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MELANIE'S SPEAKING AND LECTURE SERIES: Melanie is a graduate of East Tennessee State University as well as Southern Methodist University where she earned a BA in Public Relations. "I decided to open a tea room after living abroad in London where my passion for  afternoon tea was truly ignited. I began studying tea and actually decided to attend tea school with tea educator, Bruce Richardson," Melanie said. "It was during this intense concentration in my tea education that I was exposed to the thousands of varieties of tea, their countries of origin, how they are harvested, processed and taken to auction and how to properly prepare each variety of tea.  I don't think most Americans are aware of the complexities of tea, but given the proper tools, tea preparation can be quite easy and rewarding. " Melanie is a member of the Southern Association of Tea Businesses, the country's oldest professional tea group. Educating the public about consuming loose teas is one of the group's priorities. Members are encouraged  to continue  tea education through the Specialty Tea Institute and meet several times a year to network and encourage others in the tea business. For more information on the SATB, please visit their website at www.teabiz.org. Melanie has enjoyed taking her tea education to others through her "Tea Tasting 101 Class" that she holds at "Miss Melanie's Tea Room" as well as being a guest lecturer at meetings and seminars around the tri-cities area. She has been asked to speak at the  Hands On Museum "Hot Tea & Totes" purse auction, the Kingsport Christian Women's Club, The Monday Club, Northside Elementary After school Clubs and has been asked to speak and educate several times with the Health and Wellness Center associated with Mountain State Health Alliance. "Not only have I enjoyed educating others about loose tea and its health benefits, but I have been lecturing to groups in the area about tea etiquette as well," Melanie said. " Nothing pleases me more than to be in a group where the audience members get involved and ask questions. There really is a growing interest about tea in the United States and I am excited about sharing my tea knowledge with others!" Melanie has also been a contributing writer to several area publications about tea history, health and preparation. "Miss Melanie's Tea Room" has been featured several times in the Johnson City Press and and most recently  profiled in Marquee Magazine. Melanie also began her "Literary Tea Series" in 2007 to encourage everyone to read the classics. "Another passion of mine is reading! With so many distractions and choices these days, young people often choose other activities over reading. The classics are not always required reading in the schools anymore, and I am on a mission to expose as many people as I can to the classics I enjoyed reading myself. Who can't relate to Anne Shirley or Elizabeth Bennett? Who doesn't want to have the backbone of Scarlett O'Hara or Jo March? These are a few of the female literary heroes I am recognizing as important for young ladies to familiarize themselves with," Melanie said. "King Arthur," "Tom Sawyer," "Anne Of Green Gables," "Gone With The Wind," "Little Women," "Secret Garden," and "Pride and Prejudice" are just a few of the books selected by Melanie for her Literary Tea Series.   Melanie has also been taking her tea education and etiquette to the kitchen as well with her "Kids In The Kitchen" and "Teens and College Kids In The Kitchen" Classes. "Kids are watching so much Food Network and Iron Chef these days," Melanie said. "It amazes me when a five year old begins giving me a cooking tip from Rachel Ray. Cooking is all the rage and our small classes allow a  hands on class where we not only prepare three age appropriate recipes, but spend some a good part of the class concentrating on etiquette and kitchen safety. I love working with the kids during these classes."   If you would like to schedule Melanie for a speaking engagement with your group, a private "Tea Tasting 101 " Class, or need information of her cooking and etiquette classes, please call (423) 926-0123 for more information. If you are a Tea Room Owner, have a tea related business or you are planning on launching your own tea business, Melanie is available as a marketing/special events coordinator! Let her utilize her public relations and tea background to promote your tea business! Please visit www.TheTeaAcademy.com or simply click on our link! Our Winter Class is March 13-15,2009 and our Spring class is May 29-31st! Join Melanie for a special day of tea education and tea cuisine at White Stone Country Inn on Thursday, March 19th, 2009. Please visit www.whitestoneinn.com to reserve your spot and enjoy 50% off your five diamond accomodations!

Make your reservations early for our third annual "Jingle Bell Tea With Mrs. Claus" December 13th & 14th Call (423) 926-0123 for more information! Space is limited and filling fast for this memorable tea !