Representing Lory’s Place in the NHRA 2008 Championship will be Jon Veersma and his crew from “Zot”, a Soverel 33. The alternate is Ron Schults and the Wellenreiter VI crew, the 2006 and 2007 representative from Lory’s Place, Saint Joseph, Michigan.
Jon is a graduate of Benton Harbor High School, Western Michigan University and has been a State Farm Insurance agent for the past 33 years.
“Zot” has been very successful racing both locally for the Saint Joseph River Yacht Club and around Lake Michigan, taking first place in their division of the three hundred thirty three mile Chicago to Mackinac Race in 2006. Zot has finished high in fleet standings in the Queen’s Cup (Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Muskegon, Michigan) and the Tri-State Regatta, a three day, three States race from Chicago, Illinois to Saint Joseph, Michigan and Michigan City, Indiana.
An avid runner and bicycle rider, Jon has been the general chairman for Lory’s Place other major fund-raiser, the Run, Walk, Rock. This event attracts several hundred athletes each spring to compete in a 5K run or walk and those who want to just show their support for Lory’s Place can sponsor a rocking chair and sit and enjoy the event from the Center.
Lory’s Place major fundraiser is the Dr. Lory Schults Memorial Lady Skipper Regatta. In 2007 the regatta generated over $105,000 with 138 females racing on 17 boats.
