A Middlesex County Volunteer
Rescue Squad benefit
The last string of lights has been unplugged, the band has packed up, and the Deltaville Maritime Museum is tidy and ready for its next event. We headed home Saturday evening, knowing that divine alignment had occurred again.
When someone asked what stood out the most, the answer was clear: the “barn-raising” effect. Everyone comes out. Everyone helps, races, cooks, or donates. This community truly cares about its volunteers.
There were lifelong sailors alongside those who have never stepped foot on a boat. The crowd was a mix of young and old, salty and preppy, neighbors, friends, colleagues, and families. Everyone seemed to know everyone in an idyllic, “Mayberry R.F.D.” moment.
What began as a mere inkling in 2021, back when COVID-19 left us all a little rattled, became an idea to host our own Rescue Regatta. The goal was to bolster the auxiliary, lift morale, and help sustain the Middlesex County Volunteer Rescue Squad (MCVRS).
Now, that idea has manifested into its fourth successful year. We’ve found our rhythm and might just have a little swagger this week. Already, the suggestions are rolling in: “Next year you should…” and “Next year let’s…”
Friday’s Welcome Dinner drew more than 200 guests. The Midnight Ukulele Society won over every skeptic in the crowd. One skipper admitted, “I thought it was going to be a couple of weird guys in Hawaiian shirts. I was so wrong. This group is amazing.” (Well, they were right about the Hawaiian shirts.) The “Ukers,” as they are affectionately known in Richmond, brought the house down as a 20-piece band.
The museum pavilion buzzed with music, good company, and a sneak preview of the most addictive thing known to humankind; namely, the German shepherd and Labrador puppies from Blue Ridge Lane Kennels.
Saturday delivered favorable winds and 28 boats on the water. Among them were Chris Lowe and Corey Coleman aboard SV Adelaide, a bright, turquoise-hulled Dufour 56′ Classic Prestige from The Jolly Skipper Boatyard with 16 crew members aboard. Stingray Point Boat Works’ Rick Farinholt raced in Winkle, a Meadowlark sharpie built by Allan H. Vaitses, also graced the water, alongside a strong showing of other jolly cruisers from Stingray Harbour Yacht Club, Rappahannock River Yacht Club, Regent Point Yacht Club, and Fishing Bay Yacht Club.
The results
PHRF A
- Afterthought (Sail USA 7070) | Skipper: Craig Wright
- Corryvreckan (Sail 83438) | Skipper: David Clark
- Excitation (Sail 32637) | Skipper: Mayo Tabb
PHRF B/C
- GOIN’ (Sail 83269) | Skipper: Dennis Hannick
- Gabrielle (Sail 21613) | Skipper: Bill Kitchens
- Shenanigan (Sail 22050) | Skipper: Miles Booth
Cruising Spinnaker
- Red Sky (Sail 465) | Skippers: Mike and Nancy Chesser
- Trilogy (Sail 3194) | Skipper: Randy Alley
- Air Time (Sail 93706) | Skippers: Anne Litt and Mike Karn
Cruising
- Last Boat III (Sail 203) | Skipper: William Murphy
- Soulemate (Sail 48) | Skippers: Dave and Karen Soule
- Pura Vida (Sail 00) | Skippers: Bill and Claire Prior
Saturday evening, the skippers came in energized from the race and ready for a signature cocktail, “Rescue Me,” while listening to the Michael Clark Band featuring Tracy Clark’s rendition of “Rescue Me,” made famous by Fontella Bass in 1965. Soon they were digging into Smokin’ Joe’s BBQ with green beans, potatoes au gratin, and shrimp prepared by the MCVRS Auxiliary.
Meanwhile, Blue Ridge Lane German shepherds set up a bona fide “K-9 kissing booth” with all proceeds going to support the squad. All who came anywhere near the dolphin statues on Deltaville Maritime Museum’s green were drawn into the puppy pen; it was pure joy and immersion therapy. Later this year, Clint and Jill Marshall of Blue Ridge Lane are donating a German shepherd and a Labrador for a nationwide “puppy raffle,” again with all proceeds benefiting the Middlesex County Volunteer Rescue Squad.
What a weekend. We are grateful for the many silent auction donations, our partners, Fishing Bay Yacht Club and Deltaville Maritime Museum, and our many sponsors, especially Moose Lodge 2401, Jolly Skipper Boatyard and Norton Yachts — we were indeed lifted up! Thank you to every sailor, volunteer, musician, and community member who made the fourth annual Rescue Regatta such a success.
(Tina Mennett is the president and CPR instructor for the Middlesex County Volunteer Rescue Squad.)
