January 2022 Papoose Article

Commodore Gail Miner wants to thank all of the LMYC officers, committee chairs and everyone who helped out and participated in our successful 2021 season, including the sailing, racing, lessons, sailing chalk talks, clean-ups and parties. The fun and activities continue, since, as of this article going to print, the plans have already been made for a Yacht Club Christmas Party at Dori and Patrick’s on December 18 th and plans are underway for an awards’ party. The LMYC’s Annual Meeting & Finish Line Party was held on October 17 th at which the following officers for 2022 were elected:

Commodore: Gail Miner

Vice Commodore: Karl Hauck

Rear Commodore: John Trela

Treasurer: Julie Fleming

Secretary: MaryBeth Mackey

Lightning Fleet Captain: Joe Fleming

Snipe Fleet Captain: Peter Roos

Sunfish Fleet Captain: Shirley Miller

LMYC Trustees: Bob McNamara, Rich Miner,

Constance Gill, Perry Anderson, Ernie Ommundsen and Marie Cramer.

LMYC Committee Chairs:

Publicity: Rich Miner;

Social Events: Susan Hauck.

Website: Ian Oldridge.

With this great team of officers, we are looking forward to an even more successful 2022!

Our Sailor Spotlight this month is on Don Okner, who wrote the LMYC’s Papoose articles for many years. Don began visiting Lake Mohawk as a child—his uncle was one of the early members of the LMCC. However, it was not until many years later that Don learned to sail and became a member of the LMYC. He attributes his appreciation of the sport to his son, Marty and club member Perry Anderson. When Marty was twelve years old, he bought an older Sunfish from a former LMYC member and learned to sail. Around that time, Marty also signed on as crew for Lightning skipper, Perry Anderson. One Sunday Marty had a scheduling conflict and Perry asked Don if he could fill in for his son. Don thoroughly enjoyed the experience and he was immediately hooked on sailing.

The Okners, Don, Madeleine, Marty and Jim, became family members of the LMYC and Don started to sail Marty’s Sunfish. Not long after, a Lightning owned by another LMYC member became available and Don bought his first boat, a Lippincott built Lightning #11448, named “Tomato Sloop.” Years went by and Don eventually acquired “Sushi,” a Nickels built Lightning #14198, from another LMYC member.

Don still sails Sushi, a boat that has provided many years of great fun. He is, for the most part, a self-taught sailor who attributes his skills to reading sailing books, getting pointers from more experienced sailors, having good crew and, perhaps most of all, feeling at one with his boat.

Here’s a picture of Don in Sushi with grandkids Lukas and Sadie.

The Lightning (a 19’ Sloop) was designed by Sparkman and Stephens in 1938 and soon was being raced on Lake Mohawk as Lightning Fleet #25. The Lightning Class is the largest of one design sailboats, requiring more than one crewmember, in the world in terms of number of fleets (150 active fleets worldwide), active class members and regatta participation. The LMYC owns a Lightning that members may sail, and another Lightning is currently for sale by a member.

In addition to our active Lightning and Snipe fleets, over the years the Lake Mohawk Yacht Club

has had active fleets of Sunfish, Super Sunfish (Fleet #1) and Lasers. With the exception of the

Super Sunfish, we have had active participation of all those classes, plus a Vanguard 15, in the past year, and we hope to have even more participation in our 2022 sailing season. Sailing is a sport where you can learn many valuable life lessons in a short time. If you would like to get involved, get in touch with us at LakeMohawkSailing@gmail.com and visit our web site:

www.LakeMohawkSailing.org

Until next month, Smooth Sailing and God Bless America!

Rich Miner