COMMODORE
VOLUNTEERISM is
defined in Webster’s dictionary as “(1) A person who
enters or offers to enter into any service on his own free will. (2) A person
who enters into any transaction of his own free will with no promise of
compensation.” To the members who
assisted in removing A-Dock in the cold and wind two Saturdays in March, a very
special thank you.
My intent in this column was, on behalf of the Club, to thank each of
you individually, but the list of volunteers was too lengthy. You know who you are so, THANK YOU! To Jack
Hale who lent the Club his Bobcat tractor to assist with the dock removal
and the digging of the cement ramp pad, an extra thank
you. Without this piece of equipment,
those tasks would have been even more burdensome.
The weather sure has been cooperating with us lately. Here's hoping it continues! As activity starts to pick up around the Club
with all those spring cleaning chores, please observe a few of the Club's DOs and DO NOTs (not necessarily
in the order of importance):
1. DO watch your speed coming down the hill to the main Club
grounds. There is a lot of activity on
the main driveway during these early weeks.
As summer progresses, we host many youth programs and socials where our
young sailors may not be paying attention to cars and boat traffic.
2. DO remember to lock the front gate after dusk.
3. DO NOT throw rocks or sand.
4. DO help others in need and DO bring your cameras to capture those
interesting ramp incidences.
5. DO NOT throw trash all over the grounds. Bob Bodish WILL find you.
6. DO put your membership decals on your boat and trailer.
7. DO promise to think about racing this year.
8. DO attend more social activities.
Bring a side dish for at least six people.
9. DO be nice and smile a lot and say HI to everyone. Introduce
yourself to your next-door neighbor slip-mate and ask him/her to bring next
week’s eats and refreshments.
10. DO sail more this year.
11. DO only empty your port-to-potty in the port-to-let waste station
next to the Little Eagles sail barn.
12. DO buy something from the ship’s store to show off your Club’s
emblem and support our Club.
13. DO NOT park your car or boat in someone else’s assigned spot. This often sets off a domino effect started
by you.
14. DO check your fold-up chair for last summer’s spider’s nests, junk
food crumbs, and last summer’s leftover aluminum can tabs
15. DO purchase a folding chair and plan to attend the spontaneous
chair parties. A lot of useful
information can be obtained by attending these gatherings...anything, from
solving world affairs, investment strategies, or to why you may have done so
poorly in the last regatta.
We have renewed our agreement to associate ECSC with the IUPUI
collegiate sailing club. You may see
these young people on or about our Club grounds this summer. Their officers may
be bringing guests to our Club to introduce potential new sailors to the sport
or hobby we love so much. Please extend
them a welcome.
Our first social is Mother’s day - May 12th. Come renew old friendships and meet new
members.
Visit our ship’s store to check out the new 2002 merchandise.
If you're an Internet junkie or even if you're not, check out the
Club's home page at www.ecsail.org. A
lot of Club information is out there...Social & Racing schedules, email
addresses for many members, and other interesting links.
Larry January, Commodore
HARBORMASTER
What
can I say? The new A-Dock is in and it
looks great!
But, before it went in, the old dock had to come
out. On the first weekend, through the
worst kind of wind, rain, and cold, volunteers showed up with tools and
enthusiasm to match the elements. Following weekends came with milder weather,
bigger dumpsters, and the meanest tool to dismantle docks that we have seen yet
at this Club.
Ralph rented a gasoline-powered
14-inch cutting wheel...the “Machine of Death to Docks”...that reduced the
docks to rubble in short order. It also
could set your britches on fire (Colin
– Nice Dockers). Ralph, Bruce C, and Colin manhandled that beast until the
damage was done.
I can’t thank Jack
Hale and R. Tom Moore enough for
their contribution to the A-Dock removal.
Together they removed countless old slips to parts unknown...sparing the
Club the debt of demolition as well as disposal fees. Through this, Jack left his Bobcat at our
disposal to assist in the removal from the lake of all of A-Dock.
Hats off to Jack and crew!!! We are that much closer to replacing C-Dock
now because of their efforts and the money saved to the Club.
All who wielded hammers, wrecking bars, power saws,
jacks, and the Committee Boat (it’s a long list) had a big part to play in what
you will now enjoy as your new A-Dock.
