Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country | Founded 05-05-05

Don’t Miss Your Tea Time: Avery Habitat for Humanity Event August 3

Deadline To Purchase Tickets July 28

Story by Angela Presnell Harris The carpenters and staff of The Lodges at Eagles Nest have built a handcrafted log playhouse designed by Noah Verner that will be raffled to benefit the Avery County Habitat for Humanity. Tickets are $10.

Mother Hubbard’s cupboard will be anything but bare at the Second Annual High Tea and Fashion Show fundraiser on Sunday, August 3, benefiting the Avery County Chapter of Habitat for Humanity.

Last year, the Alice in Wonderland themed event raised more than $1,400 for the nonprofit organization. Caroline Fischer, who has been a part of the high tea fundraiser since its inception, hopes this year’s event will be even more successful. This year, Mother Goose and friends will be on hand for the festivities.
“Last year was such a blast,” Fischer said. “We’re really lucky to have such great people helping us out.”

Grandfather Golf and Country Club will once again provide the fare for high tea that will begin at 2:00 p.m. Culinary delights will include sweet breads, fruit, scones, Devonshire cream, finger sandwiches and, of course, tea!

Area businesses have sponsored tables that they will decorate. The only requirement is that each tablescape represent a Mother Goose rhyme. “We just asked them to pick a tale and use their imaginations,” Fischer said. All guests of the high tea and fashion show will be asked to vote for their favorite table design and the winner will receive a special prize.

Flora Ottimer’s Children’s Boutique will supply the children’s fashions for the fashion show, and models were just a phone call away. Many of the models are children or grandchildren of Flora Ottimer’s clients. Adult fashions will also be provided by local businesses.

Harpist Ann Appleton and flutist Ann Thompson will provide the music; Susie Smith, dressed as Mother Goose, will emcee the fashion show.

Terry Brewer of Mountaineer Landscaping of Linville has generously donated a live orchid arrangement valued at $500 for raffle. Raffle tickets are $10 and the drawing for the orchid arrangement will take place during high tea.

As part of the fundraising efforts, the carpenters and staff of The Lodges at Eagles Nest have built a handcrafted log playhouse designed by Noah Verner that will also be raffled. Valued at $2,000, the “Playhouse that Eagle’s Nest Built” will be on display at Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock during the annual Symphony on the Lake on Friday, July 25. The playhouse will then be displayed at The Great Train Robbery until the drawing on Wednesday, September 3. Raffle tickets for the playhouse are $10 and all proceeds benefit the Avery chapter of Habitat for Humanity.

The playhouse construction was sponsored in part by the contributions of New River Building Supply, Bill Watson Construction, Lowe’s Hardware, John Turchin Construction and Terrance Berry.

Avery County Habitat for Humanity has built more than 24 homes since 1993 using mostly volunteer labor. The group plans to build two to three homes per year for families in need in the coming years.

Tickets for the Mother Goose High Tea and Fashion Show are $40 and are available at Mountaineer Landscaping of Linville, Flora Ottimer’s Children’s Boutique in the Shoppes at Tynecastle and the Avery County Habitat for Humanity office located on Paradise Lane in Newland. The deadline for ticket purchases is noon on Monday, July 28. For more information, contact Melanie Burgin at 828-733-1909.

Want To Go?

Date: Sunday, August 3
Time: 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Location: Grandfather Golf and Country Club
Cost: $40