Friends Gather at the "Fish Tales & Cocktails" Fundraiser

The Gold/Smith Gallery at Sugarloaf was the setting for the annual “Fish Tales & Cocktails” silent auction and fundraiser in support of
Casting for Recovery-Maine on January 17.  In what has become a wintertime tradition, more than sixty attendees gathered to bid on the finest art, jewelry, products and services donated by CFR supporters.

Casting For Recovery’s Maine retreat program will be celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2009.

The TODAY Show’s Hoda Kotb invited CFR Executive Director Seline Skoug and three past participants in the Casting for Recovery program, Margaret Fraser, Christina Galicia, and Rosa Toala, to participate in a “makeover” segment during the October 15th broadcast of the show as part of the coverage of Breast Cancer Awareness month.  Hoda, who was a guest at a September Casting for Recovery retreat, also provided commentary to the video clip of her participation in the CFR retreat: taking casting and knot tieing lessons, interviewing participants, and catching (and releasing) fish:  “Today I’ll take you to a special place for breast cancer survivors, a program called Casting for Recovery…this is more than fly fishing…this is a great program.”

Click here to see the full clip of the TODAY show coverage.

Below:  Hoda with participants at Casting for Recovery Retreat-Long Island, September, 2008

Right: Christina, Rosa, Margaret, and Seline at the TODAY SHOW studios, after makeover!

The Montana Outfitters and Guides Association (MOGA) has chosen Casting for Recovery as one of four national charities they will support through their new “Big Hearts Under the Big Sky” program. The MOGA banquet held during their convention on January 9th in Billings, MT was the occasion for a presentation on Casting for Recovery’s mission made by CFR’s Montana volunteers (pictured above are Dawn McDonald, outgoing President of MOGA and volunteers Alice Golden and Karen Page).  Part of the weekend’s excitement included an invitation to the Montana Governor’s office, where Karen and Alice had a chance to explain how CFR is working to support breast cancer survivors in the state.

Larry McGovern, MOGA member, Alice Golden, and Mac Minard, MOGA Executive Director, together at the Convention.

CFR friends Diane Jones and Larry McGovern, volunteers Karen Page and Alice Golden, and MOGA President-elect Russ Kipp “show the MOGA flag” for CFR.

In December 2008 the CFR Indiana volunteer team was asked to talk about Casting for Recovery’s mission and impact at the Komen Circle of Hope luncheon.  Thanks to the support that Komen has provided through grants since 2007, and the other generous contributions received from individuals and companies, the Indiana program is adding a second retreat in 2009 and is also now holding annual reunions for program participants.  The picture below is an indication of the reach of the Casting for Recovery community in Indiana: of the 10 women shown, 6 are CFR program alumni, 4 are also Komen volunteers, and 6 are on the CFR volunteer planning team. (Standing left to right:  Carolyn Cary (CFR ‘05, Komen volunteer of the year), Mary Smith (CFR volunteer planning team member and participant coordinator, volunteer retreat flyfishing instructor), Erica Sheets (CFR ‘05 participant, CFR volunteer planning team, reunion team), Denise Trimble (CFR ‘07 participant, Komen volunteer, CFR volunteer), Barbara Simpson, (CFR-IN volunteer planning team coordinator), Wendy Noe (Indianapoliss Komen Program Director) , and Kandi Rutledge (CFR ‘05 participant, CFR volunteer planning team).

At this event, Dana Curish, Executive Director of the Indianapolis Komen affiliate, presented the CFR volunteer team with the first installment of the 2009 grant  of $13,285.

Lori McKenna sings at Casting for Recovery benefit.

The Cumberland Transit Fly Shop in Nashville was the setting for a presentation of a $3,000 check from Temple Fork Outfitters “Rods for Recovery and Hope” program to support the Casting for Recovery program in Tennessee. From left to right are: Ron Howard – Fly Fishing Manager – Cumberland Transit, Wanda Taylor- TFO Rod Design Team and CFR Volunteer Retreat Leader, Dr. Dick Davis – CFR-Tennessee Volunteer Program Coordinator, Kent Edmonds – TFO Representative from The Grand Slam Group. Part of the festivities included an appearance by recording star Lori McKenna, who is featured on the double CD “Cinnamon Girl”, proceeds of the sale of which benefit Casting for Recovery.

