All around the museum’s main floor, dessert stations, manned by TBA board members and supporters, represented countries from around the world. Each table had a theme and the desserts on that table were inspired by the different countries or continents represented.

A wine sampling table with a variety of wines from around the world was also featured at the event. Live music was provided by Gary Weisenburg of Ocqueoc, who sang and played acoustic guitar.

“It’s a kickoff of our 50th anniversary,” TBA President Ann Diamond said at the event. “It’s just a member appreciation night.”

She said those in attendance included former board members, donors and “people that have supported the arts throughout the last 50 years. So, it’s really an exciting night. We wanted to do something a little different, so we’ve got many different countries represented, which is really fun.”

News Photo by Darby Hinkley Thunder Bay Arts President Ann Diamond poses next to a 3D rendering of the next planned sculpture in the Alpena Art Vision project along the Alpena Bi-Path.

Annette Carlson made almost all of the desserts, and Jeanne Cornelius decorated for the event.

Carlson has catered for many TBA events in the past.

“The baklava is from the baklava shop in Lewiston,” she said, adding that the owners of the shop in Atlanta moved their business to Lewiston.

Carlson has been cooking and baking since as long as she can remember. She said she researched and talked to different people with heritage from different countries to learn exactly which desserts would represent that region the best.

Her mother-in-law, Janet Carlson, made the Norwegian wedding cake, which somewhat resembles a Christmas tree made out of ring-shaped cookies.

News Photo by Darby Hinkley TBA artist Pamela O’Neil poses next to her painting, which will be featured throughout the 2021-22 year, as TBA celebrates its 50th anniversary.

The decorations were themed around a painting by Pamela O’Neil, with a deep blue background, and colorful bursts coming from behind a white heron.

The artist’s inspiration was the TBA logo on the brochure, she said.

“I normally do much looser pieces,” she said. “And I’m used to doing big pieces.”

In addition to the decorations and sample stations, the planetarium dome was lit up with a rendering of The Sistine Chapel, free for patrons to view throughout the night.

“It’s really a fun night to thank our community for all their support,” Diamond said. “We certainly wouldn’t be here without them.”

News Photo by Darby Hinkley Musician Gary Weisenburg sang and played acoustic guitar at Thursday’s event at Besser Museum. His new album, “Taste for the Good Life,” will be coming out in December.

Upcoming TBA events for the 2021-22 season will be announced on the Lifestyles page.

News Photo by Darby Hinkley Above is one of the table decorations, made by Jeanne Cornelius of Dream Event Decorating.

News Photo by Darby Hinkley Clint Kendziorski lights up a creme brulee while Doug Taratuta looks on, and patron Brian Schorn awaits his dessert from the Europe table.