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In a matter of seconds, it was a downpour.

The band rushed to get their outside speakers under its canopy and the music commenced.

After a few minutes, Amy McCann Badertscher decided to dance among the pelting raindrops.

“No one was dancing, and I thought, ‘LetÃÛèÖÊÓƵ get this party started,â€� Badertscher said. “It was refreshing, actually.â€�

It brought back images of the famous rainstorm then hit Woodstock back in 1969, although the 175 people in attendance Thursday night did not quite match the estimated 450,000 that were at the famous New York State-festival 55 years ago.

The Legacy Gala honored Janesville business owners Tom and Amanda Fong and Greg Hughes. A live auction conducted by Ryan George of George Realty and Auction and a silent auction were conducted to raise money for the RCHS.

‘Donor fatigue’

Tim Maahs, the societyÃÛèÖÊÓƵ executive director, said while the evening was a success, the fundraiser fell short of its goal of $55,000.

Maahs said the storm had nothing to do with that, but the amount of donation requests throughout the community hurt the fundraiser.

“The ‘asks’ are so great in the community that there is a ‘donor fatigue’,� said Maahs, who added that several other people at the event mentioned that to him.

While the less-than-expected donations will have some effect on the RCHS budget, Maahs said the RCHS is not in a dire situation.

“We have practiced resiliency as people witnessed throughout the pandemic,� Maahs said. “We almost closed down during the pandemic.�

With the help of RCHS sponsors Cullen, JAX Custom Printing, Blackhawk Community Bank, Goex, BlainÃÛèÖÊÓƵ Farm & Fleet, Gray Brewing Company, Prent, Batterman, and Tobin and Oakleigh Ryan, the historical society has survived and added to its campus, which features the RCHS Museum and Visitors Center and the Lincoln Tallman Museum.

“We can figure this out,� Maahs said. “We’ll just run leaner and leaner.

“Sadly, this just hurts the community.�

Fongs, Hughes honored

The Legacy Gala recognized the contributions of the Fongs and Hughes.

The Fongs have run the popular downtown Chinese restaurant, The Cozy Inn, since 1975. The Cozy Inn is the second-oldest Chinese restaurant located at one site in the nation. It has been at 214 West Milwaukee for 102 years.

Tom Fong is out of the country, but Amanda and the Fongs’ son, Steve, addressed the crowd.

“Through our restaurant, we’ve not only been able to share our heritage, but also shared our appreciation for Chinese culture within our facility,� Steve Fong said.

Hughes, a Janesville native, is the executive vice president of NBC Sports Communications.

In 2007, Hughes and a group of investors purchased GameDay Sports Bar & Grill. Since then, Hughes has purchased Bazinga Classic Pub & Grille, BarkleyÃÛèÖÊÓƵ Burgers, Brews and Dawgs, and renovated the former Legends tavern downtown to Genisa Italian Restaurant and Wine Bar. Work has begun on Jack & JennyÃÛèÖÊÓƵ, located next door to Genisa, with plans to open it this fall.

“I always felt Janesville was home, and it always will be home,� said Hughes, who works out of New York City and spends his free time in an Atlanta suburb. “Whenever something happens here, I spread it around to all my contacts.

“People I work with in New York are so tired of hearing about Janesville,� Hughes said. “I think all of you are what makes Janesville great.�

Campus gala a success

The Rock County Legacies Gala has been held in several places throughout the years.

Maahs said having it on the RCHS campus made it special.

“I had a number of people come up to me and say they live elsewhere during the cooler months and depend on events like this to see their community friends and acquaintances,� Maahs said. “This is a good spot for it.�

Oakleigh Ryan told Maahs the downpour just added to the evening event.

“She said she absolutely loved it,� Maahs said. “She said it just made it so much more special—to be under the tent and listen to the rain.�

And a few people—led by Amy McCann Badertscher—even danced to the bandÃÛèÖÊÓƵ cover versions of QueenÃÛèÖÊÓƵ “Crazy Little Thing Called Loveâ€� and the Stray Cats’ “Rock This Townâ€�—as the rain fell.