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Indiana - Lake Michigan Dunes Cup VNA Hospice Regatta
Dunes Cup VNA Hospice Regatta Michigan City, Indiana played host to the Third Annual MCYC Dunes Cup VNA Hospice Regatta on Lake Michigan’s Southern Shore, where light and variable winds greeted sailors on a sultry Saturday morning. The sailors’ breakfast, sponsored by Paul and Nancy Schreiner, was served in the pavilion, with food donated by local convenience store chain Family Express Corporation. Dave Hoff, Race Director for host Michigan City Yacht Club, gave instructions and handed out section flags prior to the race. Dave was capably assisted by his wife, Kim. The memorial opti sail is towed past the pavilion. For the third year in a row, MacLennan and Bain Insurance of Valparaiso, IN was the Commodore level sponsor. Ross and Kelly MacLennan invited their friends Mark and Yvette Thiros aboard the spectator boat to watch the race and enjoy an afternoon on Lake Michigan. This year’s spectator boat, a 52 foot Sea Ray, was provided courtesy of B&E Marine, and was captained by B&E staff captain Darrell Nichols. 28 boats competed for the right to represent the Dunes Cup at the 2008 Hospice Regattas National Championship. After battling through two races with barely any wind, the third race finally offered a chance to catch a breeze as Ron Lester, sailing “rJ” emerged victorious. To commemorate Ron’s achievement, he was presented with a custom framing of Willard Bond’s “ON THE EDGE” with framing donated by the Artists’ Den in Valparaiso, IN. Ron’s boat “rJ” is the former “Julia’s Kestrel” which Ron recently purchased from last year’s winning skipper, Mike Hoskins. (If Ron were thinking about selling the boat, the price just went up!) Ron will also have his name and that of his boat added to the pedestal base of the perpetual trophy at the VNA Horton Hospice Center in Valparaiso. This year’s trophy print was presented in honor of Marjorie Grow, who, on the day of the regatta, was receiving hospice care. Marjorie’s son, Randy, sails with the Michigan City Yacht Club and made a donation to the regatta on his family’s behalf. Kim Hoff presented him with a copy of the “Takedown” print. Laura Harting, Executive Director of the VNA of Porter County, thanks the sailors for their support, and comments on the importance of hospicecare in the community. Sailors, families, VNA Board Members, and community folks enjoyed a hog roast by Ruge’s Meats, a rum punch reception sponsored by Fagen Pharmacy with Mount Gay rum donated by Chris Beckwith and i550sportboat.com. A silent auction and cash raffle were held, and music (sponsored by A Friend of Hospice) was provided by Dr. Groove and the Soul Surgeons, who graciously donated their fee back to hospice! 2007 Dunes Cup VNA Hospice Regatta Results(pdf file) 2007 Dunes Cup VNA Hospice Regatta Sponsored By: Regatta Commodore Sailors' Breakfast Sponsor Sailors' Rum Reception Sponsor Awards Dinner Music Sponsor
Albano's Villa AdvaCare Systems
Artist Den www.i550sportboat.com Ruge & Sons Meats Regatta Lieutenant Sponsors DOH Services
Fast Coffee/Naturel Water
Jim Ellsworth Isabelle Smaroff Bill Spicer Bill and Karen Higbie
Regatta Website: http://www.ussailing.net/mcyc/invitational.htm
VNA Hospice of Porter County website: http://www.vnaportercounty.org/new%20hospice.htm Hospice Contact: Maria Galka, Development Director, VNA of Porter County, mgalka@vnaportercounty.org Regatta Contact: Bill Higbie
Dunes Cup VNA Hospice Regatta
21 boats took to the crystal blue waters of southern of Lake Michigan for the second annual Michigan City Yacht Club Dunes Cup VNA Hospice Regatta, benefiting the hospice program of the Visiting Nurse Association of Porter County, Indiana. MacLennan & Bain Insurance of Valparaiso, IN, was the major event sponsor again this year.
Upon return from the water, sailors were treated to a rum punch bar. Dinner, consisting of whole roast hog, sweet and sour chicken, a host of sides and dessert, was available in the yacht club’s outdoor pavilion. The band “Guns and Hoses” made up of local police and firemen, entertained during the post-race activities.
2006 web photos by Ken Zimmerman 2006 Dunes Cup VNA Hospice Regatta Results -> download Regatta Results pdf
Awards Dinner Music Sponsor
Regatta Website: http://www.ussailing.net/mcyc/invitational.htm
VNA Hospice of Porter County website: http://www.vnaportercounty.org/hospice/hospice.htm Hospice Contact: Maria Galka, Development Director, VNA of Porter County, mgalka@vnaportercounty.org Regatta Contact: Bill Higbie
Dunes
Cup VNA Hospice Regatta - FIRST
YEAR
2005 MCYC DUNES CUP - VNA HOSPICE REGATTA RECAP - by BILL HIGBIE 26 sailboats from the southern shore of Lake Michigan participated in the inaugural MCYC Dunes Cup VNA Hospice Regatta on Saturday June 25, 2005. The unusually hot, steamy conditions did not in any way dampen the enthusiasm of either the organizing committee members or the sailors. The weekend’s events were sponsored by MacLennan and Bain Insurance of Valparaiso, Indiana with VNA Hospice of Porter County benefiting.
