A Splash of the Carribean will benefit Petsafe Rescue Alliance

Aug. 24, 2005

Vita Morse organizes the annual Halloween Ball to benefit Mt. Holiday each year. She has done such a great job that when PetSafe Rescue Alliance decided to create a fundraising party, they called on Morse expertise to make it happen.
So, using her successful model with the Halloween bash, Morse has created the Caribbean Paradise Party to take place Saturday, August 27 at Mt. Holiday with all proceeds to benefit PetSafe.
“The funds are going to be earmarked to help with veterinarian bills for the organization,” said Morse. “I became familiar with them a couple of years ago when I adopted a beautiful border collie named Jack. They rescued this animal probably from its death. I have since adopted a German Shepard named Suzanne. I don’t think enough can be said about PetSafe and the work that they are doing on behalf of animals in need in this community.”
Interlochen residents Doris Schenck and Michael Dickinson founded PetSafe Rescue Alliance in 2002. The non-profit 501(c) 3 organization is 100% volunteer run and is a licensed Michigan Animal Shelter. The group rescues cats and dogs that are abandoned, unwanted, lost or at risk of being euthanized. They hold weekly adoptions at Pet Smart in Traverse City.
As for the party, Morse thought with the idea of summer coming to a close, a big Caribbean Island ala Jimmy Buffett bash would be the perfect type of celebration and fundraiser.
“We are going to have costume contests for the best looking pirates and the best island gal and guy along with a best belly piercing contest,” said Morse. “Of course we are going to have cheeseburgers and other Jimmy Buffett foods that he sings about. We will also have fortune telling by the Beautifully Mysterious “Gazelda”, the Pirateress of the Caribbean. She is very popular during our Halloween party.”
Music is an important part of any Caribbean party and for Morse there was only one person she wanted to perform.
“Nick Foresman is probably better than Jimmy Buffett. At least I think so,” said Morse. “I was so glad that he agreed to do this. So if you have never heard Nick perform, you are in for a real treat.”
Now a resident of Grand Rapids, singer/songwriter Nick Foresman has been a staple on the northern Michigan music scene over the past 15 years. He graduated from Traverse City High School in 1987 and spent four years at Michigan State where he was a regular at East Lansing clubs, performing songs by great singer/songwriters, and included in the set list were tunes by Jimmy Buffett.
“It is sort of funny but I have been labeled this Jimmy Buffett impersonator but today I seldom perform any of Buffett’s music. Sure I am a fan of his and if someone requests a tune I will do it, but my set lists include a wide range of great singer/songwriters,” said Foresman. “I love Jim Croce, Harry Chapin, James Taylor and Neil Young as well.”
When Foresman performs at the Caribbean Paradise Party he will give everyone a dose of Buffett tunes, but he says partygoers should expect a lot more.
“I will perform a wide range of tunes spanning various decades,” said Foresman. “I do Eagles and even Pearl Jam tunes.”
Foresman has been a regular all summer performing with his band, the Boone Doggies, at Boone Docks in Glen Arbor. Every Saturday and Sunday night high school classmates Jason Elsenheimer and Aric Beyer join Foresman on the patio from 7 to 10 pm.
In Grand Rapids Foresman has created his own label, Sonic Eden, where he released his debut CD “King of Nothing” in 2001. The CD features originals by Foresman and has a Neil Young meets Counting Crowes sound to it. He also has released other artists on his label including two CDs from Jay Webber of Cedar. Foresman is currently working on a new CD.
So what are the chances of Foresman showing up looking like Jimmy Buffett?
“I don’t think so, at best I might put on a Hawaiian shirt to look festive. I am Nick Foresman, not Jimmy Buffett.”
For additional information on Nick Foresman visit www.nickforesman.com or catch him this Saturday at the Caribbean Paradise Party at Mt. Holiday. The party starts at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $20.00 in advance at Gags & Gifts (they are offering a 20% discount on costumes for the party) or may be purchased at the door for $25. For additional information on the PetSafe Rescue Alliance visit their website at
www.petsaferescue.com or call them at (231) 392-3125.