Please join us on the evening of November 8, 2008, at the Union Club in Cleveland, Ohio, for the 9th annual Treasures on the Lakes special benefit! This year's event will feature the Grand Maritime Raffle, exciting live and silent auctions, and an exquisite dinner at the prestigous Union Club in downtown Cleveland, Ohio.

Grand Maritime Raffle
This year's Grand Maritime Raffle features drawings for 10 different prizes! This is a limited raffle, with only 500 tickets available at $100 each. Winning tickets will be drawn from the same pool for each prize featured in the raffle.

Grand Prizes:

• A four to five (4-5) day trip aboard Interlake Steamship Company's MV Paul R. Tregurtha for four to six (4-6) people during the 2009 shipping season. (or $2,000 cash prize)
• A four to five (4-5) day trip aboard an American Steamship Company vessel for four (4) people during the 2009 shipping season. (or $1,500 cash prize)

• A Life membership to The Great Lakes Historical Society.
• A $1,000.00 cash prize.
• "Lake Erie Islands Maritime Adventure" including a two (2)-night stay and dinner for two (2) at the exclusive Rattlesnake Island Club, plus $200.00 for travel expenses. (or $500 cash)
• A "Workingman's" Lake Erie freighter trip for two (2) people aboard a Grand River Navigation Co. vessel during the 2009 season. (or $500 cash)
• A $500.00 cash prize
• "Maritime Cleveland Trip of a Lifetime" including two (2) night accomodations, a one-hour private cruise aboard a Great Lakes Towing Co. tugboat, a tour of the steamship William G. Mather museum, and $200.00 for travel expenses. (or $300 cash)
• "Maritime Vermilion Trip of a Lifetime" including two (2) night accomodations, a one-hour river tour on a recently restored 1920s steam launch, a $100.00 gift certificate to Chez François, a private behind-the-scenes tour of the Inland Seas Maritime Museum, and $200.00 for travel expenses. (or $300 cash)

Purchase a raffle ticket by:

• calling (440) 967-3467, ext. 3 or (800) 893-1485, ext. 3,
• printing and mailing in the online order form, or
• returning the form in the event's printed material.

Ticket holders need not be present at the November 8th event to win. Raffle winners may choose to accept a cash prize in lieu of the listed prizes, as listed after each prize.

Live and Silent Auctions
This year's exciting auction items include a restored 1955 13' Lyman boat with trailer and outboard motor, an antique ship's wheel, a model of the "Christmas Tree Ship" Rouse Simmons, and a 1920s Chelsea ship's bell clock and barometer set.

Call us at (440) 967-3467, ext. 3, or email specialprojects@inlandseas.org if you'd like to receive an invitation or additional event information.

Individuals and companies alike are encouraged to sponsor Treasures on the Lakes! In 2007, Treasures on the Lakes raised nearly $105,000 in operating income for the Society, a new record! An important part of this success is due to the generosity of the event's sponsors. Sponsorship levels are available from $5,000 to $250; each level provides an excellent corresponding benefits package. For more information on sponsorship opportunities, contact Executive Director Christopher Gillcrist at (440) 967-3467.

This year's Treasures on the Lakes Special Benefit is being held to help support The Great Lakes Historical Society's educational, shipwreck, and museum exhibit activities. The Great Lakes Historical Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the mission of preserving and making known the rich history of the U.S. and Canadian Great Lakes.