“Lucky” the Leprechaun Duck is still available, call 609-404-4483. Proceeds benefit United Way of Cape May County.

The 2010 Rubber Ducky Regatta was a quacking success. Thanks to a dedicated flock of volunteers and community-minded organizations like Morey’s Piers and the Gazette newspapers, local banks and businesses and area residents, the United Way Rubber Ducky Regatta will again allow us to provide the valuable services and programs that make our county such a great place to live.

Please call 729-2002 if you think you are a winner.

The winning duck numbers:

Who is this mysterious duck? No one knows.
No one – except Stephanie Hoover of the United Way of Cape May County. And she isn’t telling.
At least not yet.

“It’s top secret – for now,” Hoover said, but on Sunday, the new duck’s identity will be revealed.
This brand new ducky flew into town this year – just like Cowgirl Sal Duck, Suzy Spa Duck, Ron the Rocker and EMS Eddie. But he has been hiding out in an undisclosed location, waiting for his race day debut.

He will go on sale this Sunday before the Rubber Ducky Regatta at Morey’s Raging Waters Park at Schellenger Avenue. The last chance ducky sale will kick-off at at 1 p.m. until the race gets underway at 7 p.m., when ducky fans will find a viewing spot along the lazy river to await the 7:30 post time.

The regatta is a unique community event, where hundreds of residents and visitors gather at Raging Waters Water Park to cheer on thousands of yellow duckies as they make their way around the Lazy River, winning prizes for their human sponsors.
And it’s not too late to get in on the fun. Becoming a sponsor is easy – simply purchase a souvenir ducky on race day to be entered in the race for your chance to win. Fabulous prizes are given away on race day to the sponsors of winning ducks. Plus, everyone who sponsors a duck for $5.00 receives an adorable souvenir ducky and a ticket good for additional gifts from local businesses.

This year, ducky sponsors will receive a coupon good for a hot dog and a soda from Wreckers Grill on race day; a coupon for buy one get free ice cream cones at Wildwood Dairy Queen; and a ticket for a free ride on Mariners Landings’ Giant Ferris Wheel.

And while the Mystery Duck’s identity is still not known, one thing is certain – it will be a ducky day for all.
Proceeds from the race will benefit United Way of Cape May County programs, which strive to make life better for county residents. For more information, call 729-2002.

Can you help find the last missing duck in time?

United Way officials are reporting that three of four missing rubber duckies have now been found, thanks in part to a tip from Barbara Groves of North Cape May, who guessed that the third missing duck was hiding at the office of Senior Excursions, on Pacific Ave. in Wildwood.

Rainy Day Duck had just returned from a Senior Excursions day trip to Atlantic City with a group of senior traveling companions, when he was spotted. He said he loved seeing the sites and making new friends but he was ready to get back to work…at least for now.

“I know I’m not quite weady for wetirement yet, but being a celebrity duck can get you down. After the wace, I’ll be back for some west and welaxation,” he said.

For helping to find the missing duck Barbara Groves will receive a quack pack prize pack that includes passes to Morey’s Piers and a gift certificate to Court House Diner. She will also be entered into a grand prize drawing for a Seaside Fun Pack of Morey’s Piers passes, Tram Car tickets, and admission for two to the Sweet Soul and Rock ‘n Roll Concert at the Wildwoods Convention Center on Labor Day weekend. The concert features entertainment by Little Anthony and the Imperials, The Temptations Review with Dennis Edwards and The Spinners, plus celebrity impersonator Linda Axelrod as Joan Rivers. The winner will be chosen at the Rubber Ducky Regatta on Aug 15.

But United Way officials are not ready to celebrate yet. One duck remains missing. Luckily, clues to his whereabouts have been discovered, but they need help finding him.

Examine the photos and the letter from Kayak Duck to see if you can determine his hiding place. If you think you have located him, email your tip to flewthecoop@uwcmc.org before noon, Saturday, Aug. 7. Please include your name, hometown, phone number and a description and location of the duck’s hiding place to be eligible to win. A winner will be randomly selected from all correct entries and announced here next week.

Here’s the clue:

It seems my journey has led to a dead end, but what a beautiful place to be. According to their sign, this place was established in 1736, so it’s been here a long time…I would like to be here a long time, too. I can just watch the seashore traffic roll by as I float along the shore of my new ducky habitat. I can sip cocktails on the sand overlooking an unused bridge, or I can head indoors to enjoy a delicious crab cake or bread pudding in the dining room. Life is just ducky.

