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Monadnock Ledger-Transcript

Published: 11/3/2023 2:33:18 PM

After multiple board members recused themselves, the New Ipswich Zoning Board of Adjustment postponed hearing an appeal of an administrative decision related to the ongoing battle between the Silver Scone tea party business and abutters.

On Thursday, the board was scheduled to discuss an appeal related to the Planning Boards approval of site plans for Silver Scone Teas, a tea party business run by New Ipswich resident Jane Elwell out of her home at 99 River Road. Richard Craig and Sharin Smeeth, who are part of a group of neighbors who have filed multiple appeals both at the town leveland through the states Housing Appeals Board and Superior Court related to decisions in favor of Silver Scones, filed an appeal June 22of the June 7 approval of the site plan review for the business.

The approval came with a list of 17 conditions, which included a list of 12 conditions already imposed by the Zoning Board during their approval of a variance to allow the business to operate in the Village District I, including limiting events to four times a monthfrom 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and with no more than 50 guests.

At the start of the discussion of the appeal, multiple board members recused themselves, including two members who have previously deliberated on the matter, but opponents of the business alleged they had shown bias during the process. Among those that recused themselves were Vice Chair Danielle Sikkila, who has removed herself from deliberations since an appeal to the State Housing Board found that she had showed bias by liking a Facebook post discussing the use of Elwells house as a business, and Dwayne White, who recused himself after making a comment during a hearing that hed like to attend an event.

Also recusing themselves were full board members Lou Alvarez, who also serves on the Select Boardand has recused himself from Silver Scone matters due to ruling on issues related to the propertys driveway permit, and Jeff Muhonen. Alternate Jay Hopkins was not present at Thursdays meeting.

With the board typically fielding five sitting members, and having two alternates, this left only three people to sit on the board Thursday Chair Walker Farrey, David Lage and alternate Brett Kivela.

Farrey opened the discussion by acknowledging that the board only had three eligible members to vote, which would require a unanimous decision for the vote to be in the applicants favor.Farrey asked Nancy Clark, the lawyer representing the Craig and Smeeth, along with the remaining neighbors opposed to the business, if she would like to proceed with the truncated boardor continue the hearing until a full board could be hosted.

Ill wait for a full board, Clark replied.

According to Lage, Hopkins is expected to be seated for the discussion on Nov. 16, and the board is in the process of appointing a new alternate, Michelle Saari, who attended Thursdays meeting to observe proceedings as a member of the audience. Lage said the ZBA will request Saari be appointed by the Select Board during its next scheduled meeting, allowing her to be seated for the Nov. 16 meeting as a voting member, giving the ZBA a full board of five.

The board agreed to hold an off-schedule meeting to address the appeal application. The board scheduled a meeting to discuss the issue for Nov. 16 at 6 p.m.

Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172, Ext. 244, or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. Shes on X @AshleySaariMLT.,

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Recusals lead to New Ipswich ZBA postponing Silver Scone appeal - Monadnock Ledger Transcript

Events listed for Saturday, Nov. 4

Bartholomew County

Columbus Eastern Star Breakfast 8 to 11 a.m., St. Johns Masonic Lodge, 4131 Rocky Ford Road, Columbus. Biscuits and gravy, sausage, eggs, pancakes and a drink. Bake sale items available. $8 Adults and $3 children under 12. Benefits Columbus chapter charities such as the Service Dog Project.

12 steps to Recovery from Compulsive Eating 10 to 11 a.m., Bartholomew County Public Library, 536 Fifth St., Columbus. Megan and Brittany are members of a 12-step program for compulsive eating. They will share their past experiences struggling with food and compulsive eating and how they have found recovery.

Try Hockey for Free 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Hamilton Community Center and Ice Arena, 2501 Lincoln Park Drive, Columbus. Ages 4 to 10. Free equipment is available to use. Please arrive 30 minutes early to get fitted for your equipment and wear tall socks. Register at cbusinparks.com/TryHockey

Tea-Rex Storytime and Tea Party 11 to 11:30 a.m., Bartholomew County Public Library, 536 Fifth St., Columbus. Kick off Dino-vember with a Tea-Rex Storytime and Tea Party. Well listen to dinosaur stories while we sip tea or lemonade and much on cookies. Stick around for photos with a real (inflatable) dinosaur.

The CritShow Live & Learn Noon to 3 p.m., Bartholomew County Public Library, 536 Fifth St., Columbus. Learn how to play Monster of the Week with local actual play podcast group The Critshow. The Crit Crew will teach you everything you need to know as you play along with them on their adventures. Program geared toward ages 13+.

