TAHLEQUAH —
Tahlequah High School and middle-school choir students have developed their own kitchen-safety strategies for baking the tea rings that are so popular during the holidays.
After pulling a fresh, hot batch of the cinnamon rolls out of the ovens, students working in the kitchen at Greenwood Elementary yell out, “Hot!”
Those in the cafeteria, who top those delicacies in sweet icing, cherries and pecans and wrap them up for customers, respond with a resounding, “tea rings!” Then, they step aside and wait for the bakers to come on through.
It’s a slight pause in an otherwise fast-paced atmosphere, but it keeps them safe, and keeps waiting times down for the anxious customers.
“This is fun and it’s just basically the greatest fundraiser I’ve heard of in my life,” said Eden Smith, the THS senior who is also the choir’s president. “It’s fun! It’s a lot of work, but you hardly really notice.”
As is usual for this time of year, the THS students are preparing and selling tea rings every Monday as a fundraiser to help offset costs to attend national competitions.
“The THS choir will be going to Chicago for the national choral competition in the spring, and the Tahlequah Middle School choir students will go to Dallas for their national competition,” said Holly Stocks, choir director.
Watching over the work put in by the students and adults on a Monday night, it’s easy to see why these holiday treats are so famous, and why the choir chooses such a fundraiser.
“It’s a wreath of cinnamon rolls – of buttery, cinnamony, iced goodness topped with pecans and cherries,” said Pam Vahdatipour, the choirs’ piano player. “They’re great, and that’s why we have a lot of repeat customers.”
While working to pay for their out-of-state trips, choir students also learn a number of life lessons, from cooking to simply working as a team and presenting and selling a product.
Tea rings are sold at Greenwood Elementary every Monday through Dec. 6, from 5-8 p.m.
Thirty to 35 students and adults are necessary, said Stocks, to complete the demand of these treats. On a typical Monday, students will bake and prepare nearly 300 tea rings.
“Sometimes we sell out, and sometimes we’ll freeze some to sell when orders come in,” said Stocks.
Locals can buy the tea rings fresh out of the oven, or purchase them frozen for use during the holidays. The program workers will also deliver the tea rings on request.
Next Monday, Nov. 22, students will actually be selling tea rings from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., since school is out and they can access Greenwood’s kitchen early.
Vahdatipour said two to three batches of the cinnamon treats are made on the typical Monday night – made of 90-100 orders – but four batches will be made the week of Thanksgiving.
“So we can meet the demands of our public!” said Vahdatipour.
Vahdatipour said many customers purchase the tea rings for family meals, and others to give as gifts. Attached to each tea ring are instructions on heating the product when frozen.
Dr. Ralph and Beth Whitworth started the tradition a number of years ago as a fundraiser for the Northeastern State University choir. Former THS choir Director Marjorie Malone opted to use the fundraiser to pay for national competitions each spring for students.
When she retired, the THS and TMS choirs joined forces to put on the fundraiser.
Check it out
Tea rings are buttery cinnamon rolls baked and prepared in a circle, and then topped with icing, pecans and cherries. Each costs $8. To place an order, e-mail stocksh@tahlequah.k12.ok.us, or stop by Greenwood Elementary’s cafeteria Monday, Nov. 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., or Nov. 29 and Dec. 6 from 5-8 p.m.
Beryl Makes Landfall on Florida Coast
UN Blames Syrian Forces for Shelling Houla
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
