Last weekend my husband and I were guests aboard the Karen Anne, a Columbia 50 sailing sloop skippered by Jack Bollinger. The memories of that happy day on the bay will last a lifetime. Jack and Karen Bollinger were the most excellent hosts anyone could ask for at the “Celebrating Life” event, the 11th Annual Sharp HospiceCare Benefit Regatta. One of the hospice homes is located in La Mesa.
In years past, Bollinger has been out there on his boat among the others with full sail against the wind, racing against each other good-naturedly. This year, Bollinger elected to “take the higher ground.” He said he wanted to offer a rare up-close look at the race for spectators.
Up-close we were, with Bollinger the jovial captain at the helm, his lovely wife Karen passing plates of cheese and crackers and offering the guests a beer or glass of wine. My husband and I sat with the other four guests on the bow of the boat as if it were a regular past-time of ours. Sailboats in every color of the rainbow shimmered on the water, tacking back and forth along the course marked by buoys.
Other spectator yachts came up next to us on the Karen Anne. They raised their glasses of champagne to us.
On the Karen Anne, we had champagne a little later celebrating our own sort of victory. Jack let those of us who wanted to stand at the helm and drive the boat, with him or Karen close by, of course.
“I can’t believe I’m driving a boat!” I shrieked. Everyone laughed as my face went from looks of sheer fear to peaceful bliss. At Karen’s suggestion, I steered the boat a little more to the left. “Jack, is that what you call it? Driving a boat?” I asked.
“Sure is,” he said. “You’re doing great!”
My husband and another crew member had their turns, too. “You all are born naturals at this,” Karen said. A cheer went up among us, and Karen poured champagne for us all.
We watched the sailboats crowd against each other as they moved to the finish line near the Coronado Yacht Club. Back on solid ground at the club, all the skippers and crews enjoyed an al fresco dinner of carnitas, tortillas, rice, beans and salsa. The Misty and the Moby’s band played lots of danceable tunes as the shadows got longer and the lowering sun painted the boats’ reflections on the water.
The real celebration that day was the fantastic turnout of regatta participants and supporters. The event netted more than $250,000, all of which will go to support Sharp HospiceHome Care. Thirty-four sailboats competed in the race, with 600 attendees watching the race from aboard 39 private yachts.
The day on San Diego Bay was the best sort of celebration of life anyone could ever ask for. I personally thank Stacy Kadrich, Senior Marketing and Communication Specialist, for the invitation; many thanks also go to the Bollingers for their graciousness as hosts on the Karen Anne.
Sharp's Homes for Hospice, including LakeView Home in La Mesa and ParkView Home in Del Cerro, are the only places of their kind in San Diego. They operate solely to provide care and compassionate support to patients, families and friends dealing with terminal illnesses.
For more information about Sharp Hospice Home Care, go to www.sharp.com/hospice/homes-for-hospice.cfm.
