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| Commodore |
I would like to recognize and thank all of our Club members who have enthusiastically volunteered for official and unofficial spring work parties. You all have done a great job getting the Club grounds, boats, and buildings into shape and ready for the season. We all appreciate your time commitment during this very busy period of the year. Also to our new members, we say welcome aboard and are all looking forward to meeting you. Congratulations to our group of sailors who have traveled to spring regattas and various midwinter events. Your personal drive and sprit for sailing is inspirational. Remember, some of the best sailing you’ll ever do is at your own Club. As a reminder to all, the Mayor’s Cup regatta is slated in this month of May. We are anticipating a great sailing event, especially if the tide is in. In any regard, do make plans to come to the Club that weekend and enjoy the sprit and escape that ECSC brings. See you at the dock....
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| Harbormaster |
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Greetings to all Club members! Would like to take a moment to welcome all the new members...welcome to Eagle Creek Sailing Club! If you have questions, please E-Mail me at rmerriman502@att.net or call 317-679-7686.
Right: Jim & Carol Dolder Most of you know, the lake level is being lowered again for some additional work on the dam. I do not know when lake will be back to pool, but a couple of good rains should put us in good shape. Parking is at a premium at the Club right now with the lake down. We will have to work together to make sure there is parking for all who may need it. Try to not block another boat or trailer. If you are having a hard time finding a spot, get with Bob Bodish or me...we will help. Also, there is slip map located on the bulletin board. Looking forward to seeing everyone at the Club! Come on out and enjoy....
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| Social |
The lake went down, came up, and now going back down again. Just like spring, first it’s cold, then hot, and now chilly again. So as we prepare, despite the weather, for the major May events, I want to thank my hosts for the Work Day Party...Jim and Carol Dolder. They know how to put a breakfast together, great coffee, cream filled donuts, and the best OJ ever. Social's task was to clean and organize the kitchen, move the picnic tables, clean the grills, and wash down the concrete floor. Plus, we got the stair treads replaced.Lunch was provided by yours truly with drinks, bratwurst, and burgers along with all the tail-gate trimmings. All in all, we had great weather, great friends, great stories, and a great turn out. Many thanks to everyone...we kicked off the new ECSC Sailing / Socializing Season with great aplomb. All of you ECSC Club members, do not forget your special dish to bring to Bill Harrington and his crew’s Mothers Day brunch May 10th (11:30am).
Above: Our float retrieval team! Bob, Steve, Janet, & Les Plus, John and Joy Gilmor will be entertaining you with the Memorial Day Cook Out. I know they will be delighted to see you there with that special dish to share with all. Let’s start with a great entertaining month of May.
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| New Member Regatta |
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Our Club has been blessed with many great new members during the past several years. The key to an active and healthy Club is to encourage greater participation by our new members. The ECSC Race Committee and Membership Committee have joined together to offer the New Member / New Racer Regatta. The Regatta is scheduled for Sunday, June 14th and consists of a series of up to 3 races. The NOR will be posted in mid-May with more details to be published in the near future...including a list of new members.
Left: Rick's Boatyard needs a little cleanup, too! For a boat to be eligible to race in the New Member / New Racer Regatta, the only requirement is that there must be at least ONE New ECSC Member on board (a new member is defined as an individual who joined after January 1, 2007 (changed from April issue of Telltales). Or, the boat must have at least ONE member on board who has never participated (skippered or crew'd) in an ECSC race or regatta. There is no registration fee for the event and some prizes will be awarded. This Regatta will be successful if we have a good turnout and if it helps new members to feel more welcomed and involved in future races or other Club activities! If you already know some of our new members, please contact them today and invite them to participate – on your boat, or on their boat! If you do not want to race and can offer to help out with Race Committee, please contact Rich Fox at rich_fox@yahoo.com or 317-815-8599.
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| Safety & Education |
ISC Spring Laser Regatta 2009 - 28 Boats On The LineTyler Andrews, Jason Hubbard, John Fisher, RJ Graef, Ryan Wood, Rick Wood, Kenton Earnhart, Stuart Earnhart, Kaitlynne Petrucci, and Becca Hallstedt made the short trip to the ISC Spring Laser Race. The weather was fine and the wind from the S/W and blowing above 18-25 both days. RJ broke a mast and tore a sail doing a down-wind dance in the last race. Rick Wood received a good shot to his head with the boom... some black and blue showing. I saw everyone turn over at least once and get right back on. Thanks for all of the support Guys...Charles Fisher, Steve Earnhart, Phil Petrucci, Phil Hallstedt, and Tony Hubbard. Check out ECSAILING on youtube!
