Chesapeake Sailing Club

September 2007

SCUTTLEBUTT

Newsletter of the Chesapeake Sailing Club

From the Bridge

The camaraderie among the members of CSC continues to amaze me. We've just had our annual picnic and once again the warmth and laughter was as abundant as the food on southern BBQ buffet. Thanks to Liz Cingel and her able assistant Frank for organizing yet another terrific event.

We welcomed new members Rich and Leslie Payne into our group. I was reminded of when Gina and I first joined CSC. Everyone made a special effort to come introduce themselves to us, and I was pleased to see that tradition continues. When Wes Miller heard that we had new members, his eyes lit up and he said, "I've got to go over and meet these folks!" It's long standing members like Wes and Marian that have made CSC the friendliest sailing club on the bay today. We have other new members, Mal and Ann Marie Singerman who we'd also like to welcome.

Another example of the caring and concern that our members have for one another was when Sue Buckley pulled out her cell phone to call Jim and Sue O'Neal down in Florida. She passed her phone around and gave everyone a chance to celebrate the good news that the O'Neals had received last week after Jim's surgery - he's headed for a full recovery!

As you may remember, the picnic is also our annual meeting and election of officers. This year, the positions of commodore and treasurer were up for election. John Smith headed up the nominating committee, and so we also called the Smiths and Luciano's who were vacationing in Hawaii. I'm not sure how hung over he was after having attended a big luau the night before, but John's proposed slate of officer's involved Harriet and I continuing in office for another two year term. A vote was held and the slate was accepted by the general membership amidst comments such as "make them do it until they get it right."

But seriously, folks, I'd like to express my heartfelt gratitude for being re-elected as commodore. It is truly an honor for me to hold this office. I have developed a deep appreciation for the fantastic friendships that are at the heart of our club. Gina and I treasure our relationships with our CSC friends more than you can imagine.

Tom Muha
Commodore

C $ C $$$$$$$

Our able CSC Treasurer has done it again. As you can see Harriet Hardy has cooked the books to make it look like we're still solvent. Take a moment and see where your $20 goes. Keep up the good creative work, Harriet.

Upcoming Events - Mark Your Calendars

Can you believe we're heading into the season finale! If you haven't participated this year, now's the time to join the fun. Here are the remaining on the water and land events of 2007.

Teepee Cruise

Date: September 29 - 30
Location: Pocahantas Creek off the South River. (across from Harness Creek)
Host Boat: John and Carolyn Smith on Windsong
Yes, that's right you will be hosted by the Smith's on Pocahantas Creek! Watch your e-mails for details.

Cat's Meow Cruise

Date: October 13 - 14
Location: Bodkin Creek off the Patapsco River. Take the main branch past Jubb Cove to Pleasure Cove Marina. Go into the Cheshire Cat Restaurant for dinner.
Host Boat: None. Have a spontaneous Happy Hour then dine at the restaurant.

Goose Cruise

Date: October 20 - 21 Location: Skipton Creek off the Wye River past Wye Landing.
A host boat is needed for this one.

Then on November 3rd we'll have our annual early Thanksgiving party and on December 8th a Holiday party. More on these events in the next newsletter.

Where we've been. . .

Hot Times at Selby Bay

On July 21st our intrepid sailors braved high seas, cloudy skies, big wind and oppressive heat (and this is a fun sport) to meet at Selby Bay off the South River. Three boats, Ariel,Evergreen and Sandpiper dropped their hooks and waited for the fourth boat carrying the wine to arrive. They waited and finally Cherette pulled into the anchorage to the loud cheers of waiting sailors. Many had already started their own Happy Hour. They all enjoyed the new wine, hors d'oerves and discussions before turning in for the night. Concerned about the weather forecast, Sandpiper decided to head back on Saturday night. Those who waited for a Sunday departure enjoyed fine sailing in heavy north winds. Just what the club is about. May all our cruises be windy.

Hotter Times at Saltworks Creek

It was the Chesapeake's hot season. Light winds, hot sun and high humiture made for a typical mid summer Chesapeake raft up. Three boats met up the Severn at the Saltworks Creek mooring field for a big happy hour hosted by Wisp of Dawn. With the humiture up to about 105 degrees it was too hot to even have the planned dinghy float. All the light breezes that came up the creek were applauded. Boats in attendance were the Luciano's on Wisp of Dawn, the Hardy's on Moondance, and the Jacobson's on Infinity. Two of the boats, Infinity and Wisp of Dawn headed home early to catch some inside air conditioning. The Hardy's persevered and were rewarded with a good sail home on Sunday.

Another Picnic Success Story
By Ace Reporter Liz Cingel

The 2007 club picnic was held on August 27th at Belvedere Yacht Club. The forecast for that day was 105 degrees including the heat index so everyone was glad to be in cool air conditioning. The "feast theme" was Southern food with pulled pork barbecue and fried chicken. The attendees outdid their culinary skills with side dishes and desserts. Commodore Tom Muha and Treasurer Harriet Hardy were voted in as officers for the 2008 term with no nominations from the floor. The Fleet Captain and Vice Commodore have one more year in office. Memorial Day race cups were given out to the Nances for Ariel's first place and the MacDonald's for Evergreen's second place finish. Windsong came in third and the Smiths will receive their cup when they return from vacationing in Hawaii. Congratulations to the winners.

Those attending were Tom and Gina Muha, Jack and Sue Buckley, John and Judi MacDonald, Fred Weinfeld, Janet Kumer, Dave Ewing, Dave and Lois Nance, Eve-Marie Lacroix, Joe Hutchins, Skip and Harriet Hardy, Frank and Judy Lyman, Wes and Marian Miller, new members Leslie and Richard Payne, (welcome Leslie and Richard) and Frank and Liz Cingel.

Salute to the Labor Day Racers

Labor Day brought out the real CSC racing spirit as 6 fast boats started what would be a slow drift down the bay. After all was said and done Ariel won by a substantial corrected time finish. She was followed by Clipper Cat who edged out Windependent for second and third place respectively. These three boats will receive our coveted, spare no expense racing trophies at the winter meeting. Three other boats, Flash, Evergreen and yes, Southern Lady decided drifting down the bay was not for them and powered to the raftup. Congratulations to all, but mostly to the top three finishers. This was Ariel's second first-place finish of the year and Clipper Cat's first ever cup. Windependent's trophy will join the many others she has earned in her racing career.

Welcome New Members

It's been said elsewhere in this newsletter but a big "Welcome" to our newest CSC members Rich and Leslie Payne and Mal and Ann Marie Singerman. We are happy you decided to join in the fun. If you're not sure what to do when you arrive at an anchorage look for our burgees, drive by the raft up or designated host boat and get the scoop. They may tell you to hook up or you can anchor and come over to the raft up by dinghy. It's up to you. Just come out and join some of the best most experienced sailors on the bay. Can't wait to see you!

Thank you Host Boats

Being a host boat is usually a lot of work. You bring the wine, fill the glasses, listen to bad jokes and clean up. Sometimes you have to manage the chosen theme. But it's time to acknowledge all the great people who've made this season such a big success. Thank you MacDonalds, Browns, Palmers, Buckleys, Knotts, Eve-Marie and Joe, Cingels, Dave Ewing, Lymans, Muhas, Nances, Smiths, and Weinfelds. (Hopefully that's everyone.) Some of you have done double host boat duty. Thank you all again.

That's it for this month. See you out there.
Jim Luciano
Editor

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