The Disassemblers 1 to 2 p.m., Bartholomew County Public Library, 536 Fifth St., Columbus. Satisfy your curiosity and help us take things apart to see what we can discover.

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Community calendar - Nov. 4 - The Republic

The Hereward Community Rail Partnership (CRP), which helps to promote and develop the Hereward Line and its five stations at Peterborough, Whittlesea, March, Manea and Ely, held an Afternoon Tea Party at March Railway Station on TuesdayOctober 24.

The event was an opportunity to look back on a decade of success delivering the Community Rail Development Strategy locally, helping communities to see how their local stations and railway can connect them to people, places and opportunities to flourish.

A number of railway representatives were invited to the event, which also showcased how the partnership has grown over the years and delivered improvements to stations and opportunities for communities through collaborative working.

Cllr Chris Seaton is chairman of the Hereward CRP and portfolio holder for transport at Fenland District Council, which manages the CRP in partnership with train operators, railway user groups, station adoption groups and local residents who help look after the line.

He said: It was great to see so many people involved with the Hereward Line over the years come together to celebrate what has been achieved, discuss different projects, activities and events, and make plans for the future.

Thanks to them, we have developed a flourishing partnership that delivers for its communities and will continue to do so in the years ahead.

Im looking forward to seeing what the next ten years brings.

As well as an afternoon tea with cakes and sandwiches, the celebratory event included the debut showing of the Hereward CRPs latest video Travel along the Hereward Line Enjoy a Journey of Discovery, which can be viewed here.

Guests also received a 10-year anniversary memento booklet, featuring a decade of CRP highlights, and were given a tour of March Stations refurbished ticket office and waiting room, and the Friends of March Railway Stations Community Rooms and model railway.

The Hereward CRP kickstarted its 10-year anniversary celebrations in October last year, with a Herewards are go! event the length and breadth of the Hereward Line.

There were parties on the platforms with bunting, special activities and anniversary biscuits, and railway representatives boarded trains to chat to passengers and hand out more birthday biscuits.

For more information on the Hereward CRP visit its website.

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Hereward Community Rail Partnership 10th anniversary party - Cambs Times

For centuries, many societies have cherished the tradition of drinking tea with the companionship of friends and family. Historically, tea parties were held to create essential social connections and entertain guests with extravagance. While modern tea parties continue to exude elegance, the main purpose of the Silverthorns High Tea Societys recent gathering on Wednesday, October 18, was to unite everyone and foster a sense of community. This event was a heartwarming welcome to both new and old friends and a chance for the Silverthorn community to savor togetherness after the trials of COVID-19. Fabulous ladies came together to enjoy each others company over tea and delicious treats.

In her opening remarks, Frances Schuliet, a key figure in the Silverthorn community, emphasized the significance of their close-knit club and neighborhood. She stated, We love our club. We love where we live. Our friendships and our neighbors are the heart of this community. Frances highlighted that the people of Silverthorn share a unique sense of connectedness. The bonds and friendships formed within this community are strong and long-lasting. Even those who frequent the Silverthorn golf course, despite not residing there, are warmly welcomed into events like this, embodying the inclusivity of the Silverthorn community.

Those in attendance at this celebration expressed their deep gratitude towards those who organized this wonderful event. Stella Bella, Sharon Cummings, Caren Altieri and Fran Schuliet were the driving forces behind this tea party. At the same time, Silverthorns Banquet Manager Ginger Korbus and Silverthorn Club House Owner Susan McGrogan played essential roles in planning the menu and managing the logistics.

The club put on an exceptional tea buffet, offering a wide array of tea brands and flavors, finger sandwiches, breakfast quiche, scones and a delightful assortment of miniature desserts. Frances extended an even bigger thank you to Betty Pomish, who generously supplied all the collectible heirloom fine bone china teapots used at this event. Betty has been curating her collection of Shelley fine bone china for over two decades and was thrilled to showcase it to a community she holds dear. Notably, the event featured a raffle with beautiful sets of Shelley fine bone china as prizes. Several lucky attendees went home with complete tea cup sets, and the grand prize winner received a Shelley Teapot of her own.

A Bit About Shelley Teapots: Shelley fine bone china stands as a remarkable representation of the Staffordshire, England potteries, regarded by many as the epitome of all bone china. The Shelley Potteries were known for producing china and pottery of exceptional beauty and diversity. Their bone china is celebrated for its thinness and surprising strength. In fact, its so thin that it is translucent, similar to Irish Belleek china. This exceptional quality was achieved because Shelleys bone china formula had the highest percentage of ground bone among all china manufacturers. With over 15,000 patterns applied to Shelleys fine china, their legacy is nothing short of impressive.

