Door County Maritime Museum Announces Ports of Call 2008

The Door County Maritime Museum (DCMM) invites you to take a step back in time and experience the gaslight era of 1913 during the museum’s annual gala fundraiser, Ports of Call. The theme of this year’s event coincides with the museum’s upcoming major exhibit, “Freshwater Fury,” which occurred in 1913 and is considered the worst storm in recorded history on the Great Lakes. The evening will feature a delectable array of specialties from 32 Door County restaurants, a Ribbon Raffle, Box Lunch Bidding and Crackerjack Live and Silent Auctions as well as entertainment by the “Sturgeons of Swing.” The event is Saturday, April 5 at Stone Harbor Resort, 107 N. First Ave., Sturgeon Bay, WI.

“Ports Of Call is our major fundraising event,” said Brian Kelsey, Executive Director of DCMM. “The event is a great opportunity for attendees to sample various offerings from local restaurants, as well as local businesses with our live and silent auctions. Last year the museum raised over $26,000 during Ports of Call and our goal is to raise even more this year.”

This year’s event will take on a progressive dinner feel with the food and beverage sampling staggered throughout the evening. Attendees will have the opportunity to mix and mingle while appetizers are passed by the chefs. Following the social and appetizers, the evening will continue with a sampling of soups, salads and entrées. The evening will close with the dessert sampling, live/silent auctions, raffles of a bygone era and old time tunes by the “Sturgeons of Swing.”

“Events such as Ports of Call are crucial to the continued operations of the Door County Maritime Museum,” said Kelsey.

Funds raised at this year’s gala will help to operate the museum’s three locations at Cana Island, Gills Rock and Sturgeon Bay. Tickets are $60 (after March 17) per person. To reserve your place, to purchase a freighter raffle ticket or to receive further information phone the Door County Maritime Museum at 920.743.5958 or visit http://www.dcmm.org. Tickets are limited and normally sell out in advance.

The Museum is also pleased to offer individuals the opportunity to win a freighter adventure cruise during the 2008 shipping season. The museum received a special raffle prize from the folks at Great Lakes Fleet/Key Lakes Inc. – an adventure on a Great Lakes freighter – Edwin H. Gott (1,004’), Edgar B. Speer (1,004’), or Roger Blough( 858’)! Trips onboard a working freighter are only available to the shipping companies customers. The only way for the general public to take a cruise on a working Great Lakes freighter is through a raffle.

The winner and three friends will set sails for a 6-1/2 to 7 day voyage, a once-in-a-life-time opportunity to cruise on a working freighter between June 1 and Sept. 30, 2008. Departure port and dates will be coordinated with the winner and the winner must be flexible concerning scheduling and port of departure/return. The freighter itineraries will be between Duluth, MN to Conneaut, OH or Two Harbors, MN to Gary, IN. Guests must be 21 or older and are required to adhere to all company policies and safety procedures.

Raffle tickets are $25 each or five for $100 and will be available for purchase during the Ports of Call gala as well as over the phone at 920.743.5958. The winner will be drawn on Friday, May 23, 2008 at 6:30 pm. Winner need not be present to win.