We're ready to race, are you?

Echo & Islander owners: Jack Tatelman & Paul Mazonson

are ready to race in the Blackburn Challenge

July 22nd

The Blackburn Challenge is held in Glouchester, MA - This is the 20th year celebration. Check http://www.blackburnchallenge.com/ for times, race information and registration forms.

Paul & Jack have a story behind their quest to race in the Blackburn Challenge. The following is a press release from Hospice of North Shore in Danvers, MA that tells their story:

Marblehead resident Paul Mazonson Races in Blackburn Challenge to benefit Hospice of the North Shore

July 11, 2006: Marblehead residents Paul Mazonson and Jack Tatelman will participate in the Blackburn Challenge, a 23 mile open-water rowing and paddling race off the coast of Gloucester on Saturday, July 22nd. Mazonson is raising money to benefit Hospice of the North Shore (HNS) in Danvers.

Mazonson's wife's father died in hospice care several years ago and when he was considering a charity to benefit from the sponsorships of his race, Hospice of the North Shore was his choice. "I've always known of Hospice of the North Shore and I'm a deep believer in enhancing the end-of-life experience," said Mazonson. "I believe in focusing on living instead of on dying."

Mazonson mailed 500 letters garnering support for his race and has raised $8,000 in the recent weeks towards a goal of $10,000 for HNS. Mazonson and his training partner Tatelman practice on average four times per week, logging over 40 miles. Mazonson rows in honor of his friend Gary Ogan, who died six years ago and his "rowing scull" bears the expression "Don't Forget to Boogie" which Mazonson said was a catch phrase between the two friends.

Mazonson is also inspired to row by his friend Tatelman, who first asked him to participate in the Blackburn Challenge. Tatelman was diagnosed with prostrate cancer last year and joined the race "to have something to look forward to." The good friends have worked through the physical challenges of training for this race by hiring a coach, attending clinics, taking yoga and having deep tissue massage and acupuncture. The rowing scull forces the participant to use the entire body. Unlike a traditional row boat with a fixed seat, a rowing skull has a sliding seat which forces a full-body experience.

Despite the physical challenges of training for the race, Mazonson has enjoyed the training and is happy to raise funds for HNS. He said, "It feels great to be doing this for such a worthy cause; it has made it a fuller experience."

For more information about Hospice of the North Shore, please contact the HNS development office at 978-223-9787 or email philanthropy@hns.org.

About Hospice of the North Shore
Since 1978, Hospice of the North Shore has grown to become the largest provider of hospice care in Massachusetts and the most experienced on the North Shore. Located in Danvers, Mass., Hospice of the North Shore provides supportive, compassionate end-of-life care for residents of North Shore communities and their families. A not-for-profit organization, Hospice of the North Shore is dedicated to meeting the needs of all North Shore residents, including bereavement support for adults and children through our Center for Grief and Healing. In 2005, Hospice of the North Shore opened the 12-bed Kaplan Family Hospice House, the first inpatient hospice residence in the state. For more information please visit our Web site at www.hns.org.

Good luck Jack & Paul... We look forward to seeing you there!