TOTALLY WORTH IT

Sarah Palin's $63,500 Dinner

Alabama woman beats journalist at charity auction.

And we have a winner: Cathy Maples of Huntsville, Alabama, has secured her place at a dinner table with Sarah Palin with a $63,500 bid on eBay. The money will go to a charity supporting wounded American soldiers. She beat out journalist Joe McGinniss, who profiled Palin for Portfolio magazine and is working on a book about the ex-governor. In a letter provided to the Alaska Dispatch, McGinniss gracefully conceded to Maples. "As one of the underbidders, I salute you and congratulate you on winning the dinner with Sarah Palin," he wrote. "I'm pleased that my bids helped increase the total proceeds that will go to our wounded veterans through Ride2Recovery. I wish you the best for your forthcoming trip to Alaska." According to the Associated Press, Maples owns a defense contracting company and is a "big advocate" for Palin.