KINGSTON, R.I. — February 26, 1999 — It was a night to remember as University of Rhode Island alumni and friends dined, danced, and raised over $100,000 for the URI Alumni Association at the 8th annual Winter Gala. Nearly 750 guests attended the sold-out Gala that was held at the Doubletree Hotel on Goat Island, Newport earlier this month. The event was chaired by Joan Feraco ‘70 and Frank Feraco ‘69, president, Industrial Products Segment, Textron, Inc. Also attending were Governor Lincoln C. Almond ‘59 and his wife, Marilyn ‘58; and Lt. Gov. Robert A. Weygand ‘71, ‘76. The Winter Gala committee chairs were Audrey and Philip Kydd ‘81 of Warwick and Lincoln D. Almond ‘85 and Lynn M. Almond ‘84 of Peace Dale. Sponsors for the Pre-Gala reception, which featured hors d’oeuvres, an open bar, a complimentary picture, and an auction preview, were Textron and CVS. Long-time Gala supporter Fleet sponsored the live auction. Two of the main events of the evening were the live and silent auctions. More than 100 items were up for bid, and many sold for twice their value. A Loch Lomond Golf Getaway to Scotland package, donated by the Feracos, received the highest bid of the night at $5,000. Other popular items at the live auction were: A chance to be Rhody Ram at a future athletic or alumni game, which was won by Lt. Gov. Weygand; a place on the Master’s Celebrity Tour, also donated by the Feracos, and won by URI Alumni Association President Alan Wasserman ‘75 of Cranston; and a chance to be an assistant coach for Men’s Basketball at URI, which was won by Peter Gabriele. Popular items for the silent auction were a two-week escape to Prince EdwardIsland, donated by Dr. Joan Abar ‘52 of N. Kingstown; a fishing trip with URI president Robert L. Carothers on Snug Harbor; Disney collectibles donated by Disney Feature Animator and Manager of Systems Development Jim Sepe ‘82 of Glendale, CA; and a Don Bousquet ‘73 of Narragansett customized cartoon. Proceeds from this event fund Student Alumni scholarships and grants. Every year at least 16 scholarships, totalling $46,000, are awarded by the URI Alumni Association. Since this Gala’s debut in January of 1992, over $350,000 has been raised. Thirty members of the Student Alumni Association greeted guests and helped at the auction.