Designing Women Decorate Tables for Charity

6TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF TABLES - GROUP SETS TABLES TO SUPPORT BREAST CANCER

The Sixth Annual Festival of Tables, is planned for Sunday, October 26, 2008 at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial in Grosse Pointe Farms, MI. The Festival of Tables is hosted by the Daughters of Penelope, Grosse Pointe Chapter, and has become an eastside tradition. The committee is pleased to once again be able to host the event at Grosse Pointe's most picturesque and historic location's, the Fries Crystal Ballroom.

Event Chairperson, Natalie Simon, along with Co-Chairs, Kalliope Duncan and Chapter President, Sandy Moisides, are planning another special afternoon to support the Liggett Breast Cancer Center. The partnership with VanElslander Cancer Center's, Bernadine Sherwood, Manager, Jeannine Mercurio, Nurse Navigator Liggett Breast Center and LaJuana Fuller, Manager Liggett Breast Center has grown ever stronger over the years. This year 's table designs, Holiday Travel: Hostess, Bernadine Sherwood, and Baking for a Cure, Jeannine Mercurio and LuJuana Fuller, are destined to be show favorites.

The group invites guests to view a total of 31 seasonally decorated tables by chapter members and local area decorators and merchants, as well as to shop in a fully stocked Gift Boutique to set those creative ideas flowing.

Chairperson, Natalie Simon, "Our Gift Boutique vendors are sure pleasers. We'll have tons of jewelry, home accessories and fashions to start Christmas shopping off right!"

The group is very pleased announce that Detroit Fashion Pages will be presenting the event's fashion show for the first time this year.

Simon shares "Detroit Fashion Pages will be a big hit....professional models, contemporary fashions and something different for everyone to enjoy!"

The company showcases Detroit area Fashion Designers, and Festival guests should look forward to a unique fashion experience, while supporting the local fashion design community.

The afternoon viewing begins at 2:00p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Ttickets are $10 and benefit the Liggett Breast Center at the VanElslander Cancer Center. Dinner tickets are extremely limited at $50 and include: viewing, Gift Boutique, dinner, fashion show by Detroit Fashion Pages, and a silent auction. Proceeds benefit local and national charities. Donor Sponsorships are available for those unable to attend or wish to support the event.

"We invite all of you to join us and again join in making a difference the lives of woman fighting Breast Cancer."

Tickets are avaialbe at LaModa International Hair Design (20091 Mack Avenue, 313-886-1650) or Aretee Spa, (20559 Mack Avenue 313-423-0087) both in Grosse Pointe Woods. For additional information Contact: Natalie Simon at 313.824-6721.

The Daughters of Penelope is the women's affiliate of the AHEPA Family, a national Greek-American organization with chapters in the United States, Canada, Australia, Greece and Cyprus. Its mission is to promote Hellenism, Education, Philanthropy, Civic Responsibility, Family and Individual Excellence.

Past Articles

The Daughters of Penelope, Thamyris Chapter of Grosse Pointe, truly are Designing Women! At their recent fundraiser, the 5th Annual Festival of Tables, on Sunday, October 21, 2007 at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial, they invited guests to view 28 theme-decorated tables at two separate viewings, one from 2:00-4:00pm and the other from 4:30-8:00pm. Both viewings included a wonderful gift boutique, and the last included dinner, a fashion show by Coldwater Creek, and a silent auction.

Kalliope Duncan, chair of this year's event, graciously greeted visitors and gave a brief summary of the Daughter's history, their mission, and their goals. She also shared, that proceeds from the first viewing would benefit St. John's Van Elslander Liggett Breast Center.

"Over the past four years, the Chapter has enjoyed an alliance with Liggett volunteers, who generously decorate two tables and provide gift bags filled with valuable breast cancer awareness materials for our guests. We have been working with Liggett Breast Center for 4 years and have really enjoyed collaborating with their volunteer support group, led by Bernadine Sherwood, Manager VanElslander Cancer Center, Mary Natscheke, Manager, Valade Healing Arts Center, Jeannine Mercurio, Nurse Navigator and newly appointed volunteer contact, LaJuana Fuller, Manager Liggett Breast Center. Also joining the Center staff, was, volunteer and cancer survivor Carolyn Kaczmarek, who designed one of this year's wonderful tables, "Garden of Hope."

She then introduced, District Governor Penny Khorraminia, who further explained the structure of the Daughters as an international organization. She asked everyone to stop by her table to view some of the outstanding charities being supported by the Daughters both locally and on a national level. Penny then welcomed Grand President, Karen Stamatiades from Atlanta, GA.

