Joe Simrany, President, Tea Association of the USA, Inc.,

“Traveling to a foreign country is always an adventure and doing so with friends and colleagues makes it even more fun.  If you happen to work in the Tea Industry then the defining moment(s) in your career occurs when you travel to the birthplace of tea and view for yourself your first tea leaf outside of a teabag or cup!  As president of the Tea Association of the USA, I have been privileged to travel to several tea producing countries and have not only experienced the wonder of tea but also the wonder of the beautiful tea people; both those that nurture and harvest the crop as well as those whose passion for the beverage defines their very lives.”

 

“Judy Larkin is one of those people whose personality embodies many of the characteristics of tea itself;  she is both calming and refreshing, complex yet straight forward, entertaining but not needing to be the center of attraction, bold yet refined.  It has been my absolute pleasure to be in Judy’s company on a trip to two tea producing countries, Sri Lanka and China.  I personally look forward to as many more as possible as Judy makes a great trip even better.  If you are in the tea industry and have an opportunity to visit a tea producing country, I strongly recommend that you do so.  If you will also be in the company of Judy Larkin, then I suggest you jump at the opportunity!”

 

Hertitage Hunt Women's Organization, Gainesville, VA

 

Thank you for the informative and humorous presentation about hats and tea at our Hertiage Hunt Women's Club.  Here are some of the comments made by our members:

 

"Had fun and learnt a lot.  Especially liked the fashion parade of hats."

"Enjoyed the tips on hat styles for various shaped faces and historical bits."

 

One member even suggested we all wear hats to our future meetings.

 

Carol Collins, Board Member

 

  Tea Shop Voted Best in New Hampshire - The Cozy Tea Cart

Brookline, New Hampshire

 

"Judy, I'd like to thank you for coming to The Cozy Tea Cart's 'Healthy Harvest Gathering'. As part of the offerings to our customers, we work hard to find experienced lecturers like yourself to entertain them. Your lecture titled Tea: The Path to Inner Peace was outstanding! Your demonstration on using the ritual of preparing tea to reduce the daily stress in our lives left the guests with a feeling of tranquility and calmness. One of the guests commented to me saying, I never thought to use the steps in making tea as a way to de-stress. Mothers never take time for themselves. This is a great way to steal a few moments in the day just for me. And when a customer asked about how to properly prepare and eat scones, you were quick to respond with another fantastic demonstration! Your jovial manner and versatility resulted in two delightful lectures! May you continue to find peace in your daily tea ritual. "

 

With warmest regards,

Danielle Beaudette

Owner/The Cozy Tea Cart, LLC

www.TheCozyTeaCart.com

 

The Boston Park Plaza Hotel, Boston, Massachusetts

 

I can't thank you enough for joining us in November of 2007 for the 80th Anniversary Tea. Your program, "Tea in the 1920's" was with a doubt the highlight of our year long celebration of the Boston Park Plaza Hotel's 80th Anniversary.

 

Our staff and guests alike enjoyed your well researched and highly entertaining presentation. My only disappointment was that I was busy behind the scenes and missed a good portion of it.

 

It was an exceptional program, from an exceptional woman. My profound thanks.

 

Cynthia R. Gold, Tea Sommelier

Boston Park Plaza Hotel and Towers

 

The Museum of the Shenandoah Valley, Winchester, VA

 

Judy Larkin, The Tea Lady, has the unique ability to paint a verbal picture of Victorian England at Christmas time during her Victorian Tea presentation. She conjures up the sights, sounds, tastes and smells of that era as she shares her incredible knowledge of tea along with little known facts of Victorian times. Beautifully dressed in her long gown with hoop skirt, Judy involves her audience not only in the ambience of enjoying fine tea and the goodies that accompany it, but also in the games, riddles, songs and traditions of that time. However, a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon must end and one leaves with the wish that it could last longer.

 

I highly recommend attending a presentation by The Tea Lady. You'll have a wonderful time while learning about the world of tea.

 

Marilyn Braithwaite, Attendee

 

Chinn Park Regional Library, Prince William County, VA

 

"What a wonderful series. The lectures were all vey interesting. The customes and the period music really set the mood for each program. You established a great rapport with the audience and did an excellent job of involving the younger members of the audience."

 

Joan Hartzell, Adult Services Librarian

 

For many of our younger Friends (of the Library) and perhaps not a few of our more mature members, this was their first introduction to the ritual of an afternoon tea. As one young man observed, "this is awesome!"

 

Dick Murphy, Director

 

The Shepherd's Center of Oakton-Vienna, VA

 

"I had the pleasure of inviting "The Tea Lady" for a celebratory luncheon for our 150+ volunteers. She did a delightful and information-packed presentation that everyone thoroughly enjoyed - even the men! Her one hour talk could have been much longer - it was that interesting and we all learned a lot about the "proper" way to make and enjoy a wonderful cup of tea."

 

Donna Grim, Director

 

PWC Juvenile Detention Center

 

"I am so grateful to you for sharing the tea experience! The boys spoke about the party all weekend and shared their stories with their parents on Sunday!"

 

Jayne Frelin, Volunteer Services Coordinator

 

"The Tea Lady Rocks!"

 

Jason, A Youthful Offender