Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery Fund-Raiser

September 6, 2008, Centre Island, NY

Larry Hagman appeared at a fund-raiser for the Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery and Aquarium on Long Island. This event took place at Twinight, the beautiful Centre Island home of Fish Hatchery board member and benefactor Richard Baron Cohen.

The weather that day was threatening. Topical Storm Hanna was coming up the east coast, heading straight for Long Island, bringing with it the possibility of flooded roads around the waterfront home. Attendees met at the Centre Island Beach parking lot where vans were waiting to shuttle them to the mansion.

There were quite a few celebrities scheduled to appear in addition to Larry Hagman, including Ed Asner, Lou Ferrigno, Cindy Williams, Tippi Hedren, Joyce DeWitt, Priscilla Barnes, Erik Estrada, Stefanie Powers, David Faustino, Morgan Fairchild and Adam West. Host Richard Baron Cohen is an avid porcelain collector, with the foyer of his home much like a museum. Cases were filled with spectacular art. Several huge connected tents were put up in the back of the home to protect the guests from the elements. In better weather, there would be a beautiful view of the Long Island Sound.

The Hatchery was raffling off several items, including a scooter, a watercolor painting, and several local trips. A band was playing and appetizers were served. Larry and Maj arrived, holding hands. They started mingling with the crowd.

Guests were assigned tables for dinner, with one celebrity at each table. Larry got to sit with the host, whose mother is a fan. Dinner was a choice of salmon, steak or pasta with vegetables.

After dinner, the celebrities got together for a group photo. After this, some people started to leave. The rain seemed to be tapering off, but apparently the wind picked up later. News reports said that the party was evacuated as one of the tents started ripping apart! Luckily no one was hurt!