Volunteer Auctioneer Marty Wegner of Freeland, at microphone, presides at the evening's highlight -- the live auction. (MyBayCity Photo by Dave Rogers)

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Huge Crowd of 500 Attend Bay Medical Foundation MASH Auction at DoubleTree

Hot Lips Houlihan and Compatriots Attract Platoons of Donors at Fun Event

April 25, 2010       Leave a Comment
By: Dave Rogers

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The idea caught on. It really caught on!

The Bay Medical Foundation came up with a creative idea to raise money, tying its annual auction to the television production M*A*S*H about a hospital unit serving in the Korean War.

About 500 patrons responded, showing up last Thursday night at the DoubleTree Hotel - Bay City Riverfront to mingle with Hot Lips Houlihan, Klinger, Radar O'Reilly, and the other M*A*S*H characters.

Sponsors could donate at the level of Colonel Potter, Hawkeye Pierce and the other characters. They also could play in a Texas Hold 'em card tournament, drink martinis in "The Swamp," stand up and sit down in the heads and tails game and buy a set of dogtags for $20.

Bidding was lively on 19 live auction items and about 225 silent auction offerings. You could shuffle up with a three card draw game, buy $10 and $20 balloons with surprise gifts and otherwise participate in various giving schemes.

All around were volunteers dressed in colorful military garb and outside Andy Cabala and wife Debbie of Pinconning had parked a real olive drab Jeep, just for effect. Cpl. Robert Ownsby, dressed as Radar O'Reilly, commanded the jeep along with the Cabalas.

Judy Dallas, left, and Patty Robison greet patrons at the annual Bay Medical Foundation Charity Auction. (MyBayCity Photo by Dave Rogers)

Nancy Boutell, left, her daughter Betsy Hurn, and Peggy Baumer Richard, right, enjoy the festivities. (MyBayCity Photo by Dave Rogers)

M. Dolores Barron-Rogers, Keith and Joyce Hardy and Keith Markstrom share a laugh at the event. (MyBayCity Photo by Dave Rogers)

Who came up with the fabulously successful theme? The officers of the Bay Medical Foundation: Chairman Mike Stodolak of Independent Bank, Debra Lutz, vice president of Delta College, Daniel Engelhardt of Assured Financial Advisors and Richard Lyon of MacMillan Associates.

And, of course, BMF director Keith Markstrom, who was part of a military intelligence unit in Viet Nam. Community co-chairs were Dan Couveau and Michelle Wilson and Bay Regional Medical Center (BRMC) co-chairs were Sarah Foster, Kathy Graczyk and Sylvia Levitt.

Backing up the leaders were full service troops, reserve troops, ex-officio supporters Alice Gerard, president and CEO of BRMC, Brian Kay, chief financial officer, and Debbie Kohn, president of the BRMC Auxiliary.

Sarah Foster, left, and Kathy Graczyk portray Red Cross workers at the auction. (MyBayCity Photo by Dave Rogers)

Maureen Groya of the foundation staff (with hat) and volunteer Carol Wood confer near the podium. (MyBayCity Photo by Dave Rogers)

Ken Marotzke and Sandy Krohn (portraying Hot Lips Houlihan) check out the mileage marker. (MyBayCity Photo by Dave Rogers)

Victoria MacKenzie, left, Keith Markstrom and community co-chairs Michelle Wilson and Dan Couveau run the show. (MyBayCity Photo by Dave Rogers)

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Dave Rogers
Dave Rogers is a former editorial writer for the Bay City Times and a widely read, respected journalist/writer in and around Bay City. (Contact Dave Via Email at carraroe@aol.com) More from Dave Rogers

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