On Thursday, June 25, over 220 guests arrived at The Mill at Spring Lake Heights to honor Father Alphonse Stephenson at Algonquin Arts’ Annual Gala. Thanks to the generous donations of the attendees, Algonquin Arts netted over $80,000 that evening, after expenses.

The event, hosted by Jack Ford, featured a cocktail hour, a four-course dinner, dessert, and plenty of entertainment, including performances by Don Pippin, Lee Roy Reams and Kevin Spirtas.

Guests had the opportunity to bid on unique items and trips in a silent auction, as well as bid in a live auction for the chance to win a one-week trip to Florence, Italy, courtesy of longtime friends and supporters of Algonquin Arts, Pat King and David Clark.

The winning bid reached $18,500 after a five minute battle between many interested bidders. After the bidding was over, Pat King, the donor of this auction item, offered the same trip to the under-bidder, if they were willing to meet the winning bidder’s price. The under-bidder accepted the offer, which resulted in a total of $37,000 raised on that auction item alone.

In addition, the silent auction brought in $56,350, and another $19,100 was received from sponsors, underwriters and donations.

The night was topped off with a modern version of the number “One Singular Sensation,” where dancers from Dan Baris’ Ocean Dance Force surprised guests by entering the hall as they danced down the aisles to the stage in the front of the room, wearing blue top hats and matching dresses. Guests joined in to sing along and cheer before the night ended.

The 2009-2010 season is now listed on the Algonquin Arts Web site, www.algonquinarts.org.

For more information on upcoming performances, contact the box office at 732-528-9211, or e-mail boxoffice@algonquinarts.org.

Box office hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., located at 173 Main St. in Manasquan.