Ms. Stamatiades acknowledged the group for their outstanding effort and for their dedication to the organization. She welcomed guests to the event and thanked them for supporting the event and associated charities.

"I am very impressed by the creativity and the beauty of each of these wonderful tables. What imagination you all have!"

"The Daughters of Thamryis Chapter have done an excellent job of interesting their members and those of other chapters in participating in this event and therefore have brought the District together to have a good time and support a most worthy cause--Breast Cancer. As with many Daughters functions, enjoyment combined with dedication and a good cause, came together to create a most memorable evening."

Following the comments of the Grand President, Calli happily announced that Natalie Simon would be the "Lucky Lady" to chair next year's event. The entire committee pledged to support Ms. Simon and to assist her in making next year another banner year.

Committee members for this year included: co-chairs Sandy Moisides and Dori Daskas; Stella Ferris, Effie Gehlert, Georgia Gianoplos, Tina Joanides, Connie Katikos, Elena Kerasiotis, Penny Khorraminia, Cathy Livingston, Mary Penz, Ann Saurbier, Natalie Simon, Corinne Smith, Olga Tecos, Maria Tasiopoulos, Maria Torakis and Chapter President, Dorothea Williams. Khristina Khorraminia, a student at the Center for Creative Studies, designed the elegant photo for this year's program and poster.
Special recognition to hostesses of tables, The Song for the Dolls, Georgia Gianoplos and Sylvia Lang, Lady Luck, Natalie Simon, All That Glistens, Maryanna Daskas and Stephanie Daskas, Dinner at Tiffany's, Joan Whitman, Around the Tea Table, Elena Kerasiotis and Athena Hanzakos, Daughters of Penelope, Penny Khorraminia, Forever More, Dori Daskas, Mary Penz, and Conner Park Florist, Malista's Kouzina, Elena Kerasiotis and Erasmia Novotny, White on White, Kathy Walker, In Vogue, Eleni Roumanis, Maids of Athena Anastasia Chapter, Sisterly Love Swedish Style: A Tribute to Arlene, Bonnie Jobe, Up North, Sandy Moisides, Aretee Spa, Olga Tecos, and Carol DiMaggio, Garden of Hope Carolyn Kazmarek and Mary Ruhana, Liggett Breast Center, Belle Isle Gem, Detroit Yacht Club, Christmas Delight, Olga Tecos and Maria Tecos, Healing Harvest, Bernadine Sherwood, St. John's Healing Arts Center, Sail Away, Calli Duncan and Ann Saurbier, Garden Elegance, Ann Saurbier and Calli Duncan, A Bountiful Harvest, Corinne Smith and Rachel Tapert, Stars and Stripes, Georgeanne LeDuc, Magnolia Gold, Roxann Scotella, Enchanted Forest, Karen Panagos, Saint Paddy's Party, Marlene Harle, Aloha Hawaii, Kathleen Cetlinski, Ultima Salon, Saving our Mothers and Daughters, Cathy Livingston, Autumn Garden Dinner, Marianne Vukas and Marguerite Forrest, and Winter Mornings, Peggy Collias Doris Chapter.

Following a sumptuous dinner, a fashion show by Coldwater Creek was presented, guests were "wowed" by this year's styles, modeled by members and friends, Clara Baldwin, Diane Bera, Nicole Bammel, Carol Dimaggio, Ann Saurbier, and Natalie Simon. Hair and make-up were provided by the staff of LaModa Salon, and Aretee Spa, in Grosse Pointe Woods, MI. Entertainment for the evening was performed by pianist, Judith Bailey, with a special guest appearance by the Grosse Pointe Symphony Woodwind Quintet, Laurie Strachen, Flute, Laura Schwanitz, Oboe, Darren Rich, Clarinet, Doug Walters, Horn, and Bill Hulsker, Bassoon.
The gift boutique featured Chaundy Art Gallery, Jacobson's Alumni Association, Family Jewels, Alexis Jewelry, At Last, and Judy Duffy Boutique of Harbor Springs. Unique silent auction items contributed by local area merchants and friends of the organization tempted holiday shoppers in the crowd. A special membership offer was extended to attendees from the Detroit Yacht Club's Director of Membership Marketing, Tim Brody.

Co-chair, Sandy Moisides, was pleased with the turn out and wanted to thank the late local talk show host, Jeanie McNeal, who again showcased the event in a segment of Positively Positive on WMTV 5 at the War Memorial.

"The Festival of Tables is a community effort, and everyone really works hard to make the event very special."
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Malista!