For more than a decade, many island residents and visitors were glued to television sets to watch a long-time favorite show. Names like Hawkeye, Klinger and Radar had become household names and this incredibly popular show can still be seen in re-runs. This weekend, members of the Pine Island VFW will offer residents and visitors the opportunity to relive those days when they present M*A*S*H Bash.
Everyone is invited to this open-to-the- public event and don the costumes of their favorite character from this Korean War era series. The day will be filled with music, food, games and prizes from noon to 4 p.m. at the VFW at 8150 Stringfellow Road in St. James City on Saturday, March 13.
Organizing this well-attended event is island resident Jill Davidson who explained the origin of this unique event.
“A few years ago we were trying to come up with a fund raiser that would be unique and fun and my husband suggested the M*A*S*H Bash. The very first year it was a big hit and even though my husband is gone we will continue to bring this event to Pine Island,” said Davidson. “This event is very well attended and each year we continue to look for more ways to make it interesting and fun. It has become so popular that last year we even received a letter from a woman saying she had, had the best time at M*A*S*H Bash than she has at any other fund raiser.”
Among the games to be offered during the afternoon on Saturday, will be Cane Golf, Bedpan Toss, Mine Marble, MASH Trivia, Crutch races and Operation. Any interested visitors can purchase a score card for $5 which enters them into any or all of the games. At the end of the day, all of the score cards will be tallied and the winners will receive awards.
“In the past, we held many of the games outdoors, but because the weather here this winter has been rather unpredictable, all of the games will be held inside the VFW,” Davidson said. “We will even be setting up an indoor putting green for the Cane Golf event so people need not let bad weather keep them from coming out to play.”
For those not interested in playing the games, other opportunities for fun and prizes will include Radar’s Balloons. Simply burst a balloon and collect the prize inside or take a chance at Hot Lips Kisses and guess at how many kisses Hot Lips will receive.
Sponsored by White House Plantation Feed and Garden Center in St. James City will be Colonel Potter’s Horse Race.
“In addition to awarding prizes for those betting on winning horses, we also have a number of prizes for those losing the race as well,” said Davidson.
From noon to 2 p.m. and again from 5 to 7 p.m. Cookie Pete will prepare chicken wings to be sold at a very reasonable price and beverages can be purchased at the bar. In addition, beginning at 4 p.m. live music will be provided by the Full House Band.
Proceeds from this event are earmarked for a local charity and will be donated by the VFW Women’s Auxiliary.
Recipients in the past have included special needs students, veteran’s charities and the VA Home. This year the funds will be donated to an organization called, Uplink and Unmet Needs, a Military Assis-tance program. Each program provides its own focus of support for military service members and their families.
This fund-raising event is open to the public and you need not be a member of the VFW to participate.