The Fabulous Freddie DeMarco hosted Columbia's signature event of spring, the 22nd annual Comedy Night fundraiser on April 22nd at Deja Vu. Local acts trying their hand at stand up included Pat McDonald, recently retired from Shelter Insurance, who shared insights about men from her unique perspective and stories from 16 years of commuting on her bicycle in rush hour traffic on Broadway. “Money N The Bank” a talented group of young men (Aaron Armentrout, Nate Cain, Geoff Karr and Joe Ritter) from Landmark Bank, rapped out an original song extolling the best and worst of Columbia, from schools, sports and downtown cameras to a new mayor. Brothers, Jim and Ed Orr, challenged professional comedian, Dan Chopin in a local version of “Cash Cab”, then graciously donated their unlikely winnings to the night’s deserving charities, Job Point and Assistance League of Mid-Missouri. Bob Pugh provided his hilarious annual “State of Columbia” address, peppered with anecdotes of family life. Professional comedian and star of Discovery Channel’s “Cash Cab”, Ben Bailey, capped off the show with entertaining observations from his frantic drive in on I-70 and the oddities of the animal kingdom. It’s a good thing his television career is going so well or he’d be in dire need of Job Point’s services, judging by his job interview history! The phenomenal funnies resulted in monies totaling over $33,000 to benefit the two worthy organizations.

Event sponsors were Joe Machens Dealerships, Columbia Daily Tribune, Columbia Orthopaedic Group, Déjà Vu, DeSpain Cayce Dermatology Center & Medical Spa, Horton Animal Hospitals, The Insurance Group Inc, Landmark Bank, MBS Textbook Exchange Inc, and Mpix.

Generous bidders for the awesome auction items included: Donna Bechtold, a visit from Santa and a year’s worth of ice cream; Mary Carnahan, NASCAR tickets; Dan Kellar, tickets to the Tonight Show with Jay Leno and backstage passes; Marilyn Starwalt, a week in Breckeridge, Colorado, and a Déjà Vu office party; Dawn Eckenrode, a set of pearls; and Scott and Teresa Foster, an original Mahieu painting.

Guests willing to have their wallets pried open for this worthy event include: Truman and Cindy Allen, Frank and Liz Aten, Tom and Lynnanne Baumgartner, Bruce and Donna Beckett, Chris and Jackie Belcher, Bill and Susan Brooks, Skip and Jeri Deming, David and Linda Duffy, Steve and Laura Erdel, Jenny and Pete McDonald, Bill and Barbara McHugh, David and Marcia Machens, Jeff and Becky MacLellan, Ellen McLain, John and Vicki Ott, Kimberly Palmer, Tom and Alice Payne, Justin and Kathy Perry, Bob and Rosemary Quillman, Jim and Kathy Ritter, Jim and Debbie Robertson, Jim and Doris Ross, Jim and Rita Schulte, and Dan and Leah Beth Simon.