New friends at the Casting for Recovery-New Zealand Retreat

Casting for Recovery-New Zealand, an independent program inspired by Casting for Recovery’s success in the U.S.,  launched their first retreat February 12-14 2010 in Rotorua, North Island.  Headed by hard working New Zealand Executive Director Sherrie Feickert and New Zealand Program Coordinator, Fran Wieland, along with a dedicated team of volunteers, it was a smashing success.  Peg Miskin, N. California Program Coordinator for Casting for Recovery in the U.S., and Sally Stoner, a fly fishing instructor with the California and Nevada programs were honored to help launch the retreat.

Peg acted as Retreat Leader, and during the past year mentored the New Zealand team, which had traveled to the U.S. last summer to attend one of the N. California retreats. Sally, who served as lead casting instructor at the Rotorua retreat, and helped train the NZ team. Peg reported “Sally and I felt like we were at home, just like at any other retreat, which meant it was going well.”

The beautiful women at all ages and stages of treatment and recovery who participated humbled everyone with their positive attitudes and zest for life. The “Kiwi factor” made it even more unique.  Representatives of the local Maori tribe opened the retreat with the traditional Maori welcome, the Powhiri.  A woman adorned with beautiful tattoos sang and called the retreat attendees with haunting song.  The Maori chief  sang a beautiful song and the team responded with their own. A handshake and pressing of the forehead (the “third eye)  between the Maori and those at the retreat culminated the emotional and heart-filled ceremony.

Volunteer and Participant (with fish) in New Zealand

Riverhelpers showed up on Sunday…two of whom were from the US!  Matt McGrath, formerly of Maine who now works and lives in NZ , was on hand along with Phil Trautman,  a former Oregon child psychcologist who has retired there. The “ripple effect” has incredible impact!

New Zealand icon, Lynda Topp of the “Topp Twins” entertainers, whose twin sister, Jools, is a breast cancer survivor, attended the retreat as a fly fishing instructor.  Lynda’s comedic personality and loving heart made this first retreat all the more wonderful.  The Kiwi culture of welcome and support was everywhere.

One can’t mention New Zealand  without mentioning the fishing…the rumors are true!    Peg and Sally stayed after and fished, primarily on South Island.  Fishing private waters on stations (large ranches)  guided by knowledgeable Kiwi Guides, Neville Saritalla, Paul McLaughlan and Kevin Payne was the icing on the cake.  Suffice it to say, running with big fishes is the game in New Zealand. “It was an honor and lifetime experience to be involved in the first retreat in New Zealand.  The beauty, big fish and loving nature of the country and its people, will remain with me always” said Peg Miskin, who plans to return some day.

Peg Miskin, Matt Jacqui, and Sally Stoner

Volunteer instructor Drew Still and six alumnae from Casting for Recovery’s program in East Tennessee pose for a group photo.  After attending a combination of reunion and classes over the winter, the  ladies can now truly throw that line out, tie knots, hit the targets– and volunteer coordinator Lindsay Long reports “Now they are ready to hit the water.  Diane Black (farthest right) caught a 16″ rainbow this past Friday!”

A booth for Casting for Recovery was featured in a prime location  at the International Sportsmen’s Expo at the University of Phoenix stadium in Glendale, AZ on February 27-28, thanks to the generosity of show management.  In a tremendous opportunity for our Arizona program, Shirley Johnson and co-coordinator Donna Fischer reported that they  had no idea how many wonderful chance contacts would result from their presence.

Shirley noted “Donna, Nancy, Kitty and I will now have a reputation around these parts as “those pink ladies”.

“We were amazed how many people wanted to know about what we do for breast cancer  survivors. We met MANY fabulous people. We also got to tell hundreds of folks about the CFR programs across the US, Canada, UK/Ireland and New Zealand too.”

The 4th annual benefit to support Casting for Recovery  in Colorado will take  place on Thursday, April 22, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom of the historic Oxford Hotel, 1600 17th Street, Denver ( in LoDo).

“Fish Tales & Cocktails” is an opportunity  to connect with the community of friends who support Casting for Recovery’s program for Colorado women with breast cancer. Attendees will enjoy hors d’oeuvres by McCormick’s and a cash bar while cruising through the silent auction for opportunities to bid on vacation getaways, fly-fishing adventures and gear, tickets to local sporting events, as well as art, entertainment, wine, fine dining and more!

Tickets are $30 in advance (available for purchase online) and $40 at the door. For more information on the event  call Peter Tom at 303-887-5171.

