Celebrity Chefs Auction raised $12,000 for soup kitchen

Friday, May 9, 2008

Our Celebrity Chefs Auction was tremendously successful, raising more than $12,000 to support our work with those who are less fortunate in our community.

We have many people to thank for their contributions to this success. First, our platinum corporate sponsor, PSI Pax, then our superb auctioneer, Jane Sypher, and also Larry Tierney who provided wonderful music for the evening.

Our celebrity chefs offered a unique and fun dining experience. They were: Boat Captain, Dr. Eugene and Planning Commissioner Shelby Guazzo, Maryland Bank and Trust’s Tom Daugherty, artist and potter Sarah Houde, members of St. Mary’s Watershed, Michael and Lisa Kelley of Brome Howard Inn, Brett Grohsgal and Christine Bergmark of Even’ Star Farm, Maestro Jeff Silberschlag, National Portrait Gallery Director Marty Sullivan, chili queen Eleanor Tydings Reynolds, County Commissioner Daniel H. Raley, Judge of the Orphans Court Dalton Wood and waterman and retired Adm. Tim Heely. To all of these individuals, we owe our deepest gratitude.

Great appreciation is also extended to the Brome Howard Inn for the delicious horsd'oeuvres and assistance setting up, as well as Eleanor Moore for the stunning tulips. Artists contributing work to the silent auction were Bob and Betty Purple, Shelby Opperman, Candy Cummings, Margie Haney and Nadine Chicoine.

Local businesses donating items for the silent auction were Vincenzo’s Restaurant, The Greenery, Patuxent Adventures, Thompson’s Seafood, Wildewood Pastry, Sunshine Catering, Cheeseburger in Paradise, Pink Beach, Shear Innovations, Hair Cuttery, Outback Steak House, Sleep Inn, Bob Evans, and Taylor Gas Company. Special donations were also made by volunteer Linda Williams, Del. John Bohanan and Clerk of the Court Joan Williams.

St. Mary’s Caring Board members and volunteers worked long and hard on this event and are most deserving of recognition. They are Jim Bershon, Diane Skelley, Karen Nutter, Boyd and Judy Loflin, Deputy Andy Holton, Michael Kelley, Barbara Sheill, Patrick Michael, Julie Stone, Ben Skelley and Nick Brown. We also deeply appreciate the support of Henry Briscoe and Ray Coston and the help of Hilda Gatton and her staff at the Brass Rail.

And finally, to this extraordinary community, whether you came to the auction or sent a donation, we couldn’t have done it without you. We look forward to seeing everyone again next year.

Dana W. McGarity, Lexington Park