National Sailing Championship

Coloradan wins national sailing contest at Johnson Lake

By HARRY G. PERKINS, Hub Regional Correspondent | Posted: Monday, July 29, 2013 3:00 pm http://kearneyhub.com

JOHNSON LAKE — Gib Charles, a veteran sailor from Colorado Springs, Colo., won the 2013 Mutineer National Championship at Johnson Lake Saturday.

It was the sixth time Charles has won the title for the 15-foot sailboats. Ernie French and his wife, Carol, of Johnson Lake, the defending champions for the past two years, finished second. The competition began Thursday and ended Saturday.

Fourteen sailboats using two-member crews were in the competition. They came from Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Colorado, Texas, Illinois, Iowa and California. Contestants used a variety of vehicles such as small sedans to large pickups to haul their 450-pound boats. The sailors experienced the changing nature of mid-Nebraska weather. They encountered variable winds that ranged up to 22 miles per hour on one day, and another day when the threat of a thunderstorm forced the sailors to shelter briefly along the shoreline.

It was the first time the Mutineer-class sailboats had competed for the national championship at Johnson Lake. The sailors had nothing but praise for the lake and the facilities offered at Lakeshore Marina Restaurant and Bar.

Charles Bell, 58, of St. Louis had his 18-year old son, Garrett, as his crew member. “We really enjoyed ourselves. The facilities were great, and the people were wonderful. They weren’t the least bit reserved about approaching us and were very interested in what we do. This is a lovely lake to sail on,” Bell said. The boats, he said, don’t have to be expensive. “Our boat cost $600 as a used boat, but it’s the sails that cost, as much as $1,000,” he said, adding that the sails are made of Dacron. His son will be attending the College of Charleston, S.C., this autumn to study technical theater and to practice sailing. Bell said, “Garrett’s my crew right now, but the time isn’t far away when I’ll be his crew.

July 23-27 - 2013 Mutineer 15 National Sailing Championship

Johnson Lake will be the site of the 2013 Mutineer 15 National Sailing Championship July 23-27.

The Mutineer 15 is a 15-foot sloop rigged sailboat that is raced by two people. 20-30 boats from all over the country are expected to compete for the National title. Crews from as far away as Massachusetts, North Carolina, New York, Florida, Michigan, Alabama, Texas as well as area states including Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, and Colorado have indicated they plan on making the trip to compete.

Tuesday and Wednesday will be weighing, measuring and practice races on Wednesday afternoon. Official races will start Thursday morning and 5-6 races are scheduled each day continuing through Saturday noon. Anyone can watch the races from about anywhere and the lake will not be closed off in any manner. Spectators in boats are just asked to stay away from the inflatable marks by at least 15-20 yards as the boats are maneuvering around them and be aware of leaving a large wake following the racers around the course. Courses will be set for the most part in the middle of the lake, however wind direction may drive them to any end or sides if needed.

Johnson Lake residents Ernie and Carol French are the Two-Time defending Champions and are looking forward to hosting this year’s Championship. The French’s won last year’s Championship on the Chesapeake Bay at Gloucester, Virginia, and the 2011 Championship on Lake Grapevine in Fort Worth Texas. To encourage more competitors to make the trek the Johnson Lake Yacht Club is offering host housing for any competitors who would like be housed. Anyone interested in hosting one or part of the teams, please contact Ernie or Carol. Basically their meals are taken care of so it’s just providing them a place to sleep and clean up. Some of the competitors have indicated they will camp and some prefer a motel, but a few have already requested housing. Crews are willing to be split up so even if you just have 1 extra bedroom and are willing to host, it would be appreciated.

More information will be distributed about the races on the Johnson Lake Chamber website including how the races start and diagrams of the courses so that spectators will be able to understand how to follow the racing. This information should be available by Memorial Day so stay tuned. For any information or if you interested in hosting any of the competitors, please contact the French’s at 308-785-2691.

