Certainly the highlight of the evening - from my perspective - was Jake’s painting, Ted the penguin, selling for $250. It had gotten an early bid of $100 so it started pretty high and I was determined to get it for my sister-in-law who desperately wanted it. It got a bit out of control when Paul MacNeill got carried away and I found myself wondering how I was going to pay for this painting when I recalled to myself that I had surreptitiously made copies at home earlier and so conceded to Paul.

My friend John Morris bid on the other print that I donated and Dave Connolly, the MC, offered it at $50. No one else bid so John upped his bid against himself and paid $75. Dave did a fantastic job working the crowd and unloading the many live auction items.

My ex-husband unfortunately couldn’t make it but sent in money to bid on the Ozzy bobble-head but Jerry from Vessey Seed’s who is a huge Ozzy fan won it for $60.

It was SO much fun.

My parents came early with me and left by 9:30pm. Shortly after that there were 300 people in the room! It was a bit hairy when a shortage of beer was evident by the 45 minute line up at one bar and the other bar closed. Thankfully no one got hurt. One of the many bar and restaurant owners in the crowd were able to pull in some reserves before riots broke loose. I overheard MC Dave saying something about riots and freeing Tibet and no beer all in one sentence, trying not to alarm people and asking for peace.

Lori Mayne and I cut up a rug. John ended up spending $500 and walking away with a ton of stuff. Gregg McCardle was the bouncer and doorman with his old Doc’s shirt on. Tracey Casford MacLean was walking around taking pictures. Poopsie was selling 50/50 tickets. Doug and Judy were waltzing. Lori from Moncton was taking videos and calling Chrissy. I’m pretty sure it was Heidi Forde dancing with Danny Murphy but whoever it was could dance. I completely forgot to bid on behalf of Cory Gray, CEO of Vogue Optical, on wine that Dan Akryod had signed on. My parents bid on dogsitting from the Furry Godmother, Cheryl Isley, who was one of the lead organizers and dear friend of Chrissy’s.

It was awesome turnout including:

Mary Ann MacKay

Heather McMillan

Doug and Judy Harvey, Pilot House

John Morris, DotServing

Chris Kenney, Brennen’s

Wayne from the Driving Park

Cory and Tonya Gray, Vogue Optical

Doug and Lori, Beanz

Brian “Poopsie”

Margaret Howard and Mark Gallant

David Wright, CMA

Louise MacDonald, www.DrivePEI.com

Lori Mayne, Journal Pioneer

Gregg and Carol McCardle, Creative PEI/Sunlife Insurance

Peter (Beaker) McQuillan

Mike Kelly

Geoff “Woody” Wood

Darryl and Doreen Baird

Sandra and Terry

Heather MacKinnon

Terry and Sandy Kerr

Gaylene, Gahan House

Peter Hynman, the Merchantman

Diane Toombs

Elizabeth Toombs

Tracey Casford MacLean

Michael Bird, Delta Hotel

Cindy and David Doiron

owners of Maid Marions

Danny Murphy, Tim Horton’s, etc.

Rob Fletcher

Paul MacNeill, Eastern Graphic, etc.

Jerry, Vessey Seeds

Greg and Janet Bryant

Trudy and Cheryl Isley

Ronalda Victor and her husband

and hundreds more.

Chrissy had gone over earlier when they were setting up and was touched. She couldn’t be in the crowds because of the germs as she is having another treatment soon and can’t get sick! People were taking pictures and videos. It was a late night for her from some of her tipsy friends phoning her as well as a good friend flying in from Boston to surprise her and Claire.

It was a top notch job by the organizing committee and the money raised will go a long way.