WHEATLAND — Candlelight twinkled on the rims of crystal stemware and organza adorned the backs of chairs transforming the Agriplex into a wonderland of vintage china, sparkling glasses, and decor of every kind during the 22nd Annual PEO Chapters R and AW Tour of Tables. Women of every age group filled this beautiful space as they  “oohed” and “ahhed” over the extravagance, beauty, and history of 30 uniquely embellished tables set as if for royalty. 

Those attending enjoyed a luncheon buffet consisting of dozens of different salads, fresh shrimp cocktail, fruit and garden variety vegetables along with tier upon tier of home-baked pastries and cookies.

The theme of each table was different with a personal flair ranging from sunflowers and autumn, to hocus-pocus, to everlasting love, to seashells along the seashore, glamping (glamorous camping!) and Christmas. In addition to individual decorators, the local FFA chapter as well as 2024 graduates, and Laramie Peak Cattlewomen collaborated and  participated as table designers. It would take volumes to accurately describe each and every detail of this truly impressive event. Women from all across Platte County, Torrington, Alliance, NE, Colorado, Laramie, and Sheridan attended the festivities on Sunday. 

The genuine delight, creativity, and strong sense of community was palpable. There were raffle and door prizes and leftover goodies were sold at donation rates at the end of the Tour. All proceeds from ticket sales and other monetary donations go back into the PEO to support educational scholarships for women. 

PEO is a philanthropic organization in which women celebrate the advancement of other women and encourage continuing education through scholarships, grants, loans, and the stewardship of Cottey College. These women help motivate others to achieve their highest goals. The PEO Sisterhood embodies and maintains six educational objectives including the PEO Educational Loan Fund established in 1907, PEO International Peace Scholarship established in 1949, PEO Program for Continuing Education established in 1973, PEO Scholar Award established in 1991,
PEO STAR Scholarship, the organization’s most recent philanthropic endeavor, which provides a $2500 award to high school senior women who wish to pursue post-secondary education, Cottey College, located in Nevada, a liberal arts college for women, owned and operated by the PEO Sisterhood since 1927 and Wyoming State Scholarship Funds. Whether a graduating high school student or a non-traditional student seeking higher education, the PEO Sisterhood is a terrific resource to help those who may need financial assistance to pursue their educational goals. 

Anyone interested in designing a table for this event, or interested in the work of PEO Chapters R and AW are welcome to contact Brenda Teter, President, Chapter R at (307) 331-3090 or Carol Almand Cook, President, Chapter AW at (307)-322-3967.