Please thank them.
The new 48 hour docks are nearing completion. Again, thanks to everyone who has
helped! The new docks will be welded
into place soon to be enjoyed by anyone who doesn’t have a permanent or
subleased slip this year. Dry Sailors,
please enjoy these slips, but don’t abuse them.
Please – 48 hours only, hence the name!
The Club has been re-keyed. Make sure that you bring your new key(s) with
you (don’t wake Bob up to let you
out).
All members should have received their stickers for
2002 by now. If you haven’t, contact
Membership immediately. One sticker goes
onto the port side of your boat at the front.
The other sticker belongs on
your trailer at the front of the tongue.
We will be enforcing the Abandoned Boat Rule this
year. We have tried to make the Club
look nice by getting rid of the abandoned boats.
Per the by-laws, if you have a permanent slip and
wish to sub-lease it, you absolutely
must Remit your Payment with your Slip Rental
Agreement when you send in your dues at the beginning of the year.
The cracks in the launch ramp have been filled, and
the sidewalk next to C-Dock has been repaired (not sagging anymore).
If you have a slip, your trailer must be moved to
the farm by Mothers Day, May 12th. In
fact, all boats must be moved from the parking corral before then.
A map is posted at the Club for dry parking
assignments.
Christy Merriman, Harbormaster
Rick Sprowl, Assistant Harbormaster
RACING
RACING NEWS: With the help of Mark Mallaby, your assistant R/C
Chairman, the R/C boats and marks are ready to go. Mark #2 is now in the
middle of the lake and also marks 3 and 4 have been moved more to the center of
the lake. Check out the GPS map on the
racing board for the new locations.
There is new equipment on board each of our four R/C boats. Each boat has its own dry box filled with your
safety equipment in it — life jackets, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, DNR
paperwork, and radio.
Don’t forget to bring your driver’s license with you
when working R/C and Safety duty this year.
When done with the boats, please remove the key, dry box, and the gas
tank from your boat. Place the items
back where you got them from. Also
note: DON’T PUT GAS INTO THE TANK WHILE IT IS ON THE BOAT!
Mayor’s Cup: The Notice of Race was in last month’s
Telltales. The Registration form is in
this issue. Please note: Registration
fee is $40 if mailed by May 27th. We
need headcount by that date for planning purposes.
Fleets that register with five or more boats will be
given their own start. This years sponsor is again Coca ~ Cola and we thank Sue Ross for making this happen again.
I look for Red Fleet to turn out in a large numbers
at this regatta ~ who’s number one? The Finns will be racing for the Indy
Mid-West Championships on the same dates of the Mayor’s Cup. Please don’t run over the small boats.
We have not heard from the Highlander Fleet...if
they will be going after the Cup again this year. Well guys, what is it going to be?
ECSC Regatta: The Notice of Race is in this
Telltales. The registration form
will be in next month’s Telltales. The
Comet Fleet is coming again to ECSC for a 3-day regatta starting on Friday,
July 5th, and then joining us for Saturday and Sunday, July 6th & 7th. Please note that they will be using the
camping area and the hoist. So, please
don’t park your boat or car in this space.
Know Your
Fleet Colors and Flags:
Blue Color =
large boats jib & main 200-240 numbers
Green Color = small one design with/without
spinnaker
Red Color =
large boats with spinnaker 160-199
White Color = large boats with spinnaker 200-240
Yellow Color = large boats jib & main 241- 260
Order of
starts are
the fleet colors reading left to right on the side of R/C boat. For the 1st start, it goes like this:
Yellow Class Flag up with 1
horn starts the clock 00:00
Blue Flag up (Preparatory)
with 1 horn at
Blue Flag down with 1 horn at
Yellow Flag down with 1 horn
at 05:00; start of class
If there is a problem in the
start, the Postponement Flag (red and white triangular) is raised on the top of
the minute with 1 horn, lowered when ready at the top of the minute, restart
with yellow flag on the top of the next minute.
Keep the clock running from
If only 1-2 boats are over early, raise the
Individual Recall Flag (white background with blue cross). With 1 horn, yell out the sail numbers of the
boat(s) that are over early, then lower the flag with
no horn when all boats have restarted correctly.