The Casting for Recovery-Colorado program is proud to have received support in 2009 from Genomic Health, Inc., the Smartwool Corporation, Sanofi-Aventis, COPIC Foundation, Chaffee County Mammography Fund, Spa for the Spirit, Colorado Women Flyfishers, Inc., and the Cancer League of Colorado, an all-volunteer charitable organization which has helped individuals and families fight cancer by raising money to award research and service grants to worthy projects throughout Colorado.  CFR Colorado is honored and grateful for the generosity of these, and our many other individual and organizational supporters.

Models Jennifer Wilburn, Alisa Krieger, Cathy Minarcin, Sandy Zajicek, Joy Lauric, and Jennifer Billanti stride down the "Wearable Art" runway

Friends of Casting for Recovery’s Western Pennsylvania program gathered on Sunday, February 14 to celebrate with the Second Annual “Wearable Art” Luncheon and Fashion Show at the Four Points Sheraton in Mars, PA.  The event was  organized by the local volunteer team of Casting for Recovery to benefit the retreat held at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and scheduled this year for September 26-28, 2010.  Thanks to the dozens of silent auction and in-kind sponsors, including Comcast and Penn Woods West Trout Unlimited, and many generous individual donors, the event drew a record number of attendees and donations to support CFR’s service to breast cancer survivors in Western Pennsylvania!

CFR Volunteers Betsy Giufre, Melissa Goda, Beth Gazda, Lorry Perkins, Briget Shields, Cecelia Hard, and Jan Kirstein

Newsletters from our Executive Director, Lori Simon, as well as our seasonal “TherapyFish News” are now archived on our website.

View our ARCHIVE

The Montana Outfitters and Guides Association  (MOGA) recent membership banquet was the occasion for an outpouring of support for Casting for Recovery.

CFR Volunteer Alice Golden and Mac Minard, Executive Director of MOGA

The organization has named Casting for Recovery as one of the four charities they will be supporting through their “Big Hearts under the Big Sky” program, in which member outfitters provide high-quality outdoor trips, at no charge, to benefit those who have provided extraordinary military service and those who face the challenges of a life-threatening illness.

We’re pleased to report that Casting for Recovery’s mission and history is highlighted in  the story “Giving Back”, the lead-in of the ShortCasts feature in Fly Rod & Reel’s newly re-designed March 2010 issue.

You can read the complete story in  this leading fly-fishing magazine here.

Bonnie Holding, Casting for Recovery – Maine volunteer planning coordinator, reports that the 11th annual “Fish Tales & Cocktails” fundraiser for Casting for Recovery was “the best ever!! We had more people than ever, more items than ever and made more money than ever!!!”

Over 100 happy participants at the 11th Fish Tales & Cocktails

The event is usually held in Bonnie’s gallery-Gold/Smith Gallery-at Sugarloaf in Carrabassett Valley, Maine, but this year the event moved into a bigger space in the Sugarloaf Hotel. Bonnie says “that was the smartest move ever! Well over a hundred people attended this great event and there was buzz on the mountain (Sugarloaf ski area) the next day with people saying they had a great time! Over $9,000 was raised and that is a record for this small fund raiser!”

All of us at Casting for Recovery extend our warmest thanks to all that volunteered their time and energy to this, to all that solicited items for the auction and to all that participated!

Casting for Recovery – East Tennessee volunteers  initiated their first past-participant casting class in early January, which is being taught free of charge to the ladies. Lindsay Long, program coordinator, reports “We have a full class  of 9  and a waiting list for future classes if our wonderful instructor Drew Still  is willing.  Drew wants each woman to practice or focus on the gifts of the spirit – peace, patience, goodness and kindness – when on the stream.”

CFR Alumni Get Casting Tips

Lindsay adds “Drew certainly has an abundance of patience because these ladies are excited and just love to have fun – you can hear their laughter and the joy in their conversations as we practice.” You can read more about Casting for Recovery in East Tennessee here.

The first annual “Bunco for Boobs” event to support the Casting for Recovery east Tennessee program was held on November 13 at the Gettysvue Golf and Polo Club in Knoxville, TN.  Lindsay Long, program coordinator for the volunteer team coordinating the event, reported that a good time was held by all – and over $6500 was raised to help Casting for Recovery provide services to women at any age or stage of treatment and recovery from breast cancer!

