Coeur de Cuisine Raises Funds, Honors Couple

The sixth annual Coeur de Cuisine, held March 8 at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, and hosted by the Escondido Rotary, was expected to raise more than $100,000 for more than 50 charities and other causes.

Outstanding citizens are recognized during the event each year.

This year's honorees were Bob and Arlene Shuster. The pair were recognized for their unfailing commitment to the community, through both the Rotary and their own pocketbooks.

Their extended families -- all 25 of them -- came to be with their parents on their special day. Some flew in from Northern California for a family portrait, which was the gift given to the honorees, according to Linda Bailey, chairwoman of this year's event.

More than 30 restaurants and wineries offered a taste of their best to the crowd of 500.

Bailey wanted to make sure Linda Courton got special recognition for coordinating all the restaurants, wineries and other merchants for the event.

"She is what makes this event happen," Bailey said.

Bailey also wanted to show her appreciation for the steering committee of the event.

Steering committee members were Jenni Bailey, Bernie Blaney, Jeanelle Brecht, Linda Courton, Audrey Daigle, Vivian Doering, Tim Giblin, Sydney Kirkland, John Kroesche, Jolene Northrop, Matt Roberts, Terry Siaca, Susie Snow, Suzanne Strassburger, Frank Tecca, Todd Twedt, Amy Wandalowski, Elizabeth Wohlford, Linda Bailey, John Boruff, Mike Craighead, Sandy Diefenbach, Ed Gallo, Jane Howell, Richard Klein, Claude Lubin, Bob Payne, De Seeney, Deanna Smith, Debbi Stanley, Dan Sundquist, Gloria Tecca, Paul Van Elderen, Johnny Watson and Peter Wolf.

Before the main event, honorees and sponsors were recognized the concert hall's foyer. Harpist Sarah Davis provided the lovely music.

Doug Clark, the event's manager, thanked the staff of the center.

Officers of the Escondido Rotary Club are Mary Geerdes, president; Dan Sundquist, president-elect; Linda Bailey, vice president; Larry Lynch, executive secretary; Marilyn Lynch, club secretary; Charlotte Hotchkiss, treasurer; Bob Payne, club service; Jolene Northrop, community service; Danny Sherlock, communications service; John Yphantides, international service; Carol Joy Szytel, memberships; Alfredo Velasco, vocational services; Jacqueline Skay, immediate past president; and Joel Beyer, John Kroesche, Ione Rummery and Gloria Tecca, all at-large members.