Spring Tea honors supporters of Flagler College

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From left, Nancy Russom, Pam Whittaker, Susan Abare and Kris Kelly at the annual Mrs. Abare Spring Tea.

ST. AUGUSTINE, FL (05/24/2012)(readMedia)-- Nearly 80 women gathered at Markland House on the Flagler College campus on May 8 dressed in their best spring attire to take part in Mrs. Abare's Spring Tea, an annual event hosted by Susan Abare to celebrate the women who support Flagler College.

"It's such a joy to be able to entertain so many friends who have been supportive of Flagler College for so many years," said Abare, wife of Flagler College president, William Abare.

Upon arrival at the Markland House, guests were treated to Bellinis and given name tags. Michelle Wilson and Janice Whetstone – spring tea veterans – attended the event wearing fabulous black and white hats. "I love getting a chance to meet the ladies who support Flagler College," said Wilson. "And playing dress-up!" Whetstone added.

After a chance to mingle, women started to make their way to the dining room where a lavish tea service was set. Some of the offerings included fruit scones, crumpets, crudités, bakewell tarts, an assortment of finger sandwiches, deviled eggs, orange Pekoe tea and lavender lemonade – all made from scratch in the college's kitchen.

A pianist played classic tunes as the women filled their plates and teacups before moving into the beautiful main parlor – set with round tables, linens, and vases filled with roses and hydrangeas. Take-home bags of Earl Grey cookies awaited guests as the event was winding down.

"This is such a lovely, lovely custom," said Tis Upchurch, who has been attending the teas since they began. "I get to see a lot of old friends who I don't get to see very often."

Some of the guests included Diane Key, Kris Kelley, Susan Graham, Caity Mans, Nancy Russom, Julie McGuire, Delores Lastinger, Pamela Leydon, Sabrina Kelbert, Mary Tinlin and Mary Clukey.

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Flagler College is an independent, four-year, comprehensive baccalaureate college located in St. Augustine, Fla. The college offers 24 majors, 29 minors and two pre-professional programs, the largest majors being business, education and communication. Small by intent, Flagler College has an enrollment of about 2,500 students, as well as a satellite campus at Tallahassee Community College in Tallahassee, Fla. U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review regularly feature Flagler as a college that offers quality education at a relatively low cost; tuition is $23,690, including room and board. A relatively young institution (founded in 1968), Flagler College is also noted for the historic beauty of its campus. The main building is Ponce de Leon Hall, built in 1887 as a luxury resort by Henry Flagler, who co-founded the Standard Oil Company with John D. Rockefeller. For more on Flagler College, visit www.flagler.edu.

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