IN Sewickley Area Spring 2014 | Page 37

2 1 3 1. Tracey Georgino, volunteer at The Christy House 2. Friends enjoy the Christy House 3. The Christy House 4. The second floor of The Christy House 5. The Needle’s Eye [Display] for the house as a tea salon and meeting place for the community. Every Friday, tea is served at The Christy House from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. For the extremely modest $9 suggested donation, guests enjoy a menu of two soups, made from scratch, breads, baguettes, fresh salad, cookies baked by the ladies and of course, a huge selection of flavored, herbal, iced and hot teas. Coffee and pink lemonade are also offered. The period surroundings offer a gracious setting for luncheon with friends. Fresh flowers decorate the tables and sunlight streams through the large windows, making an upbeat atmosphere and setting the stage for lively conversation. The Christy House 5 has special events throughout the year, including a Mother’s Day Luncheon and holiday luncheons at Christmas. According to volunteer hostess Cheryl Epperson, the chefs are very sensitive to those with allergies and individuals who must have gluten-free meals. The dining room seats 60 people, which often includes some regular attendees. “One gentleman comes from a retirement home and usually brings about five or six ladies with him,” says Epperson. “We actually have quite a few men who come here. It’s really nice to have them.” Epperson adds that men are offered an extra helping of soup to accommodate a larger appetite. The tea luncheon provides such a unique experience, one woman from San Francisco, who visits her brother in Sewickley, plans her visits around the schedule of The Christy House so that she can dine there. She enjoys the experience because, “there is nothing like this in San Francisco.” As an added inducement to visit the tea house, there are two shops inside the massive mansion. The Needle’s Eye offers new gifts, such as jewelry and home décor, while Earthly Treasures is a resale shop, often filled with upscale items from area homes. 4 Continued on page 36 Sewickley Area | Spring 2014 | icmags.com 35