Once upon a time, in a not-so-far-away land called the Boothbay peninsula, the townspeople came together in support of a good cause: the Boothbay Region YMCA.

One hundred percent of the proceeds went to the Y's annual fund drive and to support its new Livestrong program, a free 12-week program to help cancer survivors make the journey to a healthier life and recovery.

The September 5 event exceeded its goal of raising $25,000 for the Y. The event raised over $30,000, according to Meagan Hamblett, Membership & Marketing Director of the Y.

Paul Coulombe, the owner of the Boothbay Harbor Country Club, donated a great deal toward the “Once Upon A Time” event, including the location, tent, catering and hiring the Time Pilots. The band was a huge hit, playing music ranging from the Rolling Stones, Justin Timberlake and the Village People.

None of the Pilots knew the words to the song “YMCA,” but it didn't matter; the whole tent still broke out singing the chorus and dancing their hearts out.

The silent auction included mirrors designed by local artists, including Henry Bonner, Carrie Eason, Helen Farnham, Lincoln and Helen Hamblett, Diana Kerr, Corrine McIntyre, Mark Mellor, Dana Moses, Dana Paolillo, Lee Rowan, Barbara Spencer and Skye Wolfram.

There were also items donated by Salon Capella, Janson's Clothing, Coastal Maine Popcorn, Spruce Point Inn, Laurie Taylor, Oak Street Provisions, Mark Keegan, Whispering Winds of Change, Boothbay Region Greenhouse, COCO VIVO and Fisherman's Wharf.

The live auction of three items took place at 8:30 p.m., including a cruise for 12 on Coulombe's personal yacht, Feelin' Free, a one-week stay in a Bonita Springs, Fla., condo, and a hand-crafted bracelet by Guy Beard from Gold/Smith Gallery. The bracelet went for $1,200 and the one-week stay for $2,000.

The yacht cruise had a last-minute change of plans. During the bidding, which started at $2,000, Marylinda Rapelye of Boothbay came up and said she'd bid $5,000 if the cruise could be overnight rather than just three hours long.

Coulombe agreed and the bidding kept going. The winning bid was $6,000.

Tickets for the golf tournament, which took place starting at noon, sold out with 20 teams of four vying for the top spot.

There were numerous games during the evening, including “Guess the Fairytale” in which participants guessed what story was represented on each of the small tables set up inside the tent.

One especially popular game, “Drive the Evil Queen Away,” involved hitting golf balls on the driving range and attempting to hit one of four large pictures of well-known evil queens from Disney movies. A whoop went up from the range whenever one was struck, and a laugh when the ball sailed nowhere near the pictures.

“Everyone who came in to buy tickets was so excited,” said Carrie Eason, Membership Services Coordinator and Front Desk Supervisor for the Y. “I just started in February and am so impressed with how people come together to help out.

“And this was such a great idea; who doesn't love a good cocktail party?”

Golf tournament results

1st Place (score of 45, 7th string):

Tim Smith, Cynthia Smith, Charles Fletcher and Connie Fletcher

2nd Place (score of 45, 3rd string):

Max Ross, Richard Hallinan, Joan Rideout and Matt Harkins

3rd place (score of 45, 1st string):

George Craig, Dennis Rice, Sue Rowe and Nancy Rowe

#8 Longest drive, Men: Bill McDonald

#8 Longest drive, Women: Alex Whitney

#2 Closest to hole, Men: Robert Wheeler

#2 Closest to hole, Women: Joan Hurd

#7 Closest to hole, Men: Rod Spear

#7 Closest to hole, Women: Nancy Rowe

#15 Closest to hole, Men: Steve Malcom

#15 Closest to hole, Women: Madge Henning

#17 Closest to hole, Men: Chris Flower

#17 Closest to hole, Women: Liz Hall

Katrina Clark can be reached at 207-633-4620 or katrinaclark@boothbayregister.com. Follow her on Twitter: @BBRegisterClark or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BBRegisterKatrinaClark.