Girlfriend Getaway to Charming Monticello
By Tami Lewis
Posted: March 5, 2019
Local Venues

Tea Parties, Historic Places and the Great Outdoors
I recently hosted a semi-annual Girls Weekend for some of my Volusia County friends. My classy comrades generally enjoy tea parties, historic places and the great outdoors. Since “it takes a long time to grow an old friend,” I keep mine coming back.
With four historic Bed & Breakfast Inns located in the center of the historic district, Monticello, Florida is a great destination for a quick girlfriends’ getaway. If your crowd enjoys relaxing on vast verandas, sipping afternoon tea, or something stronger, Monticello’s Southern charm and abundant hospitality has everything a girl needs for a one-of-a-kind weekend.
Last Spring, my tribe embarked on a self-guided walking tour of Monticello’s Historic District complete with a Tea Party at the Daffodale House Bed & Breakfast owned by Kathy and Scottie Ebberbach. Kathy’s Tea Parties are delectable, delicious and divine. Reservations are required, which allows you to customize your experience. Ours was a vintage dress up occasion, sporting our best bib and tucker. Nothing like a spot of tea in the afternoon with dainty cakes and friends.
2019 Home & Heritage Tour
We have marked our calendars this Spring for the Jefferson County Historical Association Home & Heritage Tour on Saturday, March 23, 2019. Located in Monticello, the JCHA was chartered by the State of Florida in 1962 and is a member of the Florida Historical Society and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
The Wirick-Simmons House serves as the headquarters and is located on the corner of Pearl Street and North Jefferson. Built in 1831 and listed on the National Register of Historic Homes, this is a great starting place to get a glimpse into the lives of the old South and is an excellent example of Greek Revival architecture.

Tami Lester, along with her husband, own Twelve Oaks Farm in Monticello, Florida where she works with Equine Assisted Learning and Life Coaching. As a facilitator, Tami conducts workshops throughout the year empowering individuals to live more joyous lives. Working with the American Mustang became a passion and Tami created modified training techniques specifically for wild horses. She wrote and published, “Overcoming the Fear Factor: The Guide for Training Wild Horses.” Her website is Twelve Oaks Farm.