Page B8 - october 18, 2012 - LIGHT www.lajollalight.com Generous Spirit On what would have been her 176th birthday, it’s time to salute La Jolla’s matriarch

By Patricia Weber, 95 Boston and proceeded to La Jolla Resident Since 1953 ’ Albany, then to Buffalo via Annual Miss Ellen Luncheon llen Browning Scripps lasting contributions to the Erie Canal, and on to is a name well known La Jolla are many. Rushville, Illinois to join is sold-out for Saturday in La Jolla. Hospitals, other family members. In E COURTESY he 48th annual Ellen Browning Scripps parks, clubs and institutions Rushville, her father married Luncheon will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. bare her name. We know Julia Osborne and Ellen T Saturday, Oct. 20 at La Jolla Beach & Tennis her for her exceptional gained five half-siblings. As Club, hosted by the La Jolla Historical Society. philanthropy and devotion one of the older children, The sold-out event commemorates the Oct. 18 to humanity. We know she Ellen had multiple birthday of La Jolla’s most beloved philanthropist, a changed La Jolla. What else responsibilities, but she did Libra, who, on her 90th birthday, said her recipe for do we actually know about not neglect her studies. long life was “that you must treat life well and live it this woman? What was her James Scripps valued his in the right way … so it be will be good to you.” political affiliation? Did she book collection and had it This year’s tribute, “Simply Delicious,” will feature have an English accent? Did with him on the voyage. It guest speaker Marine Room Chef Bernard Guillas she sing in the choir? Was is reported that Ellen devel- explaining his recipes for making enjoyable dining a the waltz her favorite vast library of the finest abilities at that early age, oped her love for learning part of treating life well. Guillas will give guests dance? Did she bathe in the English literature of the wished to give her the best by reading almost all of the insights into the community’s eating habits and ocean at Casa Beach? Did time. Ellen was 4 years old start in her education. volumes in her father’s vast trends, such as farm to table, sustainability and “eating she swim with the seals? when her mother died. Her In 1844, James M. Scripps collection. This gold mine your colors.” Let’s go ahead with the next three years were spent took his six motherless of literature may also have The luncheon also features silent auctions and a story. Miss Ellen was born at a boarding school. It children (ages 3-13) on a helped to shape the future raffle with proceeds benefiting the Historical Society’s on Oct. 18, 1836 in . could have been that Ellen’s sailing vessel bound for of her brothers James E., public programs. More at lajollahistory.org Her father was a prominent father, recognizing his America. The voyage took bookbinder with a daughter’s exceptional six weeks. They landed in SEE MISS ELLEN, B9 La JoLLa Landmark Businesses

20 years 80 years Since 1991 - Brockton Villa Restaurant Since 1932 The holidays will be here before you know it. Ross Thiele & Son, LTD.

Established in 1932, Ross Thiele & Son is a third generation family business and one of or a cozy beach cottage in La Jolla, Elizabeth the oldest interior design firms in . and her team manage flooring & countertop Originally located downtown, Ross Thiele selection, cabinetry, plumbing fixtures, tile moved the business to 1227 Prospect Street- design, lighting, window treatments, and La Jolla in 1940 and son, John Thiele, joined custom furniture. the business. In 1982 the brick façade from their Prospect Street building was dismantled and reconstructed into the office they Ross Thiele, 1942-1982 designed and built at 7425 Girard Avenue- La Jolla. This building continues to house the family business of interior design and a showroom of fine European and Continental antiques. In 1986, John Thiele’s daughter, Elizabeth Barkett, joined the business and HAVE YOUR PARTY AT OUR HOUSE! is the current Principal Designer with team We’ll set-up, cook, & clean… you just bring the guests! Susie Keeton, Lacey Colmore and Jessica Caviness. Brockton Villa is an ideal setting for private events, corporate events, Ross Thiele & Son combines its third weddings, rehearsal dinners, reunions, or any special gathering. generation of design with young fresh talent Brockton Villa’s building has been standing since 1894, the La Jolla Cove is widely considered one of to bring their clients’ dreams to fruition. the best locations in the world, but Brockton Villa the restaurant is also known for its delicious menu. With the belief that every client is unique in style as well as the way they live, Elizabeth Last year marked our 20th anniversary of bringing great food and welcoming service to a one-of- designs living spaces personally tailored Ross Thiele, 2012 a-kind location in La Jolla Cove. Thank you for supporting us - here’s to another fantastic 20 years! to them. From new construction and full remodels, to freshening up a living space, To book your party of 10 or more, please call 858.945.4727 Ross Thiele & Son delivers expert design, or visit www.brocktonvilla.com quality, and service. Whether the project is a traditional Spanish home in Rancho Santa Fe Brockton Villa restaurant Ross Thiele & Son, LTD. 858.454.7393 7425 Girard Avenue, La Jolla • Ph: 858-454-2133 1235 Coast Blvd · La Jolla · www.brocktonvilla.com www.rossthiele.com www.lajollalight.com LA JOLLA LIGHT - october 18, 2012 - Page B9

