Mid-Atlantic Program

 

The Mid-Atlantic Program of Casting for Recovery serves the women of Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C. The May 2013 Virginia Retreat will be held for the first time at Sevenoaks Retreat Center.  Sevenoaks is located on 130 acres of forested land in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, just 30 minutes north of Charlottesville, Virginia.  They offer private meeting spaces for large and small groups, serving healthy and delicious meals, with comfortable overnight lodging.

For more information, contact:

Mid-Atlantic Program Coordinators
Mollie Simpkins (410) 336-1175 
Polly Kalich
 

Retreat Calendar

2013 Virginia Retreat
May 25 - 27, 2013 (Application deadline passed)
Sevenoaks Retreat Center
Madison, Virginia

2013 Maryland Retreat
October 11 - 13, 2013 (Apply by August 2)
Loyola University Retreat Center
Flintstone, Maryland

See a sample retreat schedule

Events


Sunday, October 28, 2012
Rose River Farm - Syria, Virginia

Despite Super Storm Sandy threatening to huff and puff and blow our tent down, approximately 75 hardy souls thumbed their collectives noses are her to make it to the 4th Annual 2Fly4Hope Fishing Challenge and Alumni Reunion.  Much to everyone's delight, the wind held off and not a drop of rain fell until we were packing our cars to head out.
 
While the anglers and their stream monitors took to the water at beautiful Rose River Farm in Syria, Virginia, past retreat participants took the ponds.  The ladies were lead by volunteers from both Orvis and L.L. Bean and each and every one of them got a fish on!
 
Everyone took a break for a wonderful lunch of chicken chili, root vegetable stew, salad, and desserts, all generously donated by Kim James at Six Star Catering.  This is the second year that Kim has fed the group and for that we are very grateful.
 
This year we introduced the opportunity to be a sponsor at the event and are thankful to those who stepped up to help us grow the event.  In addition to our sponsors, many donated products and/or services to be included in the silent auction, to be used as a raffle item, or a gift or prize for the anglers.  It has been stated many times and will be again, we are HUGE believers in supporting those that support us. With that said, here is a list of those that have done just that. Click on the link to visit their website and perhaps pick up a few items for yourself or as a gift.  Our hope is that no one has been left out!
Of course, while the main purpose of the event is to raise funds to support the retreats that serve breast cancer survivors in the Mid-Atlantic, there was, of course, prizes and bragging rights up for grabs in the Fishing Challenge.  With the former three time winner, Wray Sinclair, not part of this year's event, it was anyone's game.  The Arlington Angel Anglers came out of the first session with a strong lead, followed by Just Ugly GuyS and Stafford Strikers. While these three teams did end up being the top three of the event, it did not end in that order.  So, without further adieu, here are your 4th Annual 2Fly4Hope Fishing Challenge winners!!
 
1st Place 
Just Ugly GuyS - Curt Boatman & Bob Gartner
 
2nd Place
Arlington Angel Anglers - Anna Harris & Bill Errico
 
3rd Place
Stafford Strikers - Tom Caulfield & Pat Jones
 
There was a tie for the Biggest Fish between Curt Boatman and Tom Caulfield, with each men catching fish measuring at 16.5". Gentlemen, your awards will be in the mail in two weeks!
 
If you are not on Facebook or do not 'Like' or page on Facebook, you can still see the photos by clicking on this link:  2Fly4Hope Photos
 
We would be remiss if we did not thank the volunteers that gave up their Sunday to join us at the event. To the men and women who acted as stream monitors, taught the alumni at the ponds, help set up and tear down, serve food, go on an ice run..and it goes on and on; without you selflessness, we could not put on a successful event, and that it was.
 
To the individuals and companies to participated as sponsors, those that gave generously of their products, services, or both to include in the angler bags or for the silent auction and raffle, those who simply came to enjoy a day at a beautiful farm and enjoy great food and friends, those who gave of their time to volunteer, to those lucky folks who got to spend a day on the river...to EVERYONE that was part of this fantastic days, a sincere and gratitude filled Thank You for your continued and stalwart support of the Casting for Recovery Mid-Atlantic Program.  Because of you we are able to continue to offer NO COST retreats to women who have or have had breast cancer.   
 
We wish for you a blessed and Happy 2013!
 
Mollie, Kiki, and the All Volunteer Mid-Atlantic Casting for Recovery Program  Team
 

We are BIG believers in supporting those who support us, so please click on the logos to learn more about our sponsors and donors!  