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Entertainment Update @ LakeShore (7/25 to 9/2)

July is winding down and we are having some great music coming our way these next few weeks. We are excited for Mike Nicholen on the patioThursday, July 25th, followed by Tyson Trosper Duo on patio Friday, July 26th both are playing from 6-9:30pm.

Thursday, August 1st is Formerly 3 on the patio - Friday, August 2nd is Cirkle of Fifths inside from 9-1:00am then Saturday, August 3rd is the Mike Adams Band on the patio. Again, we welcome Mike Nicholen on the patio Thursday, August 8th. Thursday, August 15th brings Talken, Tesdall and Talken, then we bring back a favorite Emmett Bower Band for both Fridayand Saturday August 16th and 17th inside from 9-1:00am. Thursday, August 22nd is Formerly 3 on the patio with Yikes In on Friday the 23rd from 9-1:00pm, rounding out the weekend is a great venue with the Innocence playing inside from9-1:00am on the 24th. August 29th on the patio is Get Off My Lawn and then Levee Town inside on Friday from 9-1:00am. Saturday the 31st is KARAOKE with Nate. Sunday, September 1st is the OK Sisters on the patio with Formerly 3 playing on the 2nd, both 6-9:30 on the patio. Please come out and join us as summer is quickly passing but the fun never ends.

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LakeShore Marina Bar & Grill -- July Entertainment Schedule

• Thursday, July 4th from 6:00 to 9:30 on the patio is the Mike Adams Band.

• Saturday, July 6th from 9-1am inside is the return of the Joe For Nothing band.

• Thursday, July 11th from 6-9:30pm, on the patio with the Avery Brothers.

• Friday, July 12th from 9-1am inside is a local favorite, the Bases Loaded band.

• Saturday, July 13th from 9-1am come out and hear the band Westwind.

• Thursday, July 18th from 6-9:30 on the patio is the Soca Jukebox Duo.

• The weekend of July 19th and 20th is the Talbott Bros Band inside from 9-1am each night.

• Friday, July 26th finishes up the month with the Tyson Trosper band from 9-1am inside.

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JULY 5TH IS A BIG DAY AT J-LAKE; CHECK OUT ALL OF THE ACTIVITIES BELOW

and at the very bottom for Area activities and happenings... Have a Safe 4TH OF JULY!!

Notable Dates at Johnson Lake

***Johnson Lake Chamber of Commerce Meetings: 1st Thursday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the EMS building. All Chamber members welcome!

***Ladies Luncheon:4th Wednesday of each month. Contact Linda Anderson at 308-785-8103 for reservations.

***Chapel of the Lake: Interdenominational services at 8:30 a.m. each Sunday from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.

***The Johnson Lakes Development Grass, Leaves & Tree Limb DUMP:

Spring Hours - April 13 to April 29, Saturday and Sunday 1 - 5 PM

Summer Hours - May 1 through Sept. 1 – Wed. and Fri. 1-5 PM, Sat. 8 AM-12 and 1-5 PM, Sun. 1-5 PM.

Fall Hours - Sept 4 through Nov. 24 – Wed. 1-5 PM, Fri. 1-4 PM, Sat. 1-5 PM, Sun. 1-4 PM

The dump may be closed at any time due to muddy conditions or snow.

***JLDI (Johnson Lakes Development Inc.) meets third Tuesday of every month, April through October at 7:00 p.m. at the EMS Building.

April 20 - Boat Safety Class

Date: April 20, 2013

Location: Lexington Public Library, 907 N. Washington, Lexington, NE

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Cost: $10.00

What to bring: sack lunch; pen

Registration deadline April 15th: Call Ryan Johnson 308-325-7054 and leave name and phone number or email: ryan@tlsund.com

Limit of 25 in the class with a minimum of 10.

Must be 14 years old or older to take the class. It is mandatory by all citizens that drive a boat or jet ski in Nebraska

and surrounding states which are born after December 31, 1985 or under 28 years old.

