The annual Tables du Jour fundraiser was held Saturday morning, April 27 in the Mayville State University Campus Center Luckasen Room. Weeks and months of planning by many talented and hard-working table designer/hostesses culminated in a fabulous event for about 175 guests who attended. Over-the-top Tables du Jour creativity continued to wow guests for the 15th straight year.
The decorating frenzy began Thursday morning, April 25, and by Friday evening, April 26, all was ready. A preview, revealing a room filled with 21 lavishly decorated tables, was held from 5 to 7 p.m. Those who attended were able to enjoy a taste of what was to come in the main Tables du Jour event that would be held the next day. Coordinated by Sheryl Vinje and Jackee Lerol, both of Portland, N.D., the preview event offered a relaxing and enjoyable way to view the spectacular tables, and the $10-per-person admission charge contributed greatly to the event purpose of raising funds for Mayville State University and its students.
Tables du Jour was originally established as a way to raise scholarship funds for Mayville State music participants. The past fund-raising efforts of Tables du Jour have been overwhelmingly successful, so much so that scholarship funding for music students for next year is already in the bank. This prompted organizers to direct proceeds from the 2019 Tables du Jour event to the academic scholarship fund at Mayville State University. Academic scholarships are critical to attracting and retaining students at Mayville State, and every dollar raised through Tables du Jour will help students’ dreams of an education come true.
As promised, attendees were treated to a morning of fun, great food, and creative table themes. Each of the tables featured in the spectacular occasion was decorated with its own special theme. Some tables were entertaining, others were elegant, some were sentimental or awakened memories, and still others just plain made a person smile or even giggle. Hosts and hostesses were charged with
coming up with a theme and decorating a table, providing everything from the table linens, dishes, and silverware to the many “extras” that made each table special, including party favors. The table designers were also responsible for selling the $25 admission tickets to a total of eight people, including themselves, who would attend the event and enjoy having brunch at their tables.
Table themes and designers included the following: Hippity Hoppity by Cheryl Angen; Chanel by Kaliann Behrens; Around the World in 80 Days by Marsha Behrens; Don’t Be Koi by Allison Johnson and Lacie Brueckner; Wellspring for the World by Kim Lauf, Jackie Kuhle, and Janice Thoreson; A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Lori Morkve; Celebrate America by Joan Huus, Paige Smith, and Cleone Whelan; Oh, the Places You’ll Go by Pam Sedler; Sugared Rose Petals by Jackie Kuhle; Make a Wish! by Barb Kram and Susan Jaramello; Sunshine Laughs … Color Sings! by Barb Kram and Susan Jaramello; We’ve Got ‘Hattitude by Molly Lenaburg; For the Birds by Donna Olson and Barb Kram; Denim & Diamonds by Mindy O’Connor and JoAnna Strand; Time to Flamingle by Ashley Hanson and Danielle Soholt; Who let the Chickens In? by Toni Jacobson; Bubble Bash by Pam Carlson, Ruth VanWechel, Sue Strand, Joan Osland, and Char Lee; Thanks for the Golden Memories, Auntie Irene by Pam Soholt; Book, Book, Book, Book: Reading With My Peeps by Margit Eastman, Marjorie Fugleberg, Shannon Hofer, Betty Karaim, Kelly Kornkven, Aubrey Madler, and Sarah Batesel; Tea Time by Greta Paschke; and I Am Surround by Angels – I call Them Friends by Greta Paschke.
Activities included about an hour and a half of viewing the amazing tables and a silent auction. Betsy Ewen, Loree Stenehjem, and Cindy Ingebretson of Mayville and Gaylene Johnson of Cummings coordinated the silent auction event. They gathered lots of fabulous items on which to bid. The items had been donated by table designers, as well as others.
Merwin Lyng, Mayville, and Mayville State President Dr. Brian Van Horn, outfitted in their finest, served as greeters and hosts throughout the morning. Champagne was provided, compliments of Happy Harry’s Bottle Shops of Grand Forks and Fargo. The brunch meal was catered by Bryan Karolus and MSU Dining Services staff. Fabulous desserts and beverages were provided by table designers. Jackie Kuhle of Countryside Creations in Mayville provided door prizes for both the Friday and Saturday events.
While figures are still being tabulated, about $5,500 was taken in as a result of Tables du Jour 2019. This total includes money generated in the silent auction. After expenses are deducted, the net amount raised will go to the academic scholarship fund at Mayville State University.
Photo Captions
Top: Kaliann Behrens, who lives in the Twin Cities, brought the world of Chanel to Mayville when she designed this beautiful table of shades of pink and black.
Second: One can imagine that the fairies of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” might have enjoyed dining at the table Lori Morkve designed for Tables du Jour 2019.
Third: Color really does sing at Barb Kram and Susan Jaramello’s Sunshine Laughs … Color Sings! table.
Fourth: Pam Soholt used her Auntie Irene’s dishes and was inspired by the memories of her very special aunt when designing this beautiful table of gold and maroon.
Bottom: Dressed in their bath robes, guests enjoyed a relaxing time visiting and eating their brunch at the Bubble Bash table designed by Pam Carlson, Ruth VanWechel, Sue Strand, Joan Osland, and Char Lee.