GOSHEN — Few can deny Donna Buell's beckon for a donation, least of all "Generator George" McIntosh.
His offer of a generator - plus installation - was the highest-grossing of all auction items tendered at last weekend's Polo in the Ozarks. With memories of last winter's crippling ice storm fresh in the heads of polo partygoers, the generator brought $2,550 - more than a $5,000 diamond drop necklace that sold for $2,100 and more than four tickets to see a Dallas Cowboys football game from a skybox at the new Cowboys Stadium, a deal that garnered $1,200.
McIntosh operates a portable air conditioning business out of Leslie and met Buell on the job at a wedding at Stone Chapel at Matt Lane Farm, near the Buell homestead. She sold him on Polo in the Ozarks and its beneficiary, Life Styles Inc., which helps developmentally disabledpeople become productive members of their communities.
The Sept. 12 affair - which included a polo match, tailgate parties, a dinner and dance - grossed $115,000. A record 750 dinner guests constituted only the second sellout in the 20-year history of the event, said Life Styles' assistant director Jennifer Maynard. And it was the first time organizers secured two $15,000 "Founders Field" sponsors, Wal-Mart/Sam's Club and Wells Fargo Advisers. Together they donated back more than $1,100 worth of tickets so that Life Styles clients could attend.
Tailgate honors went to Kim and Paul Crawford's A/V Design Consultants for "Friendliest Tailgate," Pratt Place Inn/Savor restaurant for "Tastiest Tailgate" and the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks for "Classiest Tailgate."
Northwest Profile, Pages 46 on 09/20/2009