The Garlands Tea Exchange
New programming ideas are always percolating in the mind of The Garlands Director of Lifestyles, Cynthia Hagedorn, who says, “Many ideas come from everyday experiences, members’ input, or personal observations.”
The Garlands “Tea on Tuesday” is a perfect example that is steeped in tradition. “I am a tea drinker, and my best friend and I meet monthly to swap tea bags, try new varieties, and remain connected,” says Cynthia. “Our shared experience made me realize that other people might enjoy discovering new teas as well.”
The Garlands Tea Exchange recreates that simple, social ritual. Participants bring several tea bags to share and leave with a small assortment of new teas to try at home. It becomes a relaxed gathering where people sip, sample, and naturally “spill the tea.”
Cynthia and her chamomile cohorts also appreciate that tea is steeped in international connections — from British afternoon tea and Japanese tea ceremonies, to Indian chai culture and Chinese tea houses.
