COMMODORE
As of this writing, if you have been out to the Club over the last few weeks, you would have seen "B" dock slowly disappear. I don’t want to steal any of Kenny’s thunder, but it looks as if things are going as planned. With any luck, the new docks should be in by the time you receive this newsletter. Work parties have been going on now every weekend to get the job accomplished. My hat is off to Kenny and his small crew of hardy souls for tackling such a formidable task.
A few stories about the first weekend: As fast as he was popping the slips off from the main string, I’m surprised Bruce Cameron still has all of his fingers. Gee Bruce, were you sore the next day? And… what about Rick Sprowl… Rick, maybe you should leave trying to walk on water to the big guy upstairs who really can do it. I hear Doctor Bob acted with the speed of a gazelle at saving Rick from an almost certain dowsing. Everyone worked hard and did a great job.
As a reminder, if you would like to get involved with the Club activities and contribute your time and talent and meet your other really interesting fellow sailors, consider volunteering. There are a variety of things to do. For safety and education (which includes the Sail Indiana program), call Karl Walther, for racing call Terry Killen, for social call Edna Sprowl and for harbormaster stuff call Kenny Chapman.
One final note while I am reminiscing about adventures and such. I just can’t help myself from not mentioning this kind and unselfish act. This is the saga of the boat that was left on "C" dock over the winter and after developing a leak, started to sink. Thanks to a good cold winter, the ice was keeping it from sinking completely. As it turns out, Mike Gray and Wayne Myers rescued the boat just before the ice loosened its grip on it and warded off an almost certain nasty experience. This was not Mike’s or Wayne’s boat, but they took it upon themselves, in not very pleasant conditions and with much time and effort to bail the inside of the boat dry and correct the cause of the leak. I know this is not the first time members have given of their time and themselves to help others in need. It makes me feel proud to be a member of a Club that have people like Mike and Wayne around. Thanks guys.
Looks like we are going to start this spring with lots of water. The reservoir looks high and in good shape. Here’s hoping that nobody pulls the plug and that we have good steady winds and a few dry weekends.
Greg Johnson, Commodore
HARBORMASTER
Hello ECSC Sailors, by the time you read this, I should have made all the slip assignments and awarded several slips
to patient persons on the slip waiting list. On that same note, B Dock should be in place.
Please thank Mike Gray, Jeff Endris, Wayne Myer, Bruce Cameron, Bob McCoun, Rick Sprowl (Cleatus), Jud Jaqua, Greg Johnson, Bob Bodish, Ralph Merriman, and Christie Merriman for helping me get the old dock system out. I personally want to thank all of you. These are the people that help the Club year in and year out. THANK YOU!!!
Now, on a more serious topic, I have been asked to remind everyone that you as an individual should have insurance on your boat. The Club does not cover theft of property or loss due to fire or other damage. I.E. The sail loft you put your sails in burns down and consumes the sails the mice have been making a nest in. Then the wind blows the sparks out to the dock where your other boat is moored and burns it to the waterline after some neighborhood punks stole everything that wasn’t nailed down after they kicked in the companion way.
Dang! Thank goodness that stuff hasn’t happened here (well, at least the fire thing). Check with your homeowner’s policy to look into a rider for your boat or take out a stand-alone policy...either way it’s fairly inexpensive. The Club is not your Mother, but we can keep crabbing just like she did in our teens.
Here is a list of projects that I have in mind this summer. If you’re interested in working on them, contact me.
1) Building a roof over the picnic tables by the ramp.
2) Stripping and rebuilding some docks on the 48-hour dock.
3) Adding blocks to the foundation of the new sail loft.
4) Installation of 8" tubes inside the new sail loft to accommodate members’ sails for the beach craft.
5) Painting the new sail loft.
6) Fixing the run off problem at the sidewalk leading to C-Dock.
7) Rebuilding of A-Dock if deemed cost effective.
Kenny Chapman, Harbormaster
RACING
The 2001 Sailing and Racing season is fast upon us. Our assistant Racing Chairman, Wayne Myers, and I, look forward to kicking off the Racing season this May. If you're new to our Club or would like to try racing for the first time, please give Wayne or me a call. If you would like to try racing for the first time, we can arrange to have you crew with an experienced skipper. We can also answer any questions you may have about racing your own boat. Racing is a great way to meet other members of the Club. Racing can also help improve your boat handling skills.
Terry Killen, Racing
MEMBERSHIP
Our membership list continues to grow. Please welcome:
Don and Constance Stuart of Zionsville. They sail a Catalina 22 with their children Hale, David, Zoe, Larke, and Hadley.
Please also welcome our first Legacy family members for the 2001 sailing season; Jennifer and James Fisher (Jennifer is the daughter) of Roger and Michelle Knapp). They will be sailing their Chrysler 15’ Man-of-War as soon as the sun is warm and the wind is blowing.
For your information:
129 ECSC members paid their 2001 slips fees and dues by February 15th.
208 members and 5 Race Fellows paid their dues before March 1st (official deadline every year).
19 members paid their dues after the due date, 3 of whom had slips in 2000, but now lost them for 2001!
20 Members have dropped or not renewed to date. Most of those that dropped moved to Florida.
I'd like to thank all the members who paid their fees before the deadline. It made my job a lot easier. For those of you who lost their slip, please remember the very old saying..."Don't shoot the messenger!"
Enjoy the 2001 season!
Keli Mates, Membership
SOCIAL
For those of you that are new to the Club we have a special type of social event that you may or may not know about. It is affectionately called a "CHAIR PARTY." These are impromptu meetings held in the Club's parking lot when two or more people get together and get out their portable chairs and start socializing. It's a great way to get acquainted with someone that you don't know all that well. All you need for a chair party is some type of chair and your favorite beverage. So, the next time you’re walking through our parking lot and you see a group of people sitting in their chairs, grab yours and join in.
Just a reminder that we have the Mother's Day brunch coming up on Sunday, May 13th. If you would like to volunteer for this or any other event, please give me a call at 244-1561. As always, I'm looking for ideas for anything you’d like to see done by the social committee.
Edna Sprowl, Social