go_pack_go-web.jpgThe twelfth annual Tables du Jour fundraiser was held Saturday morning, April 23 in the MSU Campus Center Luckasen Room. Weeks and months of planning by many talented and hard-working table designer/hosts and hostesses culminated in an over-the-top event for the more than 250 guests who attended, and left many people wondering how, even after holding the event for twelve years straight, the bar could keep getting higher and higher.

The decorating frenzy began Wednesday morning, April 20, and by Friday evening, April 22, all was ready. A preview, revealing a room filled with 32 lavishly decorated tables, was held from 5 to 7 p.m. More than 50 people 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 of Portland, N.D. and Faye Helm of Mayville, the preview event was a great success, and the $10-per-person admission charge contributed greatly to the event purpose of providing funding for the music department at Mayville State University.

star_trek-web.jpgFor the twelfth year, Kim Lauf and Shireen Grinager of Mayville organized Tables du Jour, which is held annually to raise funds for the music department at Mayville State University. As the organizers promised, attendees were treated to a morning of fun, great food, and creative table themes.  

Each of the 32 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: “Ode” to Mayville State Music by Shireen Grinager of Mayville; Singing in the Rain by Marsha Behrens of Shakopee, Minn.; Prancing Zebras by Donna Olson of Mayville; “M” Is for the Million Things She Gave Me by Debbie Hagen and Doreen Nelson of Mayville and Peggy Schultz of Fargo, N.D.; The Hare by Jackie Kuhle of Mayville; A Little Plaid by Jackie Kuhle of Mayville; Age of Aquarius by Joan Osland, Ruth vanWechel, Sue Strand, and Char Lee of Mayville and Pam Carlson of Portland, N.D.; Holidaze by Barb Kram of Langdon, N.D. and Susan Jaramillo; You Light Up My Life by Greta Paschke of Mayville and Audrey Paschke of Oslo, Minn.; POLARSIRKEL – Arctic Circle 66̊ 33’ N by Rebecca Gunderson of Portland; Red Any Good Books Lately by Betty Karaim, Margit Eastman, Marge Fugleberg, Kelly Kornkven, and Shannon Hofer of Mayville, Sarah Batesel of Portland, and Aubrey Madler of Buxton, N.D.; Color Your World by Rhonda Nelson and Mandi Domier of Portland; Mayville State Clue by Bob Kozojed of West Fargo, N.D. and Kelly Morrison of Mayville; Sew Happy by Molly Lenaburg of Portland; Beauti-Fall by Jayme Trenbeath of Thompson, N.D., Laura Brudvik of Fargo, N.D., and Alyson Olson; Plaid Tidings by Julie Garrett of Fargo and Wendy Mehus of Mayville; To Go Where No Table Has Gone Before by Michelle Braaten of Portland, Loree Stenehjem of Mayville, and Melissa Buchhop of Grand Forks, N.D. (sponsored by The First & Farmers Bank); Saint Margaret’s Legacy by Jacque Moore of Mayville, Jill Carter of Reiles Acres, N.D., and Stephanie Winterquist of Argusville, N.D.; Moulin Rouge by Kaliann Behrens of Shakopee, Minn.; Guatemalaville by Annie McMahon and Carmen Rygg of Portland; Nightmare on Table 21 by Allison Johnson of Mayville and Laci Brueckner of Linton, N.D.; Crockery, Burlap & Lace by Dorothy Nelson of Mayville and Laurel Erickson of Galesburg, N.D.; age_of_aquarius-web.jpgI’ve Got Your Number by Gaylene Johnson of Cummings, N.D.; We’ve Lost Our Marbles by Cheryl Angen and Mallory Angen of Mayville and Jodi Angen of Houston, Texas; Memories Matter by Susan Cordahl, Angela Davis, and Robyn Haines of Mayville and Julie Jensen of Hatton, N.D.; GO PACK GO! By Pam Soholt of Mayville; Something Borrowed, Something Blue by Marilyn Holman of Mayville and Bertha Sand and Allissa Bratager of Clifford, N.D.; Kentucky Derby “Run for the Roses” by Minda Roehrich, Nicole Paulson, and Ann Braaten of Mayville; Nordic Heritage by Winona Hartley and Marlys Hlavinka of Mayville and Linda Schultz; Mamie’s Memories by Judy Semmens of Mayville and Sonja Moen of Devils Lake, N.D.; String, Sing & Bling by Pam Sedler of Mayville; and The Fox and the Hound by Lori Morkve and Cindy Ingebretson of Mayville.

Activities included about an hour of viewing the amazing tables and a silent auction. Betsy Ewen and Bonnie O’Keefe of Mayville, Allison Krieger of Galesburg, N.D., and Gaylene Johnson of Cummings coordinated the silent auction event. They gathered about 100 fabulous items on which to bid. The items had been donated by table designers, as well as others.

A dance with Mike was auctioned off as a tribute to Mayville State music director Mike Bakken, who will retire at the end of the spring semester. Kim Lauf was the winning bidder and the two enjoyed a dance. Gary Hagen and Merwin Lyng of Mayville and Paul Batesel of Portland, nightmare-web.jpgoutfitted 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 First & Farmers Filharmonic, as well as Mayville State University student Shaleen Helmer, favored the crowd with their musical selections. Mayville State music students were able to experience the event and see first-hand the source of much of the funding for music department scholarships. The students helped to serve the brunch which 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, more than $13,000 was taken in as a result of Tables du Jour 2016. This total includes almost $6,000 generated in the silent auction. After expenses are deducted, the net amount raised will be distributed for use by the music department at Mayville State University. The funds will be available for scholarships or other various needs of the department.

The date for the 2017 Mayville State University “Tables du Jour” has been set for Saturday, April 22. If you are interested in serving as a table designer for this, please contact Kim Lauf (701-261-5976) or Shireen Grinager (701-430-0521).

Captions for Photos:

Top: A photo showing Clark Soholt when he played for the Green Bay Packers was part of the décor on the table designed by his wife, Pam. The table theme was GO PACK GO!

Second: This table, titled To Go Where No Table Has Gone Before, was sponsored by The First & Farmers Bank of Mayville and Portland. Table designers were Michelle Braaten, Loree Stenehjem, and Melissa Buchhop.

Third: Even a VW bus made it to the Tables du Jour event! This table, designed by Sue Strand, Joan Osland, Pam Carlson, Char Lee, and Ruth vanWechel, was called Age of Aquarius.

Bottom: Nightmare on Table 21 featured a Halloween theme. Table designers were Allison Johnson and Laci Brueckner.