Tea Event Special in Oh So Many Ways

HARRISON – Tammy and Trisha Galloway, the mother-daughter team behind The Longer Table, pulled out the stops again Sunday, Dec. 4 when they kicked off the holiday season by hosting a Christmas Princess Tea.

The Galloways have been working diligently to grow their catering/retail food business housed in the Harrison City Market and have been highly active in reaching out to their business neighbors and the community at large. In the last year, they have not only taken their business to the sidewalk for fair weather open-air dining, but also held a grill-off event as well as a special Halloween activity in conjunction with the Town Square Trunk or Treat. The Galloways also provide treats for events at the Harrison District Library at no charge – they just want to be the best community neighbors they can be.

One of The Longer Table’s premier offerings is formal teas – with all the trimmings! Their second Princess Tea held Dec. 4 was extra special, featuring carriage rides (think Cinderella goes to the ball). KB Ranch assisted by sponsoring the carriage  which was  provided by Common Gentry Carriage Co. and delivered the Christmas Princess to the affair, as well as making carriage rides available to attendees.

After her arrival, the Christmas Princess (played to perfection by Savannah Woods) greeted the many little princesses, happily smiling for photos.

The modest ticket price ($15/adult, $8/child) included a full tea service, assorted tea sandwiches, mini quiches, biscuits served with ham and jam, and desserts.

Tammy Galloway said nearly 100 tickets had been sold for the event, which took place in the lower level of the Market. Some 16 tables, each with seating for seven, graced the area which quickly filled with moms, grandmas, aunts and many little princesses who seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the magical experience. There were all sorts of princesses, as well as Beauty and her handsome Beast/Prince, and Sleeping Beauty.

One little girl in particular had a truly special time. Her mom said her daughter, who had for years wanted to attend a princess party, was extremely disappointed at having missed Longer Table’s previous Princess Tea and was promised she could attend the next one. As it happened, the little girl’s birthday was Dec. 3, and the fact that she and her mom would be attending the Dec. 4 Princess Tea was held as a birthday surprise. Needless to say, the birthday girl was extremely pleased.

Another special item of note was the presentation to Longer Table of two sparkling, jewel-encrusted tiaras which had been acquired by to local community member on a visit to Ireland. Trisha Galloway suggested the tiaras may be part of something with a St. Patrick’s Day theme in the coming year.

All in all, there were a whole passel of princesses, big and little, who had a great time wearing their tiaras and waving their magic wands as they enjoyed conversation and gastronomic delights.

But wait – there’s more!

The Galloways also will be offering a Longer Table Community Dinner, by donation, from 5-7 p.m. Dec. 10, the night of the Lighted Christmas Parade in downtown Harrison. Dining fare will include ham, mashed potatoes, green beans almondine, roll and butter, and assorted desserts. All the donations from that dinner will go to benefit the Harrison District Library.

“They just do so much, they do all these crafts and stuff,” Tammy said. “Last year we did the school, this year we’re doing the library.”

This is just one more of the no-profit offerings the business provides for the enjoyment of their neighbors. And, after all, isn’t giving what the holiday season is all about?