Raise the Come Within Hail
Flag (yellow and black checker) for the racers to sail nearby for instructions
or to follow this boat.
Other Notes: This is our first year that
the results will be posted on the board that evening or that day after
racing. More scoring keepers are needed
to help out.
Can’t find the hot dogs or buns? Look in the race office. A new freezer was installed last month. Please return all items and lock the office
when done.
New two-way radios should be in each of the R/C
boats by now. Please use channel 68 for
race work and use the 1-watt power setting when transmitting nearby. It saves the battery. You must run the motor when transmitting at
25 watts.
Capt. Gray has had a couple of
skippers come forward to serve on the PHRF Fleet Committee. More help is needed now to get this program
running. Old and new rules were posted
on the board April 17th. Check them
out...any questions, ask the Fleet Committee.
Capt. Mallaby has taken over the duties
of gas man this year. Can’t find the
key? Look on the hook with keys to the
R/C boats in the race office.
Mark your calendars: May 19th, Sunday ~ cook-out and
chair party after racing. All members
are welcome. See the racing board for
more info.
Please Note: There will be racing on
Sunday, June 16th (Father’s Day). This is part of the Spring Sunday Series! We will need a couple of volunteers to handle
race duty on June 16th.
If there are any questions about the R/C Duty sheet,
please E-Mail or talk to the race office.
If you have any question or would like to help out, please feel free to
contact us (alarmco@netdirect.net).
Race Office
YOUTH SAILING
PROGRAM
The “Learn to Sail” training program is new this
year. It is for members only...both girls or boys ages from 10-17. Only 10 slots are offered, at a cost of
$50. This is for a week of sailing. Classes
start on Monday, July 8th and end on Friday the 12th.
At this time, the class is now full. It appears to be well received.
LADIES FOR SAIL
A planning
session for this Summer’s LADIES DAYS will be held at
El Rodeo Restaurant (
Please bring your personal calendars...and your ideas for summer sailing fun.
Hope to see you there. RSVP at 891-9367.
Janet Hickok
MEMBERSHIP
April has been a busy month,
please welcome five new members and their families to the Club:
Jay and Samantha Beery will be sailing on a
Catalina 22.
Glen and Elizabeth Fuller will be sailing a Hunter 23.5 with their daughter Ava Maria.
Ed and Sharon Ashworth will be sailing a Highlander with their daughter Emily.
David and Donna Atkins will be sailing a Hunter 240.
Chris
Cunningham
sails a MacGregor Venture 24.
Mike Kaschak,
Membership
SOCIAL
Greetings ECSC party animals. The social season at Eagle Creek Sailing Club
has officially opened. We have our
Mother’s Day brunch hosted by Bill
Harrington on Sunday, May 12th and later in the month of May we have the
Memorial Day cookout, which Jack and
Karen Hale will be hosting. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend
these events.
The first official chair party of the season, as
declared by Bruce Cameron, happened
a few weeks ago on a glorious Saturday afternoon. So, if you don’t already have a chair it’s
time to shop for one so you won’t be left out.
Even if you don’t have a chair, there is usually a vacant one in the
circle that can be used by whomever should want to sit
in. The important thing is that you know
that anyone is welcome at these impromptu gatherings.
Please note the social calendar on the back of this Telltales. I
encourage all members, old and new, to contact a host or myself and become
involved with these events as your schedule permits. It’s a great way to meet and get to know all
of the great people that make up our terrific Club. I am looking forward to seeing you all again
now that spring and summer are on their way.
Get your party hats on and let’s have a super social season.
Edna Sprowl, Social
TAILER’S TIPS & TALES
Hey! Thanks for staying tuned, so much has happened.
Summer is here and so are all of your friends (Insert the Twilight Zone theme
song here, you know: doo dee
doo doo, doo dee doo
doo). Once
there was a person, just like you, that drove down a winding road that led to a
ramp into a small marina at a tiny lake.
Every time that he drove down the ramp, he noticed a white Chevy pickup
with a white canopy parked in front of the brown hut on the left. Every time!