Above: RJ at ISC
Something To Think AboutThe gods do not deduct from man's allotted span, those hours spent sailing.
Club History In 1968, the Indianapolis Parks Board suggested that an association form a sailing club...and Eagle Creek Sailing Club was born and was incorporated September 25th, 1969.
In the start of the 70's, Commodore Dr. Ned Hornback reported they now have 18 members and $2,400 in the bank to start construction of the sailing club. The 1st regatta for the club was September 27th, 1970 and is still called the Hornback Regatta today. At one point when the Club was having financial problems and the parks department had expressed some concern, Commodore Ned called a special meeting by sending out postcards illustrated with a drawing of himself as commodore standing forlornly in a sinking ship. Left: Steve & Les doing float retrieval Members have installed driveways, parking lots, launching ramps, shelter houses, a beach, playground, and wet slips over the years...all volunteer efforts!! A new road, sea wall, and boat hoist were constructed in 1974. The 1st set of docks were installed in 1976 under Commodore Larry Johnson and Harbor Master Bill Christy. Stan Dziacko and Mitch McKnight designed the new club house (finished construction in 1986). In 1974, the club members' boats were 45 Hobie 14's, 24 16's, 27 Butterfly's, 13 Snipe's, 10 Interlake's, 6 Laser's, 5 Thistle's, 4 Flying Dutchman's, 4 Flying Scott's, 4 C-lark's, and 40 other boat types. In 1976, Bob Bodish was hired as property manager. Today, our Club is still growing with around 230 membership (over 500 members) and over 275 boats on the Club grounds at any time. Our strong racing program is well attended with 4 major regattas each year bringing in sailors from all over the country. The 4th of July Cookout brings over 100 members and friends together each year...along with the other social and on-the-road events throughout the year. Your sailing school and junior racing programs are also growing each year. Our membership continues to understand the valve of working together through volunteer efforts to build the ECSC of the future!!
Above: Jim & Dan repairing our Club pontoon
August 1, Saturday Sailing School - 9:30amAugust 4, Super Sunday ECSC August 8, Saturday Sailing School - 9:30am August 8, Jolly Roger, Ohio August 15, Lorain, Ohio September 5, 5 for 5 ECSC September 6, Super Sunday ECSC September 12/13, Gov’s Cup ECSC September 19/20, Lake Lemon, Indiana October 10/11, Hornback ECSC
Note to ECSC Members: Work credits will be offered this year for assistance with this program!!
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| Racing |
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Spring is here! Let the good times roll!! Although the changing water levels at Eagle Creek are ever-changing, hopefully everyone has had a chance to check out their boats’ needs and is ready to race. In case you missed it, April 4th was the Racing Work Party. The water level had only begun to approach the ramp, so launching the pontoons was quite an event. The RIB will be launched as soon as the water level stabilizes. In short, getting the RC boats ready has been challenging. That being said, the first Wednesday race was held this week. Despite the threat of a no-wind evening, surprisingly the wind came up for the seven go-getters. The group of racers included first-timers (at ECSC at least) Nick Smock on his Highlander and Steve Schaub on his C-Scow. Keep it up! We will race the first of our Super Sunday Series this Sunday, May 3rd. This is one long series of racing which will occur the first Sunday of each month May 3rd to October 4th...six Sundays in all. The start time, 1:30pm, will remain the same, but we will race as many races as possible with no starts after 4:00pm. The usual parameters regarding fleets, throwouts, etc. will apply. I’ll be getting fried chicken for the liar’s table. Pitch-in snacks would be appreciated.
Mayor’s Cup Regatta—May 16-17!!
