FEATURE/Women Helping Women; The Peabody Orlando Sponsors Afternoon Tea for Lisa Merlin House, Inc.

ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE FEATURES)--Sept. 10, 1999--

The Peabody Orlando will be transformed into an English country garden on Sunday, September 12, 1999 at 2:00 PM to raise awareness of, and provide financial support for the expansion and continued operation of Lisa Merlin House, Inc.

The suggested $25.00 donation will assist fundraising efforts for the nonprofit organization dedicated to providing a safe haven for women in crisis. Where else could one expect to hear the delicate tinkle of a silver spoon caressing china and the gentle slapping of webbed feet of the local residents?

"We are delighted to host such an elegant and worthwhile event at The Peabody Orlando," said Alan Villaverde, general manager of The Peabody Orlando. "This is a very special occasion for all local women to support. Afternoon tea is a timeless, graceful and neighborly activity."

Strategically tipped hats, gloves of white lace and shimmering pearls proclaim a return to an era of quiet dignity and elegant manners. Over a century ago women everywhere gathered in friendship to relax and replenish their spirits over a cup of tea and delectable "niceties."

At The Peabody Orlando, Sunday, September 12, ladies will enjoy delicious tea sandwiches of cucumber, chicken and smoked salmon, and of course, only the best tea The Peabody Orlando has to offer prepared and presented in the proper English manner. Freshly-baked scones with clotted cream and a selection of melt-in-the mouth pastries and petits fours round out the elegant afternoon.

"Afternoon tea is a wonderful social occasion where conversation is the primary purpose, an opportunity to really communicate with others," said Lisa Merlin, executive director of Merlin House, Inc.

This century's mania for thinness and a frantic need to continually exceed new production levels made pausing for tea nearly impossible. That is until recently. Afternoon tea is beginning to resurface as an answer to society's growing need for order and tranquility.

The ultimate mission of Lisa Merlin House, Inc. is to make available just such an atmosphere where women recovering from alcoholism and substance abuse have an opportunity to grow emotionally, spiritually, socially and physically.