On Saturday, October 18th the Great Bay Chapter of Trout Unlimited once again hosted a day of fishing and reunion event for alumni of Casting for Recovery.  This 4th annual Casting for Recovery event was held on the banks of the Wild and Scenic Cocheco River, in Dover, New Hampshire. The 7 ladies that attended enjoyed a refresher course on knot tying and casting, learned about entomology and spent the afternoon in the river, where they caught fish and had a lot of fun.

Several organizations, companies, and individuals contributed to the day’s success.  Albright Tackle donated waders and rods, Measured Progress of Dover, NH provided a parking area and restroom facilities, and food was provided by Dunkin Donuts of Lee, Weeksie’s Pizza of Dover, and Mary Manin. Janet Thompson of North Country Angler of North Conway, NH and Steve Pelletier, Maine guide, donated a 2-hour striper fishing guided tour in Maine to a raffle.  Thanks also go to Three Rivers Stocking club for their stocking of the river!

Personal guide service from TU chapter members who volunteered their time ensured that fish were caught. Here are some photos showing the day’s success, provided by Wendy Nixon, event coordinator.

At the Fly Fishing Retailer show in September in Denver, CO, Rick Pope of Temple Fork Outfitters (TFO), of Dallas, TX presented TFO spokesperson and CFR volunteer Wanda Taylor with a check representing proceeds from the sale of a special “Recovery and Hope” fly rod series. Sales of the rod nationwide are helping Casting for Recovery to help establish new retreats in 2009

Granzella’s in Williams, CA hosted their 3rd annual Bagna Caldette for Casting for Recovery on October 25th.  The restaurant welcomed more than 250 women who turned out to support the northern California program, and $5,000 was raised through ticket and raffle sales and a silent auction of sports memorabilia provided by former Oakland Raiders pro-football player, Art Thom.  Shown below are restaurant owner Jim Granzella with chef Tootie Hacket, who stepped up to the “pot” to support CFR.

 The north atrium lobby of The Hartford campus in Simsbury, CT was the site of an October 22nd celebration of The Hartford’s role as a national sponsor of Casting for Recovery. The Hartford has tripled its contribution to Casting for Recovery this year, and in celebration and recognition employees and visitors were invited to learn more about the CFR program from program alumni, and to participate in casting instruction.

Shown here are Wade Seward, CMO of the Individual Life Division of The Hartford, receiving a recognition placque for the company’s support from Seline Skoug, Executive Director.

Pam Titus, a Hartford employee and a program volunteer, accompanied by two past participants, Kate Jollie and Sue Stiller, answered questions about the CFR program.

The CFR Colorado Program recently published their Fall 2008 program newsletter, which celebrates the completion of the fifth season of retreat programs in Colorado.  You can read the newsletter in pdf format here. In 2008, three retreats were held, and the newsletter includes stories from volunteers and program participants.  The photo, from one of this year’s retreats, captures a special moment during the Sunday morning spiritual gathering.

CFR volunteer Kerri Russell reported that over 640 members, visitors, and guests attended the 2008 FFF Southern Council Conclave the first weekend in October, where $3,000 was raised

to support Casting for Recovery programs in Arkansas, Missouri, and Texas.  Shown here is a photo of the Casting for Recovery fly plate, featuring a selection of flies interpreted in CFR’s signature colors of pink and purple, that was auctioned as part of the event’s activities.  Thanks to Pat Smith, FFF Council Managing Director, and 2008 Conclave Chair Michael Kyle and all others who once again stepped up to help support Casting for Recovery in the region!

As we celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness month in October, Casting for Recovery is pleased to announce that The Orvis Company and its customers have raised a record-breaking amount this year to help Casting for Recovery expand our programs. At a presentation in mid-October, Seline Skoug, Executive Director, presented a recognition placque to Perk Perkins, CEO.

In 2008 a total of $100,000 has been donated through contributions from The Orvis Company and their customers. This total includes a $25,000 direct contribution from The Orvis Company, which matches a portion of the total given through individual donations of customers, employees, and the public. This effort, championed by The Orvis Company since 2001, is part of their long-time role as a national sponsor of Casting for Recovery.

The TODAY Show’s Hoda Kotb joined participants in the Casting for Recovery Long Island program as they gathered for the day of fishing at the Connetquot River State Park Preserve in Oakdale, NY on Sunday, September 28.  As part of filming interviews with program participants for a segment on Casting for Recovery that will air on the October 15, 2008 TODAY Show, CFR volunteers instructed Hoda in the fine points of casting and knot tieing before sending her out on the water.  We’re proud to report that the fly casting lessons were well learned, as Hoda was able to land four fish during her time on the water!

