Friday, June 16

Wellsboro Laurel Festival

PA Grand Canyon by horse-drawn carriage, tea luncheon, and juried arts & crafts festival.

We depart in time for a mid-morning arrival in Wellsboro, home of the PA Grand Canyon. The first stop will be the Ole Covered Wagon, where we’ll catch a horse-drawn covered wagon with a guide for a trip through the wondrous PA Grand Canyon. The tour guides are fluent in the history of the natural wonder, going back to the 19th century. They will tell tales while the horses wind their way on the Pine Creek Rail Trail. Take a jump into history while enjoying everything the canyon has to offer. 

Bid farewell to “cowboy” life and journey to the historic Penn Wells Hotel for a 1:15 p.m. luncheon tea.

The Penn Wells Hotel is a step back in history with this beautifully maintained and historic hotel.

After the luncheon tea enjoy the afternoon on your own at the Laurel Festival filled with juried arts and crafts.

We depart Wellsboro at 5 p.m.

Accessibility note: Trip goers will be required to walk to and from locations. There are steps onto the Covered Wagon similar to those for the bus. If you have concerns about your mobility and the trip, please call the bus company at 717-657-9658.

*Cost: $135, club members; $145, guests/non-members

Reservation deadline: May 10

Reservations/questions by phone: 717-657-9658

Reservations online: Online Reservation

Departures:

6:15 a.m. Queensgate Shopping Plaza, Springwood Rd., York, PA

7 a.m. Weis Markets, Linglestown Rd., Harrisburg, PA

Return (approximate):

8 p.m., Harrisburg

8:45 p.m., York

*The check should be made out to the bus company and must be sent to them with the form below or make a reservation online: www.Lewees.com. (There is a 3% fee for credit card use).

More Bus Trips for 2023 & 2024

Mark your calendars for these upcoming trips:



• Sept. 20: Winterthur and Tea Luncheon at Wee Fancy Tea.
• Dec. 3-6: Four-day trip to the Biltmore mansion and other fun stops.
• March 4, 2024: Philadelphia Flower Show and Garden Tea, a relaxing experience amidst the hustle and bustle of this massive flower show.
• March 23-30, 2024: Weeklong trip to Savannah, Ga., and Charleston, S.C.

As we finalize the plans, costs, and itinerary, we'll provide more information via our newsletter and on the Royal-tea website.

Saturday, May 6,

1 p.m.

Franklin House Tavern

101 N. Market St.

Schaefferstown, PA 17088

717-949-2122

Schaefferstown is north of Lititz on Route 501 in Lancaster County. The Franklin House Tavern was established in 1746 by Alexander Schaeffer and was known as the King George Tavern. The tavern has four seasonal teas per year. Come enjoy tea served in this very historic building.

Full afternoon tea includes

• scones,
• soup,
• salad,
• three savories, and
• three sweets.

Mobility information: There are no steps into the tavern.

Parking info: There is a parking lot at the tavern with overflow parking across the street in the church parking lot.

*Cost: $48, club members; $53, guests/non-members

Reservation deadline: April 24

*Please include tea and date in memo section of your check.

Thurs., May 18, Fri., May 19 or

Sat., May 20,

1 to 4 p.m.*

Higinbotham's Tea Room:

Needlearts Theme Tea

102 Lincolnway West

New Oxford, PA 17350

717-624-1866

This tea is for everyone, no need to be a knitter, crocheter, cross stitcher, etc. Tea will be served as usual with time afterwards to have another Needlearts Theme Tea. Those who stay can work on their latest project. Having problems? Perhaps another club member can help.

Mary Jo Higinbotham served us a delicious Christmas tea in December. Come enjoy a spring tea and spend some time on your project or asking questions.

One of the oldest homes in New Oxford and winner of the 2009 Historic Gettysburg-Historical Preservation Award, the 1823 Federal-style building remains largely unchanged from its original form. There is also a small gift shop.

When making your reservation, please include your preferred date.

Mobility: There is one small step onto the porch and a slightly taller step into the home. Once inside there are no steps.

Parking: There is free on-street parking, including Bolton Street, next to the tearoom.

Cost: $36, club members; $41, guests/non-members

Reservation deadline: May 7

*Please include tea and date in memo section of your check.

Thursday, June 22, noon

or Saturday, June 24, noon*

Tea tasting: Heron's Meadow Farm

Tea: Sweet Simplici-Tea Tea Room

Heron's Meadow Farm

tour and tea tasting, noon

1596 Daisy Rd.

Woodbine, MD 21797

410-934-0148

At 1:30 p.m., members will drive to:

Simplici-Tea Room

7540 Main St.

Sykesville, MD 21784

410-549-7676

Heron's Meadow farm in western Howard County, is Maryland's first tea farm. Visitors can sample teas, shop, view the tea fields, walk through herb gardens, or simply relax on the patio and watch the blue herons, hawks, deer, foxes, and other wildlife. There is a gift shop with teas, teacups, and pottery made by owner, Lori Baker, who will discuss growing and harvesting tea. Tea is served on the patio.

