It was First Class all the way for The Long Table at Pickens County Airport.  The visual effects were spectacular  – the thousand bulbs outlining the open air structure, the red carpet, the antique plane, the uniformed captain and stewardess, the bubbling champagne, the elegantly flowered long, long, table, the stunning sunset, the mountain vistas and finally a billion stars in the clear autumn sky.  This is what greeted guests at The Long Table on Saturday evening October 17^th.

Pics L-R  Captain Bill and Susan Gibson with Flight Crew for the Evening Dennis Santucci and Denise Gallagher, The Emerald Empire Band heating things up,

 

and Bidding on Auction items gets competitive

“We were looking for a ‘wow factor’ for location this year and everything fell into place.  The airport was a challenge but we had to do it” stated Jena Finley, the event chair.  “It took months of planning and an army of people and a lot of luck to pull this off and the response from our patrons and sponsors has made it all worthwhile.”

The Long Table was started on Main Street in Jasper three years ago as Prevent Child Abuse Pickens’ annual fundraiser.  Always trying for a unique and exciting venue, the planning committee decided that the Pickens County Airport would certainly meet those criteria.  “All we needed to bring here was electrical power, a kitchen, toilets, a huge tent, a table and seating for 200, food and drinks,  a band, a couple of bars, an antique airplane, fancy decorations and a can-do attitude,” continued Finley.  “Once we committed to it, it was ‘all hands on deck’”.

“I’ve been trying to get here for 3 years”, stated patron Linda Powell.  “I’m glad I made it this year.  This is truly amazing and for such a great cause.”

“Come Fly with Me” was the theme, reflecting the elegance of air travel in a bygone era and was carried on throughout the evening.  Guests were greeted on a red carpet and a glass of champagne as they posed for pictures with the ‘captain and stewardess’ in front of an antique airplane.  The first class lounge featured three tables of appetizers from exotic locales.

Once the guests settled in over drinks and appetizers, the auction began.  “We limited ourselves to nine great packages so as to not take up too much time,” stated Karen Santucci, auction organizer.  “There was an adventure package, a golf package and an incredible Top Gun Experience for the true adrenaline addict.  Then there were three vacation packages and finally a chauffeured wine tour, a catered feast for twelve and an original artist sketch of a favorite pet.” Bidding was fast and lively under the encouragement of auctioneer Kyle Waters facilitated by Rich Vigue, Margy Lohman, Dennis Santucci and Donna McDonald.

A delicious roasted pumpkin puree soup  was served as the gavel fell in the last item in the auction. This was followed by entrees of Coq au Vin or Steak au Poivre continuing the international fantasy.  Then the sweets, a limon cello mousse, a cannoli and a gigalenti cookie left the palates sated.  “The food was fantastic,” exclaimed Carol Mastroianni.  “It was like eating in a top New York restaurant but with a much better view.”

Throughout the evening patrons were encouraged to make individual donations to PCAP via “Portraits of Worth”.   Last year, Kay Davis, a local artist, created several sketches of children in the PCAP program from photographs she had taken during PCAP family outings.  When these sketches were presented to the children they were amazed that someone thought them worthy enough to create something so beautiful of them and to present it to them.  Thus, Portraits of Worth was born.  Donations were exceedingly generous and go toward funding Parents as Teachers, a PCAP educational program.

“I can never express our appreciation enough for the generosity demonstrated by this fundraiser,” exclaimed Dennis Santucci, PCAP president.  “This is entirely locally funded.  Local businesses and individuals donate cash and the auction items, volunteers come forward in droves and nearly 200 patrons purchased tickets to be here tonight.  Why? Because they want to give our children the chance at a normal childhood and rewarding life.  This makes you very, very proud of our  community.”

The Emerald Empire band had been providing classic ballads and soft music until desert was served but now it was time to kick in the afterburners.   They crowded the dance floor with rockin’ oldies and modern goodies. Margy Lohman, Executive Director of PCAP concluded, “This was a very successful evening.  Our patrons had a great time, with delicious food in a unique and beautiful setting.

Our wonderful sponsors, whose support is so critical, were thanked and recognized throughout the whole evening and we raised a lot of money to continue our work to prevent child abuse.  Now I’m going to take off my shoes and dance.”

Photographs of the evenings event and pictures with the Captain and Stewardess can be viewed on PCAPickens.org.