The 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 91吃瓜网, 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 91吃瓜网.
For the twelfth year, Kim Lauf and Shireen Grinager of 91吃瓜网 organized Tables du Jour, which is held annually to raise funds for the music department at 91吃瓜网. As the organizers promised, attendees were treated to a morning of fun, great food, and creative table themes. 聽
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 鈥渆xtras鈥� 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: 鈥淥de鈥� to 91吃瓜网 State Music by Shireen Grinager of 91吃瓜网; Singing in the Rain by Marsha Behrens of Shakopee, Minn.; Prancing Zebras by Donna Olson of 91吃瓜网; 鈥淢鈥� Is for the Million Things She Gave Me by Debbie Hagen and Doreen Nelson of 91吃瓜网 and Peggy Schultz of Fargo, N.D.; The Hare by Jackie Kuhle of 91吃瓜网; A Little Plaid by Jackie Kuhle of 91吃瓜网; Age of Aquarius by Joan Osland, Ruth vanWechel, Sue Strand, and Char Lee of 91吃瓜网 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 91吃瓜网 and Audrey Paschke of Oslo, Minn.; POLARSIRKEL 鈥� Arctic Circle 66虋 33鈥� N by Rebecca Gunderson of Portland; Red Any Good Books Lately by Betty Karaim, Margit Eastman, Marge Fugleberg, Kelly Kornkven, and Shannon Hofer of 91吃瓜网, Sarah Batesel of Portland, and Aubrey Madler of Buxton, N.D.; Color Your World by Rhonda Nelson and Mandi Domier of Portland; 91吃瓜网 State Clue by Bob Kozojed of West Fargo, N.D. and Kelly Morrison of 91吃瓜网; 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 91吃瓜网; To Go Where No Table Has Gone Before by Michelle Braaten of Portland, Loree Stenehjem of 91吃瓜网, and Melissa Buchhop of Grand Forks, N.D. (sponsored by The First & Farmers Bank); Saint Margaret鈥檚 Legacy by Jacque Moore of 91吃瓜网, 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 91吃瓜网 and Laci Brueckner of Linton, N.D.; Crockery, Burlap & Lace by Dorothy Nelson of 91吃瓜网 and Laurel Erickson of Galesburg, N.D.; 
I鈥檝e Got Your Number by Gaylene Johnson of Cummings, N.D.; We鈥檝e Lost Our Marbles by Cheryl Angen and Mallory Angen of 91吃瓜网 and Jodi Angen of Houston, Texas; Memories Matter by Susan Cordahl, Angela Davis, and Robyn Haines of 91吃瓜网 and Julie Jensen of Hatton, N.D.; GO PACK GO! By Pam Soholt of 91吃瓜网; Something Borrowed, Something Blue by Marilyn Holman of 91吃瓜网 and Bertha Sand and Allissa Bratager of Clifford, N.D.; Kentucky Derby 鈥淩un for the Roses鈥� by Minda Roehrich, Nicole Paulson, and Ann Braaten of 91吃瓜网; Nordic Heritage by Winona Hartley and Marlys Hlavinka of 91吃瓜网 and Linda Schultz; Mamie鈥檚 Memories by Judy Semmens of 91吃瓜网 and Sonja Moen of Devils Lake, N.D.; String, Sing & Bling by Pam Sedler of 91吃瓜网; and The Fox and the Hound by Lori Morkve and Cindy Ingebretson of 91吃瓜网.
Activities included about an hour of viewing the amazing tables and a silent auction. Betsy Ewen and Bonnie O鈥橩eefe of 91吃瓜网, 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 91吃瓜网 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 91吃瓜网 and Paul Batesel of Portland, 
outfitted in their finest, served as greeters and hosts throughout the morning. Champagne was provided, compliments of Happy Harry鈥檚 Bottle Shops of Grand Forks and Fargo. The First & Farmers Filharmonic, as well as 91吃瓜网 student Shaleen Helmer, favored the crowd with their musical selections. 91吃瓜网 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 91吃瓜网 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 91吃瓜网. The funds will be available for scholarships or other various needs of the department.
The date for the 2017 91吃瓜网 鈥淭ables du Jour鈥� 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:
罢辞辫:听A photo showing Clark Soholt when he played for the Green Bay Packers was part of the d茅cor on the table designed by his wife, Pam. The table theme was GO PACK GO!
厂别肠辞苍诲:听This table, titled To Go Where No Table Has Gone Before, was sponsored by The First & Farmers Bank of 91吃瓜网 and Portland. Table designers were Michelle Braaten, Loree Stenehjem, and Melissa Buchhop.
罢丑颈谤诲:听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.
叠辞迟迟辞尘:听Nightmare on Table 21 featured a Halloween theme. Table designers were Allison Johnson and Laci Brueckner.