At 1:30 p.m. club members will travel to nearby Sykesville for a full-afternoon tea at Simplici-Tea Room.

Mobility information for Simplici-tea: There are no steps into the tea room.

Parking info: There is parking behind the tea room, on the street, and in a lot across the street (which does have stairs).

When making your reservation, please include your preferred date.

Cost: $40, club members; $45, guests/non-members (includes tea tasting and afternoon tea)

Reservation deadline: June 8

*Please include tea and date in memo section of your check.

Sat., July 15, noon

(doors open at 11 a.m.)

Annual Royal-tea Luncheon

Our theme this year is Alice in Wonderland and our program will be the Wonder of Alice by Alan Gesford who will answer the question: Why garden? He'll explore the multiple rewards and the interrelationship of these rewards by sharing his experiences to entice others to garden, expand their garden horizons, and/or take more time to smell the roses (and other flowers). 

Alan is a civil engineer who worked for various municipalities and then spent 20 years with Penn State in several special programs that provided training to local government employees. After retiring, he became an avid gardener and was a Master Gardener with Penn State Extension Services.

This is a catered event and includes:

• Barbecue sandwiches,
• Roasted potatoes,
• Fruit salad,
• Tossed salad
• Dessert
• Hot water for tea
• Teabags (or feel free to bring your favorite tea)
• Iced tea
• Lemon
• Sugar

As usual, we will have a book sale featuring gently-read books donated by members. Stock up on your supply for the next year. Our silent auction will also be held with awesome items donated by members.

Please note: Use the front door to enter (no steps). Come early to unload and be ready to start lunch at noon



Cost: $25, club members; $30, guests/non-members

Reservation deadline: July 8

Thurs., Aug. 10 or Sat., Aug. 12, 1 p.m.

Sweet Remembrances Tea Room

118 S. Market St.

Mechanicsburg, PA 17055

717-697-5785

Nancy Reppert, tearoom owner, is vacationing in Ireland this year. Come join her for an Irish Tea. Then visit The Rosemary House gift shop next door, owned by Susanna Brill Reppert. There you will find teas, spices, and garden items.

Both Nancy and Susanna have been loyal supporters of the tea club for many years. This is also the site for the PA Tea Festival in September (for more information see the article below).

When making your reservation, please include your preferred date.

Mobility: The main entrance has three steps and the handicapped door is on the side of the building.

Parking: On-street parking is free. Also, there is a is a small parking lot behind the tearoom. On Saturday only, you may park in the PNC Bank parking lot diagonally across the street.

Cost: $50, club members; $55, guests/non-members

Reservation deadline: Aug. 1

*Please include tea and date in memo section of your check.

Thurs., Aug. 24 or

Sat., Aug. 26, 1 p.m.

A Tea Affair

8 Sturgis Lane

Lititz, PA 17543

717-627-1776

The club visited this tea room in 2021 so it seemed time for another visit. A Tea Affair has a separate gift shop at 34 E. Main St. Visit the shop before or after your tea or stroll to the nearby Wilbur Chocolate store as well as other locally owned shops.

Mobility: There are no steps into the tea room.

Parking: There is a lot beside tea room on Sturgis Lane and also on-street parking.

When making your reservation, please include your preferred date.

Cost: $45.50, club members; $50.50, guests/non-members

Reservation deadline: Aug. 17

*Please include tea and date in memo section of your check.

From NationalDayCalendar.com

As the temperature heats up in June, it’s a perfect time to celebrate National Iced Tea Month ... and the Royal-tea Club!

Iced tea was made as early as the 1870s, but an English merchant by the name of Richard Belchynden brought the beverage to popularity. During the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis temperatures began to soar. Belchynden crossed the Atlantic to sell black tea steeped hot and served to the American public. Under the conditions, fairgoers were interested in cooler beverages. Belchynden needed to switch strategies. By brewing a stronger tea and pouring it over ice, the merchant created a new product to sell.

Iced Tea Recipe

Directions

Hot-Brewed

Bring 8 cups water to a simmer; remove from the heat, and add 3 Tbsp. loose tea or 6 tea bags. Let steep about 4 minutes, or until it's the strength you like. Strain loose tea with a fine-mesh sieve or remove the tea bags. Let cool, then transfer to a pitcher, cover and refrigerate.

Cold-Brewed

Combine 8 cups cold water and 6 Tbsp. loose tea or 10 tea bags in a pitcher. Cover and refrigerate 15 to 36 hours, or until it's the strength you like. Strain loose tea with a fine-mesh sieve or remove the tea bags.

-- Recipes from FoodNetwork.com