Youth Center puts on an elegant spring brunch for its friends

Published 7:00 am Monday, April 30, 2001

“Mindy Magnusson, executive director of the South Whidbey Youth Center, has won a Governor’s award for her efforts on behalf of young people. She will talk about the Youth Center’s goals and successes at a spring brunch on May 6.Matt Johnson, staff photoAn early afternoon event next Sunday, May 6, at the Thomas Berry Hall at Chinook will treat guests to an elegant springtime brunch prepared by Shirlee Read, music by young pianist Patrick Boyle, and the motivational words of famed Galloping Gourmet Graham Kerr. The annual affair is a fund-raiser for the South Whidbey Youth Center, and proceeds help support its numerous projects and programs focused on the needs of young people in the community. The program will also feature a talk by SWYC Executive Director Mindy Magnusson, who was recently given the Governor’s Collaboration Award for building support and promoting understanding of substance abuse prevention in Washington state. Magnusson, who is also project director of Seeds of Change: Partners for a Drug-Free Community, was recognized for her leadership in promoting healthy, drug-free families in the South Whidbey community.During the brunch she will outline new programs and goals for the youth center and highlight some of its successes. The most notable of these is the after-school Drop Inn program, which not only offers kids a place to get a snack, gather with friends and do homework, but is also equipped with an expanded computer lab. Other projects include the tutor/mentor and peer mediation program at Langley Middle School; the in-school suspension program at LMS; a summer program featuring arts, crafts, overnight campouts and field trips. The center’s youth council, Teens Reaching out and Embracing the Community (TREC ), has been working on several projects, including several successful coffeehouse evenings at Whidbey’s Lighthouse Cafe in Freeland.Graham Kerr, internationally known culinary and television personality and author, is also noted for his emphasis on healthy, creative lifestyle changes. He recently completed a new television series called Graham Kerr’s Gathering Place. Local chef Shirlee Read, whose cooking school The Kitchen Door was recently featured in the food section of the Seattle Post Intelligencer, is planning the menu for the event. It includes baked ham with mustard glaze, crab frittata, mushroom roulade, roasted vegetables, caprese, orange blossom French toast, caramelized onions and apples in puff pastry, Roquefort brioche, cloud biscuits, Ambrosia fruit salad and an assortment of desserts.The brunch begins at noon. Space is limited. Make reservations by calling 221-4142. “