More than 375 people danced the night away as Harford Community College kicked off its 50th anniversary celebration with a gala on January 27 at the Maryland Golf and Country Clubs. Through the generosity of those who purchased a $250 ticket, as well as the multiple businesses and individuals who sponsored the event or donated items to the silent auction, more than $300,000 was raised to benefit the HCC Foundation, Inc. Scholarship Fund.

The highlight of the evening was the drawing for a brand new car donated by the gala’s premier sponsor, the Bel Air New Car Dealers Association. Nora Koontz of WBAL Radio was the lucky winner of a Pontiac convertible. A $500 drawing was also held for early bird ticket purchasers. Carl Kilhoffer of Custom Direct accepted the prize on behalf of John Browning, who was not in attendance, and generously donated the money back to the Foundation. A silent auction featuring baskets of goodies that had been donated by various individuals and businesses helped to complete the festivities and raised over $10,000.

“Many people who attended the gala said it was a magical evening. The event was a great success and exceeded my expectations. It was wonderful to have such great support from people in the community. I want to thank the event sponsors as well as the businesses and individuals who contributed scholarship donations, items and services to the event. I appreciate everyone’s support of HCC as we celebrate Fifty Years and Growing. I also want to thank everyone who helped to plan the gala, especially committee members who spent so many hours preparing for this event. The money raised by the gala will greatly benefit our students with much needed scholarships,” said HCC President Dr. James F. LaCalle.

Guests had a wonderful time dancing to the sounds of The Klassix and were also entertained by violinist Sara Parks and Duke Thompson, Maryland Conservatory of Music, who serenaded the audience with lovely piano music. Photographer Chris Heard, an instructor at HCC, took formal portraits for those in attendance to take home as mementos of the evening. As guests left the gala, they received a commemorative bottle of wine from Fiore Winery and a 50th anniversary coin.

The premier gala sponsor was the Bel Air New Car Dealers Association. Additional sponsors included Greater Harford Committee, M&T Bank, APG Federal Credit Union, Frederick Ward & Associates, SAIC, Upper Chesapeake Health, Cho Benn Holback + Associates, Constellation Energy, Custom Direct, Inc., McDonald’s LPGA Championship, Net-Tech, Inc., Jeffrey Dresher, and The Aegis.

Contributors of items and services to the event included the Aberdeen IronBirds, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Bel Air Athletic Club, Body Styles by Mel, BSL Productions, Inc., Bulle Rock, Carried Away Gourmet, Carol B. Scanlan, Chesapeake Heritage Conservancy, Churchville Golf, City of Havre de Grace, Coffee Coffee, Cold Stone Creamery, Curves, D&H Distributing, Debbie’s Mane Concern, Deerfield, Inc., Dixie Construction, Doodads, Inc., Dorothy Miller and Bob Slawson, Duke Thompson—Maryland Conservatory of Music, Eye Dentity, F.W. Haxel & Co., Inc., Fiore Winery, Freedom Federal Credit Union, Geneva Farms Golf, Gold’s Gym International, Hair It Is, Harford Bank, Harford County Government Office of Economic Development, Havre de Grace Decoy Museum, HCC Alumni and Friends Association, HCC Chesapeake Center staff, HCC Continuing Education and Training Division, HCC Fallston Hall staff and faculty, HCC Havre de Grace Hall staff and faculty, HCC Humanistic Studies Division, HCC Library staff and faculty, HCC Plant Services staff, HCC Student Development Division, HCC Susquehanna Center staff and faculty, Imark Builders, Inc., J.D. Lawn Service, Joan Preston, Johnston Brothers Fine Jewelers, Kenneth Jones, Knot Just Another Basket, Let’s Dish, Main Street Tower Restaurant, Maryland Correctional Enterprises, Maryland Golf and Country Clubs, McDonald’s LPGA Championship, Melting Pot Restaurant, New Cut Builders, Putt-Putt Fun Center, Ronnie’s Fine Wine and Spirits, Ropewalk Tavern, Route 40 Business Association, St. John’s Gourmet/Laurrapin Grille, Saxon’s Diamond Centers, Sean Bolan’s Irish Pub and Restaurant, Starbucks, The Aegis, The Seafood Truck, The Spa at Bel Air Athletic Club, The UPS Store, Vincenti Decoys, Virginia Fire Protection, Inc., Visage Salon, Vision Associates, Washington Street Books, and Woodhall Wine Cellars.