Owners of the Majestic Mansion Bed & Breakfast in Athens, Tenn., have scheduled high teas next week to commemorate the inn's centennial year.

High tea, explained proprietor Elaine Newman, is traditionally an early evening meal. The menu will include beef tenderloin, peas, carrots and potato cakes.

"And for dessert, we're having a strawberry rhubarb trifle," she said.

To celebrate the inn's 1909 origins, the meal will be priced at $19.09.

"A friend told me we should have started the dinner at 1909 hours (7:09 p.m.)," said Mrs. Newman, "but I wasn't that creative."

Instead, her creativity emerges in the kitchen, as does her husband's.

"I do the cooking. Richard does the baking," Mrs. Newman said.

They've honed their culinary skills at Victorian afternoon teas they hold each month. For example, a summertime tea Aug. 14-15 will feature savories prepared by Mrs. Newman (ham and horseradish) and sweets (blueberry streusel tea cake) created by Mr. Newman.

"Not every man who has retired from the military and the (district attorney's) office would do what he does," she said. "He works harder now, but he really likes baking."

Seating is limited to 25 for next week's high teas.

IF YOU GO

* What: High tea.

* When: 6:30 p.m. Thursday and Aug. 7.

* Where: Majestic Mansion Bed & Breakfast, 202 E. Washington Ave., Athens, Tenn.

* Cost: $19.09.

* Phone: 423-746-9041 (reservations required).

* Web site: www.themansionbnb.com.

MENU

Mixed lettuces with stilton cheese and nectarines

Beef tenderloin with red wine and cherry sauce

Baby carrots and sugar snap peas with dill

Potato cakes with caramelized onion

Rosemary walnut scones

Strawberry rhubarb trifle

Coffee and tea

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE MANSION

1909: George Foster builds the home as a showplace on the main federal highway from Washington to Atlanta.

1933: Carl Rowan, pastor of Trinity Methodist Church, and his wife purchase the home. Their unmarried daughters live there, teach piano and art, until 1984.

1988: David Brock buys the home and begins major renovations.

1995: Richard and Elaine Newman purchase the home and continue its updates.