The grand finale was a trio of mini desserts - pumpkin roulade, chocolate flourless pave, sweet potato milkshake - by Ponte Vedra Inn & Club pastry chef Erica Davis. Then they sat down to a dinner that included spiny lobster by Ritz Carlton Amelia Island Executive Chef Thomas Tolxdorf quail and hubbard squash by Augustine Grille Chef de Cuisine Brett Smith pork belly in natural jus with a honey-roasted peach by chef Scott Schwartz of 29 South Eats, Fernandina Beach, and grass fed beef short ribs by Marriott Executive Chef David Scalise. Johns County teachers to establish a garden in every elementary school to promote a healthy, sustainable food system and educate children to make informed food choices.Ībout 65 people noshed on appetizers of spiced pumpkin soup shooters, grass-fed beef crostini and datil summer sausage on hoecake by chef David Bearl of the Southeast Institute of Culinary Arts.
The Food Network promotes local farmers bringing healthy food to the community. The proceeds go to the Beaches Local Food Network's Children's Gardening Program and Slow Food First Coast's school garden installations to convert a section of the Beaches Organic Community Garden at Jarboe Park, Neptune Beach, into a children's garden with vegetable beds and an activities area. The six-course gourmet meal was prepared by some of the area's top chefs using fresh seasonal food, organically grown by local and regional farmers and paired with organic bio-dynamic wines from the Lapostolle winery in Chile. Speaking of children's gardens, the Augustine Grille at Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa hosted a "Farm to Table" benefit dinner and auction on Nov. Funds raised by the annual show support the school programs and help with operating expenses for the club, President Mary Silas said. Zebroski also works with young gardeners at Jacksonville Country Day School. Allen Axson Magnet Montessori School and Discovery Montessori. The show displayed children's garden projects that member Eileen Zebroski teaches at Ocean Palms and PVPV/Rawlings elementary schools, J. The juried event gave awards in horticulture and flower design, with congratulatory hugs going to Jackie Fetherston, winner of fall table artistry design Judy Blocker for excellence in flower design and Inez Burchfield as horticulture first-place winner. A big handshake goes to Stephanie Furqueron, chairwoman of the Ribault Garden Club's 72nd - but who's counting? - annual Flower Show on Nov. Kiewitt got a laugh when she said: "I may never be the best golfer in the world, but someday I will beat my dad." And Snider, who aspires to fly airplanes as a naval officer, said: "First tee is more than golf it changes lives." I plan to go to college for golf and play on the PGA Tour."įirst Tee students Amelia Kiewitt and Christopher Snider also gave inspiring testimonials. One of my favorite parts of the job is working with young kids. "I volunteer with First Tee," Schindler said. And a very surprised Pedro Mendez High School junior Spencer Schindler was awarded a $1,000 scholarship. Crookshank Elementary School, accepted by Principal Jay Willets. Event Chairman Joe Pearce announced the award of a $300 scholarship to John A. He told some amusing stories about golf greats with whom he's played. (Any Rooney Bin readers want to fund or donate a van?)Ībout 120 people enjoyed hors d'oeuvres and an entertaining talk by three-time PGA Tour champion Leonard Thompson. One special need is a van to transport children to activities. Johns County schools serve about 800 children, and the non-profit wants to expand the after-school programs. Johns County chapter has 300 members and eight corporate sponsors, Trefry said. First Tee has 197 chapters including six international locations. First Tee VIPs at the affair were Vice President Kelly Martin, board President Chip Trefry and county chapter Executive Director Thomas Lawrence. The event at The Lodge & Club in Ponte Vedra Beach was a thank-you to First Tee ambassadors, who promote the organization that helps youngsters gain success by developing honesty, integrity and sportsmanship through golf.
There were handshakes all around at the third annual First Tee of St. In one instance, hug fests were clogging school hallways. In a New York Times article, Sarah Kershaw said "girls embracing girls, girls embracing boys, boys embracing each other - the hug has become the favorite social greeting when teenagers meet or part these days." Some schools have banned or limited hugging because it can be disruptive, and it goes on all day long, from the basic friend hug and bear hug to a ritualistic high-five, then fist bump, followed by a slap on the back and ending in a hug.