Last weekend I attended the Tables Envisioned event at a local restaurant and motel sponsored by Rugby Lions Club. Now, I have to tell you up front that I was on the committee to plan this event, but had never seen it before. I didn’t know what to expect.

It was amazing. Community members donated $25 to the Lions Club and were able to display a set or setting of their dishes on their own card table with table cloth. A member of the Lions Club was in attendance the whole time the exhibit was open on Saturday and Sunday.

A book is created out of the stories of each participant about their display. People who attend the event get a book as part of their admission fee and can take it with them as they view the individual displays.

Some of the displays have pieces of china that families have passed down from generation to generation. Participants can use their creative talents to provide a table with a theme.

Several of these themes were displayed. Tanner Lind, an RHS student, painted beautiful scenes on paper plates. He displayed some of his other art work, as well. The exhibit was well done and many enjoyed the talent of this young man.

One of the Lions Club members sponsored a table reflecting table settings of a cook car which were parked in the fields to feed farmers who were harvesting their crops. The plates were turned upside down (Presumably to keep the dust of the prairie off them.) I had never thought about what it was like to eat in a cook car on the prairie of North Dakota with the wind blowing, as it does. Cathy Jelsing, executive director, Prairie Village Museum in Rugby, set up the display from items at the museum.

One exhibit that brought a smile to my face and a host of memories to my mind as I viewed it was the table with spilled milk and spaghetti all over the table. In the background were pictures of little boys making spaghetti mustaches and other works of art. The tableware used was nice sturdy Melmac which is practically kid-proof.

Two Minot women displayed dishes they saved from the Flood of 2011.

Two others were displays in memory of special people who had passed away. One was the veterans memorial which contained memorabilia from the Vietnam War era and specifically Don Soby and Daryl Kuenhenn. Scoby lost his life defending our nation and Kuhnhenn dedicated his life to making sure the public never forgot those sacrifices.

One was a memorial to the life and gifts of Mariya Bernhardt, who passed away following a car accident at the age of 19. Her mother took the memorial from the view of the family table and all the things they did around the table. Rather than use the obvious empty place at the table, she displayed items that reflected who Mariya was; her spirit of giving, loving others, and her gift of eyesight to two people. It was the favorite of many of those who came to see the displays.

Participants are asked to vote on their favorite. When they are finished viewing the various exhibits, they have coffee and goodies and visit with neighbors and friends.

If you haven’t been to this unique project, mark your calendars for next year. Better yet, participate with a table of your own. You will be glad you did.

Barta is The Tribune’s editor.