By Denise Richardson
MIDDLEFIELD _ Thirty celebrities mingled with hundred of guests at a fundraising dinner and concert Wednesday featuring Huey Lewis and the News.
The turnout was fantastic, said Lola Rathbone, CEO and president of Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care
``It's the first time we've ever sold out,'' she said. ``The force is with us.''
None of the 700 tickets remained for the Catskill Area Hospice event at Brewery Ommegang in Middlefield, organizers said.
Hundreds of people gathered under a white high-peak tent at Brewery Ommegang grounds. Diners crowded around tables spread with black linens. Though skies were cloudy, no rain fell.
The air was filled with a constant conversational din below the amplified calls of auctioneer Kevin Herrick. Tickets, travel packages, artworks and sports memorabilia were sold to the highest bidders for thousands of dollars.
Bill Mirabito, of Oneonta, successfully bid for a trip for two to next week's Major League Baseball All-Star game in St. Louis. His nephew drove up the price, he said, but his winning $2,100 bid benefits a good cause and was a fun part of the event.
The auction started at about 7:30 p.m., and the band took the stage at 9:30 p.m. Huey Lewis and the News opened with ``The Power of Love,'' and the dancing began.
Mark May, a 1977 Oneonta High School graduate who played on Super Bowl champion Washington Redskins teams in 1983 and 1988, was a featured celebrity Wednesday. He has become increasingly involved in helping Catskill Area Hospice with its gala programming, he said.
The organization has helped many people, May said, and he was that grateful colleagues from his athletic and ESPN experiences accepted his invitation to spend time in Cooperstown golfing and at the concert.
``It's a terrific event,'' May said.
May said he brought his daughter Abra, 19, with him on this trip, and they plan to visit the graves of his parents with her.
Qadry Ismail, an ESPN football analyst who was a wide receiver for the Baltimore Ravens when they won the Super Bowl in 2000, said he accepted May's invitation.
``Not only is he a great guy,'' said Ismail, of the state of Maryland, ``When he puts his name to something it's a quality event.''
Ismail said he looks forward to another visit to Cooperstown.
Others at the event agreed the fundraiser was a special opportunity to support Catskill Area Hospice, while also listening to a band and mingling with sports celebrities.
Karine Rich, wife of the late Walter Rich of Cooperstown, said seeing the turnout and support for the local Hospice was rewarding. The first Catskill Area Hospice concert event at their Edgewater home in Cooperstown and featured the Salvation Army Band of Syracuse, she said.
Their home was the site of later events, and she said her husband ``blessed us'' with good weather for Wednesday's festivities.
``We worked so hard to raise money for Hospice,'' she said. ``It's not about the concert. It's about Hospice _ it's about everybody getting together.''
Huemac Garcia, director of development for Catskill Area Hospice, said the goal Wednesday was to raise as much money as possible. Last year, the event raised $120,000, he said, and last year and this year, supporters are challenged by a struggling economy, he said.
Catskill Area Hospice is grateful to the community, corporations, institutions and media that supported this year's event, he said.
Tickets for the concert were $195 each.
Maria Frank, of Oneonta, was among about 75 volunteers helping with tasks such as taking tickets and signing up bidders. Hospice helped care for her parents, Frank said, and volunteering Wednesday night was a special occasion when she could give back to the organization.
Frank said she also looked forward to hearing the band.
``I love concerts,'' she said.
Howie Park, of Meriden, Conn., said he has been at Hospice events featuring Eddie Money, Toto, Three Dog Night, the Doobie Brothers and REO Speedwagon. His brother owns Adirondack Construction Technologies in Duanesburg, which has been a sponsor of the event, he said.
``It's for a great cause, and it's a great time,'' Park said. ``It's a win-win situation.''
