The calls, pledges and challenges poured in as the entertainment, ranging from legendary rocker Spencer Davis to our own talented Kids at Play, shared their talents with the community via the Catalina Island Museum's Sixth Annual Telethon on November 13.

Catalina Cable TV donated equipment, staff and over three hours of airtime on Channel 3 as the museum presented a range of entertainers and historical videos.  Many folks enjoyed the 1926 tour of the old Black Jack Mines which featured rarely seen footage of Mr. William Wrigley Jr., founder of the Wrigley Gum Company and owner of the Santa Catalina Island Co (and thereby the island) beginning in 1919.  People also appreciated viewing Hal Frank's personal video footage of the dramatic and damaging ocean storm of 1988.  Footage of this year's Halloween parade also was a favorite with many, although Elliott the Wonder Dog had his devoted fans tuning in, too.

Emcees Wayne Griffin, Oley Olsen and Denny Honsey kept things moving along as they always do, urging viewers to call in pledges amidst interviewings guests like Jerry Dunn of Buoys and Gulls who came to donate over $2800 from the sale of the limited edition Reyn Spooner shirts which had been issued  this summer as a benefit for the Museum.  Bryan Ballard of the Catalina Island Medical Center dropped by to share the latest with the hospital and clinic and Dr. Richard Denney, DVM gave an update on the expansion of the Animal Hospital in partnership with the Catalina Island Humane Society.

There was lots of great music this year provided by Hot Off the Range, the Casual Accidentals, Black Jack, Dan and Angel Teckenoff and their group Bandangela.  And rocker Spencer Davis shared the history of his famous band and songs and how he came to be a homeowner and resident here in Avalon.

All in all it was a great year and the Museum raised just under $70,000 to support their mission to preserve and share Catalina history with the community and our visitors.  If you missed the telethon and want to share it with family and friends, you can find it online, available 24/7 at www.eCatalina.com in the Video Gallery.

The Museum is a private nonprofit organization, founded by community volunteers in 1953 and dedicated to collecting, preserving and sharing the rich cultural heritage of Santa Catalina Island.