COMMODORE

For those of you that are spring, summer, or fall – “Fair Weather Sailors,” you might think that our Club is quite dormant at this time of year.

Quite the contrary.

If you were to stop by our Club right now, you would find that the beach area has been re-graded with new sand and areas of the parking lot have also been re-graded.

Behind the storage shed located where the “Little Eagles” store their boats and sails (alias “ Wayne’s World Home Office”), you will find that Wayne and Ralph have built a patio deck.  Wayne has told me that the deck was built to keep from tracking sand into the shed, but I have heard from very reliable sources that Wayne really plans to acquire an umbrella table and Hot Dog Cart for the grand opening of “Wayne’s World Hot Dog Café.”  Stay tuned, I’ll let you know on what side of the shed the lunch line forms.

Weather permitting, you can usually stop by the Club on any weekend to find ice skating, hockey, sledding, and camaraderie around a warm glowing campfire.  Fair weather sailors – come on out – and stop by.

Your Board of Directors and Committee heads have been hard at work making plans for the upcoming season.  All activities require your support and volunteer effort to make them successful.  This year, besides the same ol’ faces that have become regulars enjoying and partaking in the many activities and social events the Club offers, I want to see a whole bunch of new faces joining in. 

As I mentioned earlier, plans are in place to replace “A” dock this spring.  This endeavor will require many helping hands.  Watch for announcements by your Harbormaster.  We provide “on the job training,” so whatever your talents might be, come and lend us a hand.

A member phoned me last month to report that his Hunter 26 was damaged by a neighboring boat parked  on the lower hillside parking lot next to the main drive – specifically Hillside #7.  If you think you might have been involved and would like to contact the damaged boat’s owner, please give me a call.  For the rest of us, boat parking spaces are tight, so please exhibit extra caution while backing into or exiting from your parking spot.

If your boat was located on “A” dock, remove any items you may have left attached to the dock last fall. Plagiarizing Greg Johnson’s words from a year ago – “ A Wise Old Man once told me –  move it or lose it.”

One final note, membership packets are out – All fees are due on or before February 28th.  Remember another Wise Old Man – pay them or – back of the line!

Just a few more months till it’s – back on the water again…...

Larry January, Commodore

HARBORMASTER

Hello all!

"A" dock is now being built by Floating Docks and they will be ready for us when the weather breaks.  It has been an eventful year and I am hoping that we can all get in the water soon with an early spring. 

After the membership deadline, Mike Kaschak will forward all slip contracts to me.  Rick and I will start assigning slips.  We take care of slip change requests first and then begin with the wait list to assign permanent or sublet slips we may have available.  We are getting a larger number of deep keel boats in our Club, so this presents a dilemma.  The deep keel boats must have the deepest water.  We will try to keep everyone where they are if possible, and move those of you who need more water under the keel. 

If I call you about obtaining a permanent or sublet slip, please get back to me as soon as possible, I cannot go to the next person until I get in touch with you.  If I don't hear from you within a reasonable period of time, I will go to the next in line.

Thanks!

Christy Merriman, Harbormaster

PAST RACING NEWS

THE DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING RACE

We had a large turn out this year with over 14 boats; great wind of 8-10 knots out of the south to southwest (except for the southeasterly shift at the first mark!).  It was, however, just a little chilly and wet on occasion. 

There were two races run by our race committee Tim Hollingsworth and Bill Harrington.  They set windward and leeward courses straight down the middle of the lake with the start / finish line in the middle.

Phil Tate won the Portsmouth fleet and Charlie Brehob again was first in the “Everybody Else” fleet.  Yes, it was a Highlander kind of day.  Both winners got the privilege of taking some their own traveling trophy (a several year old, triple wrapped, turkey sandwich that needed to be refrozen quickly or it probably would become a bio-hazard).

Thanks to the crews of the 15 boats and the race committee that showed a little rainy, chilly weather won't stop a dedicated sailor.

UP AND COMING RACING NEWS

The 2002 racing schedule will be posted in the Telltales and our web site.  Racing this year will start the last week of April (Wednesday & Sunday).

WELCOME ABOARD

Mark Mallaby is this year’s Assistant Race Chairman.  Janet Hickok will take over the duties of the Ladies Racing this year.

RACE MEETING

Our first meeting will be early March.  Some of the items on the agenda are:

·         Election of a new PHRF committee 

·         The new ECSC PHRF bylaws

·         Race committee assignments for series racing 2002

·         New 5 minutes starting times and flags

·         A new single-handed fleet

Please plan on showing up.  The date/time/place will be in next month’s Telltales/Web.

Look for marks #2 and #4 to be moved to the center of the lake this year.

Also, in this Telltales is a sailing survey post card.  Please fill it out and drop it in the mail.

On a special note: A job well done Captain Terry Killen for past Race Chairman duties!

Wayne Myers, Racing

MEMBERSHIP

Here it is the middle of winter and not only have we received several inquiries for information about the Club, but we also need to welcome two new members!

Russell and Juli Graves will be sailing a Hunter 20 with their children Cassie, Rebecca, and Olivia.

Chad and Kindra Baker will be seen on a Hunter 170. Kindra is the daughter of Tom and Pam Moore.

The annual membership/slip dues statements were mailed in early January and we have already received quite a few payments.  Don’t forget the deadline for remittance is February 28^th. 

Mike Kaschak, Membership

SOCIAL

Hello everyone.  I can’t believe it’s time to start talking about the 2002 Social season.  First of all, we have the Strictly Sail bus trip leaving Saturday, Feb 2^nd for a fun day in Chicago.  As I write this, there is still a little bit of room left on the bus for those of you who may want to join us.  Please give me a call at 244-1561 ASAP if you are interested in going.

The 2002 Social calendar is included on the back page of this issue.  Please think about volunteering for a social event this year.  The success of our Club depends on all of us.  Be sure to call me with any ideas you may have about doing something different this year.

Edna Sprowl, Social

TAILER’S TIPS & TALES

Please do not underestimate the importance of paying your dues on time.  Let’s see, if you are no longer a member of the Club, which is assumed on March 1st if no dues are received, your wet slip will be reassigned.  Or, if you’re on the Wait List, you’ll be removed.  When you do fork out the dough, it’ll be too late...you’ll be at the end of the 72-person Wait List.  And, don’t assume your spouse (or sugar daddy) is paying the dues.  If in doubt, check!

Tailer, The De-staffinator

2002 BOARD MEETINGS

February 12, April 9, May 14,  July 9, September 10, October 8, November 2, November 12, December 10

CATALINA 22 FLEET 158

Wanted: Catalina 22 owners who would like to race at the Club on Sundays or Wednesdays as well as the ECSC regattas.  We will also be extending a challenge to the Lafayette Sailing Club in a Catalina 22 class “Oaken Bucket Regatta” to promote a friendly inter-club competitive spirit.

Last call for anybody interested in attending the Catalina 22 Northern Gulf Coast Cruise from May 9 to May 18 sailing out of the Fort Walton Beach Yacht Club, Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Please contact Rich Fox for more information at phone number 317-815-8599.