MORGAN HILL
– Mardi Gras came to Morgan Hill late this year with the opening
of the new Community Center, kicked off in grand style by the
Mayor’s Ball Saturday night, and Sunday’s official ribbon-cutting
ceremony.
Saturday’s event, a fund raiser for the brand-new Morgan Hill
Community Foundation (MHCF), started out simply as a
”
Black and White Ball,
”
but organizer Daryl Manning and her committee of hard-working
volunteers added an extra spark of fun by giving it a carnival
theme.
As spotlights stationed in the parking lot streaked the Morgan
Hill sky, a crowd of formally dressed patrons began to fill the new
center, which was still inhabited by workmen as late as Saturday
afternoon.
MORGAN HILL – Mardi Gras came to Morgan Hill late this year with the opening of the new Community Center, kicked off in grand style by the Mayor’s Ball Saturday night, and Sunday’s official ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Saturday’s event, a fund raiser for the brand-new Morgan Hill Community Foundation (MHCF), started out simply as a “Black and White Ball,” but organizer Daryl Manning and her committee of hard-working volunteers added an extra spark of fun by giving it a carnival theme.
As spotlights stationed in the parking lot streaked the Morgan Hill sky, a crowd of formally dressed patrons began to fill the new center, which was still inhabited by workmen as late as Saturday afternoon.
The 4,030 square-foot, multi-purpose Hiram Morgan Hill Room was set up ballroom-style, with buffets along the side walls and groups of tables in the center.
In this main room, Mayor Dennis Kennedy officially opened the ball, as he was introduced as “The Wizard of Morgan Hill” by performer Majinga (which is Portuguese for “tricky,” according to the magician himself).
“This is just an awesome evening,” Kennedy said. “I love the facilities. The community had needed something like this for so long. There are so many different features to the facility, so many possibilities.”
The mayor was followed by Sanoshin Taiko, a Japanese drum quartet that gave a heart-pounding performance that drew Morgan Hill First Lady Eileen Kennedy and her mother, Mary Ann Washburn, to the edge of the dance floor to listen.
“I just love this group,” Washburn said. “I have heard them at Haru Matsuri, and I was thrilled when I heard they’d be performing tonight.”
Vocalist Pasquale Esposito also charmed the crowd in the main room, followed by three hours of dance music from The Groove Kings, with special guests Clarence Collins and Little Anthony.
Before the dancing began, City Councilman Greg Sellers, founding president of the MHCF, and current President Dave Reisenaur described the dedication of the volunteers and all those who had to worked to make the Community Center and the MHCF a reality.
Artist Thomas Kincaid made an appearance and announced he would be donating 150 original paintings to the center for display.
“It has long been our dream to have a home for these paintings and to have a place for the children of our community to learn about art, to have a space for them to create their own art,” he said.
The sold-out ball for which 434 tickets were sold at $125 each, began at 6 p.m., with complimentary wine glasses etched with the date and event and free carnival masks distributed to the guests as they registered. Complimentary champagne was poured into the wine glasses as guests circulated, taking in the fortune telling and magic tricks, the clowns and jugglers, the face painting and wine ring toss all spread throughout the historically named rooms.
Three food stations were set up, with food provided by the CordeValle resort. The menu choices included roasted pork loin with mushroom Madeira, sautéed chicken with artichokes and mushrooms and garlic-crusted New Zealand lamb chops. Guglielmo Winery provided wines to compliment the entrees, including their Chardonnay “Vineyard Selection,” a Grignolino “Private Reserve” and a Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Barbera “Private Reserve.”
Throughout the rooms, elegant hors d’oeuvres were offered, including bruschetta, stuffed mushrooms and marinated vegetables.
Another bit of excitement was provided later in the evening by chefs in the kitchen, as a torch was used to finish the top of the creme brulée dessert, setting off a fire sprinkler and bringing out Engine 12 from the El Toro Fire station.
Deputy Fire Marshal Bill Ferguson said that the event at least provided a good test of the system.
Although no one won the $50,000 new S-Type Jaguar in the putting competition, the evening was still considered a success by most.
Kennedy estimated that the foundation cleared $50,000 from the event.
By Sunday afternoon, most of Saturday’s revelers had recovered enough to make an appearance at the official Grand Opening Ceremony. The Britton (Middle School) Jazz Band started things off with a bang and entertained the crowd until the City Council and a host of dignitaries gathered on a makeshift stage in the front courtyard. The council was joined by former councilwoman Cynthia Cook, Assemblyman John Laird and Gavilan’s newly appointed President Steve Kinsella.
“This is a celebration of community and culture,” said City Manager Ed Tewes, acting as master of ceremonies.
Each council member spoke about the center as a dream fulfilled, each from his or her own perspective. Kennedy accepted a proclamation from the governor’s office and a plaque from the Mayor of Londonderry, in Ulster, Ireland.
After a touching rendition of “Danny Boy,” the council cut the ribbon and declared the community’s center open. The doors were flung wide, and the crowd surged inside to get a first look at each room.
