Home Local News Spring and Summer “Tablescape” Themes Captivate Attendees at Festival

Spring and Summer “Tablescape” Themes Captivate Attendees at Festival

Buffet Table-Scape at Festival of Tables
Photo by Pam Simmons

ROCKINGHAM – The Spring Festival of Tables was held at the First Baptist Church of Rockingham on Friday and Saturday, April 20-21.

Approximately 20 “tablescapes,” utilizing a wide variety of materials ranging from freshly cut spring flowers to Star Wars figures, were viewed by the many guests that attended this event.

All of the participants were given “free rein” to decorate their tables, incorporating whatever materials they chose to carry out the individual theme.  Spring and summer themes were displayed in a number of the refreshingly decorated tables.

“Life in Full Bloom,” designed by Myra Deane, was a burst of purple and green hues and fresh daisies and gladiolus.

“Company’s Coming” by Diane Stokes and Myra Deane included a centerpiece of deep pink azaleas with white china and cobalt blue accessories.

“Yellow, White, And Light,” designed by Leah Melvin and Vivian Hilton, was truly like a burst of sunshine, with delicate yellow roses, ribbons, and gingham and large grapefruits in bowls ready for service.

“Springtime” by Marion Savage had a centerpiece of fresh yellow forsythia, surrounded by a delicate china pattern with butterflies and a floral design. 

“Summer Citrus,” also designed by Myra Deane, was decorated with a bright orange tablecloth, green stemware and placemats, yellow, green and orange napkins, and a large bowl of fresh lemons, limes, and oranges.

“In Full Bloom” by Judy McEntire utilized a centerpiece of fresh flowers with hand –painted glasses in bright spring colors.

“Enchanted Garden” was beautifully designed by Frances Godwin, utilizing sprays of pink, green and white long-stemmed flowers, light blue and green napkins, and rectangular floral chinaware.

“Carolina Charm,” also by Judy McEntire, was a perfect set-up for Tar Heels fans with high bar stools, Carolina blue plates, Tar Heel glasses, and beautiful pillows to relax with.

Relating to a nature theme, “Caught in Mr. McGregor’s Garden,” designed by Kay Beale, was a popular tablescape with its unique wheelbarrow centerpiece holding fresh plants, flowers, and vegetables, along with the pansy-designed china, pink stemware, and bunny rabbits.

Advertisements

“Dining in the Pines” by Claudia Robinette gave you that feeling, with the pine tree centerpiece, the tan and green china with pine cone designs, and the overhanging pine tree limbs.

“Duck Pond” by Michael Beale was another tablescape that many guests spent extra time viewing. Decorated with a multitude of collectible duck decoys and a centerpiece of beautiful wild ducks, the camouflage-covered table also had duck calls on its plates.

“Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Chris McDuffie was a wonderful interpretation of the Robert Frost poem, with a centerpiece of gray stags surrounded by twinkling trees on a snowy surface. The dinner plates actually looked like pictures of snow-covered trees.

Another wintry entry was “Snow Babies in Winter Wonderland” by Bonnie Barnes and Evelyn Marks. They combined figurines from a large collection of Snow Babies, including snowmen, igloos, and snow angels with a set of wedding china over 50 years old for this table, with a centerpiece of a twinkling birch tree.

“A Family Christmas” by Melanie Lampley was reminiscent of a traditional but very special Christmas meal with the sparkling reindeer, natural pine centerpieces, and Christmas tree tableware and tablecloth.

“Let’s Celebrate” by Cathy McDuffie was a flashy sparkly homage to the New Year’s Eve countdown, with a huge centerpiece of a clock about to hit midnight. Other table decorations of shiny gold–rimmed dinner plates, along with other black, silver, and gold accessories were part of this design.

“It’s A Girl” by mother and daughter team Kathy Griffis and Erin Gregory was in its own category. The table, with the white polka dots on a pink background, displays a small sign announcing the sex of the baby as well as an ultrasound picture. There was an assortment of rattlers and a pair of tiny pink shoes. The floral centerpiece included delicate pink roses and baby’s breath. (The little girl will have a big brother, Jett, who is 4 years old.)

“The Soundtrack of our Life” by Mandy Allen and Rebecca Gilliam was another unique tablescape. Elegantly decorated with crystal, china, and silver, the decorations included quotations about music, such as “Music is a world within itself with a language we can all understand.” Black and white ribbons with musical designs were tied around the glassware.

“In A Galaxy Far Away….” designed by Mary Catherine Moree and Debbie Knight was very popular with fans of Star Wars. Many of the movie characters, masks, a light saber, and other props were part of this table.

“City of Lights” by Randy Warren was truly different from all of the other tables. On a black tablecloth surrounded by black chairs, atop a large wooden base were a creative mixture of metal, steel, crystal, and glass objects that simulated a downtown of city buildings, which were wired with electricity.

In addition to the beautiful tables in the fellowship hall, guests were treated to an assortment of heavy hors d’oeuvres served by Kenneth Robinette and Mark Savage. On the menu was grilled salmon with cream cheese, crackers, chopped red onions, and capers. There was also fresh strawberries, an assortment of cheeses and sauces, meatballs, barbeque chicken sliders, spinach and feta spanakopita, chilled shrimp, a variety of dessert cups, and punch.

Myra Deane, the chairperson for this year’s event, said that the best thing about this year’s Festival of Tables was the camaraderie that is shared by its many participants. The proceeds from the event go to the Women’s Missions Program of the First Baptist Church of Rockingham. Mrs. Deane termed the event a success and that she hoped everyone who attended enjoyed themselves.



Previous articleCordova Baptist Church Group Has Cleanup Project
Next articleFirstHealth Hospice & Palliative Care Named a 2018 Hospice Honors Recipient