Quiz bids benefit MS

Close to 70 people gathered last night at the Harp and Fiddle Irish Pub and Restaurant in downtown York for Quiz Night, a fund-raising event to benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Brad Rutter, the biggest winner in quiz show history, was on hand to help teams of 250four to six people -- paying at least $20 per group to participate -- answer questions in their quest to claim the Quiz Night title.

"I had a good time," he said. "It was great for everybody to get together and have fun and raise money for a good cause."

The "Jeopardy!" champ's appearance helped raise more than $1,600 for the National MS Society, which has regional offices in Dauphin, Lancaster and Lycoming counties.

John Pavoncello All-time Jeopardy! game show champion Brad Rutter, left of Lancaster, helps Audra Holmes, left and Ann Sentz-Brown with a round of Harp Quiz Night, Monday July 25, 2005 during a benefit for the M.S. Society. Rutter was auctioned off before each round to the highest bidding team to help them answer their questions. The Harp and Fiddle fundraiser brought in more than $1600 for the M.S. Society.

The organization provides assistance to more than 5,000 central Pennsylvania residents, including people in York County who are living with the autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system.

In May, Rutter won the "Jeopardy!" Ultimate Tournament of Champions, getting the $2 million prize money while beating Ken Jennings, who gained fame by winning 74 games in a row.

Rutter, a former record store clerk, won more than $1 million on "Jeopardy" in 2002, bringing the Lancaster native's total game show winnings to $3.2 million.

"He hasn't forgotten where he came from, and his heart and mind are in the right place," said Soni Dimond, Rutter's publicist, who also serves on the board of the Central Pennsylvania Chapter of the National MS Society.

Bids for Brad: During yesterday's competition, teams had several opportunities to "Bid for Brad" to get his help as their knowledge was tested in various categories, including music, television, sports, geography, history and facts about Pennsylvania and Ireland.

The bidding process raised $369, which Rutter matched.

Winning the Quiz Night title was the team "Market Street Minds," with members Mary Yeaple, Buffy O'Brien, and Dan and Shawn Fink, all of York City.

"We had Brad at the table to help out," Yeaple said. "It was a huge thrill. It was a lot of fun for a good cause."