Twenty-two tables spread across Memorial Auditorium Thursday night, and provided more than simple seating for those who attended the seventh annual Desserts by Design fundraiser.
Tables were topped with works of art created by some of the most creative minds in Des Moines County.
"It's different. It's a different kind of fundraiser," said Becky Riley, who was attending the event with a group of friends. "It's a lot of fun to see all the desserts and the different tables."
Each lavishly decorated table corresponded to a different theme, outfitted with a delectable dessert dish that didn't necessarily have to match its surroundings.
One table, simply titled "Firefighters," was covered with miniature firefighter figures and a firetruck that actually squirted water.
A few feet away was the "Vintage Whimsey" table, which was overtaken by Burlington antiques and knickknacks belonging to table designers Jeanette Hartman and Annette Kuhlemeier.
"It's eye candy for us. We spent a couple of weeks creating this one in my spare bedroom," Hartman said. "Then we had to take all kinds of pictures so we could recreate it."
Glass domes covered precious antique figurines and fading black-and-white photographs, creating a museum effect that Des Moines County Heritage Center director Kelly Halbert could appreciate.
"It's breathtaking. But I'm afraid to breathe around it," she said with a laugh.
Despite the wide range of desserts, most of the bakers volunteered their time and cooking expertise. Ilene Frank baked a lemon meringue pie and Dutch letters for the "Vintage Whimsey" table. She's been baking for the event since it started.
Frank is known for her delectable pies, but she wasn't about to give out any of her secrets.
"You have to start from scratch," she said, grinning.
The event is one of the largest fundraisers of the year for the Des Moines County Historical Society, and organizer Mary Krohlow reported all 180 seats sold. That equalled an intake of $3,750.
"They've outdone themselves as usual," Halbert said.
Halbert fell in love with all the tables, and was particularly impressed with the "Trash Art" table designed by Burlington artist Karla Mundt. The mishmash of materials consisted of unusual junk collected by the 215 volunteers who participated in the Earth Day cleanup.
"Karla is so imaginative. And I love the 'Alice in Wonderland' Mad Hatter Tea Party. She (Debbie Bessine) found those garden pieces, and that was her inspiration," Halbert said.
Between the Mad Hatter garden figures were two tall stacks of haphazardly placed tea cups that seemed to defy gravity.
"I wonder how they made it balance," said Andrew Murphy, 19, who didn't see the glue that held the teacups together.
Murphy and members of the Burlington High School Culinary Club whipped up an American cheesecake with a mixed berry sauce that was placed on the "Royal Pinkness" table, which they also designed. As the name implied, the pink table was covered in tiaras.
Students also helped with some other desserts, and Murphy salivated at the sight of a five layer ice cream cake, vanilla swirl brownies and a coconut creme cake. He plans to be a chef, and figures the best way to learn is through the military.
"I want to learn how to prepare gorgeous meals like this," he said. "I'm going into the Army. Or the Navy. I'm still looking."
Once the attendees settled in to enjoy the dessert, they were treated to some live Civil War-era music from Aaron Wagner and Kent Strabala and a visual history presentation by Russ Fry titled "The Battle Cry of Freedom: Des Moines County's Role in the Civil War."
Riley, who went to her first Desserts by Design event last year and now considers herself a regular, said she enjoys the annual program just as much as the sweets. But it's a close race.
"I'm looking for something unique I haven't had before," she said before wandering off to peruse the sea of tables covered in baked, sugary gold.
Commentary by News - City & RegionTables were topped with works of art created by some of the most creative minds in Des Moines County.
"It's different. It's a different kind of fundraiser," said Becky Riley, who was attending the event with a group of friends. "It's a lot of fun to see all the desserts and the different tables."
Each lavishly decorated table corresponded to a different theme, outfitted with a delectable dessert dish that didn't necessarily have to match its surroundings.One table, simply titled "Firefighters," was covered with miniature firefighter figures and a firetruck that actually squirted water.
A few feet away was the "Vintage Whimsey" table, which was overtaken by Burlington antiques and knickknacks belonging to table designers Jeanette Hartman and Annette Kuhlemeier.
"It's eye candy for us. We spent a couple of weeks creating this one in my spare bedroom," Hartman said. "Then we had to take all kinds of pictures so we could recreate it."
Glass domes covered precious antique figurines and fading black-and-white photographs, creating a museum effect that Des Moines County Heritage Center director Kelly Halbert could appreciate.
"It's breathtaking. But I'm afraid to breathe around it," she said with a laugh.
Despite the wide range of desserts, most of the bakers volunteered their time and cooking expertise. Ilene Frank baked a lemon meringue pie and Dutch letters for the "Vintage Whimsey" table. She's been baking for the event since it started.
Frank is known for her delectable pies, but she wasn't about to give out any of her secrets.
"You have to start from scratch," she said, grinning.
The event is one of the largest fundraisers of the year for the Des Moines County Historical Society, and organizer Mary Krohlow reported all 180 seats sold. That equalled an intake of $3,750.
"They've outdone themselves as usual," Halbert said.
Halbert fell in love with all the tables, and was particularly impressed with the "Trash Art" table designed by Burlington artist Karla Mundt. The mishmash of materials consisted of unusual junk collected by the 215 volunteers who participated in the Earth Day cleanup.
"Karla is so imaginative. And I love the 'Alice in Wonderland' Mad Hatter Tea Party. She (Debbie Bessine) found those garden pieces, and that was her inspiration," Halbert said.
Between the Mad Hatter garden figures were two tall stacks of haphazardly placed tea cups that seemed to defy gravity.
"I wonder how they made it balance," said Andrew Murphy, 19, who didn't see the glue that held the teacups together.
Murphy and members of the Burlington High School Culinary Club whipped up an American cheesecake with a mixed berry sauce that was placed on the "Royal Pinkness" table, which they also designed. As the name implied, the pink table was covered in tiaras.
Students also helped with some other desserts, and Murphy salivated at the sight of a five layer ice cream cake, vanilla swirl brownies and a coconut creme cake. He plans to be a chef, and figures the best way to learn is through the military.
"I want to learn how to prepare gorgeous meals like this," he said. "I'm going into the Army. Or the Navy. I'm still looking."
Once the attendees settled in to enjoy the dessert, they were treated to some live Civil War-era music from Aaron Wagner and Kent Strabala and a visual history presentation by Russ Fry titled "The Battle Cry of Freedom: Des Moines County's Role in the Civil War."
Riley, who went to her first Desserts by Design event last year and now considers herself a regular, said she enjoys the annual program just as much as the sweets. But it's a close race.
"I'm looking for something unique I haven't had before," she said before wandering off to peruse the sea of tables covered in baked, sugary gold.
