MSU President's column for Traill County Tribune
April 13, 2013
Ninth annual “Tables du Jour” event is April 20
“Unbelievable” will no doubt be the word of the day as women from near and far gather for the ninth annual “Tables du Jour” event scheduled for the morning of Saturday, April 20. The fundraiser for Mayville State University’s Music Department will be held in the Mayville State Campus Center Luckasen Room. Kim Lauf and Shireen Grinager of Mayville are organizing the event, as they have for the past eight events.
“Tables du Jour,” or “Tables of the Day,” features elaborately decorated tables, each with its own special theme. Décor will range from fun and cute, to whimsical, to very elegant. Volunteer table designers have been encouraged to think “outside the box” and to create with wild abandonment. If past events are an indicator, that is exactly what they’ll do.
Volunteers have been asked to come up with a theme and to decorate a table. They will provide everything from the table linens, dishes, and silverware, to the many “extras” that will make each table special. They have also been asked to sell $25 admission tickets to others who will attend the event and have brunch at their tables.
A sampling of this year’s table themes includes “A Spot of Tea,” “Birds of a Feather Flock Together,” “Pretty in Pink Garden Party,” “Just My Type,” and “Zebra Sophisti-kicks.” One can only imagine the creativity, thought, and planning that has gone into preparing these tables.
After guests have had about an hour and a half to browse and enjoy the table décor, they will take their assigned seats at the tables, and brunch will be served by caterer Christine Holweger and her staff. They will be assisted by students involved in the MSU music program. Table designers will provide fabulous desserts for their table guests, as well as a favor for each of them to take home.
A silent auction will be a part of the festivities again this year. This activity is always a very successful component of a fun-filled as well as purposeful morning. Musical entertainment will be provided by the Mayville State University Music Department students, under the direction of MSU music director Michael Bakken.
For the fifth year, organizers have decided to offer an open house tables preview on Friday evening, April 19, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. This will give those who aren’t able to attend the Saturday event an opportunity to stop by the MSU Campus Center Luckasen Room and be amazed by the whimsical, beautiful, creative, and fun tables. Refreshments will be served. Cost is $10.00 per person, payable at the door. Reservations are not needed. Thanks very much to Sheryl Vinje, Faye Helm, and Jackee Lerol for taking charge of this preview event.
Pulling off a spectacular event such as “Tables du Jour” takes an enormous amount of work and creativity. We are grateful to overall event co-chairwomen Kim and Shireen, and to all of their helpers, including Betsy Ewen and Gaylene Johnson who are assisting with the auction, for all that they do to ensure the success of the event. And to the many table hostesses who jump in and give your all, “You are the best!”
Over the last few years, Mayville State’s music department has grown tremendously, not only in the number of participants, but also in the quality of their performances. The contributions of “Tables du Jour” have no doubt played a role in this growth. Proceeds from the annual event are used at the discretion of the Mayville State Music Director, providing funding for the various needs of the department, including scholarships. So while “Tables du Jour” means a morning of fun, entertainment, and great food, it also means a source of critical support for music at Mayville State University. Thank you to all who have participated in any way.
If you are interested in getting involved in some way with “Tables du Jour,” contact Kim Lauf (701-788-4271) or Shireen Grinager (701-788-2494).