Chautauqua Tea features central Kentucky food

By JENNIFER BRUMMETT
Staff Writer

Rosemary Hamblin and Jane Stevens remember how The Tea Leaf became a part of The Great American Brass Band Festival 13 years ago.
"When George (Foreman) first thought of the brass band festival, he was encouraging businesses in Danville to think of events to go along with it," says Hamblin. "Jo Ann Wilkerson and Pat Bright came here and said they had an idea for The Tea Leaf."
Wilkerson and Bright told Hamblin and Stevens that Chautauqua events -- community events -- were going around to small towns at the time when brass bands were in their heyday. In fact, according to a 1990 newspaper clipping from The Advocate-Messenger, a Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle was organized in Danville in 1887.
And so, the Chautauqua Tea was born.
"We can't stop now," notes Hamblin. "People call us six months in advance for tickets.
"We don't want to lose touch with the community sometimes there is a need for a tea. ... Teas are a lot of fun."
Adds Stevens, "It's something the community needs. It brings people together. ... We like to do something different to keep us young at heart."
The first Chautauqua Tea featured two readers and one book -- Paul Cantrell and Mrs. Robert Bright Sr., both of whom read from Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice." Off and on for the last 13 years, Centre College professor emeritus Paul Cantrell gave the readings to go along with musical performances as part of the non-food segment of the Chautauqua Tea. Cantrell died in June 2000, and last year's Chautauqua featured a performance by Stephen K. Charpié and The New Custer Brass Band.
"A lot of local people have helped with the programs," Hamblin says. "There is a lot of talent in Danville."
This year, Centre College professor Milton Reigelman will give readings that tie in with the music of Main Street Brass. While the performances only will be given once -- at 4 p.m. Thursday in West T. Hill Community Theatre -- attendees have a choice of two times for the tea -- 3 and 5 p.m. -- at The Tea Leaf.
The menu is eclectic, featuring a variety of sandwiches, scones with orange cream, fruit kebabs and veggie kebabs, and a number of sweets. Lemon tea, hot or cold, is the beverage of choice for the patriotically themed 13th Annual Chautauqua Tea.
The Tea Leaf, which is just a bit older than the Great American Brass Band Festival, opened in 1989. Today, it maintains hours 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, with lunch served 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Teas for groups of 20 or more can be reserved through The Tea Leaf.
Over the years, Hamblin says, Stevens and she have continued to look for new ideas for The Tea Leaf out of the "millions of books" that line shelves in the eatery's kitchen. But they like to maintain their original philosophy for cooking.
"It's our interpretation of central Kentucky cooking," Hamblin says.
They've seen a swing toward more vegetarian tastes among their patrons in recent years.
"We've added cassoulet and vegetarian quiches and vegetarian lasagna in the winter," Hamblin explains. "We've gone to more vegetarian, modern recipes, and try to hold down the butter and fat. That's hard when baking.
"But we cook the way Danvillians have always cooked."