Shelley pottery began its journey in the late 19th century under the trade name Wileman. The company produced dozens of styles of strikingly beautiful Shelley pottery, thanks to the creative input of their art directors and artisans. The quality, patterns, shapes and trademarks of Shelleys products are distinctive, making them easily recognizable by collectors and enthusiasts.

Sadly, Shelley closed its doors in 1966 and was sold to Allied English Potteries. This marked the end of Shelley fine bone china, as all the molds were destroyed in the sale. Consequently, Shelleys fine bone china has become a sought-after collectors item today.

For those interested in Shelley teapots and other collectibles, the National Shelley Club provides a valuable resource to learn more about these exquisite pieces. Enthusiasts can discover a wealth of information and connect with fellow collectors who share a passion for Shelleys fine bone china.

In conclusion, the Silverthorns High Tea Societys recent tea party was more than just an elegant gathering; it was a celebration of community, friendship and the beauty of Shelleys fine bone china. This event exemplified the warmth and inclusivity of the Silverthorn community, bringing people together after the challenges of the pandemic. It showcased the enduring appeal of Shelley teapots and their place in the world of fine bone china collectibles, allowing attendees to appreciate the artistry and history behind these exquisite pieces. The event was a delightful blend of tradition, elegance and the joy of togetherness.

Photos of the Silverthorns High Tea Society's tea party

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Silverthorn's High Tea Society: A Celebration of Community and ... - Hernando Sun

As many western coffee chains look eastward for growth, Asias bubble tea giants are nurturing new audiences in North America and Europe. World Coffee Portal finds out how this colourful beverage is shaking up branded caf markets in the US and Europe

Photo credit: Nicholas Ismael Martinez

Also known as pearl milk tea or boba tea, bubble tea traditionally consists of milk, black tea, sugar syrup and tapioca balls a starch extracted from the roots of the cassava plant. While bubble teas name is often attributed to the chewy dark pearls that punctuate the beverage, it more accurately refers to the bubbles produced from vigorous shaking during preparation.

Originating in Taiwan in the 1980s, bubble tea is widely considered the brainchild of Liu Han-Chieh and Lin Hsiu Hui, the respective owner and Product Development Manager of Chun Shui Tang tea room in Taichung. The formers experiment with cold tea collided with the latters tapioca-based pudding and the rest, as they say, is history.

Coffee and bubble tea target audiences are very different Bryan Loo, Founder, Tealive

Shake and share

With such an enticing array of flavours, often colourfully presented in transparent cups, bubble tea lends itself to social media sharing, making it particularly popular among under-30s. The hashtags bubbletea and bobatea have been collectively posted nearly five million times on Instagram and viewed more than 8.6 billion times on TikTok.

The visually appealing nature of bubble tea and sharing these experiences on social media has contributed to bubble teas popularity, making it a sought-after beverage, says Kody Wang, Business Development Manager of the worlds largest bubble tea chain, CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice.

Founded in Taipei in 1997, CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice has evolved into a global bubble tea powerhouse with more than 5,000 stores across Asia, Australasia, North America and Europe.

A strong social media presence and marketable product portfolio is also a key consideration for Bryan Loo, CEO of Loob Holding and founder of Malaysias largest bubble tea brand, Tealive. People share photos and videos of their colourful and aesthetically pleasing bubble tea creations on Instagram and TikTok, sparking interest and curiosity among their followers, he says.

We expect demand in North America will continue to grow Kody Wang, Business Development Director, CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice

The global tea party

Facing growing competition in increasingly crowded bubble tea markets, such as Taiwan, China, Vietnam and Japan, many operators are seeking new audiences beyond their traditional heartlands. For Tealive, international growth has been opportunistic. The company is currently focusing on expansion in Southeast Asia, particularly the Philippines, while it waits for the right time for a big North American push.

Were particularly excited by our corporate plan for the Filipino market and we have been rapidly expanding in Manila and Cebu. Our growth in the Philippines has been fast-tracked, Loo says.

A CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice store in London, UK |Photo credit: CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice

Having established a presence and loyal customer bases in areas such as Manhattans Chinatown, CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice now has 17 stores in New York, including sites in the culturally diverse neighbourhoods of Jackson Heights and Flushing.

The concrete Asia customer base in foreign markets has led to the quicker establishment of brand awareness locally, says Wang.

CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice has deployed a similar formula in Canada. Sixty-one of its 100 stores are in Toronto, where Filipino and Chinese immigrants make up the largest proportion of Torontos non-native residents, according to the 2021 government census.

