Danna Sue Walker: MS Society Floats Plan For Its Annual Regatta Danna Sue Walker World staff writer 07/14/1997

  Mike Lang, left, Betty Hobson, Cindy Fuller and Darline Hobock talk about the MS Regatta scheduled for Sept. 6 at Windycrest Sailing Club on Lake Keystone.

World staff photo by Mike Simons

The Oklahoma Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society launched plans for its 18th annual regatta during a recent kickoff and art auction at Warren Place II. Sailors and landlubbers alike joined in the evening, which offered silent and live auctions of a wide variety of Oklahoma art, the magic of Bradini, and Greg Sterge with The Musical Factory. Mike Lang, the chairman of the regatta, and Cindy Fuller, the chairwoman of the launch party, said the event is a chance to ride the waves and experience the unforgettable excitement of a sailboat race while having the satisfaction of knowing that your contribution benefits Tulsa-area residents affected by MS. The regatta is set for Sept. 6 at Windycrest Sailing Club at Lake Keystone. A barbecue picnic will be served at the club’s pavilion afterward. Major sponsors of the regatta are CloseBend and the Close Family; Anchor Paint; Love Envelopes and the Sabre Group. Representatives of the sponsors at the kickoff party were Jeanne and Mike Love of Love Envelopes, and Mark Steeves, Dennis Shepherd and Dale Buchanan from the Sabre Group. Other sponsors include Frances and Bill Rowland; the Kiwanis Club of Tulsa S.E.; Mike and Tracy Lang; Meeks Lithographing, represented by Dilene and Jerry Crockett; and Oils Unlimited, represented by Hester and Ken Mans. Other donors include Chimi’s, Jason’s Deli, Zio’s, Albert G’s, Subway Sandwiches and Salads, the Doubletree Hotel and The Great Bradini. Since Windycrest began having the MS Regatta 18 years ago, more than $325,000 has been raised for MS research. All proceeds from the launch party and the regatta go directly to the Oklahoma MS Society. Among those at the launch were Lang, his wife, Tracey; Fuller, her husband, Tony; acquisitions chairwomen Darline Hobock and Betty Hobson, with her husband, Gene; MS Oklahoma Chapter President Paula Cortner; and board members including Chairman Tom Tate, with his wife, Melody; Mary Brett, with her husband, Tom; Ken Crump, with his wife, Susan; Suzanne Kneale, with her husband, Jim; and Clark Wiens. Also attending were Allene and Rex Donley, the food co- chairmen with Nancy Gomez, who was absent but was represented by her husband, Charles Keithline, and other committee members including Karia Barrow, Lisa Steinmyer, her guest, Steve Canary; Elaine Rainey; and Leah and Blake Kelso. Windycrest board members who attended were commodore John Kerr Jr., his wife, Judy; vice commodore Danny Ziegler, his wife, Julie; treasurer Skeeter Chilton, her husband, Rob Stout; and Linda and Bob McGinnis, activities captains. Donating artists attending were Claudia Kates Doyle, with her husband, Tony; Phil Montelbano, with his wife, Barbara; Charles Philpott, with his wife, Pam; Paul Reed, with his wife, Constanza; Robin Thomas, with her husband, Louis; Dan Ziegler; Peggy Tillotson; Norma Stout; Dianne Schooley and Mary Brock. In the live auction, Chip Meade bought a four-day Santa Fe getaway at a condo donated by Sherry and Dan Mayo, with air fare courtesy of World Travel Service; Mike Love bought a grill donated by Hasty Bake and John McClung; Tony Fuller bought an ultimate bird house by Gene and Rachael Chaney; and Jeff Swafford bought a gourmet dinner and moonlight sail with Paula Cortner & Friends. In-kind sponsors included Bourbon Street Cafe, Zio’s, Great Plains Coca-Cola and Green Country Beverage. Sponsorship levels range from $3,000 for a commander-in-chief package that has many amenities including the chance for 10 people to take part in the race on a keel boat or to observe from the MS viewing barge; $1,000 for an admiral sponsorship that offers the same opportunities for six people; a $500 skipper sponsorship that allows four people to race or observe and a $300 helmsman’s sponsorship that allows two people to take part. Other benefits include recognition, company names on keel boat pennants, invitations to the barbecue, and T-shirts. Get ready to cast off. For more information call the MS office at 488-0882.