No person to claim it and there it stood as everyone wondered who owned
it while they came and went.
The biohazard experts have been summoned and the
results of the preliminary tests predict that the Racing Chairperson may have a
different genetic ancestry than everyone else on the planet. Don't tell him...it is possible that he was
once human. Your board has been activated and much has been done to eradicate
the threat from interlopers like this interdimensional
invasion of evil creatures that want to share sailing with everyone else. There is only one thing left to do, we must start sacrificing college students at the altar
of the winds from the tower of ginpole!
Of course, it is remotely possible that I could be
wrong. Maybe we will just get to see a glimpse from our binoculars of the
gathering of the hideous finnbeasts. I suggest hiding in the woods and watching
quietly. Do not rule out coming to see
the elusive meeting of the finnbeasts called the finnthingy. I'm
pretty sure that some of the missing children may come back to shore after the
Mayor's Cup. We are all still keeping
our weather eye out for that young Chuck
Andrews,
Tips? Oh why not …
Tip #1) Cleaning out your boat for the new
season? Cart your heavy crap up to the
dumpster yourself for once. Those black bags in the white barrels that Bob
Bodish picks up will not hold 200 lbs.
They break when people put wet carpet and rusty boat gear into
them. Do your groundskeeper a favor and
take all of your old moldy heavy trash to the dumpster yourself.
Tip #2) Get your boat in soon. Do not be in the car corral for the first
event of the year. Do the research for
yourself. Get out of there and go
sailing! El Nino is back, the water
level may not be here all year. It's a
crapshoot, sail early and often.
Tip #3) Bring out someone
who has never sailed before. If you're
spider farmin' you should come out yourself and watch
a sunset in the channel as you bring her back to the dock for the night. New members that haven't seen this are in for
a real treat. Did you new guys know that
the full moon rises behind Rick's Boatyard out the end of the channel in the early
evening? Night sailing is fun, charge your battery so you have some lights.
Tip #4) Do not mess with
the pressure sprayer bypass hose. If you
plug it because you think that it is leaking, we'll still get Guido to come
down from
Tip #5) Ooooh, new
guys! You need to know that Trouble likes to get a drink of water
right out of the icy depths of your cooler.
One of you has to leave your cooler open for him at chair parties.
Tip #6) Introduce yourself to everyone that you
don't know. Old members really
appreciate this. You will make new
friends, they will too.
Tip #7) New guys, there are
a bunch of things here that you need to find.
There are a pair of shelterhouses,
a pressure washer, a ginpole for raising your mast
all by yourself, an ice bag dispensary, a grassy area for tent camping next to
the playground for your kids, and showers in the heads up in the big shelterhouse. There
is a lot more, look for it.
Stay tuned for more …
Tailer (Oh it doesn't matter what I write here, Evan will change it to "The Destaffinator"
anyway.)
Tailer,
The De-staffinator
SAFETY & EDUCATION
Ahoy! Mark
your calendars! This year we have the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary
coming to ECSC on May 18th (Armed Forces Day) from
Also, Eagle Creek Sailing Club welcomes you to join
the Sail Indiana program for basic
sailing instruction, safety, and fun. The first of six consecutive 2002 Sail
Indiana sessions is Saturday, June 15th,
Thank you in advance, all the
volunteers from the Club who really make this class possible! Contact Bob
Hickok for a registration form or
any questions you may have (891-9367 or bobbyc12345 @aol.com). Feel free to leave a message.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Must:
- Be 8 years
old on or before
- Be able to
swim 50 yards & tread water for 5 minutes.
- Bring a
properly fitting life jacket to all classes to be
worn when sailing.
Karl Walther, Safety & Education
Bob Hickok, Safety & Education Assistant
2002 BOARD
MEETINGS
May 14 July 9 September 10
October 8 November 2
November 12 December 10
2002 REGATTA
SCHEDULE
Mayor’s Cup June 1/2
Finn Championship June 1/2
Friday Night Race June 7
ECSC July 6/7
Comet Championship July 6/7
5 for 5 August 31
Governor’s Cup September 7/8
Highlander Cup September 7/8
Hornback October 12/13
Thanksgiving November 29
FOR “SAIL”
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