February 7, 2008

Madonna Circle Show A Tradition of Elegance for 33 Years

By Gerri Cuoghi

Madonna Circle presents the33rd Memphis Antiques, Garden & Gourmet Show at the Agricenter International from February 21-23..

The Opening Night Gala, on Thursday, February 21 at 7 p.m., will be an evening of fine dining with presentations by more than 40 restaurants and caterers. The evening will include a silent auction, music by Rice Drewry & Friends, and martini bar sponsored by Grand Casino Harrahs.

A display garden, An evening in Ibiza by Scott Carr-The Green Group will be created and on display under the dome in the Agricenter throughout the Show.

Honorary Show Chairman, Sharon Goldsworthy, Mayor of Germantown will receive special recognition at the Gala.

The daily Show is Friday, February 22 and Saturday, February 23 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.and on Sunday, February 24 from 10:30 a.m-5 p.m.

Antiques Roadshow's Michael Flanigan will provide verbal appraisals on Friday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m.- noon.

Featured speaker for the event is Susan Appleget Hurst who will speak on Garden Design & Trends, on Saturday at 1 p.m. Maryann Macdonald will present From Perennials to Pie Safes-Everything in its Place, on Friday and Saturday at 10:30 a..m. Cooking With Herbs, a cooking demonstration by a Viking Cooking School Chef, will be held on Friday at 1 p.m.

The Gallery & Garden tour which includes a continental breakfast, will be held at 9 a.m. on Friday and will be conducted by Frank Langford. A Wine Tasting presented by Jim O'Fallen, of fine wines from W.J. Deutsch & Sons, Ltd., and heavy hors d'oeuvres by Madonna Circle, will be hosted on Saturday from 3-5 p.m.

The Tea Room, catered by the Womens' Exchange will be open from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The Snack Bar-Circle Café, catered by Jason's Deli, will be open during all Show hours.

Primary recipient of funds from the Show will be FirstWorks, Inc. Children's Program, an education-based tutoring and life skills program for homeless children. During the school year the children are picked up by the FirstWorks bus, served hot meals, and assisted by school teachers and volunteers with academic skills. Supervised computer time allows the children to complete assignments and projects. FirstWorks serves over 3,800 downtown homeless, hungry, and displaced citizens in Memphis through the Children's Program, Food Pantry, and Clothes Closet. FirstWorks is located at 82 N. Second St.. The Executive Director is Rev. Birgette French. The Primary recipient receives 50 percent of the funds from the Show. The remaining funds are distributed to other non-denominational Mid-South charities.

For tickets or additional information, call, 901-568-8133, email vcuoghi1@comcast.net, or visit www.madaonnacircle.org.