Heart.jpgApril 26, 2022

After a multiple year hiatus prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual Tables du Jour fundraiser was back at Mayville State University Saturday morning, April 23, 2022 in the Campus Center Luckasen Room. Weeks and months of planning by many talented and hard-working table designer/hosts and hostesses culminated in a fabulous event for about 220 guests who attended. The tradition of over-the-top Tables du Jour creativity continued to wow guests.  

The decorating frenzy began Thursday morning, April 21, and by Friday evening, April 22, all was ready. A preview, revealing a room filled with 28 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.

Legally Blonde.jpgCoordinated 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 while enjoying delicious refreshments and fabulous musical entertainment by Dee von Ruden; and the $10-per-person admission charge contributed greatly to the event purpose of raising funds for Mayville State University and its students.

Proceeds from the 2022 Tables du Jour event will be directed 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.

Orchid.jpgAs 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.

Strawberry Hill.jpgTable designers were charged with coming up with a theme and decorating a table, providing everything from the table linens, dishes, and flatware to the many “extras” that made each table special, including party favors. The table designers were also responsible for selling the $30 admission tickets to a total of eight people, including themselves, who would attend the event and enjoy having brunch at their tables.

Tea & Tiaras.jpgTable themes and designers included the following: Santa Baby by Kaliann Behrens; Everyone Loves Orchids by Marsha Behrens; Tea & Tiaras by Lori Morkve; Slumber Party by Allison Johnson and Lacie Brueckner; On Strawberry Hill by Cheryl Angen; Life’s a BEACH … Live It In FLIP FLOPS by Pam Soholt; Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree With Anyone Else But Me by Pam Sedler; The Gang’s All Here by Molly Lenaburg; Drink Up, Witches! by Mary Iverson; Puttin’ on the Ritz by Pam Carlson, Charlotte Lee, Joan Osland, Ruth Van Wechel, and Sue Strand; Listen to Your Heart by Ashley Erickson and Melissa Mostad; Summer of Love by Joan Huus, Paige Strom, and Cleone Whelan; Celebrate the 60s by Beth Swenson; Simply Succulents by Ashley B. Hanson and Danielle Soholt; Enchanted Forest by Laura Ewert; Hoppin’ Into Spring by Lori Morkve; Life’s a Beach by Lori Morkve; Birds of Harmony by Lori Morkve and Caron Keys; A Full Cart Makes a Happy Heart by Lori Morkve; Surprise! by Jackie Kuhle; Everything’s Coming Up Roses by Molly Lenaburg; La Cage aux Folles by Molly Lenaburg; Stampin’ Divas by Molly Lenaburg; Beautiful Lyserod by Toni Jacobson, Giraffes by Kelly Morrison and Bob and Becky Kozojed; Run for the Roses by Brian and Nina Van Horn; Legally Blonde by Nilson Brand Law and Aanstad Law; and My Fair Lady by Kaliann Behrens.

Saturday morning activities included about an hour and a half of viewing the amazing tables, a silent auction, and raffle event. Pam Sedler, Mary Strube, and Cindy Ingebretson of Mayville coordinated the silent auction event. The auction featured lots of fabulous items on which to bid. The items had been donated by table designers, as well as community members and businesses and others.

A raffle event was introduced as part of this year’s Tables du Jour activities. Prizes included a Kindle Fire and diamond necklace donated by Lori Morkve, a 50” smart TV donated by Kaliann Behrens, and a Kate Spade purse donated by Marsha Behrens. The raffle event provided another source of scholarship funding for students.

In addition, Lori Morkve sponsored musical selections provided by Fallcreek Quartet from Grand Forks. Attendees very much enjoyed the entertainment provided by Caron Keys, Mark Diers, Ben Noteboom, and Kevin Dean.

Mark Heskin of Portland served as greeter and host throughout the morning, as did student scholarship recipients Alex Dralle and her children, Allissa Bratager, Steph Miller, and Jen Gebhardt, who took the opportunity to give back a little of what they’ve received. In addition, student scholarship recipients Julia Kohls and Brooklynn Handly addressed the attendees, offering their reflections on being Mayville State students and gratitude for scholarship assistance.

Champagne was provided compliments of Happy Harry’s Bottle Shops of Grand Forks and Fargo, and Jeff Miller of Miller’s Fresh Foods provided his financial support as well. 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 contributed door prizes.

Tables du Jour 2022 was organized and coordinated by committee members Kaliann Behrens, Molly Lenaburg, Lori Morkve, Pam Sedler, and Beth Swenson.

“We at Mayville State University are incredibly grateful for all who worked together to make Tables du Jour 2022 a smashing success,” said Beth Swenson, MSU Director of Alumni Affairs, Marketing & Public Relations. “The event is a huge conglomeration of generosity, creativity, hard work, dedication, planning, teamwork, and fun, all for a great cause. We thank everyone involved. No matter the role, each and every person’s part contributed to a wonderful end result.”

While figures are still being tabulated, more than $11,000 was taken in as a result of Tables du Jour 2022. This total includes money generated in the silent auction and the raffle event. After expenses are deducted, the net amount raised will go to the academic scholarship fund at Mayville State University.  

Photo captions:

Top: Sanford Hospital nurses Ashley Erickson and Melissa Mostad designed this table titled “Listen to Your Heart.”

Second: The women of Nilson Brand Law and Aanstad Law went all out in designing their “Legally Blonde” table.

Third: Marsha Behrens’ love of orchids came to life in her “Everybody Loves Orchids” table.

 Fourth: Strawberries stole the show on Cheryl Angen’s “On Strawberry Hill” table.

Bottom: The show Downton Abbey was the inspiration for Lori Morkve’s “Tea & Tiaras” table.

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