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Commercial Fisheries News
Volume 35 Number 8
April 2008
Northeast Seafood Coalition fund-raiser uplifting for all
GLOUCESTER, MA – Despite rising fuel prices and regulatory uncertainty looming over the horizon, the Northeast Seafood Coalition’s 6th Annual Big Money Raffle fund-raiser at the Elks Lodge on Feb. 29 was a success.
The mood among the over 150 attendees was as high as the month’s astronomical tides, and the large number of young fishermen in the crowd illustrated the fishing industry has a future. Furthermore, seven raffle contestants became hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars richer.
Guests during the four-hour event were treated to live music by Major Nelson and the Screaming Jeannies and plenty of good food, including fish chowder, deli meats, cheese, rolls, and coffee donated by DeMoulas Market Basket, Legal Seafoods, Sclafani’s Bakery, and Dunkin Donuts.
Coalition Executive Director Jackie Odell acted as master of ceremonies. Christine Sherman, the coalition’s office manager and membership coordinator, put together the whole festivity, assisted by Jennie and Vito Giacalone, Sefatia Romeo, Rose Floyd, Maggie Sherman, Dori Cross, Janice Muise, and Ellen Goethel.
There was also a rapid-fire live auction, led, once again, by longtime industry champion state Sen. Bruce Tarr, who told the audience, “You are not just taking home an item. You are also supporting the coalition and the fishing industry.”
Said Christine Sherman, “Bruce does a phenomenal job every year.”
Throughout the evening, praise was repeatedly heard for Giacalone’s, Sherman’s and Odell’s hard work and commitment to the fishing industry through the coalition. Giacalone is the chairman of governmental affairs for the group.
Dedication
The focus of the event also took a somewhat reflective turn early on in the evening.
“This fund-raiser is dedicated to Bob Andersen and Billy Crossen,” Odell announced.
Andersen and Crossen both passed away in 2007, at the ages of 67 and 55 respectively. Besides being highline skippers and likeable characters, both men were dedicated coalition members and regular fund-raiser event participants.
Vito Giacalone and Russell Sherman, who owns the Lady Jane, also spoke from their hearts about their late friends.
“Bob had more guts than he knew what to do with, and he had just as much heart,” said Sherman.
Added Giacalone, “Billy was the guy who made this event huge. Crossen was the all-time biggest ticket seller.”
Raffle winners
Bill McCann from the Fairhaven/New Bedford area was the #1 ticket seller this year. He sold 75 of the $100-apiece raffle tickets. Ticket sales were limited to 500.
A blindfolded Tarr drew the following winners in the Big Money Raffle:
Jack Ketchopulos of Rockport, MA, who won the $10,000 prize;
Chuck Haddad of Marshfield, MA, who bought ticket #500 and won the $5,000 prize;
Vito Calomo of Gloucester, $2,000 prize;
Richie Canastra of New Bedford, $1,000 prize; and
Jon Knight of Wakefield, RI, $500 prize.
“I was shocked,” said Ketchopulos, a Pigeon Cove Harbor lobsterman, vessel owner, and husband of Debbie, who won the top prize with ticket #20. “I specifically bought the ticket early and asked for number 20 for our wedding anniversary on Feb. 20.”
The 50-50 raffle totaling $450 was won by Rose Marie Randazzo of Gloucester and the Sellers Raffle totaling $500 was won by Angela Sanfilippo of Gloucester.
Peter K. Prybot
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