October 2021 Papose Article

The LMYC concluded its successful Spring Series at the end of July after about fourteen races. However, as of press time, between rain, light wind and Hurricane Henri, the LMYC has been able to sail only the two races on August 8th in its Fall Series. On that day, there were good winds out of the Northeast, with some strong gusts and some light and variable spots. Gail and Rich Miner were assigned Race Committee duty and set a triangular course with a start at the South end of Manitou Island and a weather mark off Beach Two. Don Okner, with crew Susan and Karl Hauck, and Peter Roos, with crew John Trela, in Lightnings, and Tim Mackey and his daughter Katie in a Snipe sailed in the races. Each race started with tight competition and due to the changing wind conditions, the lead changed several times. Each race ended in a tacking duel between Don and the Mackeys, in which the lead went back and forth, but the Mackeys were able to cross the finish line first each time. In the second race, Josh Reder participated, racing in his Laser. Josh was sailing nearby and we invited him to join in the fun. We will continue the Fall Series racing until mid-October on Sunday afternoons starting around 1 p.m.

Social events are continuing at a fast pace at the LMYC. On a recent evening, Shirley Miller treated the ‘yacht club ladies’ to a glass painting event at the club. After a surprising demonstration of how to do it, several members tried their hand at choosing and decorating various glasses. There were several painted sailboats – no surprise. It was a beautiful evening spent in good company –Many thanks to Shirley, and Cheers to all!

Other social doings included the traditional Commodore’s Cup Party at the home of Commodore Gail & Rich Miner on Labor Day Sunday, to cap off our last Open Regatta of the year, the Lake Mohawk Commodore’s Cup. The LMYC hosts 3 Open Regattas each year that are open to all members of the LMCC with a sailboat. We score the races on a handicap basis so boats of all kinds can race together. These regattas are traditionally held around the major summer holidays: Memorial Day, July 4^th, and Labor Day, weather permitting, with updated info on our website. Further in September, Susan & Karl Hauck and Rich & Marie Cramer – our busy Social Committee – have planned an outdoor movie night at the LMYC. Coming up in October will be an Oktoberfest on Saturday, Oct. 2, also at the club grounds, with live musicians! And our Annual Meeting and Finish Line Party will be on Saturday evening, October 16^th. Always check our website for details of upcoming events: www.LakeMohawkSailing.org.

Our Sailor Spotlight this month is our former Head Sailing Instructor, Christopher Mackey. The Mackey family has a summer home on Manitou Island and have traveled here from Bergen County for many years. Chris’ father took him sailing on Lake Mohawk in a Sunfish when he was 8 years old and that got him hooked on the sport. He completed all 3 levels of our summer Junior Sailing Program classes, and then raced Sunfish in our LMYC regattas and at Chatham Yacht Club in Cape Cod, Mass. When there was an opening for Assistant Instructor at LMYC, he took the opportunity and taught for 3 years, progressing to Head Instructor. In the summer of 2020, he became a sailing instructor at Manhattan Yacht Club in Jersey City, sailing on the Hudson River. Chris graduated in May from Lafayette College as a Mechanical Engineer and is starting a new job this Fall, but we hope to see him sailing – now in a club Snipe as his new favorite boat – whenever time permits.

The Yacht Club has welcomed ten new Junior or Adult/Family memberships this year – probably a record number. If you are an Lake Mohawk Club member interested in sailing, we’d like to hear from you too. We have several club boats available for you to sail, and we offer private lessons. Write us at: LakeMohawkSailing@gmail.com

Until next month, Smooth Sailing and God Bless America! ...Rich Miner