The day started with an extensive, complimentary continental breakfast on the deck of Lake Michigan’s southern most yacht club, the Michigan City Yacht Club. An impressive array of square doughnuts, rolls, muffins and bagels, as well as fresh fruit, juice and coffee, greeted the sailors and their families as they arrived for registration. The breakfast was sponsored by Focus Enterprises, with much of the food donated by local convenience store chain, Family Express.
As participants came through the breakfast line, they were able
to get a glimpse of the Dunes Cup Trophy, the Hospice Regatta Perpetual
Trophy, donated by Bill and Karen Higbie for permanent display at
the VNA Hospice Center in Valparaiso, and the Hospice Regatta Trophy,
a custom framed Willard Bond print, TAKEDOWN. Framing for TAKEDOWN
was donated by Dennis and Pat Miller at the Artist’s Den in
Valparaiso. T-shirts and raffle tickets were also on sale on the
deck during breakfast. In an amazing and unforgettable display of generosity, Mike Hoskins, one of the organizing sailors, presented committee member Bill Higbie with an envelope full of cash that had been collected for hospice the previous evening during an informal barbecue at the yacht club. Overhearing this exchange between Mike and Bill, another sailor handed Bill a $100 dollar bill to be added to the donation.
Free chair massages were available to all present, courtesy of Peggy Banks. She also offered them in the afternoon upon the return of the sailors from the water.
Registration and the Skipper’s Meeting were capably handled by Jennie Girton, organizing sailor and Race Director for host club, MCYC.
Dick and Ann Hirst played hosts aboard the 42’ Beneteau spectator boat RAH IV. Ross and Kelly MacLennan of MacLennan and Bain Insurance, along with committee members Linda Evanouski, Michelle Murphy-Wise, committee photographer Dave Winter, spectator boat coordinator Jean Starr, Bill Higbie and Channel 56 TV crew members rounded out the spectator boat crew. No one aboard RAH IV will soon forget the warm hospitality, generosity and friendliness of the Hirsts. Everyone enjoyed refreshments provided by The Schoolhouse Shop while viewing the race activities on picturesque Lake Michigan. Upon return to the dock, Bill did an interview with Channel 56 reporter Nicole Kunshek. A brief segment aired on the news the following Monday.
The race started out slowly, as light wind conditions prevailed, but that quickly changed as the wind picked up! Brad Cavanaugh of Air One Photography in Valparaiso was on hand in his helicopter to document the event. He graciously made a disc of photos available to the regatta committee, which was shown, along with Dave Winter’s pictures, as a running presentation at the dinner/awards ceremony that evening. Air One photos were also made available for purchase via their website. Wind produced by the helicopter apparently caused some minor moments of distress for an isolated boat or two, but the general response to the aerial photography was overwhelmingly positive.
The race was won by RUSH, skippered by Jeff Alisch of St. Joseph, Michigan. Jeff and crew will represent the Dunes Cup VNA Hospice Regatta at the National Championship in Annapolis in April of 2006. Second place and alternate to the Championship went to Brian Buffin and Marc Perkovic of Kalamazoo, Michigan, sailing WAR HOG.
A Celebration of Life Service was conducted Saturday afternoon on the grounds of Millennium Plaza by hospice chaplains Nan Dehnke and Bettye Green. The turn out was light, due, partially at least, to the extreme heat. A number of VNA Board members, staff, volunteers and a couple of family members were present.
The day culminated in the yacht club’s outdoor pavilion with a rum-punch bar and a delicious tropical buffet prepared by the Michigan City Yacht Club, consisting of whole-hog roasted BBQ pulled pork, sweet and sour chicken, roasted potatoes, rice, green beans and cake. Strongbow Inn of Valparaiso donated a custom sailboat ice sculpture to the festivities.
Bill Higbie served as MC for the awards ceremony. Logo imprinted award burgees were presented to four major sponsors, MacLennan and Bain, Fagen Pharmacies, NIPSCO and American Medical Oxygen Supply. In addition, individual recognition for sponsors in attendance went to Ross and Kelly MacLennan of MacLennan and Bain Insurance, Melissa Fagen of Fagen Pharmacies, Tom and Anita Spellar of Chester, Inc. and Pat and Jerry Good of Focus Enterprises. Committee member Jean Starr was presented with a small token of the committee’s appreciation for her extraordinary efforts on behalf of the regatta. Jean in turn presented a gift of thanks to the Hirsts for providing the spectator boat (and the built-in entertainment that went along with it!)
In addition, individual recognition for sponsors in attendance went to Ross and Kelly MacLennan of MacLennan and Bain Insurance, Melissa Fagen of Fagen Pharmacies, Tom and Anita Spellar of Chester, Inc. and Pat and Jerry Good of Focus Enterprises. Maria Galka presents a flag to Ross MacLennan.