See you sometime,

Kayak Duck

Ducky salespersons are needed at the following times/locations.
If you can help us out please fill out the volunteer form below.

The United Way of Cape May County is one duck closer to a successful Rubber Ducky Regatta on Aug. 15. As the Leader reported last week, four United Way of Cape May County rubber duckies were reported missing after they flew the coop during a visit to the Mariners Landing Ghost Ship, but thanks to Frank Dragotta, of Philadelphia, one has been found.
Dragotta guessed that Suzy Spa Duck had found her sweet spot at the Candy Wheel on the Boardwalk at Magnolia Avenue, and he was correct. She was found giving herself a Skittle spa treatment and chowing down on Dilly Bars from Boardwalk Dairy Queen next door.

“Sometimes a girl’s got to treat herself,” she said.

For his efforts, Dragotta will receive a prize pack of gifts from local businesses, and he will be entered into a drawing for the Grand Prize, which includes a Seaside Fun Pack of Morey’s Piers passes, Tram Car tickets, and admission for two to the Sweet Soul and Rock ‘n Roll Concert at the Wildwoods Convention Center on Labor Day weekend. The concert features entertainment by Little Anthony and the Imperials, The Temptations Review with Dennis Edwards and The Spinners, plus celebrity impersonator Linda Axelrod as Joan Rivers.

Suzy Spa Duck has now returned to United Way’s Duck Training Center and is preparing for race day, but sadly, three ducks remain missing, and the United Way needs to get its ducks in a row for the Regatta. They are asking Gazette readers for help.

Police recently received a lead on Cowgal Sal ducky. Please study the note and pictures that contain clues to her whereabouts. If you think you know where she is, email your tip to flewthecoop@uwcmc.org before noon, Saturday, July 24 to be eligible for this week’s prize. Please include your name, hometown, phone number and a description and location of the duck’s hiding place. A winner will be randomly selected from all complete and correct entries.

Here’s the clue:

Yeehaw!!! You’d never think a tough cowgirl like me would find a comfy spot amid all this Victorian charm. It’s no rodeo, but golly, it’s great here. We clippity-clop along the streets night and day, learning all about the history of this fancy place. I’ve seen a wedding and a few proposals, and the romance of it all leaves me feeling like it might not be too bad to be a cultured lady duck after all. Ya’ll stop by the mall, and we’ll show you some southern Cape May County hospitality.

The 2010 United Way of Cape May County Rubber Duckies have arrived and are just waiting to waddle into your life!

For a donation of just $5, each ducky comes with a chance to win fabulous prizes at the 17th Annual Rubber Ducky Regatta, Aug. 15, plus a passport to race day fun that includes a free ride on Morey’s Giant Ferris Wheel, a hot dog and a coke, plus a buy-one-get-one-free ice cream from Boardwalk Dairy Queen for dessert.

The five new ducky mascots include: Suzy Spa Duck, Cowgal Sassy Sal, Ron the Rocker and E.M.S. Eddie. Plus, one mysterious ducky is waiting to introduce himself at the Rubber Ducky Regatta, at Morey’s Mariner’s Landing.
Ducks are currently on sale at: Cape Bank, Crest Savings Bank, PNC Bank, 1st Bank of Sea Isle City, and many other local businesses. Proceeds help the United Way of Cape May County to fund important local programs that help county residents lead better lives.

For more information on the Rubber Ducky Regatta or how you can help, call 609-729-2002.

An afternoon of fun on Sunday, July 4, turned quickly to one of chaos for the United Way of Cape May County, when four celebrity rubber ducks went missing on Mariner’s Landing Pier, just weeks before the annual Rubber Ducky Regatta.
The ducks, who are in training for the regatta, were visiting the Boardwalk to get a sneak peak of the Lazy River in Raging Water’s Water Park, where crowds of ducky fans will gather on Aug. 15 to watch thousands of rubber ducks race for prizes in the United Way’s biggest fundraising event.

United Way staff became alarmed, however, when the ducks failed to return to ducky headquarters by their 8 p.m. curfew.
Unfortunately, this is not the first time the gullible rubber duckies have fallen victim to fowl play. Occasionally, the pressure of preparing for the big race gets to them, and they feel the need to duck out for a while.

This time, however, investigators believe that the duckies may have just chickened out. A paparazzi of duck fans last spotted the ducks in front of Morey’s new Ghost Ship attraction at about 6 p.m. on Sunday. Witnesses reported that the ducks seemed to be planning on entering the creepy craft, but their feathers were obviously ruffled.

