October 2012 Papoose Article

The Junior Sailing School ran from early July into August. Pictured are our instructors, new sailors and returning students who took the advanced course and honed their skills. We hope that they will all enjoy the sport of sailing throughout their lives. Thanks go to our instructors, Brad and Matt Newton, as well as their assistants.

The results for the Lightning Fleet's Spring series are in! Rich Miner and crew took first place followed by Perry Anderson and crew in second place. Don Okner and crew came in third and Hank Jelinek was fourth. The Snipes sail one, combined series, so results for that fleet will be announced at the end of the season.

August started off with no racing on the 5^th due to poor wind conditions. However, on August 11, we were able to hold the Jack Robertson Cruising Day. This was the first year that Jack was not around to enjoy the event which will henceforth be held in his memory. In that regard, Chuck Chute followed through on a suggestion made by Constance Gill to give Jack a Viking send-off. A model burial ship was floated with a symbolic flame as members read poignant poetic excerpts in honor of our late colleague.

August 12 brought a 5 to 10 mph southwest wind. With Constance Gill and Angela Hopkins serving as race officials, Rich Miner, Perry Anderson and Chuck Chute raced their Lightnings finishing in that order in both races. John Marx and Jeff Urbanski did one race in their Snipes with Jeff taking the honors. There was no wind on August 19 so racing was canceled again. Although the air was light on August 26 Don Okner and Chuck Chute were able to match race with Don taking two firsts. The Commodore's Cup Regatta was postponed due to lack of wind on Sept. 2 and on Sept. 9 there was still no wind resulting in yet another cancelation.

Although the Commodore's Cup Regatta was rescheduled, the party that usually follows was held on Sept. 2 at the Miner's home, and was a real success. There was a large turnout of members of all ages who enjoyed the great food that everyone brought. Thanks to Gail Miner's creativity, the younger set did some craft projects while the adults socialized.

Here are some upcoming events that you will not want to miss:

* Finish Line Party – October 27

* Awards Banquet – December 2

Race Official assignments are posted on the website, on the buoy room bulletin board and for this month are as follows:

* Oct 7 – Chuck Chute/Dave Newton

* Oct 14 – Don Okner/Ed Snook

* Oct 21 – Hank Jelinek/Howard Gooblar

LMCC members are invited to join our club so you can sail and socialize with us. You can visit us on the web at www.lakemohawksailing.org. For more information about membership in the LMYC or, if you want to learn to sail, just call our Vice Commodore, Gail Miner at (973)729-5283, email us at our NEW EMAIL ADDRESS lakemohawksailing@gmail.com or write to PO Box 29, Sparta, NJ 07871

Until next month, smooth sailing and God bless America!

Don Okner