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‘Survivor’ stars highlight fund-raising dinner
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By DANETTA BARKER Staff Writer
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Protecting animals is at the heart of a benefit dinner for the Humane Society of Buffalo Trace, set for tonight at Caproni's on the River in Maysville.
The event boasts two special guests, Cindy Hall and Rodger Bingham, both former contestants on the popular CBS reality show "Survivor."
Hall, a native of Maysville, has always been an animal lover. She carried her passion to a zoo in Florida where she worked until her acceptance on the show last summer. Now Hall wants to speak out about the important work of humane societies.
Bingham, who appeared on the show during the second season, works for the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. The department promoted a program last year to help low-income families spay and neuter pets. The pilot project launched in July with $100,000 of funding and proved so popular among pet owners that it ran out of money.
Bingham was nicknamed Kentucky Joe during his stint on "Survivor: Australian Outback." He said the experience was grueling, but he relied on things he learned as a child to help him through. One of those, fishing, also helped feed him and tribe members.
When Bingham appeared on the show, contestants were allowed to take one item with them. He chose his Bible. Hall said she and contestants of "Survivor: Guatemala" were not allowed to take anything with them.
Caroline Keller Reece, who is executive director of the Downing Performing Arts Academy, will serve as emcee for the event. The dinner is not the first time Reece has been in front of an audience. She competed in the Miss America pageant program, which led her not to a crown but to true love.
"I was crowned Miss Manchester, Ohio, which resulted in a trip to sister city Manchester, England," Reece said. "While I was there, I met my husband."
Shaun and Caroline Reece have been married 11 years and have two children, Nicholas and Sophie. It was Nicholas, a third grade student at St. Patrick School, who encouraged his mother to become a fan of "Survivor."
"Nick is a huge fan of the show," Reece said. "And since Sophie has to do everything her brother does, she is a big fan."
Reece was also crowned Miss Cincinnati and worked at television station WLEX in Lexington before turning her talents to the academy. She and father, Denny Keller, produced, directed and hosted a tribute to Coralee Runyon-Jones recently.
"We had former students of Coralee's to perform," Reece said.
Another driving force in her life has been competition with brother Dennison Keller, who works as a reporter for WKRC television in Cincinnati.
"I was so competitive with my brother," Reece said. "When he achieved something, I would win another pageant. it was fun. But it all stopped when we started having children."
Humane society President Rebecca Cartmell said the dinner is an excellent way to get the society off to a great start. Formed only months ago, the dinner is the first fund-raiser for the organization.
"We have great response. This is good publicity," Cartmell said.
The humane society will also have a silent auction tonight at the restaurant. Cartmell said items include veterinarian services, pet boarding and pet food.
Only a few tickets for the dinner are left, according to Cartmell. Tickets can be purchased at Caproni's for $40, half of which goes to the humane society.
Following the dinner, Hall will join the party to watch the season premier of "Survivor: Panama-Exile Island" at O'Rourke's Pub.
The benefit dinner is sponsored by the humane society and the Ledger Independent. Lodging for Cindy Hall is provided by Hampton Inn.
Contact Danetta Barker at Danetta.Barker@lee.net or call 606-564-9091, ext. 272. |
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