“A little bird told me they were terrified of becoming dead ducks,” Detective Drake Hunter, said, “but they didn’t want to be seen as chickens. I don’t blame them for flying the coop. Did you hear what happens to birds in the galley of that boat?”

Hunter said he has already received clues to one duck’s whereabouts, but he needs your help to find her. Study the picture and letter from Suzy Spa Duck, and if you think you have located her, email your tip to flewthecoop@uwcmc.org before noon, Saturday, July 17. Please include your name, hometown, phone number and a description and location of the duck’s hiding place to be eligible to win. A winner will be randomly selected each week from all correct entries and announced here next week.

Here’s the clue:

Dear ducky fans,
I know you expect fearlessness from me, but to be honest, that ship razzled my nerves and sent them aflutter. Please don’t snicker. I’ve settled into a sweet spot now, and I’m feeling like a lucky ducky to have landed here. Just a few blocks from that vile sea vessel is my rainbow world of bursting stars and lifesavers. Stop by for a visit, and for just 25 cents you could be lucky, too. If not, you could get your sugar daddy to treat you to a Dilly Bar next door. Find me if you can.

Hugs and Kisses,
Spa Duck Sal

It’s time to get quackin’. The United Way of Cape May County’s Rubber Ducky Regatta is just around the corner on Aug. 15, and there’s lots of work to be done.

That’s why volunteers from Cape Bank joined United Way Financial and Development Director, Stephanie Hoover and Board Member Jessica Gonzales, of Sturdy Bank, for a day of duck-sorting fun at the official United Way “Rubber Duck Training Center” at Coastline Cooling and Heating in Burleigh.

The ducks will be distributed this week, and soon they will be available at local banks and businesses to benefit United Way sponsored programs.

Old favorites like the Fireman and Soccer ducks are finding their places among new friends like the Rock and Roll duck and the Cowgirl duck–each one charming in his or her own way, and eager for adoption by Rubber Ducky fans. New duck parents are also eligible to win fantastic prizes from local businesses at the Regatta at Morey’s Raging Water’s water park next month.

But there is still plenty of work to be done in preparation for the United Way’s biggest fundraising event of the year, and the duckies need your help.

If you can lend a hand, the United Way offers many volunteer opportunities, where you can make friends (feathered and otherwise) with people dedicated to making Cape May County the best that it can be. To see how you can help, call 609-729-2002, or visit uwcmc.org

Wildwood Cape Bank Branch Manager, Kelli Spawton and Teller, Carol Thompson, are hatching a plan. Last year, the branch sold hundreds of rubber duckies as part of United Way’s iconic Rubber Ducky Regatta, but it wasn’t enough.

They didn’t bring home the coveted Ducky Cup–an annual honor bestowed upon the bank that sells the most duckies every year.

Last summer, Crest Savings Bank was neck in neck with 2007 winner PNC for the honor, and in the end, Crest Savings Marketing Officer, Christine Mattera brought the ducky home to the bank, where it was displayed all year. Cape Bank came in at a respectable third place, missing the honor by just a few hundred duckies.

But not this year, Spawton has vowed. This year Cape Bank is in it to win.

Both Spawton and Thompson, recently held a “top-secret” duck-selling strategy session in Spawton’s office, and they put in a request to United Way Executive Director, Suzanne Nardi, for another delivery of ducks.

“I am all about winning the trophy,” Thompson said. “I’ll tell you that right now.”
Thompson said Cape Bank customers are really getting behind the bank’s efforts, as well. One customer, a local businessperson, has pledged to buy one Quack Pack (of five ducks) a week, and she is also sending all of her customers down to support the bank, too.

“I had three customers say Crest is not winning it. We are going to win it this year,” Thompson said.

The Rubber Ducky Regatta takes place on Sunday, Aug. 9 at Mariner’s Landing Raging Waters Park, on Schellenger Avenue. On that day, thousands of ducks will enter the Lazy River and race for the finish to win valuable prizes for the lucky winner’s who sponsored the ducks, who make it there first.

The money raised by the Regatta helps fund United Way efforts to improve the lives of Cape May County residents in many ways. The community-minded local businesses and banks that support the Rubber Ducky Regatta know this. But for some, like Spawton and Thompson, and their colleagues and customers at Cape Bank, winning the Ducky Cup is also a matter of personal pride.
“We’re taking it this year,” Thompson said. “You better believe it.”
For more information, call 729-2002 or visit uwcmc.org.