Friendswood community members came together recently to support the Friendswood Education Foundation and a special grant that will impact fourth through eighth grade physical education classes. The first 30 citizens who donated $200 toward the grant were then invited to participate in Flavors of Fall, Oct. 17 at the Green Event Center in Friendswood.
        Chaired by Education Foundation Director Debi Frieden, Flavors of Fall offered unique table settings, a five course meal with wine pairings and inter-active learning through a chef with demonstrations of all the dishes served.
        The evening featured celebrity Chef Ann Curry doing demonstrations and food preparation at the Jacob White Green Event Center hosted by FHS alumni Holly and Jeff Mickler. Tablescapes were provided by Clear Lake Flowers, Lary’s Florist, Carol Bergman of One Stop Party Shop, Friendswood Frame and Gallery, Lynn Shigekawa and Morry’s Corner Flower Market.
        Participants included Debi and Don Frieden, Janet and Ignatius Leonards, Beth and Alan Stanfield, Sherran Calles and mom Elaine Manning, Debbie Hickey with daughter Suzi Hickey and cousin Beverly Coonrod, Fleta Hill, Mary Ellen Bellard, Robin Hall, Jean Tubbs, Tracey Batts, Kathy Grimsrud, Brandi Sellers , Teresa Rudell, Maribel Griffon,  Lori Wrinkle, Gaiden Ring, Ann Moore, Debbie Lockwood, and Kim Montz. Donors who contributed to the grant but could not attend the cooking class included Shari Daughtry, Kristen Redding, Sally Branson and Lynda Harris. Celebrity waiters and servers included Lucy Woltz, Chris Sellers, Superintendent Trish Hanks, Sherry Green, Joel Hannemann, Tammy Pipkin and Thad Roher.
        The generosity resulted in a fundraiser that netted over $6,400 for the new Personal Empowerment program at Friendswood ISD. The funds will be used to purchase new equipment to transform the physical education department into a personal empowerment program that teaches students how to develop lifelong habits.