Debbie Neitzke
This month the North Shore Dragon Boat Festival is saying goodbye and thank you to a woman some people call “the Queen of the Dragons” – Debbie Neitzke. Neitzke has served for five years as the Dragon Boat Festival’s director.
Organizers say her enthusiastic spirit, friendly sincerity and community investment have played a central role helping shape the event’s success. “Debbie has been a real joy to work with,” noted Debbie Benedict, Director of WTIP Community Radio.
“She really made the Dragon Boat Festival shine!” Greg Wright, director of North House Folk School, added. “We will miss her.”
Neitzke explains that the festival’s vision has always been to “Paddle For Community,” celebrating the North Shore and the Grand Marais Harbor while also raising funds to support its three sponsoring nonprofits: WTIP Community Radio, North Shore Health Care Foundation and North House Folk School. “It’s been a joy to see so many community businesses and volunteers step forward to
” support us,” Neitzke noted. “My dream is that even more people will step forward to help the Dragon Boat Festival grow because so much more is possible.”
In its six years, the festival has seen the number of teams participating range from 12 to 24. Over a thousand paddlers and spectators surround the harbor throughout the festival’s multi-day series of events. The executive director of the North Shore Health Care Foundation, Karl Hansen, said, “All three of the sponsoring nonprofits are truly invested in keeping the event alive and well. Its momentum and strong sense of community are wonderful assets. This fall we will be working hard to replace Debbie – she’ll be a tough act to follow. We plan to have someone in place by the end of October.”
The Dragon Boat Festival is also hoping to fill two community positions on its board of directors. Nominations are welcome and needed. Please contact Debbie Benedict at WTIP (218-387-1070) for more information.
Learn more on the festival’s web site at www.northshoredragonboat. com.
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