thing. Rum notes abound and balance (727) 203-3504 nicely with a slightly sweet caramel. The tea finishes with a light cinnamon ginger flavors. [email protected] [email protected] Follow us on Social Media for Winter Palace Marzipan: Premium Moroccan the latest updates. almonds give this German inspired marzipan a Facebook.com/thewhiteheronfl delicious flavor. This herbal (no caffeine) shows Instagram.com/thewhiteheronfl that Rooibos and marzipan were meant for each Visit us on the web at other. (**Please Note: Contains Almonds**) www.thewhiteheronfl.com Enjoy our tea at home. Visit Steeping Times and Temperatures* our tea website at To steep what we consider the perfect cup of tea, we recommend using www.driftwoodteacompany.com 6-8 ounces of water to the following: Reservations required for tea room services. Please call a White Tea: 1 Tbsp at 175-185 degrees for 1-3 minutes minimum of 48 hours in Green Tea: 1 tsp at 180-185 degrees for 3 minutes advance. Black Tea: 1 tsp at 205 degrees for 3-5 minutes *Large parties are encouraged Herbal: 1 Tbsp at 205 degrees for 5-7 minutes to call well in advance as the

*Each person is different when it comes to how they like their tea. We encourage tea room fills quickly. you to try different amounts of tea and steep it for different amount of time to determine how you like your tea the best.

The White Heron Tea & Gifts Home of Driftwood Tea Company PLACE STAMP 6228 Grand Boulevard HERE New Port Richey, Florida 34652