VIENNA M*A*S*H Bash offers auction items

Jamie Farr, the actor who played Cpl. Klinger in the long-running TV series, has been invited to the Red Cross fund-raiser.
By JENNINE ZELEZNIK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
VIENNA -- Area residents are once again receiving draft notices.
But before you pack up and head to Canada, check it out. The Trumbull County chapter of the American Red Cross thinks this is one draft no one will want to dodge.
On June 23, the Red Cross wants all recruits to report to the 4077th camp -- not for fighting orders -- but for the second annual M*A*S*H Bash.
For the party, Hangar 295 at the Youngstown Air Reserve Station is being transformed into the 4077th camp, complete with a five-star, gourmet chow line, said Jan Bubon, director of public relations for the Trumbull chapter.
The event was started last year as a fund-raiser and made the Red Cross more than $12,000, Bubon said. She said about 175 people attended; this year they hope for at least 300.
Army attire: Bubon suggests guests dress up as Army personnel, or even their favorite M*A*S*H character -- perhaps Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan, Dr. "Hawkeye" Pierce or maybe Cpl. "Radar" O'Reilly.
And nobody can forget Cpl. Klinger.
"Last year, two guys came dressed up like women Klingers," Bubon said, laughing. "One wore a wedding gown and the other was dressed like Cleopatra."
And as luck would have it, Jamie Farr -- who played Klinger on the show -- may attend the event, said Master Sgt. Bryan Ripple, public affairs specialist at the Youngstown Air Reserve Station. Farr will be in Ohio on other business the same week, and has been invited.
Of course, costumes are not required -- people may dress casually if they like.
"But it's more fun when you dress up," Bubon said. "And almost everybody loves to dress up."
In addition to the food, music and dancing, the Red Cross is tossing in a USO show -- with the Youngstown Connection performing -- and a silent and live auction.
Bubon said items to be bid on include gift baskets, local restaurant gift certificates, Cleveland Indians tickets -- complete with limo ride -- and vacation condos in Hawaii and Utah.
On tap: Other activities include the showing of old M*A*S*H episodes, a jitterbug contest and prizes for the best M*A*S*H character look-alikes.
"This is for a good cause," Bubon said. "It's a lot of fun, and I hope people want to come."
She added that all proceeds benefit the Trumbull County chapter of the Red Cross, so the money stays in the area.
Reservations need to be made no later than Friday to the Trumbull County Red Cross in Warren. Tickets cost $50 each, but $33 of that is tax-deductible, Bubon said. Spots are available for 400 guests.