To the editor:

The Great Calusa Rubber Duck Race which was held on March 6 was once again a fantastic success. Over $30,000 was raised for the Calusa Land Trust which procures and preserves environmentally sensitive land here on Pine Island.

Three thousand bright yellow ducks, although directionally impaired for awhile, managed to swim down the race track in the canal at Woody’s Waterside. The first duck crossing the finish line belonged to Carl Duveneck who won an offshore fishing trip with Captain Steve Woodard on the” MIS MAX”. The remaining 43 of the “Olympic swimmers” that also reached the finish line won a variety of great prizes for their owners. Watching and cheering the racers was an enthusiastic crowd of people enjoying the food, drinks, music, raffles and auctions.

The success of the day was due to the tremendous support of the many people who bought 3,000 duck tickets and those who came to Woody’s to participate in the auctions and raffles while enjoying the day and watching the race.

The race committee and the Calusa Land Trust want to thank the many contributors whose generous donations made the day possible. There is not enough space to list all of you, but you know who you are, and we can’t thank you enough.

I especially want to thank the planning committee, the fantastic duck dumpers/herders, all the ticket sellers, and workers, who spent many hours to assure the day was successful and enjoyable for all.

Here’s looking forward to a bigger and better race day next year. Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 5, 2011!!

The “Pink Duck”

Pink Wesorick

Duck Race Chairman