C6 www.hpe.com SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2013 THE HIGH POINT ENTERPRISE

ABOUT TOWN

The number says it all … $118,302! High Point Regional Foundation

has done it once again. This year’s Sun & Stars Signature Event, held at the High Point Country Club was a sell-out even

before invitations could be sent out. This is the third year for Sun & Stars and it has raised almost $320,000 to fund patient care programs

at High Point Regional. Kudos to Denise Potter, vice president of the Hospital Foundation, marketing and public relations for initiating Sun & Stars. Sun & Stars featured a five-star dinner followed by a concert by the popular Little River Band.

How ironic that one of the big hits for the Little River Band is “Help is on the Way” and perhaps that is the theme of Sun & Stars. Thanks to Sun & Stars, help is definitely on the way to the LoveLine Cancer Care Fund. This provides financial assistance to any “patient actively undergoing cancer treatment at High Point Regional. This could be for rental of medical equipment, prescriptions, nutritional support or transportation, all of which are essential needs for those dealing with cancer.”

Help is also on the way to the second beneficiary, the Heart Strides Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation program. This is a group program designed to restore physical strength and endurance, and improve overall health.

Before we “go” to the Sun & Stars, I must recognize the sponsors who made Sun & Stars so successful. It should be no surprise that the major sponsor was Doug Witcher (Smart Choice). How fortunate our community is to have such a generous and caring philanthropist. The signature sponsors were the High Point Regional Foundation and Wells Fargo Advisors. Later in this column, I will tell you about another special sponsor, Old Dominion Freight Lines.

Now to Sun & Stars. The evening of Sun & Stars began with a social hour, and how apropos that the first couple I mingled with were HP Regional President Jeff Miller and his wife Carroll Ann. They were looking very relaxed after spending the week at the beach and very deservedly so. Just the week before Jeff announced that he will be retiring early next year. Jeff has made major accomplishments in his 25 years at the hospital helm.

Chairman of the board of trustees Ken Smith, who attended with his wife, Sandra, noted that Jeff through his dedication has led High Point Regional to new heights, including creation of the Carolina Regional Heart Center, Hayworth Cancer Center and the Esther R. Culp Women’s Center. HP Regional is consistently being recognized for its outstanding patient care. The net $118,302 will definitely be a step in continuing that tradition.

Jeff has said that he and Carroll Ann (and her lovely roses) will remain in High Point. Thank goodness.

Also chatting with them were Leah and Billy Price. Leah is amazing. She serves on at least seven boards of directors including as the chair-elect for the United Way of Greater High Point. More recently, Charles Cain, who attended with his wife

Ann, passed the gavel of chairman of the High Point Economic Development Corporation to Leah.

There was Bill & Daphne Horney. Just look at the photo in this column of Bill and his lovely wife Daphne. Bill, who recently turned 97 years old makes 97 look like the new 77. Bill Horney is really “the stuff.”

I also spotted the editor of The High Point Enterprise, Megan Ward, and met her husband Brian. I occasionally see her “about town” and am looking forward to an “up close and personal” chat with her. I think High Pointers will be interested in “meeting” Megan and her family. You will read it in “About Town” early next year.

As my mingling continues, the doors to the ballroom remained closed. As they opened, the scene was one not to forget. The ballroom looked like a starlit evening. It truly was magical and it was an omen of what was to come. The dinner was an exquisite experience featuring a “surf and turf” of filet mignon and shrimp.

I was delighted to be seated at the table with the doctors. As hard as it was, I tried not to talk “shop,” in other words ... to get medical advice. I did fairly

well, but did pose a few back pain questions to Dr. Michael Lucas (orthopedic surgeon) who attended with his wife Rita. There was cardiologist Dr. Steven Rohrbeck who heads the Hearts Strides Program with his wife Kathy, neurologist Dr. Keith Miller and his wife Ellen and oncologist Dr. Bernard Chinnasami.

After the dinner was served, Don Webb (attended with his wife Susie) co-chair of the board with Frosty Culp (unable to attend because he was in Paris) stepped to the podium for a presentation by the VIP sponsor Old Dominion Freight Lines, “Old Dominion Freight Lines told us they wanted to do something in addition to sponsoring the event, They wanted to do something special.” And something special they did. Earl Congdon, on behalf of Old Dominion presented a check for $20,000 to purchase two heart monitors for the birthing center in the Esther R. Culp Women’s Center. Webb, such an advocate for our community and the organizer of the recent Veteran’s Day Parade is one of candidates for Howard Coble’s seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Don

Webb is a “doer.”Sun & Stars members

who assisted Don and Frosty were Brack Brigman, Charlene Green, Susan McMichael, Sparky Stroud and Doug Witcher. The staff of the Hospital Foundation also did a great job including Courtney Best (I will be telling you about her special award in a later column), Julie Samuels (she will be get getting married to Van Hill in March. … Congratulations!) and Darlene McDaniels. I didn’t see April Carty who with her husband Austin

are delighting in their two-month old daughter Ada.

Cameron Kent, WXII News Anchor once again served as the emcee. As he introduced Little River Band he said, “If you are of my generation, the Little River Band is part of the soundtrack of your life. How many of you sat in the back of your dad’s Buick listening to the Little River Band when you were probably supposed to be somewhere else? Well, that was me and you will get to hear them tonight.”

The lights dimmed.

Little River Band stepped onto the stage and began “Reminiscing” through a medley of their songs. People danced. They cheered. They clapped. They sang.

What a night … a night they will soon be “Reminiscing.” And to the High Point Regional Foundation … a big congratulations for ensuring that “Help is on the Way” to the patients of High Point Regional.

MARY BOGEST is an artist

and writer who resides in High Point | MSBogest@aol.com

Sun, stars shine for HP Regional Foundation

Special | HPESeated left to right, Rick Grady, Kelli Burns, Kourtney Swann, major sponsor Doug Witcher ((Smart Choice) and Holly & Richard Holder. Standing, Tim & Debbie Mabe and Jody & Doug Susong at the Sun & Stars.

Mary Bogest | HPERafe Royle, left, with Daphne and Bill Horney and Mari-anne Royle at High Point Regional’s Signature Sun & Stars event.

Mary Bogest | HPEEarl Congdon, center, of Old Dominion Freight Lines presents a check for $20,000 to Reid Marsh, left, chairman of the High Point Regional Foundation and Jeff Miller, presi-dent of High Point Regional to purchase cardiac monitors for the Esther R. Culp Wom-en’s Center.

Special | HPEDebbie and Tim Mabe, Mary Bogest, Sparky Stroud and Sally Henley had fun posing with the Little River Band after the concert.

Special | HPESteve, left, and Denise Pottler, High Point Regional vice president of the foundation/marketing and public rela-tions with Susie and Don Webb, co-chairman of the Sun & Stars event.

MARYBOGESTABOUT TOWN

C6 BOGEST