Sometimes one’s heart speaks to them, and you feel a drive to help better serve the people in their community. At this past Sunday’s, twenty-year celebration of the Antrim County High Tea for Breast Cancer Prevention, the originating co-founders of this nonprofit were highly honored – Dee Lynch and Jane Van Etten. Twenty years ago, they felt their hearts calling and acquired a drive they could not deny.

How was this heartfelt service, of connecting people to care, removing obstacles and financial barriers for women and men encountering breast cancer, started?  It is quite a story. Back in 2004, Dee Lynch was a regular longtime customer of the Muffin Tin in Alden.  Owner of the Muffin Tin at that time, Jane Van Etten, got to know Dee quite well. And, as they conversed, the ideas and life experiences of both began to reflect similarity and a convergence developed that urged them to join efforts to help individuals suffering from Breast Cancer

Jane started talking about how she and her family wanted to serve hungry customers in Alden during the lunch time frame and early afternoon. The family/staff was in the building anyway, so why not provide something easy and readily available?  After a casual family meeting with her husband, grandson who worked the kitchen and daughter, the idea of serving simple finger sandwiches came to light, with the tea and coffee. Unbeknownst at the time, voila!, a regular “small village version of a high tea” was formed. It was Jane’s husband who came up with the specific idea of giving back to the community, as they wanted to show “we care that all Antrim County residents have quality of life”.  Dee and Jane got to work.

The first set of Breast Cancer Prevention “High Tea” Benefits began right there in the original Muffin Tin in Alden, which at the time, was located at the current Paradise Realty building. Thirty-eight women attended. High Tea benefits would occur throughout the Summer @ $8.00/ticket. Later a tent was rented, a dance floor provided, all the Alden Businesses, area vineyards, musicians, began donating and it formed a “ripple effect”.  Melissa Pennington, Jane’s daughter donated food and staff time.  The next set of High Teas were held on the grounds of the Alden -Torch Lake home of Patty and Jerry Kolb, which could hold about 125 people. Today, people still comment about being in parades for the nonprofit and reminisce on how much fun and wonderful things resulted from the tent events.

Later, overtime, the High Tea outgrew the tent and it was moved, by the graciousness of Merrie and Chris Corbett of Central Lake, to a building they owned that could be used for social gatherings.  It is now the site of Lighthouse Church, on NE Torch Lake Drive. Recently, Shanty Creek Resorts has been the hosting site for this anticipated event.  Annually, over 220 women and men attend the Antrim County High Tea.

The nonprofit goes well beyond hosting high teas, it provides breast and testicular cancer education to Antrim County high school girls and boys.  It has been well received. This education is prized by Jane, as she is a retired Gaylord teacher. Volunteers help provide rides, emotional support, and practical advocacy. Wigs made of their own hair can rather quickly be made, as well.  All of this is particularly important, as most breast cancer patients are women.

Both Dee and Jane are not unfamiliar to the challenges and sadness of cancer.  While Dee lived in Ann Arbor, she regularly took a neighbor to cancer doctor appointments, and she and her husband lost their beloved daughter, Susan, to breast cancer in 2014.  Jane’s sister succumbed to skin melanoma. Both take very special note and have peace knowing they have taken steps to prevent breast cancer and helped save lives.

The “High Tea” presents the following Public Service Announcement (PSA):  If you, a friend, your family member, neighbor, workmate, loved one, find themselves with breast cancer or are worried they may have breast cancer, don’t be afraid.  Call the Antrim County Health Department @ 1-800-432-4121, who will refer you to the Antrim County High Tea for Breast Cancer Prevention, for support.  In addition, contact either the Bellaire or East Jordan Family Health Center, if you are not already connected with a hospital system, as both Health Centers have the most state of the art, GENIUS Mammography equipment. People are there, waiting to provide help and support.