Since 1992
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Event features Maine comics Mark Turcotte, Johnny Ater and Kate Carroll
BETHEL — Back for its fifth year, Cause for Laughter will be held on Jan. 21 at Mt. Abram. The doors open at 6 p.m. with the show beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 and include a $10 voucher toward a 2017 lift ticket at Mt. Abram. A buffet dinner for $15 and drinks may be purchased at the Loose Boots Lounge. Attendees must be 21 years and older to attend.
Established to raise funds for local needy families, Cause for Laughter is supporting the efforts of the Bethel District Exchange for the second year.
Proceeds also continue to support Kelly Martineau and her children, Tucker and Ava, through the Go Fund Me campaign, Tucker & Ava: A Cause for Laughter. Visit https://www.gofundme.com/tuckerandava
Cause for Laughter was founded by Kathleen (Kate) Carroll who serves as Committee Chairman. A dedicated group of volunteers organizes the evening of side-splitting comedy. Fundraising activities include a live auction, raffle and 50/50.
Mark Turcotte and Johnny Ater, two of Maine’s funniest guys, co-emcee the event with Carroll. Turcotte’s Comedy Fix is an independent fundraising organization bringing some of New England’s best stand-up comedians to Maine to benefit local charities.
“To be celebrating our fifth year supporting local families and now embracing the District Exchange is beyond my wildest dreams,” says Carroll. “I don’t do it alone. We have an amazing group of volunteers, the generosity of those donating to the auctions, people who come and support the event year after year and lots of fun the night-of,” says Carroll.
In addition to annual donations from the Omni Hotel (a two-night stay) and a three-hour private skiing session with Sunday River’s Matt Erickson, donations to Cause for Laughter’s auctions and raffle represent the best of local artists and those willing to donate time and treasures from private homes and collections.
Local artist Gary Polonski — who holds a Bachelors of Fine Art from the University of Massachusetts where he studied under renowned American Expressionist John Grillo — has again donated a painting, “Risky Business.” Polonski’s work may be viewed in his studio (by appointment) or at http://garypolonski.webs.com.
A partial list of other items includes items from the former Rockin’ & Roastin’ (now Trails End); a three-hour private freestyle ski lesson with a Gould coach; first tracks and breakfast with Sunday River Mountain Manager Jake Treadwell; a handmade bar and stools by John Preble; and a white-water rafting trip for four donated by Mike St. Laurent of Dead River Expeditions. There are many more items in the auction and raffle.
Rooster’s Roadhouse, Loose Boots and the Cause for Laughter committee members have tickets for sale; tickets will also be for sale at the door. Steve Etheridge is the master of ceremonies and auctioneer while the Cause for Laughter committee works on all aspects of putting on the show and includes:
Barbara Brooks, Bethel
Angie Carroll, Bethel
Kate Carroll, Bethel
Ron Carroll, Bethel
John Dunn, Gorham
Sue Dunn, Gorham
Amy Halsted, Newry
Laurie Knowles Herron, Bethel
Mike Marshall, Bryant Pond
Suzanne Marshall, Bryant Pond
John Preble, Newry
Carroll notes that additional businesses are involved. She extends thanks to Mt. Abram Ski Area, Rooster’s Roadhouse and the Halsted Agency for their support.
More about…
Bethel Area District Exchange & Food Pantry
The District Exchange & Food Pantry was founded in 1992 and has operated as a cooperative venture in collaborations with area towns, churches and a group of dedicated volunteers. It resells clothing that in turn supports the food pantry which supplies food to people in crisis. It is a 501c3 as of 2014. Financial donations may be left at Northeast Bank or mailed to P.O. Box 232, Bethel, ME 04217; payable to the District Exchange. Visit the exchange’s page on Facebook for hours and more information.
Mark Turcotte
Mark Turcotte is a married father of two and lifelong New Englander. Most of his material is mined from his tumultuous upbringing, marrying out of his league and his impending demise. Beyond that, he’s a treat to be around. In his spare time, he enjoys analyzing injustice, hypocrisy and Sharknado. He’s a versatile comedian who’s performed for audiences ranging from 2,000 to 2; from sold-out event centers to his daughter’s elementary school faculty. He believes in using his powers for good and began the Comedy Fix fundraising series — which raises money for local nonprofits — in 2012.
In 2015 Mark was selected to perform in the Boston Comedy Festival, Cleveland Comedy Festival, North Carolina Comedy Arts Festival and Maine Comedy Festival. He competed in the Last Comix Standing competition at Foxwoods Casino and was a finalist in the 2014 Funniest Comic on the East Coast Contest at Mohegan Sun. He’s appeared on “The Steve Katsos Show,” “The Nite Show with Danny Cashman” and the 107.5 Frank FM Morning Show.
Johnny Ater
With a face that has launched a thousand laughs, Johnny Ater has become one of Maine’s favorite comedians. Whether he’s taking light-hearted swipes at himself and his fellow Mainers or contorting his face into hilarious characters, Ater has left audiences laughing throughout New England and beyond since 2003. He’s performed at the Punchline in San Francisco and is the resident host of the Maine Comedy Festival. Ater has also appeared on “The Nite Show with Danny Cashman” and recently spearheaded a fundraising show for the Bath Food Pantry.
