March 15 - East County Gazette

PAGE 4 EAST COUNTY GAZETTE MARCH 15, 2012— LOCAL NEWS & EVENTS—An elegant garden party and wacky frogs to benefit St. Madeleine Sophie’sthe students who learned theirskills from hands-on trainingthey receive at St. MadeleineSophie’s. The aquatic programis an important part ofthe students’ weekly exerciseprogram.Event Coordinator for St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center Jeff Redondo (far right), informs Auxiliarymembers and friends in the Center’s garden. Photo Credit: Cynthia Robertsonby Cynthia RobertsonNearly 500 people areexpected to attendthe St. MadeleineSophie’s Center (STMC) 14thAnnual Morning Glory Brunchin the organic garden on April14. A favorite East Countytradition, this year’s event willbe a country style garden party.“Think of country style likeat the Gingham Restaurant inLa Mesa,” said Debra Turner-Emerson, executive editor ofSTMC. “I like to call it IndustrialCowboy. The brunch is one ofmy favorite events because itshows our beautiful gardenand the aquatics.”The annual brunch is wellknown for its frog races in theCenter’s pool. The purchase ofa rubber frog for $100 or twofor $150 will land it in the racethat’s held towards the end ofthe event.“The race is fun and can bea lot of suspense for those whobought a frog,” Auxiliary boardmember Alison Cummingssaid. “It’s purely random whichfrog wins. But sometimes wehave to help the frogs alongwith some wind, so we putthe fan on. Sometimes Debrahas to get into the pool to helpmove the frogs along.”The first prize for the winningfrog is $7,500; secondand third place winners alsogarner cash prizes. The wackyfun of the frog race and the elegantgarden party raise fundssupporting the organic gardenand aquatic program for students.The organic gardenblooms year round thanks toSt. Madeline Sophie’s Centerserves developmentallydisabled adults and began asthe vision of a mother’s groupin conjunction with the workof the Religious of the SacredHeart that facilitated the openingof the school in 1966. Atthe time it had one classroom.That same year, the Auxiliarywas formed to give SMSC assistanceand financial supportthrough fund raising and personalefforts.Several members presentat the Auxiliary meetinglast week talked about theirmemories of the old days.“We used to do things the oldfashionedway,” said BebieNorris, a member for morethan 40 years. “We would setup an event for 400 people,do most of the cooking, andthen we’d clean up after it wasall done.”Norris will be honored atSMSC’s Brunch of the Bayin October for her long-timecommitment.She and other Auxiliarymembers – Liz Ravenis, SusieHalstead and Auxiliary PresidentMercy Belasquez – arestill busy as bees behind thescenes. The Auxiliary is a$5,000 sponsor for this year’sMorning Glory Brunch.“We all wear different hats,”said Sharon Esche-Irving,publicity chair for the Auxiliary.“I wish we could clonewhat we have here at thecenter. There’s no other placelike it in the country; it’s likefamily.”Jeff Redondo escorts Auxiliary ladies around the greenhouse atSt. Madeline Sophie’s Center. Photo Credit: Cynthia RobertsonEvent Coordinator Jeff Redondohopes to raise $70K forSt. Madeleine Sophie’s Centerthrough ticket purchases for thebrunch. “We can’t do it withoutour supporters,” he said.The 14th Annual MorningGlory Brunch will be held April14, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 2119 E.Madison Avenue, El Cajon. Topurchase tickets or frogs, visitwww.MorningGloryBrunch.Cajon Valley Middle School opensits doors for ‘School Showcase’Cajon Valley MiddleSchool, located in theheart of downtown El Cajon,at 550 E. Park Avenue,will host its first-ever SchoolShowcase on March 28 from4 – 5:30 pm.The East County neighborhoodschool, originally builtin 1954, recently completeda multi-year rebuild, will openits doors to the public toshowcase the new campus,tour the newly-renovatedfacility and learn more aboutthe school and the diverseeducational programs offeredthere. The school’s parentcommunity, city officials andgeneral public, are invited toattend and view the outstandingacademic, technology,and art and music programsimplemented at the middleschool.Cajon Valley Middle Schoolhas a community garden, newcomerclasses, state-of-the-arttechnology and computer labs,an Extended Day Program forrecreational athletics, clubs,and tutorial support, and bothAVID and Writing for ChangePrograms.Principal, Don Hohimerenvisions goals for the middleschool that extend beyond theschool walls. “It is time to openour doors and show that we arean asset to this community, andthe best school for neighborhoodchildren.”For more information, pleasecontact (619) 588-3092.Cooking up Memories at Bonny’s CafeCelebrating 18 Yearsin El Cajon!Lots of Charbroiled Burgers & Sandwiches for every taste!Fluffy 3-Egg Omelettes, Pancakes, Waffles,Chicken fried Steak & Eggs... and so much more!Best Southern Style Biscuits and Gravy in all of East CountyFresh Home-Made Chili, Soups and SaladsTry our delicious Monte Cristo Sandwich!sOpen for Breakfast and Lunch everyday 7AM-2PM596 Broadway, El Cajon • (619) 579-3464All major credit cards acceptedHomestyle Cooking at its Best!