DAPHNE, Ala.—The county’s current budget crisis got a sweet bite taken out of it Friday—at least, for Daphne’s public high school—when more than 1,150 people attended the ‘Taste of the Eastern Shore’ fundraiser at the Daphne Civic Center.

The charitable feast netted $28,700 in ticket sales; totals from the silent auction had not been tallied before press time. Donations will help county administrators offset a growing deficit—now totaling $56 million—that has led to waves of budget cuts and job losses.

“The mandate from the state is to submit a balanced budget by early September, which will take affect Oct. 1,” Baldwin County Board of Education communications director Terry Wilhite said.

“We have to cut $14 million to make a balanced budget happen; we’ve lost $14  million in local funding,” he said.

An increased deficit means more jobs will be cut, adding to scores of teaching positions that have been axed county-wide.

The school board at its meeting tomorrow will terminate the jobs of 180 support workers.

“These are cafeteria workers, aides, office workers, mechanics, janitors, custodians, to name a few,” Wilhite said.

“With all of the cuts happening in the school system, we need all the help we can get,” committee chairperson Delisa Cunningham said.

However, not all the news surrounding Friday’s fundraiser was disheartening.

Daphne High Principal Don Blanchard announced at the gathering that the school’s International Baccalaureate Program has been secured for two more years.

“Sen. Pittman made available money to both Daphne and Fairhope to make sure our dues are paid,” Blanchard said. He added that Pittman allotted funds to cover program participation dues for this year and next.

“The dues are paid and that’s a big hurdle,” Blanchard said. He was unavailable to confirm figures at press time but the IB program’s Web site said that annual dues are $9,600.

“We’re facing great challenges but we have some great teachers,” state Sen. Tripp Pittman said.

‘Taste of the Eastern Shore’ guests on Friday were afforded the choice of which DHS department or club they wanted their $25 ticket sale donation to support. The list included: band, football, baseball, soccer, softball, boys basketball, girls basketball, volleyball, and dance.

“You could choose the general school fund as well, if you were not sure which group to choose,” Cunningham said.

Attendees maneuvered in two large squares, sampling mouthwatering appetizers like chicken wings and gourmet finger sandwiches.

From there, the feast featured entree selections like Philly cheesesteaks, sliced sirloin and 16-spice grilled chicken tenders.

 A full, open bar stocked with imported beers and fine wines served as a resting area in between the two massive table spreads and as a means to whet the pallet while sampling the next gourmet concoction.

Dessert included pink white chocolate and chocolate-covered strawberries.

“Oh my, I don’t think I can go back through again,” Martha Jamison said. “So much good food.

“Well, it’s for a good cause—maybe I’ll just go get a strawberry.”

George Wilson expressed his happiness over a plate of chicken wings.

“I’m happy to help,” he said with a big smile in between gulps of beer. “All the money raised goes to helping the school and we really need it right now.”

Maynard Winchester, managing partner for Longhorn Steakhouse, realized the event’s impact.

“It gives food and beverage vendors an opportunity to show what they can do and also to show how they can help the community,” he said.

Blanchard was impressed with the community’s show of support Friday night.

“It was a sell-out,” he said. “The community really turned out this year. We’re just very appreciative of the support given to our school.”