April 27th, 2013 @ 1:00 p.m. BULLHEAD POINT ANNUAL MEETING (EMS Bldg)

April 28th, 2013 @ 2:00 p.m. KIRBY POINT--SO CRAPPIE CORNER ANNUAL MEETING (J-LAKE SID#1 BLDG)

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May 18, 2013 - Nebraska Game & Parks free fishing and park entry day

May 18 - Nebraska Game & Parks free fishing and park entry weekend.

Watch for more information to come!!!

May 25 - New Trail Dedication

May 25: New Trail Dedication—time to be announced

May 25: Fireworks Show

May 25: Fireworks show at 10:00 p.m.—rain date May 26th

May 25 - Memorial Weekend Garage Sales

Memorial Weekend Johnson Lake residents' annual garage sales. Find bargains all around the lake!

May 25 - EMS 5K Walk/Run

EMS 5k walk/run at 10:00 a.m. at the EMS Training Center followed by a free will BBQ until 1:00 p.m.

May 26 - Boat Safety Class

Date: May 26, 2013

Location: Johnson Lake EMS building, 42734 Johnson Lake Dr., Johnson Lake, NE

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Cost: $10.00

What to bring: sack lunch; pen

Registration deadline by May 21st. Call Ryan Johnson 308-325-7054 and leave name and phone number or email: ryan@tlsund.com

Limit of 25 in the class with a minimum of 10.

Must be 14 years old or older to take the class. It is mandatory by all citizens that drive a boat or jet ski in Nebraska

and surrounding sates which are born after December 31, 1985 or under 28 years old.

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June 7th “Meet & Greet” Event

June 7th “Meet & Greet” Event

Join the Johnson Lake Chamber as we host the artists of the 2nd Annual Art & Wine Festival! This is a great opportunity to preview samples of the art which will be on display and for sale at the festival on Saturday, June 8th.

June 8: 2nd Annual Art & Wine Festival

June 8: 2nd Annual Art & Wine Festival. The Johnson Lake Chamber of Commerce is presenting its 2nd Annual Art & Wine Festival Saturday, June 8th,

The Mutineer 15 is a 15-foot sloop rigged sailboat that is raced by two people. 20-30 boats from all over the country are expected to compete for the National title. Crews from as far away as Massachusetts, North Carolina, New York, Florida, Michigan, Alabama, Texas as well as area states including Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, and Colorado have indicated they plan on making the trip to compete.

Tuesday and Wednesday will be weighing, measuring and practice races on Wednesday afternoon. Official races will start Thursday morning and 5-6 races are scheduled each day continuing through Saturday noon. Anyone can watch the races from about anywhere and the lake will not be closed off in any manner. Spectators in boats are just asked to stay away from the inflatable marks by at least 15-20 yards as the boats are maneuvering around them and be aware of leaving a large wake following the racers around the course. Courses will be set for the most part in the middle of the lake, however wind direction may drive them to any end or sides if needed.

Johnson Lake residents Ernie and Carol French are the Two-Time defending Champions and are looking forward to hosting this year’s Championship. The French’s won last year’s Championship on the Chesapeake Bay at Gloucester, Virginia, and the 2011 Championship on Lake Grapevine in Fort Worth Texas. To encourage more competitors to make the trek the Johnson Lake Yacht Club is offering host housing for any competitors who would like be housed. Anyone interested in hosting one or part of the teams, please contact Ernie or Carol. Basically their meals are taken care of so it’s just providing them a place to sleep and clean up. Some of the competitors have indicated they will camp and some prefer a motel, but a few have already requested housing. Crews are willing to be split up so even if you just have 1 extra bedroom and are willing to host, it would be appreciated.

More information will be distributed about the races on the Johnson Lake Chamber website including how the races start and diagrams of the courses so that spectators will be able to understand how to follow the racing. This information should be available by Memorial Day so stay tuned. For any information or if you interested in hosting any of the competitors, please contact the French’s at 308-785-2691.