Special thanks to Douglas Dear and Rose River Farm for allowing us the use of this spectacular venue for this event. Do yourself a favor and reserve a rod and a cabin!

 

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The 2012 Maryland Retreat was once again held at the Loyola Retreat Center in Flintstone, Maryland, Friday, October 12 through Sunday, October 14. Mary and Luigi Perini, owners of Doubs Mill in Hagerstown, generously opened their private waters for the participants to enjoy a day on the water.

 

 

 

 

Outdoor writer and blogger, Bruce Ingram, spent Fishing Day with the participants of a Virginia retreat. He captures the spirit perfectly...and there is a fun reunion!  Virginia Wildlife Magazine - Casting for Recovery

 

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Virginia Retreat - Graves Mountain Lodge

On May 16-18, 2012, thirteen participants, from all over the Mid-Atlantic, gathered at Graves Mountain Lodge in the rolling hills of the Shenandoah for our Virginia retreat. They were welcomed by our staff, led by Carolyn Harvey.

The weather was mild and sunny--perfect for wildflower, butterfly, and bird watching! The women began learning to cast using fly swatters that first afternoon and progressed through the next day's full instruction from our experienced and caring staff on equipment, knots, bugs, two types of casts, and landing "bottle fish." During free time some chose to learn how to tie flies and others enjoyed an hour of yoga. The group enjoyed the 15-minute walks down the lane to and from meals at the Lodge, which was fortunate, since the meals were generous helpings of country cooking!

The careful angling instruction clearly was appreciated by our participants, who whooped and hollered with their River Guides as they landed trout from the pond and the stream. In a very short time, the participants had begun to find a strong community of caring women to be connected to, to be cared for by, and to care about--while being introduced to the fastest-growing sport for women, one which offers an immersion in Nature that has everything to do with Being Alive and is far beyond merely "surviving."

 

 

 

News


August 13, 2012
The Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders once again displayed their generosity by donating flies created before and during their August BEER TIE.  This is the second BEER TIE in which the creations were donated to Casting for Recovery to gift to the retreat participants.  TPFR is a charter club of the Federation of Fly Fishers and is a a dedicated group of local fly anglers that promote this underutilized fishery, educate others, and address the river's environmental issues.  If you live in the Northern Virginia, DC, or Maryland area, check them out!  Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders

 

October 8-10, 2011

The 2011 Maryland Retreat was held at Loyola Retreat Center in Flintstone, Maryland.  14  women from our region spend 1-1/2 days at the retreat center learning new skills and gaining a new found confidence in themselves.  The fishing day this year was held at a new venue, the private home of Luigi and Mary Perini.  Their historic mill and property was a perfect setting for the women to unwind put their new fishing skills to the test.  To see pictures from this retreat click here.

 

Past Events

 

Media

  • *NEW*  Outdoor writer and blogger, Bruce Ingram, spent Fishing Day with the participants of a Virginia retreat. He captures the spirit perfectly..and there is a fun reunion!  Virginia Wildlife Magazine - Casting for Recovery  
  • Journalist Susan M. Ayers spotlighted CFR in her blog which is featured in Valley Business FRONT and on the Virginia Press Women's website.   Susan M. Ayers Blog
  • Virginia Retreat Coordinator Carolyn Harvey talks to the News Virginian
  • See us in the New York Times!  Casting for Recovery was featured in the special "Giving Section" November 2010
  • Representatives of CFR Mid-Atlantic travelled to Norfolk, Virginia, to appear on "The Hampton Roads Show." Click here to watch the segment.
  • Maryland Retreat Coordinator Meg Konkel appears on Virginia Public Television's Virginia Currents
  • Curtis Fleming featured Casting for Recovery's 2Fly 4Hope fundraiser on his show Fly Rod Chronicles

Find the Casting for Recovery Mid-Atlantic Chapter on Facebook

 

Casting for Recovery relies on the enthusiasm and support of its loyal volunteers to plan and staff our retreats, as well as conduct fund-raising events. Volunteering will enrich your life and the lives of others with new hope, new skills. Your generous donation will help us expand our capacity to meet the ever-growing demand for our services. Your contribution is tax-deductible.  DONATE NOW

If you wish to become involved with the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of Casting for Recovery or feature the program in a news story, please contact Mollie Simpkins