The committee then publicly recognized and expressed its appreciation to Mike and Jennie for their tireless efforts and unbounded enthusiasm toward this regatta. Each was presented with a limited edition, signed Charles Yi sailboat with an inscribed plaque commemorating their dedication to the inaugural regatta. The same sailboat was also presented to the MCYC for display in its trophy case in gratitude for playing host to this event, and to Bill Higbie for his involvement in establishing and developing the regatta.
Mike Hoskins and Jennie Girton presented award burgees to the top three finishers in each class, followed by the Dunes Cup Trophy to the St. Joe Yacht Club. Bill Higbie then announced the second place finisher and alternate to the National Hospice Regatta Championship, Brian Buffin and Marc Perkovic in WAR HOG.
Finally, the framed print trophy was presented to First Place Overall Jeff Alisch and the crew of RUSH. A personalized commemorative plaque will be added to the print matting and hand delivered to Jeff. A similar plaque will be attached to the base of the perpetual trophy on permanent display at the VNA Horton Hospice Center in Valparaiso, Indiana. A raffle followed, including prizes of five one hundred dollar gift cards provided by National Sponsor West Marine, a custom stained glass sailboat piece, a sunset cruise for four donated by Jennie Girton, two Willard Bond TAKEDOWN prints, a deluxe cooler donated by committee member Marylyn Johns, two Mount Gay beach towels, as well as two shirts and a bag, and many other nice items. The entire committee worked with amazing energy to pull everything together. Led by Maria Galka, who was primarily responsible for all of the coordination and logistical details, each committee member and volunteer put forth great effort on behalf of hospice. This year’s committee consisted of Maria Galka, Cindy, Dave and Mike Winter, Jean Starr, Shelby Streett, Deb Killion, Michelle Murphy-Wise, Beth Nieman, Patty Rooney, Linda Evanouski, Beth Reinhardt, Deb and Liz Weiss, Cori Wronko, Marylyn and Wally Johns, Marilyn Novac, Pat Bodensteiner, Pat Good, Marilyn Olson, Jean Starr and Bill Higbie. They were joined by sailors Mike Hoskins, Jennie Girton and Herb Philbrick. Planning is already underway for next year’s event!
All photos, except where noted, taken by Dave Winter. The first annual Dunes Cup VNA Hospice Regatta, a cooperative venture of the Visiting Nurse Association of Porter County, Indiana and the Michigan City Yacht Club in Michigan City, Indiana was held on Saturday, June 25, 2005. The Dunes Cup VNA Hospice Regatta is a premier event for the organizations and the first to be held on Lake Michigan. Congratulations to winning skipper Jeff Alisch and crew! Saturday’s events featured a breakfast for sailors, sailing
races on Lake Michigan, a Celebration of Life service and an awards
dinner in the evening. Registration to participate in the sailing
races is available through the Michigan City Yacht Club. For more
information, contact Mike Hoskins at 269-697-5084 or visit the Michigan
City Yacht Club website at www.mcyc.com. Michigan City Yacht Club, located in Washington Park in Michigan City is the site for the Regatta Awards Dinner in celebration of the 1st Annual Dunes Cup VNA Hospice Regatta and in honor of the sailors and their crews. The evening features a free Rum Punch Bar (two drinks per adult 21 years and older with dinner ticket) during cocktail hour, music and dancing and an all-you-can-eat tropical buffet of sweet and sour chicken, barbecued pork, rice, roasted potatoes, salad, Key West blend of vegetables and Hawaiian rolls. Cocktail hour begins at 5:00pm with dinner at 6:00pm, followed by awards then music and dancing.
The picturesque sand dunes of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
will serve as the backdrop as sailors from the southern part of
Lake Michigan compete for an invitation to participate in the 2006
National Championship!
Regatta Contact: Bill Higbie Schedule of events for Saturday, June 25th: 8:00 am Free continental breakfast for sailors and their families 3:30 pm Celebration of Life Service Celebration of Life Service Sunday, June 26th will feature the Stroll for Hospice. First held in 2001, the Stroll for Hospice has grown from a total of 70 participants in the first year to more than 200 participants in 2004. The Stroll for Hospice is a 3 mile walk through the neighborhoods surrounding the VNA building at 501 Marquette St. in Valparaiso, Indiana. Participants may walk in honor or memory of a loved one, friend, neighbor or co-worker. Each walker may collect pledges or donations from generous donors. Proceeds from the event are used to support the VNA Hospice program. Registration begins at 12:00 noon with the Stroll stepping off at 1:00pm. Following the Stroll, participants are invited to stay for a barbecue, awards and entertainment. Schedule of events for Sunday, June 26th: 12:00noon Stroll Registration/T-shirt sales
MacLennan & Bain Insurance Awards Dinner Sponsor
Fagen Pharmacy Information Booth Sponsor
American Medical Oxygen Sales Celebration of Life Sponsor
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VNA Hospice Executive Director Laura Harting (in red, white and
blue top, white pants) thanking those in attendance. 
Photo courtesy of Brad Cavanaugh, AirOne Photography 
