By JACKIE PUGLISI | The Winchester Star Mar 28, 2017
Committee members Betsy Bellingham, Diane Ruckman, Kimberli Ball, Tricia Simpson, Karen Shipp and Traci Toth. New this year and not pictured is Barbara Morris.
This table, which was presented at the 2016 Tablescapes, is called "Luncheon at Belle Grove" by Kristen Laise and Suzanne Porter
This table is called "Land of Oz" by Traci Toth. Pictured are cupcakes with witches' legs protruding from them. There are also red slippers.
WINCHESTER — Tables lined with linens and topped with delicate antiques, folded napkins and bountiful floral arrangements will be on display for Faith in Action’s third Tablescapes event.
Tablescapes is slated for 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Millwood Station banquet hall at 252 Costello Drive. The event is designed to show off the talents of local decorators, as well as give guests ideas for their own tables. Flower arrangement and napkin-folding demonstrations will also take place.
“It’s an event that is fairly new to the community,” said Karen Shipp, Faith in Action Northern Shenandoah Valley board chairwoman. “If folks haven’t attended and want to give it a try, it will be a special treat for them to see the talents of our local volunteer decorators.” The event will feature 15 decorated tables as well as three tables with children’s themes. Traci Toth, one of the event’s organizers, said some of the tables feature antique dishes while others focus on new and trendy styles. Each table takes anywhere from one to three hours to set up on the day of the event.
“Everybody has something on the table that is really unique and that they’re proud of,” she said. “Some of the ladies have huge collections that are vintage or antique.” One of the decorators set a table using her parents’ serving set last year, which also happened to be the year of her parents’ wedding anniversary.
Information about each table will be included in the event program.
Guests may vote for a favorite table at $1 per vote. The winning decorator will receive a restaurant gift certificate.
“It’s something we [the organizers] all have an interest in — dishes and decorating and beautiful tables,” Shipp said. “It’s really our cup of tea.”
A variety of prizes have been donated for the event’s live auction. Items include a baseball autographed by Washington Nationals player Ryan Zimmerman, a string of pearls, and a weekend package including movie tickets, dinner and a massage. At 4:30 p.m., tickets will be pulled for a raffle drawing. Raffle prizes include wine, gift cards, gift baskets and artwork.
Door prizes will also be given away every 15 minutes throughout the event.
Faith in Action Northern Shenandoah Valley is a nonprofit organization that provides non-emergency medical transportation for elderly and disabled individuals who have no other means of getting to a doctor’s appointment. Drivers are volunteers who have gone through a criminal background and driving record check.
“They spend many miles and hours helping us out getting these folks where they need to be,” Shipp said.
The organization has 68 clients from Winchester, Frederick County, Clarke County, the Front Royal area and Strasburg.
Last year’s event raised $7,000 for Faith in Action. Shipp’s goal for this year is $10,000. Tickets for Tablescapes are $25 per person and may be purchased at the door or in advance at Kimberly’s at 135 N. Braddock St., Piccadilly Printing at 1000 Valley Ave. Suite 1 and Blue Peacock antiques at 326 S. Braddock St.
To find out more information about Faith in Action Northern Shenandoah Valley, visit www.faithinaction-nsv.org.
— Contact Jackie Puglisi at jpuglisi@winchesterstar.com Follow on Twitter @LifeWinStar