The photo below shows Hoda Kotb with CFR staff Kate Fox and Seline Skoug, and CFR volunteers Lee Weil and Betty Anne Timerman.

Lake George, NY was the gathering place for a Becoming and Outdoor Woman weekend where attendees visited the Casting for Recovery fund- and awareness-raising table, where the pink CFR branded Emotion Kayak was such an attention-getter and the raffle for it such a success! In addition, the B.O.W. Board and participants made a generous donation to support the Casting for Recovery Claryville, NY retreat. Everyone loved the kayak and enjoyed a weekend learning new outdoor skills and bonding in fellowship.  Thanks to volunteers Nancy Murphy and Carol Drury (shown here with the kayak) and Martha Pagen, who helped spread the word and answer questions from the 200-plus women who attended!

Kathleen Lee, President of Goals for Life, Inc. announced that Casting for Recovery is the recipient of a donation of $10,000 during a ceremony held at the CFR-NJ retreat held the weekend of August 16, 2008 at the Inn at Panther Valley. In announcing the donation from the 8th Annual Goals for Life Women’s Charity Soccer tournament, Kathleen stated: “I have always said that tournament day is my favorite day of the year. I have to say that presenting our donations runs a close second. I wish all of you could have experienced the emotional response on Sunday from the Casting for Recovery organizers and participants when they found out that your support will help them to conduct two such retreats in New Jersey next year, instead of just one – thereby serving twice as many women!” Pictured here are Kathleen Lee (left) and CFR program coordinator LisaAnn Permunian as the donation total is announced.

CFR Volunteers Andrea and LisaAnn introduce the Goals for Life, Inc. representatives.

Casting for Recovery was one of four healing experiences featured in a segment broadcast on NBC Today on July 24th. Peter Greenberg, TODAY’s travel editor, noted that the 2 1/2 day retreats that CFR offers provide a welcome respite as well as an opportunity to learn new skills and to connect with other women in similar circumstances. Mr. Greenberg said of CFR, “It’s not only fun but a form of physical therapy.” (Peter also featured the Casting for Recovery on his Saturday morning live XM radio show.) Find a link to the video segment here.

Despite a massive thunderstorm that blew through southern Vermont the previous night, the 16th Annual Vermont/New Hampshire Komen Race for the Cure took place Sunday morning as scheduled at the Hildene Meadowlands in Manchester, VT. Pictured here are Kate Fox, Suzi Dorgeloh, Paula Quesnel (the 2008 Vermont/New Hampshire Survivor of the Year), and Carrie Dee at the CFR booth under the big tent. This year’s VT-NH CFR retreats are supported in part by a grant from Susan G. Komen, as well as by donations from regional Trout Unlimited Chapters, The Vermont Country Store, and many other community organizations, companies and individuals. The staff and volunteers give thanks to all those whose generosity continues to support the Vermont-New Hampshire program!

On July 21st the Third Annual Saratoga Racing Season Kickoff Party in honor of CFR participant Norine Spadaro was held. Friends and family of Norine gathered once again to honor her life, to support the CFR Long Island program, and to hear Tom Durkin, the voice of the New York Racing Association, make the traditional announcement of the start of the six week thoroughbred racing season. Among the CFR volunteers who attended the evening’s event were Steffi Musso (pictured here with Joe Spadaro) and Lee Weil (below, with Seline Skoug and friend), volunteer Program Coordinators with Long Island Casting for Recovery. Over seventy guests raised over $7,000 to help support CFR-Long Island. Pictured below: Some members of the Spadaro family greeted the guests arriving at the Saratoga Golf and Polo Club.

Rock Point Books in Chattanooga, TN was the site for a recent fundraiser and book signing in honor of the Casting for Recovery Tennessee program. A crowd that included the mayor of Chattanooga and Kim Wamp, the wife of Tennessee 3rd District Congressman Zack Wamp, joined CFR volunteers and past participants to meet and greet Mary Alice Monroe, author of “Time Is A River”.

Pictured: Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield, Pam Krapf (r), a CFR participant from this year’s Tennesee retreat, and Wanda Taylor (l), a long-time CFR volunteer.

A sellout crowd listens to the author at the event, which also featured a silent auction.

Pictured above: author Mary Alice Monroe, Wanda, and Elizabeth Irvin, who was among the group of volunteers instrumental in organizing the event, are all smiles at day’s end.

