By James Pruitt
The creative juices were flowing in Chelsea last Saturday at the annual Chelsea Senior Center’s Festival of Tables as dozens of area residents came to support the senior center, see the table decor and enjoy a lovely lunch.
The event featured 18 tables decked out in various themes ranging from Star Wars to the Bible and the Wizard of Oz to Coca-Cola. Held for the first time at the Chelsea First United Methodist Church, (CFUMC) it’s a fundraiser for the senior center, a luncheon, a place to share a few laughs, and maybe even go home with some cool items from the silent auction.
The event was emceed by Jim Alford, president of the Chelsea Senior Board, who kept everyone in stitches with his wry sense of humor.
Attendees were invited to buy tickets to vote for their favorite decorated table and to bid in the auction. Lunch was pear pecan salad with grilled chicken breast and dessert was New Orleans bread pudding.
Each table represented a business, nonprofit or group. The host of each table decorated the table and brought their own table settings.
This was the fifth year of the event, which organizer Sharon Pignanelli borrowed from her daughter’s church group. The event has been a hit each year and this year’s edition sold out.
The top award was the Golden Plate, which carries the Senior Center logo and will have the winner’s name written in Sharpie, Senior Center Director Trinh Pifer said. This year’s winner was “Let There Be Peace On Earth,” by the CFUMC’s Material Girls and hosted by Barbara Brown.
The display featured a large globe which hung over the table.
The group meets from February through November making gifts for the Children’s Bazaar during Hometown Holidays. Last year, 350 kids came in to choose from 5,000 gifts.
Second place went to “Women of the Bible,” of the St. Mary Church Bible Study. Members dressed up as various women mentioned in the Scriptures and the table had a Middle Eastern motif.
Third place was claimed by “Fine Feathered Friends,” by the Chelsea Artists Guild. Members contributed works of various birds.
- Other awards included the OMG (Take Your Breath Away) won by “Garden to Table,” hosted by Jennifer Fairfield of The Garden Mill.
- Laugh Out Loud to the Collectors Club with their display of McDonald’s related items and hosted by Ruth Broesamle and Eleanor Maurer.
- OCD award to “Wizard of Oz” hosted by Denise Cugliari and Lori Campbell. The pair were decked out at the Wicked Witches of the East and West.
