Creativity covers holiday tables

From tractors to chili peppers to snowmen and Santa Claus, decorations covered the many tables during the 10th annual Holiday Happening on Saturday.

This year the event was dedicated to Chester Harth, the recently deceased husband of Altrusa club member Cindy Harth. According to Cindy, Chester had been a part of the event since it began, by helping to decorate her tables. By the third year he decided she was having too much fun and he started decorating his own table, Harth said.

“Chester loved this event,” Mrs. Harth said. “So on behalf of his family, thank you very much.”

Two tables were decorated in memory of Harth. One table featured one of the many John Deere pedal tractors he collected, along with his set of John Deere dishes. The other table featured a tractor motif. Placemats were set at each place with pictures of Harth and his many friends along with memories they had written of him.

“I don’t know what we would have done without Chester. He brought a different air to Holiday Happening,” said Beverly Bennett, Altrusa club member.

“It’s a Christmas Out There” was the theme of decorator Geralyn Million’s table. Million stated that she choose the theme of her table based on some animal print material that she had.

Each place setting featured a napkin in the form of a snake. For the table, an animal print table runner with bells sewn to the ends was laid out. Candles, bamboo, ribbons and other items were used in the centerpieces to carry out the jungle feature. Hanging monkeys were used as decorations for the chairs which were then taken home by guests sitting at the table.

Due to other obligations, Million has been unable to attend previous events. For her, this is the second time she has had the opportunity to attend and the first to decorate a table, she said.

“I had fun. It’s work but it’s enjoyable work,” Million said.

Guests at Million’s table included Lisa Ribaudo and her daughter Mary.

“I think it’s really fun and creative,” Lisa Ribaudo said of Million’s table.

For Ribaudo and her daughter this is the second year that they have attended the event, she said.

It’s a lot of fun. It’s gorgeous,” Ribaudo said.“It’s a fun time for Mary and I to do a girls’ thing and have a fun time together.”