One of the most well known English tea traditions is afternoon tea.

The origin of afternoon tea is thought to have started with the seventh Duchess of Bedford, who started to serve tea in the afternoon to bridge the time between lunch and dinner.

It is thought high tea then became ubiquitous in English society when the working class began to drink high tea in the later afternoon as the main meal of the day.

This is a strong tradition in London even today. At 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Edna Hall, originally from England, will be here to share with us those English traditions.

The cost is $3 and that includes coffee, tea and a variety of sandwiches and pastries. If you have a favorite tea cup bring it with to use.

Originally, all porcelain teacups were made in China, starting around 620 A.D.

These small cups had no handles. In order for one not to spill the hot liquid onto oneself, the proper way to hold the vessel was to place one’s thumb at the six o’clock position and one’s index and middle fingers at the 12 o’clock position, while gently raising one’s pinkie up for balance.

Pinkie up does mean straight up in the air, but slightly tilted. It is not an affectation, but a graceful way to avoid spills. Never loop your fingers through the handle, nor grasp the vessel bowl with the palm of your hand.

We look forward to seeing you at the tea. If you have a special story about your cup bring it with.

To sign up for this stop by the front desk or call 433-2370 ext 0. See you there. You are always welcome at the Senior Center.

 Upcoming Events

Monday: Blood pressure Checks, 9 a.m.; cards (Pinochle, Duplicate Bridge) 12:30 p.m.; Exercise with Evie, 1 p.m.; Facebook class, 6 p.m.

Tuesday: Silver Sneakers 8:30 a.m.; Exercise with Evie, 9 a.m.; cards (Pinochle, Bridge, 500), 12:30 p.m.; SilverSneakers, 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Tai Chi, 9:30 a.m.; cards (Pinochle, Duplicate Bridge), 12:30 p.m.; Stitching Bees, 1 p.m.; Open chess, 1 p.m.; English tea, 1 p.m.; Zumba Boot Camp, 7:30 p.m.

Thursday: Silver Sneakers, 8:30 a.m.; Exercise with Evie, 9 a.m.; cards (Pinochle, Duplicate Bridge), 12:30 p.m.; Bingo, open chess, 1 p.m.; Zumba Gold, 4:05 p.m.; Silver Sneakers, 4:30 p.m.; Zumba 5:35/7 p.m.

Friday: Tai Chi, 9:30 a.m.; cards, (Pinochle, Duplicate Bridge, Cribbage), 12:30 p.m.

Weekly Card Results

Monday Bridge

June 10, two tables

1st Carolyne Higgins, 1st John Karnes, 3rd Mary Johnsen, 4th Dave Solomonson, 5th Loretta Nelson

Tuesday Duplicate Bridge

June 11, five tables

1st John Karnes, 1st Jaynard Johnson; 2nd Loren Cleland, 2nd Dave Ring; 3rd Dick Hansen, 3rd Larry Crowe; 4th Bud Higgins, 4th Jim Fisher; 5th Gail Schmidt, 5th Ray Schmidt

Tuesday “500”

June 11, three tables

1st Paula Davies, 2nd Beulah Luthe, 3rd Dorothy Stern, 4th Dick Davies

Pinochle

No Results

Friday Bridge

June 14, three tables

1st Betty Jorenson, 2nd Dave Solomonson, 3rd Dave Ring, 4th Jim Fischer, 5th Vandy Newman

Weekly Cribbage

June 12, 2 2/3 tables playing

1st Jaynard Johnson, 2nd Jessie Swain, 3rd Bernice Schoeler, 4th Ray Waters

Weekly “500”

June 14, four tables

1st Barb Dickman, 2nd Dorothy Stern, 3rd Jerry Downing, 4th Gene Rauen

Semcac Daily Meals

Monday: Ham balls. Alt: Ground beef pattie

Tuesday: Beef pot roast

Wednesday: Baked chicken

Thursday: Beef tetrazzini

Friday: Fruity chicken salad on lettuce