Penn Cumberland Annual Herb Tea - A Celebration of Lavender

"A Celebration of Lavender and Our History" was the theme for the 2026 annual herb tea hosted by members of the Penn Cumberland Garden Club. From selecting the theme. to choosing a menu that complements the theme and to organizing the event, members and assigning recipes, it can be an overwhelming task, but the committee makes it look like it was an easy process. As members and guests arrived, they were invited to enjoy a refreshing cup of Lavender Lemonade.

Celebrating the 61st Annual Herb Tea, the menu was available at each table, and lavender was predominant throughout.

Cheerful lavender floral plates and napkins gaily wrapped with purple flowers and a silk white bow set the scene. The lavender lemonade was refreshing, and the pale lavender paper cup kept to the theme. Members bring their own teacups to this event, and Susanna and Nancy brought two of their mother's floral teacups in a nod to Bertha Reppert, a past president and longtime member of the club.

The sandwiches were plated and placed on a central table. They were then distributed to each table where the guests were seated. The tasty sandwiches included Mint Lavender Cucumber Sandwich, Lavender Chicken Salad Sandwiches, and Lavender Hummus Sandwiches.

There was a tiered tray placed on each table which included the scones and the desserts. Plain Scones and Blueberry Sour Cream Scones were served with Clotted Cream, Cream Cheese, and Apple Lavender Jelly. A Lavender Tea Bread with Cream Cheese Spread rounded out the scone course. The medley of desserts included cleverly decorated Mini Lemon Lavender Cupcakes and Lavender Earl Grey Cookes.

The hot teas that accompanied this lovely lavender themed tea included Blueberry Tea and Earl Grey Lavender Tea. Long standing member and club historian Terri Maclay shared anecdotes about past herb teas and their unique themes, each incorporating different herbs throughout the menu. Photos of past herb tea parties were available at each table to stroll down memory lane. To complete the day, Wendy, of Hope Hill Lavender Farm presented a program on the many types of lavender and the variety of uses for this versatile and fragrant herb.