Elmwood Inn Fine Teas Supports The Kentucky Breast Cancer Coalition

A special blend keeps the memory of Freear Williams alive

Elmwood Inn Fine Teas and Benjamin Press honors the memory of our senior editor Freear Williams with this tea blend called Freear's Hope.  Freear was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003.  Her battle with the disease ended on a peaceful evening, January 22, 2009.

Freear left big city life and moved with her husband Don to her idyllic Heart's Ease farm in 1997. Complete with animal managerie, their home was about as far from civilization as you could get.  The closest post office was in the village of Gravel Switch.  Freear joined our staff in the fall of 2000 after coordinating the international press attending the 2000 vice-presidential debate at Centre College in nearby Danville.  Nothing was too big to handle following that task! She edited twelve books for us, managed our office staff and coordinated Bruce Richardson's appearance schedule.  When she went home at night, she gathered eggs, put up the horses, picked flowers, and sat on her porch with her dogs and husband.  Her most recent adventure was training two young pups in the art of sheep herding. 

Freear's Hope, created by tea blender Bruce Richardson, is a healthy mix of sencha green tea, ginger, orange peel, and lemongrass. It makes a delicious and soothing hot tea or a refreshing cold beverage. This is the official tea for the Celebration of Hope hosted by Kentucky's First Lady each May at the Kentucky Governor's Mansion. 

Buy it online at our webstore and we will donate $5 per tin to the Kentucky Breast Cancer Coalition.  Plus, we donate 75 cents for each wholesale tin we sell to our retailers across America.  Contact us if you would like to stock this tea in your store or tearoom.

Buy Freear's Hope now online.

Here is a sampling of remembrances we have received at the Elmwood Inn Fine Teas/Benjamin Press office.

Thank you so much for letting me know about Freear - I am so very sad.  She was such an inspiration and I know was an amazing help to you despite being so ill.  I wish I could be at the memorial service and my thoughts will be with you all.

Jane Pettigrew, London author

Please inform Don that Freear will be remembered at Grace Cathedral by name this Sunday and thro'out this week in our ritual prayers for the departed. She was our friend too, and we mourn her.
 

Norwood Pratt, San Francisco author

…though I never met Freear, I always enjoyed talking to her on the phone, and could tell from her voice what a special person she was.

Jim Gibson, Atlanta musician

I am so sorry to hear of Freear's passing, but angels are rejoicing at her arrival home. Hopefully we can all take comfort in that knowledge.

Barbara Cockerham, Editor of Victoria & TeaTime magazines

I was fortunate enough to have met Freear on my visit to Elmwood Inn a number of years ago - she was so full of energy and kindness. I liked her immediately. I know how much she meant to all of you…

Denise LaCroy, Great Tea Rooms of America website

My warm thoughts and prayers go out to Don and everyone at Benjamin Press.  Freear was indeed a strong and inspiring woman.

Dorothea Johnson, Founder of The Protocol School of Washington

Please accept our sincere sympathy for the loss of our friend Freear.  She will be missed greatly.

Pearl Dexter, TEA A MAGAZINE publisher

I was so sorry to learn of Freear's passing.  I enjoyed working with her for that short time, and was hoping for her recovery.  Even though I didn't know her personally, I can tell from your comments that she was a wonderful person.  My condolences to all.

Dawn Peterson, Maine book illustrator