Tea and Circumstance

When you were a kid, your mother would graciously attend your "tea parties." She'd sip your invisible tea. She wore the ridiculous boa that you gave her. And she didn't bat an eyelash when you asked the other guests — stuffed animals, whom you also dressed in ridiculous outfits — how they were enjoying everything.

Well, it's time to make it up to her. This Sunday, from noon to 2, we'll host a tea tasting and pre-Mother's Day shopping event at the shop. This would also be a good time to grab a gift for that UMaine senior in your life who's graduating in two weeks.

The tea will be real, prepared by Lisa Liberatore of Baxter Tea Co. And it will be delicious — Lisa, a Bangor native, finds exceptional teas from around the world and sells them from her headquarters in Gardiner. She gives 10 percent of her proceeds to Baxter State Park, her childhood playground.

The tea will be served with tasty delights prepared by Christina Wentworth and Janyce Boynton, the artisans behind Madder Root of Old Town. They make the most exquisite tea towels, napkins and produce bags from organic linen, hand-printed with original designs.

Because Lisa, Christina and Maine Maven owners Kristen and Jason are all UMaine alumni, we'll donate 10 percent of the day's sales to the University of Maine Alumni Association. So come join us. Shop for a cause. Sip some real tea. And while you're at it, pick up a thoughtful, beautiful, locally made Mother's Day gift.

After sitting through those tea parties, doesn't she deserve something great?