RC Duty
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| Bailer's Tips & More |
I suppose despite my deep humility and unerring finger on the pulse of what is going on in the grand scheme of things, it was inevitable. I have been called by our country to sail straight to Somalia to help the US and UN figure out how to fix this pirate problem. I, as you all know, am a man of uncommon courage and my wife knows this as well. So, she alerted the governing nations that I had special talents and could be found at ECSC deep undercover. Truth be told, it was under a comforter...but the fact remains, I leave tomorrow with the Queen Anne's Revenge for the Somalia coast. I love the Indian Ocean. I love an adventure. But, me thinks the weight of the world is a wee bit heavy for my broad load-bearing shoulders. Right: Uh, Ki, not too sure that's a float. Rest assured, under no circumstances will I divulge where my true port-of-call lay. Or, if I am tortured, I will try to think of something clever to say and my captors will just laugh and laugh until I disarm them and the world (and Club) is safe again. So, wish me well my friends. I will do the Club proud. If I do not do well, what can I say...I am only human. Sail on....Sail on!! The Bailer
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| Sailboats, Inc. |
Let’s talk about outboard motors. Most of us have one, or more, and most of us have a love/hate relationship with them. Our resident motor-head, Greg Branham, has been around motors all his life. It's amazing to watch him work on them. We sell and service Tohatsu outboards, who also make the Nissan brand. Both Greg and Charlie went to the Tohatsu school, and besides learning a lot, they met and befriended the guys there at Tohatsu. This has made our relationship with them quite nice...you can imagine how much fun Greg and Charlie added to the class. Being on a first name basis with them, as well as learning what an awesome company it is, made the trip to Texas quite valuable. Somehow, they decided to go to Texas via Las Vegas...just had to sit in the front row for the Blue Man Group show. Is that really on the way? Anyway, we got the following alert from them regarding the EPA’s proposal to increase the amount of ethanol allowed in our gasoline. Maybe you have already read about the damage ethanol can cause, both to engines and to gas tanks. If not, it is something we all need to be aware of. http://capwiz.com/nmma/issues/alert/?alertid=13199386&PROCESS=Take+Action
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| Membership |
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We welcome six new members since our report in the last TellTales: Frank and Billie Harshey, Avon, sailing a MacGregor Venture 25.
Richard and Carol Lamb, Zionsville, sailing a Compac 23/3. Mark and Ver Vander Kooy, Indianapolis, sailing a 1954 Snipe with the purchase of a bigger boat pending. Dan and Janna Faulk, Zionsville, purchase of boat pending. Nic and Sam Smock, Noblesville, sailing a Highlander 18’ So welcome to you all. Above: The shore improvement near Rick's Boatyard. Do plan to come to our Mother’s Day Brunch on Sunday, May 10th, 11:30am. ECSC provides eggs, bacon, sausage – members bring an appropriate brunch covered dish. We will have tables designated for new members and this will be a great chance to meet and greet. Also, plan to participate in the “New Members Regatta” which will take place on Sunday, June 14th. See the TellTales for further info. Rich Fox (rich_fox@yahoo.com) is serving as Race Chair for this event.
Other membership news This year we had 19 members who decided not to renew their membership for the 2009 season. We have had 9 new members join since 2/24/09. Total active membership as of 4/26/09: 226
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| Notes |
Captain Tom & Lady DianaSeems Tom & Diana have taken up residence in Florida and are now in the boat-chartering business...with their boat!! Sailing, snorkeling, fishing, beautiful sunsets...and you won't find a cheaper vacation anywhere! They're offering a special deal to come down and cruise around the Florida Keys during the month of May only! $250 per night, regardless of the number of guests (food and beverages not included). They can take up to 5 adults comfortably, or 4 adults with a couple of kids. Check out the website to see what fun their friends have been having:
Above: Bob on long-range float reconnaissance.
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2009 Social Calendar, Click Here.
2009 Racing Calendar, Click Here.
2009 Overall Club Calendar, Click Here.
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| Click to view Sailboats, Inc's website. | |
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| Eagle Creek Sail Club ECSC Home Page |
We had a spring work party this last Saturday. Thanks to all who participated! We got lots of work completed and our Club is looking good. Thanks to Jack Hale for mulch work. Thanks to Chauncey and Jim & Carol Dolder for providing breakfast and lunch. Thanks to Rick Sprowl and crew for replacing bad dock boards, Bob and Susan Shenkel & Ron Swinford for rebuilding stairs on our shelter house, and thanks to everyone else who participated. Great job! 
The New Member / New Racer Regatta is intended to build camaraderie by introducing new members to our existing members, and help new members feel more welcomed to our Club. At the same time, we want members who have never previously raced before at ECSC to become acquainted with the Club’s Racing program and feel highly encouraged and motivated to participate in the Wednesday and Super Sunday events. 
Junior Sailing Calendar - 2009
Rick and Connie Richmond, Indianapolis, sailing a Sea Pearl 21.