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he annual Hope Regatta underwent a name change this year, becoming the Hope Regala. There was no racing this year, though sail and power boats were invited to register for 3 nights at River Dunes to enjoy the festivities. The weekend included BBQ and dancing one evening and a gala dinner the next. The dinners, a silent and live auction at the gala, and a raffle for $10,000 all helped raise over $120,000 for the non-profit.

Birds of Hope, part of the evening’s theme, and the Hope Clinic logo welcome attendees to the gala.

Hope Clinic, based in Bayboro, serves the medical needs of the under and uninsured residents of Pamlico County. Last year they launched a new program aimed at helping patients who suffer from opioid addiction: New Beginnings. It’s the first program of its kind in a small and rural area: a free addiction rehabilitation program willing to accept and assist anyone who asks for help.

Table toppers were based on the evening’s theme, taken from an Emily Dickinson poem; ‘Hope is the thing with feathers’.

In 2017, Pamlico ranked 3rd overall in the North Carolina for opioid overdose deaths. Hope Clinic and New Beginnings want that to change. It is one reason why annual events like the Hope Regala are so important to Hope Clinic. One year in, and they already have 50 participants in the New Beginnings program.

HeartWorks and Pierce Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church shuttled attendees to the event.

Andy Schneider, this year’s winner of the $10,000 raffle drawing, consulted with his wife and they gifted their winnings back to Hope Clinic. Other gala attendees bid on trips to Anguilla, a football helmet signed by Eli Manning, and a model boat hand-crafted by local naval architect Tom Lathrop.

During the live auction, Captain Jon Rahm demonstrates the benefits of owning this hand-made, mahogany Adirondack chair.

The table toppers, fantastical birds based on the event’s theme “Hope is a thing with feathers”, were available for the silent auction. Paintings, hand-crafted shawls, a police ride-along, sailing lessons, and a few bottles of ‘vintage’ Jack Daniels rounded out the offerings.

A stanza of Emily Dickinson’s poem greeted diners.

Gala attendees bid on paintings, whiskey, shawls, and macrame birds.

The band warms up.

Dinner, and dessert, was catered by Chef Smoke of Flame Catering.

The crowd under the tent.

Greg Piner took up the mantle of announcer.

Rusty Huffines watches the auction intently.

Jill and The Authentics played after the auction.

Posted Wednesday June 13, 2018 by Allison DeWeese