Michele Cox, operator of Southern

Oaks, has been a fan of the movie since she first saw it and thought that

there may be other women out there who also love the movie. She decided

to upon the "Somewhere in Time" theme for the first of the "Special-Teas"

offered every month at Southern Oaks.

While in the messiness and

despair of the restoration work of Southern Oaks, Cox said she had visions

of the Grand Hotel interior and costumes from 1912, which helped her through

the arduous restoration process. The house was built in 1913, so the outfits

that were worn in the movie would be authentic to what was worn by its

first residents.

The tea party was well attended

and even included guests from the International Network of Somewhere In

Time Enthusiasts. Members of the club gather each fall for a "Somewhere

In Time Weekend" at the Grand Hotel. Many attendees commented on

how they have loved the movie for years and were excited to gather together

with others of similar interests.

Guests were provided with the

opportunity to dress up for the occasion. Southern Oaks has a collection

of costumes that will fit most any sized woman, so several of the party

guests donned turn of the century outfits, while some opted to wear only

period hats. It added an extra amount of excitement and beauty to the

occasion and just plain fun.

The tables were set with antique

china and silver tea pots. The centerpieces were especially interesting

with replica antique boots and purses, pearls, cameos and period jewelry,

intertwined on pink silk, with a real antique pocketwatch and chain at

each table. Since a pocketwatch is an important element of the movie,

guests were delighted to fins one on each table. Cox's husband collects

antique watches, which came in very handy when time to decorate the tables.

Beautiful pink roses completed the centerpieces.

Each place setting included

a clear glass plate, under which a "Somewhere in Time' postcard

was placed. The ladies especially enjoyed being able to see scenes from

the movies as they sat down to tea, and were excited to each be given

hers to take home as a keepsake.

After a welcome and introduction

Simmons giving a presentation of their experiences at SIT weekends in

Michigan. They also brought collections of movie memorabilia for the group

to enjoy. Coleman also had collectibles available for purchase, as well

as information available for anyone wishing to be an INSITE member. Especially

interesting to the group were Coleman's Grand Hotel music box and

an authentic movie poster.

Cox then presented a light

hearted game of SIT trivia, with the prize being a movie mousepad. The

winner was a homeschooled teenager named Leora who had just been introduced

to the movie and had watched it for the very first time the night before

the tea. She and her sister Lucie were enthralled with the movie and are

now begging their mom to take them to the Grand Hotel in October. Leora

even got one question correct that Coleman didn't know, which was

particularly humorous to the group.

To bring the event to close

on a whimsical note, Cox served Grand Pecan Balls, a specialty of the

Grand Hotel, which are vanilla ice cream balls covered in toasted pecans,

on top of homemade chocolate sauce. Although it was Cox's first attempt

at making this dessert, the group all agreed that they tasted great. It

was a perfect ending to the day's events. All in attendance agreed

that this must not be the last "Somewhere in Time" special tea.

The next themed tea event at

Southern Oaks will be a "Gone With The Wind" tea Jan. 9. There

will be a guest speaker on Margaret Mitchell and her family members who

inspired the story. Phone 770-460-0890, e-mail to [email protected]

for more information, or visit www.victorianadventures.com for more information.

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