Laura and Alma Celebrate Bunco

Past participants in the Casting for Recovery program participated in the October 24, 2009 Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Knoxville, TN.  Pictured below are Mary (2008 TN), Pam (2008 TN), and Debbie (2007 TN) – in back row.  Lindsay (2006 NC), Teresa (2007 TN), and Linda (2007 TN) are in the front row. As the smiles show,  all enjoyed a day of remembering their Casting for Recovery retreat experiences!

Gail, Doris, Barb, Lindsay and Laura at the Orvis store.

Volunteers from the Rocky Top Chapter of the Women Marines reported for duty at the Orvis store in Sevierville, TN on December 12th in order to help out the Casting for Recovery – East Tennessee program.  The gift wrapping day had been set up to benefit CFR, and Lindsay Long, Program Coordinator, made the following report: “Just as there is a special bond between sister breast cancer survivors there is a bond between Marines, especially women Marines as they are indeed “The Fewer, The Prouder, The Women Marines”.  Semper Fidelis – Always Faithful is more than just a motto – when the call for help is sent out, the Marines come without question.  I did not have enough volunteers for the ORVIS event because of the Christmas season so I put a call out to the Women Marines and I had four volunteers there ready to work.”

Each year, the Anadarko Fishing Tournament selects one non-profit organization to be the beneficiary of their annual bass fishing tournament, “Fishing for a Cause”. This year, the tournament committee selected the Casting for Recovery – Texas program after learning about it from Paul and Gail Sparks.

On October 2-3, the 21st Annual Anadarko Fishing Tournament was held at Lake Sam Rayburn, 150 miles northeast of Houston. Austinite and Casting for Recovery alumna Marlenia Richardson was one of the participating anglers.

The tournament raised $12,185 for the Texas program! Many thanks to the APC Fishing Tournament committee and everyone who participated in this great event.

A benefit on behalf of the Texas CFR program featuring a premiere of the fly-fishing film, RISE, a Confluence Films Production, was held at the Dobie Theater in Austin, Texas, on Tuesday, Dec. 8th.

(left to right) TFO representative and outfitter, Banning Collins and Fly Fish Chick Christine Johnson (AKA Team Paddlefish), along with adventure photographer and author Tosh Brown.

The two-hour mixer, which also featured a raffle drawing and silent auction, was attended by more than 125 people. Representatives from the fly-fishing industry, fly shops and area fly-fishing clubs were on hand to chat about fishing, products, events, and of course, the Casting for Recovery program!  Past participants were also on hand to talk about the personal impact of CFR as the excitement built before, during, and after the showing:  the night  raised approximately $1,800 for the CFR Texas program! Congratulations and thanks to all!

As Casting for Recovery prepares for the New Year, we celebrate the event by announcing the publication of a special brochure designed to highlight the incredible “Ripple Effect” that Casting for Recovery has had on the lives of women, families, and communities–one women at a time.

As we head into a new year of service  the publication of our new “Ripple Effect” brochure publicizes the impact that Casting for Recovery has nationwide, and highlights the power of our grass-roots volunteer program.  The Ripple Effect brochure is available as a pdf download for your reading pleasure.

We extend thanks to our friends at a family foundation for underwriting this  piece and to the creative design firm for their pro-bono creative work.

Photography was provided for this project by the generosity of  Barry and Cathy Beck,  KimSingerPhotography.com, Susan Gaetz, Fred Stevens, and Val Atkinson.

“Ripple Effect” brochure Copyright 2009 by Casting for Recovery.

Casting for Recovery volunteers from all over the Northeast – including Long Island,  Maine, and New Jersey,  traveled to the International Fly Tying Symposium held in Somerset, NJ on November 21st and 22nd. The roster of volunteers included those who devote their volunteer time and talents in many capacities to women in recovery from breast cancer – including River Helpers, alumni, Program Coordinators, fly fishers who tie flies for retreats across the Northeast, and many more.  One group of volunteers from the South Jersey program is shown below.

Volunteers with CFR-South Jersey staff a booth at the show

Casting for Recovery’s East Tennessee Program Coordinator, Lindsay Long, is proud to announce that the ATLC-Oak Ridge Operations and the IBEW-Local 760 have both stepped forward to donate to support the Casting for Recovery program.  “I am proud to say that these are the first union locals to show formal support for the Casting for Recovery program.” Lindsay noted, “Not only will this financial contribution help the women of East Tennessee, but I know it will encourage other union members to help their Sister Union Members, and their wives, mothers, sisters, daughters, and friends through support of Casting for Recovery in their communities.”

CFR Program Coordinator Lindsay Long accepting check from ATLC President Garry Whitley

Celebrating over ten years serving women, the volunteers of Vermont and New Hampshire have just launched a Facebook page to help past participants and volunteers to keep connected.

