October 2013 Papoose Article

Aug. 4 brought some good wind and, with Rich and Gail Miner as our race officials, three Lightnings competed in two races with Perry Anderson taking two firsts and Don Okner and Chuck Chute swapping for second and third. On Aug. 11, after a short postponement the wind picked up and we got in two races. Perry and Margaret Anderson were our officials and the Lightning and Snipe fleets were on the course. Rich Miner was first, Chuck Chute second and Don Okner finished third in both races in the Lightnings. In the Snipes, John Marx took two firsts followed by Jeff Urbanski second, Constance Gill third and Tim Mackey fourth in both races. One of our juniors, Robert, with his dad Bob Enck crewing, finished the first race in style.

Aug. 18 was a light air day so there were no races. On Aug. 25 there was wind and there were two Lightnings and three Snipes on the course. In the Lightnings, Perry Anderson took two firsts, just edging out Chuck Chute in the second race. John Marx was first in the Snipes in both races with Constance Gill, second. Robert Enck did a great job skippering his Snipe but capsized in race one. If you don't go over now and then you aren't a racer.

The Commodore's Cup Regatta was scheduled for Sept. 1 but was postponed until Sept. 8 due to lack of wind but, we still partied at the Chute's. On Sept. 8, at first it looked as though there was too much wind to safely sail but, things settled down a bit and two Lightnings, one Snipe and a Force 5 were able to race in a nice course set by John Miller. Rich Miner prevailed with Chuck Chute second and Tim Mackey third. Hank Jelinek went over on the second leg and did not finish. Kudos to Rich Miner for another win!

Constance Gill, who runs the Mutiny Regatta, and all of us thank those who made the event a great success. They include Jan and Ian Oldridge who were responsible for the great games like Moby Dick Paddle Relay, the Jolly Roger Skill Game and Swab the Decks. Thanks also to Jan and Margaret Anderson provided the food and Cathy and Chuck Chute for handling the grill. Special thanks go to Kathleen Potts for choosing great prizes and to the Potts Family for donating them.

Photos of some of our junior sailing grads accompany this article--there were more but not all could be there for the photo op. Also, here are some dates to note for October and the months that follow: Finish Line Party – October 26; Awards Banquet – December 1.

We offer adult and individual sailing lessons for those who are interested. And, if you are looking for great gifts for a sailor or for yourself, you can order shirts and gear with our logo through the club. Also, to help raise funds for the Junior Sailing Program, Haley Chute had bags made from sails. They are available at Cathy Chute's Lake Mohawk Flower Shop in the plaza.

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, Perry Anderson at (973)729-3904, email us at lakemohawksailing@gmail.com or write to us care of PO Box 29, Sparta, NJ 07871.

Until next month, smooth sailing

and God bless America,

Don Okner

Some of our 2013 Junior Sailing Program Graduates

with their Instructors