Category Archives: Florida

Brett Moss Claims Victory in the Second Annual Hospice by the Sea Regatta

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For the second consecutive year, the overall race winner of the annual Hospice by the Sea Regatta held Saturday, May 19th off of Ft. Lauderdale Beach was Brett Moss of Southwest Ranches aboard his Beach Cat, USA 2.  He again qualifies to represent Hospice by the Sea in the April 2013 Hospice Regattas National Championship slated for St. Petersburg, Florida.  The Beach Cat, Beast, captained by David Hein finished in second place. Third place was taken by the PHRF-rated vessel, Breeze, with Skipper Valeri Safiullin at the helm.

 

The competition again was hosted by the Lauderdale Yacht Club, Hillsboro Inlet Sailing Club and the Gulfstream Sailing Club. The lack of wind delayed the 11:00 a.m. race start for more than 30 minutes.  Forty-five boats patiently awaited the start of the second annual event that raises funds to support hospice care for patients and families residing in South Florida. Conditions changed dramatically with the approach of a storm that tested the skills of skippers and crews competing in five racing classes on the 12-mile course.

Prior to the start of the race, Fred Mortensen, Chaplain for Hospice by the Sea, provided a blessing of the boats. The race committee boat, headed by Principal Race Officer (PRO) Gaylord “Jay” Wood, directed the start of the race.  Bella, a 36 ft. Sea Ray, captained by Paul and Diane Ferrarra, served as the viewing boat for the race. On board was Paula J. Alderson, President and CEO, Hospice by the Sea, Inc. who commented, “We are thrilled to have the continuing support of Ft. Lauderdale’s sailing community for this exciting event. It is a genuine pleasure to work with such a dedicated group of sailors and their crews.”

A post-race celebration was held at the Coral Ridge Yacht Club. In front of a crowd of more than 200 supporters, the three overall winners along with the top three boats in each of the five classes: ARC, Beach Cat, Cruising Canvas, Multihull and PHRF received their awards. Two perpetual trophies were also presented to boats that raised the most donations for Hospice by the Sea, Inc. In honour of the late Diana Stephenson, “The Hospice by the Sea Fundraising Challenge Award” was presented by her husband, Mark Stephenson, to Bandana, skippered by David Wallace.  Bandana was also the recipient of the Wes Holmes Memorial Fundraising Trophy, which was presented by the Gulfstream Sailing Club.

Hospice by the Sea, Inc. is a not-for-profit provider of hospice care, palliative care, home health care, and caregiver services and support in Palm Beach and Broward Counties. For more information, please call Hospice by the Sea, Inc. at (561) 395-5031, or visit www.hbts.org.

 

Competitors Laud Championship Hosts

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Once Gary Tisdale and Team Niagara (NY) had received the Hospice Regattas National Championship trophy April 22, St. Petersburg Yacht Club PRO Patricia Seidenspinner (above) could relax.

But it wasn’t long before Pat was getting pats on the back for chairing a Race Committee that delivered what one competitor called “an amazing weekend of sailing!”

“The competition was skilled, the Race Committee first-class, the facilities amazing, and the on- and off-the-water support of the SPYC Staff was especially dedicated,” said  Jon Ledsworth of Team Muskegon (MI) in an enthusiastic e-mail. “Thank you again, Patricia. It is a pleasure to say that I have raced in a regatta in which you were the PRO,” he added.

Ledsworth explained that participating in the Championship meant a lot to him because his mother is receiving hospice care. “What an amazing organization and people! Under the circumstances, it has been a wonderful experience to see just how incredible Hospice truly is,” he added.

Seidenspinner herself applauded SPYC committee volunteers. “Thank you, everyone on the race committee team,” she said during the final race. “On Thursday, I wouldn’t have given a plug nickel that we would have been able to pull 13 races off!”

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FL-Naples Stages Fun Competition at Post-Race Party

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There’s more than one way to build a boat – especially when the materials at hand include pipe cleaners, a deck of cards, and drinking straws, among a few other odds and ends (see photo at left).

However, participants at the Avow Hospice Regatta’s shore party were up for the challenge to create the best boat.

The shore party welcomed more than 100 people of all ages, with all 10 tables set with a bucket full of what seemed to be party favors. As the guests found their tables, Avow Hospice’s Bonnie Dinger challenged them to use the bucket’s contents to build a boat. Individuals and table teams engaged their creative brains to come up with some very smart solutions.

The newly assembled boats were displayed and voted on by the attendees and staff, and the winners were rewarded with the NHRA posters of Willard Bond’s work.

Group activities are great for team building and cutting the ice when faced with new people in new surroundings. Creating the boats as individuals, or as a team at each table, really was a great way for everyone to interact and meet new friends.

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2nd Annual Hospice by the Sea Regatta – May 19, 2012

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Help support Hospice by the Sea, Inc and compete for various prestigious awards by entering the 2nd Annual Hospice by the Sea Regatta and registering your team for the Regatta Fundraising Challenge.

In addition to trophies being awarded to top finishers in each racing class, four coveted fundraising trophies will be awarded to boats that raise the most funds in support of programs and services for patients and families.

This year’s fundraising awards include the Diana Stephenson Fundraising Challenge Award (presented to the Regatta’s top overall fundraiser); the Lauderdale Yacht Club Fundraising Trophy; the Hillsboro Inlet Sailing club Fundraising Trophy; and the Wes Holmes Memorial Fundraising Trophy (given by the Gulfstream Sailing Club).

Please refer to the following links for Regatta Entry information, Fundraising Challenge documents and tickets for the Post-Race Awards Ceremony and Celebration. Submission deadline on or before Friday, May 11th, 2012.

For additional information regarding the 2012 Hospice by the Sea Regatta, please contact Doris Sargent directly at 561-416-5099.

Hospice by the Sea, Inc.Trusted by Generations for more than 34 years, to  provide  compassionate  care and support during  times of serious illness.

Ask for us by name!
Hospice by the Sea, Inc.  visit our web site or call us for information.
1531 W. Palmetto Park Road
Boca Raton, 33486
Hospice by the Sea, Inc.
(561) 395-5031

2012 Hospice Regattas National Championship

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Congratulations to All Participating Skippers & Teams for a GREAT event!

A special congratulations to:
Champions  Gary Tisdale and Team Niagara - Jim Carminati, Justin Hays  and Adam Burns

2nd place: Brett Moss and Team Ft. Lauderdale - Dalton Tebo, Karl Langefeld
and Jason D’Agostino

3rd place: Steve Olinger and Team Treasure Island - Ralfie Steitz, Rod Jekowitz, and Bill Chamberlin on Sunday (not pictured )

A big thanks also to Carole Bardes, event chair (L); and Pat Seidenspinner, PRO (R) for a great job in making the race possible.

Complete results posted at SPYC