There's good news and bad news today: The big USO fund-raising shindig earlier this month was a huge success. It was a black tie affair, which meant the women were dazzling and the men looked as good as can be expected in rented clothes.

But for $25,000, I'll happily look like a penguin in plastic shoes. That's how much the readers of this column contributed after learning how the local USO had been swamped with young service members and their families needing help.

They had expected 1,000 people a month to knock on the door looking for a quiet place to catch a few winks, maybe a cup of coffee and a sandwich, or just a warm smile from one of the 150 big-hearted volunteers who work there.

"We've averaged 2,000 a month," said Carol Palmer, the assistant director of operations. "In July, we had 3,000. We've had to stay open 24 hours a day since January."

The outpouring of support was stunning. Civic clubs took up donations. Ordinary folks wrote checks. Sunday school classes passed the hat. Just this week, the Piedmont Classic Chevy Club contributed $1,000. Way to go, gearheads.

"I got one note from a woman who said her first husband was a Marine buried at Arlington," Palmer said. "Her second husband was a Navy man buried in Georgia. She said she was on a fixed income but wanted to send a small check. It was for a thousand dollars."

There is no way to thank you individually for your generosity, but when it was announced at the gala how much money had come directly from you folks who read this column, the applause and cheers from those brave young soldiers and their families would have brought a lump to your throat and tears to your eyes. I blubbered thanks on your behalf, but it wasn't enough. In the words of Mayberry's Andy Taylor, "You beat everything, you know that?"

* * *

Now the bad news: I made a serious error of fact in last Saturday's column, which is a fancy way of saying I screwed up big time.

In a column about gubernatorial pardons, I wrote, "The two girls Silvester Smith spent 20 years in prison for supposedly molesting now say he didn't do it. The Brunswick County district attorney has dropped all charges against him. Someone else has been indicted."

And just in case you didn't get it the first time, I said it again.

Oops. The fact is, no one else has been indicted. Smith's accusers have recanted their testimony, charges against him have been dropped and he is out of prison, but there has been no new indictment in the case.

* * *

Raleigh Little Theatre, which has entertained audiences for 70 years, desperately needs warehouse space for its collection of sets and costumes.

So if you're an angel -- that's what we showbiz types call you folks with big hearts and even bigger wallets -- and you can donate 6,000 to 8,000 square feet of secure and weatherproof space for at least three years, call Kate Foltin at 821-4579.

You will get a standing ovation from those of us who get to don those magic costumes from time to time, and there are serious tax benefits.

So call Kate. I told her she'd probably be hearing from you.

Get $150+ in coupons in every Sunday N&O. Click here for convenient home delivery.