ONLINE ONLY: Event benefits cancer patients

More than 400 people showed up to Arts of the Table, a two-day event to raise money for Jill's House. Jill's House, much like Ronald McDonald's house, is a place for adults to stay while their children receive care at the IU Cyclotron Facility, where patients seek radiotherapy treatment for cancer. The house is named after the late Jill Behrman, an IU student who was killed after disappearing May 31, 2000, while riding her bike. \nThe event was sponsored by Psi Iota Xi sorority, an organization of adult women that raises money for good causes, and featured 28 different groups who paid $100 to decorate tables. Monday night's attendees voted on which tables were the best decorated and the awards were given at the luncheon Tuesday.\nMonday night's festivities included a $30-per-ticket hors d'oeuvres party, featuring live music by the Stardusters, as well as appearances by former County Treasurer Pat Jeffries and the parents of Jill Behrman. Eric Behrman, Jill's father, thanked everyone for their support and said Jill's House is a way of thanking the Bloomington community for their support. "Jill's House is our way of giving back to the community," Behrman said. "We are very honored to have (the facility) named after Jill. Since people helped us when we needed it, this is our way of helping other people." \nEvent chair Christine Carlin thought the event went off according to plan.\n"I am very happy with how this event went and I want to thank everyone here for there help and support," she said. \nThe next day, people returned to eagerly await the awards ceremony, during which eight awards were given to different organizations for their table designs. The tables were all different colors and had different themes. \nBest use of non-flannel design went to Bloomin' Scrapbooks, while the Monroe County YMCA won best theme. Best flowers went to O'Malia's supermarket, and most whimsical went to Home Sweet Home. Meadowood Retirement Center also picked up its award winning most ornamental.\nEvent-goer Mary Anne Jones said it was one of the best events she has ever been to.\n"It was elegant, lovely and creative all at the same time," Jones said.