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Possum Queen Contest sets a new $$$ record |
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Adam Wheeler and his colleagues in the "Wheel of Possum" skit celebrate their victory in the Possum Queen Contest on Sunday, while below, the Vikings perform their skit. BZ photos
An epic New Year's Day afternoon at the Litchfield Inn saw a record amount of money generated during a hilarious Possum Queen Contest that drew a huge crowd willing to open its wallets, checkbooks and hearts to help some needy local residents.
Contest judges and founders Brent Hawkins and Bill Neller oversaw a monumental event that raised more than $43,000 for the non-profit Possum Queen Foundation. The judges are still tallying the proceeds and don't know how much they'll gross, but it will far exceed the previous record of $30,000 raised in 2011.
"Absolutely fabulous," Hawkins said late Sunday night. "They just knocked it out of the box." Hawkins credited the legion of volunteers who assisted with the organization of the 22nd annual contest, those who donated items for the live and silent auctions, and everyone who generously donated money. "It's all going to a great cause," Hawkins said. Below, there was a lot of money-counting going on during the Possum Queen Contest, which saw the "Wheel of Possum" ski (bottom photo) raise $16,540 to begin with and more than $19,000 overall. BZ photos
The Possum Queen Foundation, a legitimate charity, benefits individuals and families coping with costs associated with health issues. The beneficiaries of the 2012 contest are Liam Dwyer, the Litchfield Marine who lost his left leg above the knee in an IED explosion in Afghanistan last May; Angela Etchegary, who works at the Goshen post office, lost her husband, Alan, suddenly in November, and has had a recurrence of cancer that required surgery; the family of 1-year-old Evan Fasciano of Goshen; and the family of Jeffrey (Jeffro) Reynolds of Litchfield. Evan suffers from a rare skin disorder and requires constant care, while Reynolds died Dec. 26 after a short battle with cancer. The title of Possum Queen went to a group that performed a spoof of the television game show Wheel of Fortune. "Wheel of Possum" featured Mat and Sue Wheeler, Joe and Micky Pratt, John Davis and Ashley Hutchings, all of Goshen, Adam Wheeler of Morris, and Alan Wheeler of Torrington in the roles of various celebrities. They were outstanding performers but even better fundraisers, collecting more than $19,000 for the Possum Queen Foundation in the weeks leading up to the contest and during the contest. The total was $16,540 by the end of their act, but a flow of additional donations and the sale of bags of popcorn pushed the amount past $19,000. Another group, led by Rey and Lesley Budny and D.J. Murphy, all of Litchfield, presented a donation of $6,000. They also put on a brilliant show, with a spoof of the game show The Price is Right. Their act was called "The Bribe is Right." Gary Zeller and friends were once again a hit, this time performing as the Vikings from the Capital One credit card commercials. They also raised a good chunk of change for the contest. Also getting in on the act was Gary Heaney, who did a spot-on imitation of the late Andy Rooney. Hawkins and Neller spent the day quaffing beer and accepting donations in the form of bribes. The irrepressible Steve Sage was again a big part of the end of the contest, when on behalf of a consortium he bid $6,500 for a can of possum soup. There's still time to donate to the cause. Tax-deductible donations to the Possum Queen Foundation can be sent to P.O. Box 1865, Litchfield, 06759. Below, "The Bribe is Right" skit unfolds during the Possum Queen Contest. BZ photo
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