FROM MISS ELLEN, B8

George and Edward, who Ellen Browning Scripps’ eventually became the legacy includes founding: EXPERT ADVICE country’s finest journalists. ■ Scripps Institute EXPERT ADVICE Ellen completed high of Oceanography school at age 17 and hoped to go on to college. She ■ The Bishop’s School lived at home, taught ■ Scripps Memorial Hospital Look to these local authorities for elementary school for two ■ Scripps College in Claremont years, lived frugally and ■ La Jolla Children’s Pool saved enough money to professional guidance on daily living at attend Knox College in ■ Land for the Village and Galesburg, Ill., in 1856. Miss Torrey Pines State Reserve Ellen’s college entrance lajollalight.com/columns photograph showed a for five trustees, Miss Ellen In 1900, Ellen’s younger serious, round face with a became one of them. Hard brother George left her a small mouth, large brown work and a keen mind for large fortune. The oldest eyes, dark hair and a rather business soon made her a brother, James, contested Kids and brain injury: Integrative medicine holds what you need to know to the key to fighting obesity prominent nose that wealthy woman. Did her in- the will in court. His suit prevent long-term damage in children and adults reportedly she never liked. volvement in the newspaper failed. In 1903, Ellen founded Knox was a strictly a men’s industry help to change the what is now the Scripps college. It did not become woman‘s place in the busi- Institute of Oceanography coed until 1870. Ellen ness and social world? in honor of her late brother. Michael Pines, Personal Injury Attorney Dr. Bryan Abramowitz, San Diego Wellness MD attended the Female Colle- During this time of the last To preserve and enhance giate Department where she two decades of the 1800s, the charm of La Jolla, Miss qualified for advanced Grover Cleveland and Ben- Ellen’s generous philanthropy standing and graduated jamin Harrison were our began in earnest. In 1909, San Diego community award La Jolla real estate: 1859, the second women to Presidents. What was the this fine lady started The for Best Plastic Surgeon low prices, inventory spur receive credentials from that political trend of the country? Bishop’s School. She acquired honors experience, expertise, boost in San Diego new home institution. She was one of It is difficult to believe that property in the Village and compassion, patient care and construction the first women to attend only men were admitted to large land plots, such as the volunteer community service college in the United States. colleges and women did not Torrey Pines State Reserve. It is important to under- have the right to vote! In 1912, the Women‘s Stuart Kincaid, M.D., F.A.C.S. Cosmetic Surgeon Cher Conner, Cher Conner & Associates stand the mindset of society Women’s suffrage was Club was built on the corner at the time; perhaps remi- “brewing in the kettle.” Miss of Faye and Wall Street, It niscent the days when Ellen made her voice heard. was there that she gave her Rare gold coins versus gold Weight loss plan for pet women were considered She spent decades fighting speeches for women’s suf- futures: deciphering the price obesity: raising awareness for chattel. In the mid 1850s, it for women’s rights. Her frage and held classes to ed- difference for collectors and healthier pets and preventative was believed by many that photograph appeared on the ucate women on the voting investors veterinary care women would harm their cover of Time Magazine. process. Some reports state minds and become ill if they As years passed, exhausting that she was shy, but that is did too much mental work! work and late hours led to hard to believe. It is more Michael McConnell, Coin Shop & San Diego Coin & Bullion Lidja Gillmeister, DVM L.J. Veterinary Hospital A laughable notion now, but Edward’s ill health. A vacation likely that she spoke force- that’s how it was back then. in Egypt