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Hospice event raises a record $38,000 in bids
Football fever warmed up the bidding as the sale of McCook state championship-related memorabilia added nearly $6,400 to a record total of more than $38,000 for McCook Hospice.
Although temperatures were below freezing and the roads were patchy with ice, no one complained about the weather once inside the warm elegance of the Coppermill for the sixth annual "An Evening For Hospice" on Sunday night.
Soft candlelight at each table added to the ambiance as supporters of the Community Hospital Health Foundation's hospice program milled around the artfully displayed packages offered at auction during the premier fundraiser for the program.
The record-breaking grand total for the evening, including the surprise Bison memorabilia brought in by Class B state football champions Trent Lyons, Kyle Bedore and Brenden Liess, was $38, 204. Former world champion auctioneer Joe Frazier entertained the full house with his humorous banter and skillful auctioneering.
The sensitive and vitally important issue of terminal illness and dignity while dying was the focus of a presentation by Patsy Houghton, president and general manager of Heartland Cattle Co.
Houghton's father, Cliff Houghton, died of a virulent form of skin cancer 15 years ago. Her mother, a hospice volunteer in their Kansas community, at first thought to tend to her husband's daily needs by herself. At the insistence of the couple's children, hospice volunteers came into the picture and as Patsy explained, "gave us permission to shift the energy and focus from getting well to concentrating on relationship, giving us quality time together as a family."
Cliff Houghton was born on the family ranch which was originally homesteaded by ancestors at the time of the Civil War. Once he understood that the ultimate outcome of his disease was death, he left the hospital to die on the land that he loved, surrounded by family and friends.
"Thanks to hospice, he was mobile, even able to sit in his recliner, up until 24 hours before his death."
Her voice breaking, Patsy continued, "Through hospice, we have peace about his death. He died on his terms, with dignity."
The Houghton Family and Ringneck Ranch donated a hunting package, purchased by John Buxton and Dan Grubb, at the Ringneck Ranch, raising $2,500 for hospice.
Ringneck Ranch was Cliff Houghton's response to the financial agricultural crisis in the 1980s, combining his love for the land, for hunting and for entertaining into a profitable and popular hunting experience in Tipton, Kan.
Other packages and purchasers Sunday evening were:
* Queen for a Day provided by Julia's Massage, The Body Connection, Renalle's Classic Hair Design, Wagner Ford-Mercury and The Coppermill. Purchased by: Kurt and Rebecca Vosburg
* Luv' those Huskers provided by Wells Fargo of McCook. Purchased by: Cal Siegfried
* Sitting Pretty provided by Olson's Photography and Vap's Seed and Hardware. Purchased by: Farrell's Pharmacy and the Farrell Family
* Midwest Culture provided by Sehnert's Bakery & Bieroc Café, Buffalo Commons Committee, Minden Opera House, Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer, Michael Sughroue and Ruth Sughroue. Purchased by: Gerry and Cheri Beckenhauer
* Gateway to the Teton's provided by Dr. John and Cindy West and the Hatchet Resort. Purchased by: Scott and Deb Sinclair
* Storybook Corner provided by Ron and Norma Barnett, Jones Upholstery and Interiors, Linda Maiden, State Farm Agent and Preston and Carolyn Klimper. Purchased by: Michaelis Chiropractic
* It's a Homerun provided by US Bancorp Piper Jaffray. Purchased by: Joe and Julie Gillispie
* Four Seasons provided by Xi Beta Alpha, Alpha Zeta and Alpha Beta. Purchased by: Terry and Mary Ellinger
* Home Office with a Flare provided by Eakes Office Plus. Purchased by: Jeff and Kristin Stagemeyer
* A Christmas Carol provided by McCook Radio Group. Purchased by: Diane Kugler
* Gourmet Dining Experience provided by Mike and Laura Ford and Matt and Shelly Sehnert and The Spirit Shop. Purchased by: Diane Kugler
* Pantry Partners provided by The Merry Mrs. Homemakers Club. Purchased by: Keith and Deb Houghton
* Old World Grandeur donated by D & D Floral. Purchased by: Dr. Lori and Devlin Reece
* Selected from the Heartland provided by Warren and Sharon Frazier and Heartland Cattle Company. Purchased by: John Kugler
* 21st Century Technology provided by Pinpoint, Movie Gallery and Rocket Inn. Purchased by: Bison Dental, Dr. Warren Jones and Dr. Melanie Jones-Wier
* Black Attack provided by US Bancorp Piper Jaffray. Purchased by: Norm and Sharon Timmerman
* Blue Velvet provided by Gary and Donna Bieganski and Kings Medical. Purchased by: Dave and Jan Smith
* Escape to the Mountains donated by McCook Eye Clinic, Acme Touch Printing and Kings Medical. Purchased by: Dr. Rick and Pam Klug
* Backyard Retreat provided by Dr. Jane Eskildsen, Dr. Kenneth Ellis, Dr. Dan Farrell, McCook Clinic, Common Scents and Parker Hannifin. Purchased by: Norm and Sharon Timmerman
* Understated Elegance provided by Community Hospital Medical Records and Business Office, Mary Vap, Pat's Creative and the Sunsetter Club. Purchased by: Lyle and Peg Smalley
* Smart Technology provided by Video Kingdom of McCook. Purchased by: Dr. Toby and Elise Free
* I'd Rather be Golfing provided by Wilderness Ridge, Cross Creek Golf Links, Stone Creek, The Pines, Bayside Golf Course, Quarry Oaks, Heritage Hills Golf Course, AT&T and Wagner Ford-Mercury. Purchased by: Jeff and Kristin Stagemeyer
* The Ritz provided by Borsheims of Omaha and Kings Medical. Purchased by: Kevin and Sheri Ord
* Bison Football, Helmet and State Champion Plaque signed by the 2003 Bison Football State Champions. Purchased by: 71 for chance drawing for choice/Deb Rokusek won drawing and choice of plaque. Steve Marr purchased football, Rick Roberts purchased helmet and Dr. Dan Farrell purchased second plaque.