State Vice Regent Debra Jamison, congratulating State Regent Karon Jarrard

The California Congressional Tea celebrating California’s Gold was held on June 26, 2012, at the JW Marriott Hotel in Washington, DC. For many years, the California Tea has been an annual kick-off event for Continental Congress. One hundred fifty-four California Daughters attended the California Congressional Tea. Total attendance was 246, with 38 going through the receiving line only. Guests were greeted by a receiving line headed by State Regent Karon Jarrard that included Honorary Presidents General Dorla E. Kemper, Linda Gist Calvin, National Parliamentarian Carole D. Belcher, and Honorary State Regent Nancy B. Alexander. Board members participating were Debra Jamison, Barbara Volker, Sue Butler, Jeanette Shiel, Beverly Moncrieff, Sharon Meigs, Leslie Pfeifer, Karen Theofanides, and State Parliamentarian Ailsie McEnteggart.

After the receiving line disbursed, State Regent Karon Jarrard went to the lectern and introduced special guests in attendance. Greetings were brought by Honorary Presidents General Dorla E. Kemper, Linda Gist Calvin, and Linda Tinker Watkins. The President General of SAR, DAR School, and Indian School representatives brought special greetings. President General Merry Ann Wright arrived during the introductions. Members stood to greet her and applauded after she completed her greetings and headed to the next event on her busy schedule. State Regent-elect Debbie Jamison was presented and asked to introduce the new state officers and the tea committee. The State Regent was so excited when she announced the winner of the East v. West challenge, “The Coast with the Most!” The California State Society beat New York with a 5.6% increase in membership. This announcement received huge cheers from the audience and New York State Regent Denise VanBuren was most gracious as she was crowned with a Dodger’s baseball cap.

Forty-one volunteers worked at the tea, including pages who greeted guests in the foyer and assisted the receiving line. Decorations were created by Nancy Wark and Shirley Mathews, and consisted of silk California Golden Poppies arranged with sheer gold-beige fabric and ribbon. Each center piece was placed on an octagonal mirror on a round table covered with a light green tablecloth. The same green color was used through the center of the two buffet tables. The menu included a variety of tea sandwiches, imported and domestic cheeses with seasonal fruits and berries, French pastries, fruit tarts, miniature pastries and petit fours, and chocolate-covered strawberries. A new addition to the tea was a self-service dessert table with small cakes and fruit for dipping into a tall chocolate fountain.

Deepest gratitude to all who worked to make the California Congressional Tea a successful and fun event again this year. Special thanks go to Tea Manager Midge Enke for organizing the volunteers and for general management of the tea, to Page Chairman Celeste Cox, and to Gayle Mooney for assisting with decorating.

Debbie Jamison
California Congressional Tea Chairman