Eighth Annual URI Winter Gala promises an evening of excitement

KINGSTON, R.I. -- January 7, 1999 -- The University of Rhode Island Alumni Association promises alumni and friends an elegant evening of dining, dancing, and live and silent auction entertainment at its premiere annual Winter Gala.

To be held on Saturday, February 6, 1999 at the Newport Doubletree Islander Hotel on Goat Island, this sell-out event features all the fun, plus the added benefit of raising funds for undergraduate scholarships and grants. The honorary couple chairs for this eighth annual event are Joan Feraco '70 and Frank Feraco '69, president, Industrial Products Segment, Textron, Inc.

A Pre-Gala reception, sponsored jointly by Textron and CVS, will be held from 6-7:30 pm and will feature hors d'oeuvres, an open bar, a special gift, and an auction preview. The Gala will follow from 7:30 p.m.-1 a.m. with a buffet, dancing, and silent auction. The live auction, sponsored by long-time Gala supporter Fleet Bank, begins at 9 p.m.

Tickets are $50 per person for the Gala, and $150 per person for the VIP Pre-Gala Reception and the Gala. Tables of 10 to both the pre-gala and the gala are also available. The Doubletree Islander Hotel is offering a special rate of only $80 per room.

To order a table, or for information on tickets, sponsorship, or program advertising, call the Alumni Association at 874-2242.

More than 100 items will be auctioned during this year's live and silent auctions. Some of these items include:

Famous Fore: Celebrity golf for three-during the Master's Celebrity Tour.

Bull Fever: Two tickets, one night accommodations, and airfare to a Chicago Bulls game.

Exclusive CVS VIP Golf Celebrity Package

Tee-rific: Luxury golf vacation for two at Loch Lomond Golf Club in Scotland, with two nights accommodations in a Scottish castle. Includes greens fees. Hosted by Frank and Joan Feraco, July 1999.

For Art's Sake: Landscape watercolor by Spencer Crooks, one of New England's most collected painters.

Proceeds from the event, which last year raised about $100,000, will benefit annual alumni scholarships and grants for deserving URI undergraduates. Since the first event in January of 1992, the annual URI Winter Gala has raised more than $250,000.

Companies and others are also invited to sponsor tables, the program, reception or other elements of the event. Call the alumni association at 401-874-5808 for sponsorship opportunities and rates.

The Winter Gala committee chairs are Audrey and Philip Kydd '81 of Warwick and Lincoln D. Almond '85 and Lynn M. Almond '84 of Peace Dale.

Seating is limited, so order early for this popular event!