SANTEE -- "I was being charmingly Southern," said Michelle Antley, referring to the delightful basket of spearmint, lemon balm and rosemary she brought to the High Tea in Santee event Saturday, which was held at the Quality Inn & Suites.

The ladies, dressed to the nines in lovely hats and delightful summer dresses, sat at specially themed tables and enjoyed a wide array of teas and an extraordinary variety of pastries, glazed pecans and delicious finger foods 

The High Tea was a first-time fund-raiser presented by Santee Presbyterian Church. Proceeds from the event will benefit the church's building and maintenance fund.

Organizer Barbara Westphal said, "To make something like this a success, everything has to be donated."

She said all of the food, decorative items, door prizes and items for the silent auction were donations.

"Even the use of the facility was donated," she said.

Westphal added, "We did something the entire church could be involved in. Almost every woman was involved." She said some of them set up and served as hostesses at the various tables, while others donated food and other items or helped with organizing the event.

"Church member Bill Larson made and donated four dozen scones," Westphal said.

Men from the church also assisted by serving the tea and other drinks. One of those in attendance was the Rev. John Doubles, the pastor of Santee Presbyterian Church who recently received a Doctor of Ministry degree from Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Ga.

The High Tea featured more than a dozen differently themed tables. Church member Dottie Kirk was hostess of the "tennis" table, which was occupied by the Bradford Pears, the tennis team from Bradford Village. Other themes featured hats, Hawaiian and oriental decorations, the Red Hat Society and special tables for children and the gentlemen.

The tables were exquisitely decorated with fine china, silverware and beautiful linens. Delaine Clark's table displayed beautiful china with intricate flowers. The china was hand-painted by her great-grandmother, Lucy Christianson, she said.

"I was glad to have an opportunity to pull them out of the attic and use them," Clark said.

After enjoying the afternoon repast, special speaker Margaret Williams told humorous and inspiring stories.

"I think the title 'High Tea in Santee' is adorable. I had high tea in London and New York. The highest tea I've ever had was in Charleston. It cost $23, and they never gave us any seconds," Williams quipped.

"This is a darling idea," she said. "It's just precious. And, it's for a good cause, to help the church."

Williams, who has lived in her present home on U.S. 301 in Orangeburg for 62 years, said she remembers when Santee was just a crossroads.

"I'm so proud to be here," she said. "I love to see progress made and new things for people. I am honored that they asked me to be their first speaker."

Williams described a lifetime of encouraging young people to further their educations and in finding ways to help them accomplish those goals. Years ago, she said, her children's school bus driver was doubtful of being able to attend college. She said her husband, the late Sen. Marshall Williams, told her "don't depend on the monkey if you know the organ grinder." So they contacted folks, pooled resources and were able to assist the young man in completing college. Williams said that young man went on to become a successful businessman who is now helping other young people get their educations.

While in the hospital recently, Williams said someone who was bringing her flowers said, "We're sure going to miss your pretty hats and dresses around here, Miss Margaret."

With a twinkle in her eye, Williams said she was slightly taken aback at first. But then she said, "I don't want to be remembered for my pretty hats and dresses. I want to be remembered for the good things that I have done. My husband Marshall and I have lived a life of service, and there is no greater life."

T&D Correspondent Loretta Demko can be reached by e-mail at eeshtenem@yahoo.com. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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