We expect demand in North America will continue to grow, while at the same time competition is fierce, Wang adds.

That competition currently comes from scaled international brands Gong cha, Happy Lemon and Tiger Sugar, as well as California-based Boba Guys and the self-proclaimed OGs of American bubble tea, Kung Fu Tea a 400-store chain that even started National Bubble Tea Day marked annually in the US on 30 April.

In comparison to Asia and to a lesser extent North America, the European bubble tea market is relatively nascent. However, valued above $300m and increasing 9% per year, the continents allure as a burgeoning bubble tea market is clear.

Highlighting this growth potential, Gong cha entered the Belgian and Portuguese markets in the last 12 months and has committed to opening 200 stores in France by 2033 following its Paris debut in June 2023.

Gong cha CEO Paul Reynish recently outlined an ambitious goal of opening 500 stores in the UK, where it currently has 13 sites, highlighting opportunities in a coffee shop market he described as saturated.

Like New York, London is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world, with large communities from across Southeast Asia. In August 2023, Chinese tea chain Heytea made its European debut in Londons Chinatown, joining more than 25 branded bubble tea chains in the high footfall tourist enclave of Soho.

The European bubble tea market has grown a lot, especially after Covid-19 Jakub Woniczka, Franchise Manager, Crazy Bubble

Polands Crazy Bubble is Europes largest bubble tea chain, with 170 stores |Photo credit: Crazy Bubble

Having launched in 2012, when European consumers still approached bubble tea with a dose of timidity, Franchise Manager Jakub Woniczka says the business has rapidly expanded to meet surging demand.

The European bubble tea market has grown a lot, especially after Covid-19. We have opened about 100 outlets in the last two years alone, he says.

With European consumers becoming increasingly familiar with bubble tea, Crazy Bubble entered Finland, its sixth European market, in September 2023 and is currently seeking new franchise partners across the continent.

We want to maintain our status as the largest bubble tea franchise brand in Europe and plan to have Crazy Bubble in most European countries within the next five years, potentially even outside of Europe, Woniczka adds.

Are coffee shops missing a drink?

With demand for bubble tea seemingly at an all-time high, could coffee shops harness more opportunities from the segment?

It is not just a matter of selling bubble tea coffee and bubble tea target audiences are very different. One is looking out for functional fulfilment and the other is looking for fun. Both require a different set of strategies to win customer loyalty, says Tealives Loo.

Not that some of the worlds largest coffee chains havent had a pop at bubble tea. Starbucks trialled its own iced coffee-based bubble beverages at US stores in California and Washington in January 2022 but has yet to announce a wider launch. Meanwhile, McDonalds Hong Kong has served bubble tea on its summer menu since 2020. However, coffee and fast-food brands are yet to produce an authentic bubble tea product, says Kody Wang.

The preparation requirements and know-how are not easily replicated and an enormous change in operations would be needed for them to make quality bubble tea products, he says.

Nevertheless, Europes largest coffee chain, Costa Coffee, introduced bubble tea and bubble frapp ranges to the UK market in May 2023. Additionally, boutique caf group EL&N is deploying vibrant green matcha and purple ube to complement its claim as the worlds most Instagrammable caf.

Tealive bubble tea cups | Photo credit: Tealive

Alongside catering to new audiences in North America and Europe, fierce competition in Asia is driving bubble tea chains to continuously reinvent their already extensive menus, with the inclusion of coffee gaining traction.

While bubble tea is up-and-coming in western markets, coffee has been developing rapidly in the east. We will continue to develop innovative coffee products through our R&D team, says Wang, referring to Coco Fresh Tea & Juices bubble tea and coffee range, which includes salty cream coffee, mocha coffee and matcha coffee with pearls.

Earlier this year Tealive also introduced its revamped Coffee by Tealive menu to promote new coffee-based creations, while Crazy Bubble offers hot and cold coffee customisation options across its bubble tea menu.

Although direct competition with coffee chains is unlikely in the near term, bubble tea brands are gaining market share in the US and Europe.

If established caf operators such as Costa Coffee and EL&N make a splash with their bubble ranges, more branded coffee chains could follow suit by expanding existing cold and iced beverage menus. Having burst onto the scene in the US and Europe, bubble teas global sphere of influence looks set to grow.

This article was first publishedinIssue 16 of 5THWAVE magazine. Subscribeto 5THWAVE to receive each edition in print and digitally or sign up to ournewsletterand be the first to read the latest articles and updates on World Coffee Portal research.

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Why it's boom time for bubble tea - World Coffee Portal