The July 1st edition of USA Today features a story by national columnist Craig Wilson that mentions Casting for Recovery. Long-time CFR volunteer and fly fishing guide Starr Nolan accompanied author Mary Alice Monroe, author of the new book Time is a River, on a fishing trip on Virginia’s Dry River. The novel, the author’s 10th, is about a breast cancer survivor who learns to fly fish, and the author cites the Casting for Recovery program in the novel’s introduction. Mary Alice calls the CFR program and its experience “amazing.” For a link to the article and a video on the USA Today website, click here.

TODAY: Weekend Edition hosts Lester Holt and Amy Robach interviewed two past participants from the CFR Colorado retreat program, Gina and Anne, in a segment titled “Hooked! Lester and Amy Go Fly Fishing” broadcast on Saturday, July 12. The interviews highlighted the mental and physical healing that Casting for Recovery brings. Lester Holt said “Meeting Gina and Anne on the river was inspiring.”

The segment was filmed in early May at the Lincoln Hills Fly Fishing Club in Colorado. Dr. Virginia Borges, CFR advisory board member and CFR volunteer, helped organize the interviews and provided background info.

The video of this national coverage for Casting for Recovery can be seen at this link to the TODAY Show website.

In Corning, CA the Rolling Hills Casino partnered with the Clear Creek Sports Club for the first annual Fly Girls women’s fly fishing event in support of Casting for Recovery, held on June 22 . 120 guests attended and were given a special day of great food, fly fishing instruction and shopping. Clear Creek Sports Club hosted the fishing portion of the program where women learned beginning casting, knot tying, fly tying and advanced casting and had a chance to fish for trophy trout in the 56 acre stocked catch-and-release lake located at the club. The $150 entry fee for the day’s event included a rod and vest for the participants to take home.

Back in the Casino guests enjoyed California cuisine, entertainment and mini-boutiques set up by local artisans and retail shops offering everything from jewelry to gourmet foods. All proceeds from the event support the Northern California Casting for Recovery program, and next year’s event has already been set for May 2, 2009. Pictured here are Jim Roberts of the Orvis Eagle Creek Fly Shop, Brad Henman of Clear Creek Sports Club, and volunteer Elizabeth Soder, who were among those involved in planning and hosting the event at Rolling Hills Casino.

The Summer issue of the national magazine Women & Cancer has published a feature story about Casting for Recovery as part of its in-depth look at the state of exercise during and after cancer treatment. Women & Cancer is a women’s health magazine that recognizes that as the primary health care decision-makers for themselves and their families, every woman is affected by cancer, whether she is concerned about screening and detection, nutrition, environmental and genetic risk factors, or is dealing with an actual diagnosis of cancer. While serving as a resource dedicated to prevention of management of cancer, Women & Cancer emphasizes general wellness, fostering community, and inspiring hope. Over 175,000 copies of each quarterly issue are distributed nationally to cancer patients and survivors, paid subscribers, oncology offices, cancer centers, advocacy groups, and retail outlets. For a look at the article, you can click here, or visit the magazine’s website.

The 8th Annual Goals for Life Women’s Charity Soccer Tournament was held on June 7, 2008 in Essex Park, NJ, and for the second year in a row this non-profit founded by novice-soccer moms, whose mission is to raise funds for women’s health initiatives, selected Casting for Recovery’s New Jersey program as the recipient of their fund raising efforts. Pictured below are CFR volunteers Andrea Lyn Van Benschoten and Lisaann Permunian with the CFR-NJ program. (Photos: courtesy Mark Wyville Photography)

Below Lisaann and the Goals for Life “Give Hope” players pose for a picture:

For the past two years the saltwater fly fishers who gather together for a weekend event called “PoonTangle” have adopted Casting for Recovery as their charity of choice. This year’s event in Big Pine Key, FL was held at the end of May and brought together 41 men and women…and many friends…who donated a portion of the registration fee, plus all the proceeds from a raffle and a silent auction to once again support Casting for Recovery. The grand total of over $4,600 was double what had been raised last year. Jim and Jean Johnson and Bob and Kathy Brown, who were co-hosts and organizers of the event, reported “PT-8 was an unprecedented success. Three mostly outdoor evenings of merriment, and three beautiful days of tarpon (”poon”) fishing made for a perfect weekend. Folks came from far and near and though we had fewer registrants than last year, we raised more money that ever, thanks to donations from many companies.” Donors included tackle companies like Temple Fork Outfitters, Abel, Islander Reels, and many more. For more information about the group and a list of supporters, visit their website.