Spring is in the air, flowers are in bloom and high tea is being prepared at R.J. Haney Heritage Village.
Enjoy the charm – and goodies – of high tea from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 28 among the beautiful gardens.
Haney High Tea will feature fresh seasonal fruit, freshly baked scones with cinnamon whipped cream and preserves, delicate finger sandwiches, pastries and treats prepared in Marjorie’s Tea Room.
Guests will be entertained throughout by Peter Clark, a local musician who likes to use the platform of the solo performer to bring something unique and new to his audience.
His music will energize, relax and surprise you with a combination of Celtic, classical and jazz performed on various stringed instruments.
Listen to storyteller Meredith Rusk of Dene ancestry deliver fascinating stories, passing on the wisdom, beliefs and values of Canada’s First Nations people.
Enjoy dance performances by the Interior Dance Academy and the Shuswap School of Ballet.
Salmon Arm museum curator Deborah Chapman will keep you amused and enlighten you as she shares the secrets of “Dressing Miss Halpenny from the Knickers Up.”
You might be wondering who is Miss Halpenny?
Vera Gladys Halpenny was the first teacher at Broadview School when it opened.
The school was constructed in 1917 in Salmon Arm and was relocated to R.J Haney Heritage Village in 1988. It is one of 15 heritage buildings that will be open for the public to view at the village and is used for the Pioneer School program.
While at high tea be sure to take a tour of the Haney House. Considered to be the gem of R.J. Haney Heritage Village, the house is only open to the public at special events and for private tours.
Built around 1910, Haney House is a hybrid of a practical farmhouse with touches of gentility added to it. Featuring lead glass windows and fancy woodwork, it leads one to believe the Haneys aspired to a more refined life.
This year there will again be croquet set up on the lawn, having the reputation of being a genteel high tea game. Be sure to challenge your friends to this sociable sport.
Local businesses and individuals have donated to a High Tea Silent Auction. Visitors are invited to take a stroll around the silent auction tables to view and bid on the treasures that will support the village.
Susan Mackie, R.J. Haney Heritage Village’s visitor services co-ordinator, reminds people to get their tickets early as a limited number are sold to this popular spring event.
Tickets for high tea are $20 and are available at R.J. Haney Heritage Village and Museum, Crazy River Clothing Co. on Alexander Avenue, DEECO Spa on Shuswap Street and Touch ‘A Texas in the Mall at Piccadilly.
Then mark Sunday, June 19 on your calendar as R.J. Haney Heritage Village has a Father’s Day of fun planned for the whole family.
Pancake breakfast will be served beginning at 8:30 a.m. and there will be live musical entertainment all day, children’s wagon rides, a craft table, displays from the Pioneer Tractor Club and much more.
Enjoy Dad’s special day with family and friends and stay for the barbecue.
For more information, visit the website at www.salmonarmuseum.org or call the village at 250-832-5243. The R.J. Haney Heritage Village is located at 751 Hwy 97B.