The participant group from the Stowe, Vermont 2009 CFR Retreat

The Colorado Casting for Recovery program celebrated the completion of another successful season of retreats by the publication of their Fall 2009 newsletter.  Casting for Recovery’s served women from the mid-30s to the late 70s in three retreats held in May and in September, and spread the word by outreach  at the Denver Fly Fishing show, the Denver International Sportsman’s Expo, Bass Pro Shop’s Spring Fly Fishing Classic, Orvis Days at the Orvis Cherry Creek store, and the Western Sportsman’s Expo in Colorado springs, as well as helping to staff the national Casting for Recovery booth at the International Fly Fishing Retailer show in Denver.  A chance to “read all about” the Colorado team’s activities is available here.

CFR Volunteer and fly-fishing instructor Kiki Galvan,  CFR Board Trustee Dory Shipley, Executive Director Lori Simon and Communications Director Kate Fox from the national office spent October 20th at the Tide Point headquarters of Under Armour helping to celebrate “Pink Week” — a week of activities scheduled to highlight breast cancer awareness, part of the Under Armour “Power in Pink” commitment.  In a continuing show of support for Casting for Recovery’s mission interested Under Armour employees gathered during the day to learn the basics of fly-casting, the benefits of exercise for breast cancer survivors, and to learn first-hand the positive impact that CFR has on breast cancer survivor quality of life.

CFR Makes "Pink Week" Presentation to Under Armour

The Arizona Game & Fish Department recently featured a segment on the Casting for Recovery program in Arizona on their program “Arizona Wildlife Views”, hosted by Jim Harker.

Casting for Recovery Northern California alumna and volunteer Susan Dotto has been recognized by Cleavage Creek Cellars, a winemaker that donates 10% of their gross proceeds to breast cancer treatment and support, as one of the six “2009 Women of Cleavage Creek”.  Cleavage Creek owner Budge Brown honors his wife’s battle with breast cancer through the sale of six wines produced in this Napa Valley winery.  “When people learn about Cleavage Creek and the motivation behind it, well, if it reminds one person to go for a checkup, do a self-examination, or become more informed, we’re accomplishing my goal of saving lives.”  Check out Susan’s story on the Cleavage Creek website.

Two lucky participants from the 2009 N. California retreats each received a scholarship to the Becoming an Outdoor Woman (B.O.W.) program donated by Stan Oken, owner of Wonder Valley Ranch and Resort where this year’s program takes place.  Susan Herrgesell, President of the California BOW program announced that the lucky winners – selected at random at the two CFR Northern California retreats -  will attend a multi-course workshop October 23-25.

Dody Virag receiving her scholarship from Retreat Leader, Ilene Hirsh

Judy Sheldon receiving scholarship from Volunteer Retreat Leader Pam Gutman

Sherrie Feickert, Peg Miskin, Franziska Weiland at CFR Retreat

Casting for Recovery New Zealand will be launching their first retreat February 2010 in Rotorua.  Sherrie Feickert, Executive Director of  New Zealand CFR and Franziska Wieland, medical facilitator and fly fishing instructor, attended the  August 21, 2009 Northern California retreat to experience and take in a working retreat held at Clearwater Lodge near Fall River Mills, California.  The “Kiwi girls” as they were affectionately named,  immersed themselves in the retreat experience and learned first hand what the CFR retreat experience is all about.  They brought a wonderful and special touch to the retreat!  Peg Miskin, N. California Program Coordinator who has been providing training and mentoring for the NZ program on behalf of CFR,  will be traveling to New Zealand to co-lead the first retreat with Sherrie Feickert.  Sally Stoner, a FFF certified casting instructor and member of the California and Nevada  CFR teams, will also be traveling to NZ to lead the fly fishing portion of the program and deliver a casting clinic to the NZ team members before the retreat. The NZ program has arranged to cover air fare for both Peg and Sally.   Sherrie Feickert wrote back to the Northern Caifornia team days after arriving home in Rotorua:  “I feel profoundly blessed to have met you and to have shared a slice of CFR life with you and those amazing women.  So many things to do!  I have to thank you for so many precious memories and experiences I now have in my heart .   They have come home with me to begin our program here in NZ. Kia Ora (Maori for “be well and healthy” aka “hi”).”

The CFR team of Sherrie and Fran was also interviewed on a New Zealand radio program called Hooked on Fly Fishing, hosted by Colin Shepherd. Click here for a link to the program archive.