Letter to the Editor: Chamber Ladies Day kudos given

To the Editor:

The Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce’s 22nd Annual Ladies Day Tarpon Tournament had ample reasons to celebrate this year’s booming event, with a field of 37 boats and 21 total tarpon released.

On behalf of the Chamber of Commerce, the Ladies Day committee would like to thank all the volunteers, sponsors and the endless support of the community that made this day an event to remember.

After two years without a winning team the ladies were determined to win this year. With a new date in place to ensure a treasure of tarpon, Team Hudson’s aboard the Casuarina broke the spell in Boca Grande Pass with four tarpon hooked and released. Team Leader Theresa Lasher, Emily Wise, Judy Kesterson, Barbara Jaeggi and Capt. Charlie Coleman collected their prizes at the awards ceremony with a long-awaited celebration held at South Beach Bar and Grill. Rebecca Riker, new to fishing, won the Individual Angler with three releases aboard the Jill Marie with Capt. Dave Chatham.

Brandon Coudal did it again with his highly anticipated art work for the Ladies, setting the pace for this year’s pirate theme. Brandon’s unique retro style has been the Ladies Day featured art for the past four years, printed on posters and T-shirts that can be purchased at the Chamber.

Kelly Reark Borza created a new Ladies Day logo featured on the front of the T-shirts and tumblers also available for purchase at the Chamber. Borza also made a special appearance at the Award Ceremony to unveil her art work for the 2013 “Keepin’ It Reel” Ladies Day theme.

The Chamber of Commerce was fortunate to have many generous sponsors this year. The Boca Beacon, Englewood Bank & Trust, Englewood Glass and Mirror, Gasparilla Properties, Sisters Restaurant, Ariel LTD, Aqua Boutique, BNT Liquors, Safety Harbor, All About You, The Temptation, Photographic Images by Heidemaire J Burke, Boca Grande Travel, Cavana Classic Charters, Chatham’s Charters, James Griffith, Merideth Haws, Grande Aire Services, PJ’s Sea Grille, The Palmetto Inn, Italiano Insurance Services Inc, Dolphin Cove, Susan G Komen for the Cure, Island Nails and Boca Grande Marina.

These are just some of the sponsors that donated to our cause. The monies collected benefit the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust and the Boca Grande Children’s Scholarship Foundation. Thank you all for your tremendous support.

The Chamber of Commerce would also like to recognize the officials for their commitment and expertise: Head Judge Sandy Bylaska, Chad Lach, Sam Steyer, Rich Caccavale, Robbie Downing, Dave “Smitty” Smith.

The Ladies Day committee is proud to be a part of a no-harm tournament and would like to thank the anglers, the numerous volunteers and the community for their continued support, for without this support we would not have this special day just for the Ladies.  

Melissa Laterza
Ladies Day Tournament Committee Co-Director