WATERTOWN, MA – On May 13, St. James Armenian Church hosted the 4th St. James Hye Tea. Henry James said: “There are few hours more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.”
Indeed – for a few hours on Mothers’ Day weekend – this was certainly true. Over 400 women attended the sold-out Hye Tea. Women from St. James and from the entire community came together for a lovely afternoon of fellowship and friendship with other women.
Thirty seven hostesses decorated 42 tables in Keljik Hall of the St. James Charles Mosesian Cultural and Youth Center with themes ranging from the classic British high tea to a Chanel table, a tropical landscape to a fairy garden, from Armenians in Jerusalem to Mexico, and Paris to a Japanese tea. The hall was filled with exquisitely decorated tables, scents from roses to lavender to jasmine, and the beautiful sounds of a harp gently filled the room. Highlights of the afternoon were the magnificent wall of flowers that greeted guests when they entered the room, a social raffle with wonderful gifts including spa gift certificates, artwork, jewelry and more, and a lively Live Auction – with Guest Auctioneer Wendy Semonian-Eppich auctioning off stunning items including Michael Aram china, flatware and linens, Lenox china, artwork, theater tickets, Bruins memorabilia and jewelry. Guests enjoyed tea sandwiches, scones, and pastries with varieties of tea.
Hye Tea Chairs Jennifer Carson and Vera Peterson worked in the months leading up to the event and set the vision for an afternoon that will not be forgotten for years to come. Hye Tea Committee members — Yn. Natasha Aljalian, Carolyn Atinizian Yardemian, Maria Chapian, Carolin Dorian, Seta Eskanian, Melissa Giragosian, and Michelle Minasian — worked alongside them, and dozens of underwriters, donors and volunteers helped make this beautiful afternoon enjoyable and memorable.
