Dear Friends,

The unpredictability of New England weather has surprised us once again! After two winters of extreme snow and cold — voila! Winter moths and houseflies! But one predictable thing we can count on is the pilgrimage to Provincetown for the Swim for Life

Spot stole the show last year—the first dog to complete the Swim for Life. With clear sunny skies, a northerly breeze and seasonal water temperatures, Gary Reinhardt teamed up with his Dalmatian and crossed the finish line at the Boatslip Resort beach as hundreds of cheering spectators greeted them with a rousing welcome.

The 18th annual benefit for AIDS, women’s health and youth attracted a record 323 swimmers and kayakers, and raised $150,000. Assisting in the safety of the swimmers were the Provincetown Rescue Squad, the Provincetown Harbormaster, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Cape Cod National Seashore, Patrick Finn’s lifeguard contingent from the Town of Wellfleet, and the Swim for Life medical team. The efficient transport of swimmers to Long Point was carried out by Provincetown Trolley, Flyer’s Boatyard, Boatyard, Cee Jay and the Viking Princess.

Provincetown native Steve Roderick was honored with the David Asher Volunteer Award for his years of service to the community and the Swim for Life. He was introduced by Irene Rabinowitz, Director of Helping Our Women. Paul Asher presented a $500 donation from the Asher family in memory of his brother.

There was a moment of silence at the awards ceremony for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

What an amazing pilgrimage the Swim continues to be. Thank you for your passionate support and love for Provincetown. Hope to see you September 9.

Peace,

Jay Critchley

PS: Please send photos!

Circle of Honor

Is this your 10th Swim? Have you raised a total of $10,000 in pledges? If so, you are invited to join the Circle of Honor. Let us know so that we can update our records. Congratulations to John Hopkins of Truro and James Seagle of Boston, our newest Circle of Honor members. Thanks to Kaolin Davis for her marvelous handcrafted medallions.

2005 Top Fundraisers

Congratulations to last year’s top five fundraisers Kathryn Rafter & Francey Beall, $11,495; Spot & Gary Reinhardt, $6,528; and Daryel Duhaime, $4,060.

2005 $1,000 Club Members

And we thank those who raised $1,000 or more: Greg Anton, Francey Beall, Jane Benjamin, Bonnie Bishop, Roberto Caldera, Christopher Chappa, Caitlyn Dionne, Michael Dively, Daryel Duhaime, John Fahy, Richard Friedman, Connie Hatch, PJ Helmuth, John Hopkins, Michael Lynch, Taylor Polites, Kathryn Rafter, Spot & Gary Reinhardt, Christopher Salvo, Mindy Schwartz, James Seagle, George Stamides, Steven Syta, Scott Tebbetts, Nick Thorkelson and Christine Triebert.

Tennis for Life Tournament

A round robin mixed doubles tournament to benefit AIDS & the community to be held on June 17 at Bissell’s Tennis Courts in Provincetown. Please call or email us for info.

Harborly Challenged

Are you harborly-challenged? Feel more comfortable in a swimming pool? Do the Swim this year within the expanse of a swimming pool. Call for details.

Helping Our Women Bike Trek

Spend the day pedaling 20, 30 or 65 miles through the outer Cape and raise funds for HOW, June 10, 2006; www.helpingourwomen.org.

AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod

Night at the Chef’s Table

A Cape-wide culinary dining extravaganza to benefit the AIDS Support Group
of Cape Cod—a Swim beneficiary, Thursday, June 1, 2006.

20th Annual Aids Auction

Friday & Saturday of Labor Day weekend. For donations, contact call 508-487-9445.

Address Changes/email

We’re using email more frequently to reduce print costs, please send your newest email address. Also, please be sure to notify us with snailmail address changes.

Swim 2005 Beneficiaries

We are pleased to support the AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod, Helping Our Women, Provincetown HIV/AIDS Histories Project, Outer Cape Health Services and the Cape & Islands Gay/Straight Youth Alliance.

Swim 2005 T-Shirts

Please send $20 each & size.

Business Sponsors 2005 (2006 sponsorships available)

Thank you to Mike’s Movies/Boston, The Provincetown Banner,

Paul Mitchell, Far Land Provisions, the Boatslip Resort and

1st World OUT Games Montreal 2006.