N. Ireland kids show ugly mugs in Omaha

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by Michael Kelly

From the notebook:

When the Tea Smith stores in Omaha sponsored their fourth annual "Ugly Mug Contest," the owner was surprised that it drew attention from afar – in Northern Ireland.

Tim Smith, who opened the first store near 168th Street and West Center Road three and a half years ago, said the playful contest mostly draws locals, who enter unusual tea or coffee mugs.

But he heard from Kerry Plummer, a teacher at St. Patrick's School in Ballinderry, who came across the contest on the Internet. Her students, ages 11 and 12, created ugly mugs (with funny faces) from clay, and she mailed Tim the photos.

"This was the perfect opportunity to motivate the kids to create masterpieces," Kerry said by email. "They were so excited about entering a competition as far away as America!"

Their mugs caused a lot of playground chatter from envious pupils in other classes. Said the teacher: "There were a few wee hands knocking on my door asking, 'Why are we not doing ugly mugs, Miss?'"

The kids from St. Pat's didn't win, but Tim said they deserve special recognition.

Tea Smith, by the way, specializes in loose leaf tea, a business Tim says he got into "by accident."

The father of five and grandfather of three had sold the Power Drive and Bearings Co., founded by his father. He gave his wife tea and a teapot for Valentine's Day, and his interest grew.

Coffee kiosks and stores are everywhere, but Tim said tea emporiums are projected to grow rapidly. Teabucks, anyone?

This article first appeared Saturday, April 12, 2008 in the Midlands section of the Omaha World-Herald.

Update: October 2008

In October, members of the Sister Cities Group took Omaha mementos and some fun teas from The Tea Smith to the class and their teachers. As you can tell from the photo, it is a lively group. The students, teachers and the Omaha visitors all had a wonderful time. Kerry Plummer said that the students were "bemused by their visitors from Omaha".