followed. They were fully with perfect diction Ellen’s pursuit of education appalled to see the desecra- and with her English accent. may have helped to create a tion of the Egyptian tombs The 19th Amendment giving Taking shape: eyebrow trends for Thermage® treatments pose precedent for women. and ancient monuments. women the right to vote 2012 favor low arches, more alternative to facial plastic surgery when performed by Following college, Miss Miss Ellen was a life member finally passed in 1920. “masculine” look for ladies’ faces trained laser technicians Ellen taught school for eight of the London-based Egypt The La Jolla Recreation more years. In August 1873, Exploration Fund. She Center, first called La Jolla when her brother James brought an Egyptian collec- Playground, came in 1913. John G. Apostolides M.D., SK Clinic Stephen M. Krant M.D., F.A.C.S., SK Clinic founded the Detroit Evening tion of antiquities to the What is now the Birch News, Ellen joined him, San Diego Natural History Aquarium came into being invested her savings in the Museum in . in 1915 along with Scripps newspaper and became his In 1890, Miss Ellen and Park. While recovering from Sustainability in education: Seize the season: make the proofreader, which demanded Edward and moved to San a broken hip, Miss Ellen fostering world citizenship for most of autumn opportunity hard work and late hours. Diego. While there, she fell found the need for better a better future in the San Diego real estate At night she wrote articles in love with the quaint little healthcare, which led to the market to be submitted when other village of La Jolla and building of Scripps news was scare. Some of her moved here in 1896. The Memorial Hospital on articles were on subjects that following year, her home Prospect Street in 1924. The Kevin Yaley, Progressive Education Vicki Johnson, La Jolla Real Estate needed to be heard, such as was built on Prospect Street. adjoining Scripps Metabolic women’s suffrage. Articles She never wanted a car but Clinic soon followed. like these became known as Edward bought her one as a At age 90, Miss Ellen’s Fighting back against How to deal with malingering the “feature article”. gift, complete with a passion to help educate and teenage acne in work comp cases: ensuring Due to the Depression, chauffeur. Her motto was elevate women brought fair assessment for workers investors were hesitant, not “the faster the better.” about the opening of Scripps and employers alike so was this lady! In 1878, Miss Ellen came at a time College for Women in 1926, this progressive young when developers and realtors now known as Scripps woman joined her brothers had a hay day slicing up the College, in Claremont. It is Dr. Stacy Tompkins, North Coast Dermatology Stephen Pfeiffer, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist George and James in land into thin lots. La Jolla dedicated to encouraging founding The Cleveland would forever have narrow women to perform at their Press. Later, her half-brother streets and parking problems. highest capacity. Edward asked her to help in With her far-seeing vision In 1931, Ellen’s last great Remodeling trends show San Diego architecture and founding other newspapers. and forethought this lady gift to La Jolla was the Chil- luxury products leading the security systems design: This smart lady invested her cried, “Hold it! Let’s save dren’s Pool and the seawall way in home improvement integrating structure and savings and eventually the space for parks, clubs, built to create a safe beach marketplace technology for safer spaces company grew into a major libraries and schools!” for children at Casa Beach. newspaper chain. Promptly, she reserved three Now, 80 years later, this Scott Murfey, Murfey Construction Paul Benton, Alcorn and Benton Architects When incorporation of the corners in the Village for Scripps Newspapers called future churches to be built. SEE MISS ELLEN, B10