Mrs. Melanie Salyers To All Instructors

Role

Workshop Instructor

Professional Biography

I'm a mother of six, happily married to Keith Salyers, and we've had quite the journey before ending up on our farm in Mosheim where we raise elderberry and sheep.  I'll start where my passion for tea started, during a semester abroad in London studying international communications and marketing. I always frequented tearooms with my mom, but the experience of afternoon tea in England ignited my passion for tea and my desire to open a tearoom. In 2005 we moved the kids and Keith's business to downtown Johnson City and opened Miss Melanie's Tea Room in a charming Victorian home. I served afternoon tea, lunch and taught children's etiquette and cooking classes as well as business seminars to aspiring tearoom owners. I also managed to find some time to write a tea murder mystery series with characters based on ladies who frequented the tearoom! In 2020, I traded my tearoom apron for overalls and once again moved the family, this time to peaceful Mosheim. We started Valleydale Farms where I've continued my passion for all things tea. We grow organic flowers, herbs and now elderberry to make our own tea blends and natural products. But, by far, our greatest blessing has been to share our farm with the next generation, our granddaughters, and to be able to enjoy watching them grow up. It truly is a family run business. Though I no longer have a physical tearoom, I continue to teach children's etiquette classes and cater private tea parties.

Current Classes
Mind Your Manners: Etiquette Workshop (3rd - 5th Grade) – (open)
Mind Your Manners: Etiquette Workshop (6th - 12th Grade) – (open)