Now that the 17th annual Boothbay Charities Golf Classic, which raised a record-setting $33,000 for Special Olympics-Maine, has come and gone, and before the tourney committee begins its year-round task of attracting new celebrities and lifeblood sponsors to help make number 18 be bigger and better, they wanted to share some highlights and footnotes, and publicly thank those people who don't care if you know who they are; people behind groups such as NorthCenter, Wal-Mart, Bow Street, Hannaford, and Pepsi, for example.

Getting their visits off to a great start, arriving celebrities unpacked in waterfront rooms provided by various inns and volunteers such as Laurie Taylor, who donated both her Carousel Condo and Tamarack Trail dome.

The Thursday night meet-and-greet held once again by Laura and Steve Francis of The Gallery Gatherings and Events Catering proved a great location for our sponsors, celebrities, and tourney staff to mingle and relax over great food, tall tales, and homespun ambiance. While many celebrities played an extra round of golf Friday morning, courtesy of the Harris family at Boothbay Country Club, others toured the mid-coast in cars provided by Enterprise rent-a-car at Wiscasset Ford.

The lobster feast, provided by East Boothbay Clam and Lobster Bakes, and bar set-up, provided by Craig Andrews' crew, were as big a hit as ever, especially to Ted Hendricks, who dined on lobster omelets for breakfast and lobster rolls for lunch to prepare for the evening, and Garo Yepremian's wife, Maritza, who holds the celebrity record for most downed crustaceans.

Pat Oberuch, who has donated the electrical needs for the tourney from year one, stringing lights and power throughout the large tent set up at the Boothbay Railway Village, as well as assisting in the auction and encouraging people to participate, received this year's Jackson Libbey Award. Named for a meritorious tourney icon who exemplified the true giving spirit of Special Olympics-Maine, the award is presented to volunteers who quietly, yet tirelessly, work behind the scenes to help the tourney flow; volunteers like Mike Cook who sets up phone lines for our volunteers to use electronic credit card machines every year since the tourney first moved to the Railway Village. Introduced to a standing ovation, Beverly Graham, wife of Hall of Fame quarterback Otto Graham, whose participation, advice and cream-of-the-crop golfing pals among the celebrity ranks helped BCC grow beyond the committee's wildest dreams, was thanked for the goodness of her heart and for keeping Otto's sprit alive. Sgt. Bob McFetridge, and canine officer, Deputy Brent Barter, of the Lincoln County Sheriff's Department which annually provides security for the event, were accompanied by Barter's four-legged partner, Olga, who proved to be a big hit with attendees and especially the New England Patriot cheerleaders. An "above and beyond the call" mention goes to Boothbay Harbor Framers and Gallery for their last- minute shattered frame rescue.

Following another successful auction, the tourney's 300 volunteers and sponsors were up at dawn to set up the golf course for the Saturday morning scramble. A $10,000 putting contest, sponsored by Milton Webber and a new car, sponsored by J. Edward Knight through Scott Price, one of our celebrities, were the highlights of the many offered prizes.

Manning the NorthCenter donated cheeseburger and hot dog tent once again at the tenth hole, while his partner John Hallee sponsored a foursome, Alan McLaughlin of McLaughlin and Hallee Associates, the event's largest sponsor, was accompanied by local jiu jitsu and fellow Pan-Am games competitor Barry Sherman, and Joe Moreira, the former five-time Brazilian national, two-time South American, World kickboxing and Ultimate Fighting world champion. Joe, in town to test local students and prevent golfing competitors from getting too rowdy on the back nine, has become a popular tourney regular.

At the tourney's closing awards presentation, Diane MacAfee, representing husband, Ken, a tourney regular, one of Otto's College All-Stars, and the former NFL prototype tight end for the 1956 world champion New York Giants who passed away a few months ago, was presented with $625 in cash collected on the course in Ken's name during the tourney. It was an emotional moment when Diane thanked those present before re-donating the money to Special Olympics-Maine. Special Olympians Maren Barker, Michael Hutchins and Timmy Graziano of the Rocky Coast group home, were on hand for the awards presentation, with Timmy participating in picking prize winners. Their presence brought home that the event not only raises needed funds for SOME athletes to attend state, national and world games, but also allows summer camp athletes to have specialty items such as full wheelchair access to boating activities by providing hoist systems on the previously funded dock, and special sleds that allow athletes to experience the joy of water skiing.

A sunset river cruise on the Harbor Princess, donated by Jack Gibbons of Fisherman's Wharf and featuring live music from Cahoots, proved to be a popular and much-needed venue for unwinding after another successful year.

Back on land, after the weekend's extra food, napkins and nonalcoholic beverages were donated to the Boosters Club for homecoming and trash hauled off by Giles Rubbish, Kaler's Restaurant kept the grills lit for those not wanting the festivities to end. Except for those driving the celebrities back to the airport, the meal was the last chance for all to say their thanks and good-byes until the fourth weekend of September '08 when all gather to push the event's grand total over the $500,000 mark. See you then.