Monthly Archives: December 2010
10th Annual Lake Norman Hospice Regatta & Party
Hospice & Palliative Care Lake Norman hosted the 10th Annual Lake Norman Hospice Regatta & Party the weekend of May 14 and May 21-23. These events raised over $69,000 to support the mission of improving the quality of life for those with life-limiting and terminal illnesses.
Longtime Lake Norman sailor, Chip Richardson, and his team on the J37C, “Jazz,” persevered through the varied weather and sailing conditions to take top honors. It includes an invitation to represent Hospice & Palliative Care Lake Norman at the 2011 National Hospice Regattas Alliance Championship, in Rochester, NY next June. The first alternate is Steve Hesler, winner of the Highlander Class.
This year’s Regatta was attended by 57 boats, ranging in size from Junior Optimist Dinghy’s, 7’ 9”, to Keelboats of 37 feet. The weather conditions on Saturday morning were wet and gloomy, forcing an on-shore postponement. However, by midday Saturday, the sunshine and wind “wizards” were working in our favor, with a great 6 to 10 knot breeze, permitting the adult sailors to sail three races and the Juniors to get in five races! Unfortunately, the wind did not cooperate at all on Sunday, with the cancellation gun being fired before noon. Everyone cleaned up their boats and then enjoyed a delicious Burger and Brats lunch before trophies were awarded.
Highlights of the regatta festivities was The Regatta Party, a sold-out premier event held at the Peninsula Club, Friday, May 14th, which included a fabulous live and silent auction, and the Saturday Sailor Dinner & Raffle at the Lake Norman Yacht Club, May 22nd. Emcee, and former Commodore of LNYC, Mike Robinson, did a fabulous job of keeping the sailors and other guests uproariously entertained, while netting an additional $2,500 in donations for Hospice & Palliative Care Lake Norman.
We would like to thank all our event volunteers, and Regatta & Party sponsors, especially our Commodore, US Airways, and Captain, Lake Norman Transportation, for their admiral support again this year!
NHRA President Jean Kluttz & NHRA Secretary Treez Decker
Questions? Contact: Nancy Cole, Special Events Manager
704.335.4312 or colen@hpccr.org
2010 VANDERLEEK CUP REGATTA
2 Memorial Sails + 3 local yacht clubs + 18 Sailboats + 21 dinghies + many volunteers, participants, sponsors, and donors = $22,000 for Hospice of Holland’s Tulip Tree fund.
Caroline Sisson and Ryan Post sail the 2010 and 2009 Memorial Sails
Eighteen boats hit the starting line in three divisions with light breezes and 3 foot swells on August 21, for the 4th annual VanderLeek Cup Hospice Regatta. While the sailboats raced in Lake Michigan, twenty one dinghies motored out from Yacht Basin Marina – soaking all in their paths with water propelling devices – for the first annual Dinghy Poker Run in Lake Macatawa.
As the overall winning skipper, Ted Etheridge (Drumbeat) has qualified for the 2011 Hospice Regattas National Championship in Rochester, NY, in June 2011.
In the Dinghy Poker Run, Sue Bladek turned in the top poker hand, Lee Slenk took second, and Tom and Marjo Petroelje took third.
Everyone who donated to or participated in the 2010 Regatta were invited to create a permanent memorial by adding the names of deceased loved ones to the 2010 Memorial Sail. Before the dinner Saturday, junior sailors sailed the 2010 and 2009 Memorial Sails in review in front of the yacht club.
Special thanks to Macatawa Bay Yacht club management, staff, members & race committee; individuals, businesses, skippers & crews, for their generous support. Since 2007, the VanderLeek Cup Hospice Regatta has raised more than $68,000 for Hospice of Holland patients. A huge THANK YOU to all involved!
Regatta Committee
Sue Bladek, Carol Genzink, Darcie Hengst, Jack Knoblauch, Susan LaFontaine, Diana Nissen, Coreen & Tom Slanec, Brenda VanderLeek, Josh Van Malsen, Ann Schutt