VOLUME I / ISSUE 2 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2003 the Myerburgs. Photographs takenby North Channel.All the westshoreof Harbor anchorageon Beautiful Beardrop Cover... On the [email protected] Fleet CaptainJamesMeans...... 833-4358 [email protected] Rear CommodoreRichard Vicary [email protected] Vice Commodore Andrew Hanks [email protected] Commodore Peter Traphagen ...... 838-1225 Officers [email protected] Alex Webster ...... 323-3954 [email protected] Doc Bressler...... 833-1497 [email protected] Judy Emling [email protected] Sue Parry...... 838-7740 [email protected] Sandy Will ...... 833-0303 [email protected] Jan Stachelek...... 459-6991 [email protected] Pat Benekos...... 838-4591 [email protected] Irene Boyles...... 899-6606 [email protected] John Ashby...... 455-2757 Log Staff [email protected] David Penman [email protected] James Edgett...... 835-1120 [email protected] Nick Van Horn...... 838-6640 [email protected] David Arthurs ...... 455-3935 [email protected] James ...... 453-6966 [email protected] Matthew Bacon...... 833-3347 [email protected] P/C DickRobertson...... 453-5322 Directors ...... 833-3293 ...... 474-1648 ...... 456-6813 ... 476-7328 been dealingwiththissitu they were.TheDockCommitteehas and narrow,somewideshort.Well it seems,forspecificboats;somelong that manyofourslipshavebeenresized, on areafloatingdockatthe north some areas. needs thatexceedwhatwehavein wider, deeperboatswithelectrical best forthefuture.Thetrendislonger, head, andwillfloatingorridgeddocksbe depth ofwater,theconditionbulk- brought intotheclub,alongwith to considerthesizeofboatsnowbeing many ofourpilingsarelooseandshaky. In additiontoourrigiddocksituation, From theBridge Tm&Jerrys”...... 14 “Tom & 10 Dr. DiztheBay&Lake Wiz ...... 9 The Grounds Committee 6 Let UsEntertain You ...... An ExtendedBoatingSeason Excellent Adventure Jack Bierley... Passionfor Fulfilling aDream If youlookaroundtheClubwillsee In tryingtorebuildourdocksweneed Y e:www.erieyachtclub.org EYC Web: Fuel Dock/Guard House.....456-9914 Club House...... 453-4931 Projects thatwearecurrently working Vice Commodore Andy Hanks CONTENTS Created, Designed &Published byJ.G. Ashby Advertising, Inc

ation for CONTENTS years. Directory CONTENTS e-mail [email protected]. improve ourdocksorexpertiseplease involved. Ifyouhaveideasonhowto several yearswithconsiderablecosts rebuild ourboatingfacilities.Itwilltake deteriorating. Wehavestartedaplanto of ourClub,thedocksandwalls,are at theErieYachtClub.Theinfrastructure tem thataddressesthefutureofboating last 75yearsandhaveaflexibledocksys- boating season. approved, becompletedforthe2004 space inthatarea.Thisprojectlistwill,if available electric,deepwaterandoverall redesigning ofADocktobetterutilizethe wall infrontoftheClub,and end ofIDock,replacingthebulkhead -al [email protected] E-mail: Canoe House ...... 453-6368 Club HouseFax...... 453-6182 Our goalistobuildbulkheadsthatwill ...... CONTENTS...... CONTENTS .... 11 7 5 CONTENTS3 Fulfilling a Dream By Jan Stachelek Cruising the North Channel needed to be on bow watch. This involved clinging to the as she hung over the bow peering into water that was so clear, it was nearly impossi- ble to discern whether the rocks were ten feet below the surface, or mere inch- es. Very traumatic for Kathie! The cap- tain, of course, loved every minute of the challenge. In reality, Rick was quite con- fident in his route. His GPS, which was now interfaced to his laptop computer on board, provided the critical enhance- ment of the area that dead reckoning or charts would have lacked. Once there, both agreed that it was worth every minute. One morning, Rick opened the Pilot Cove anchorage is in the northeastern extremity of Drummond Island forward hatch to a scene of immense beauty; blue skies, bright sun, and deer eating foliage and drinking crystal-clear When Rick and Kathie Myerburg board- in Harbor Beach, MI. On July 11, they water while two beavers busily worked ed KARIMI at the EYC for an extended were finally ready to enter the North on their home along side. sailing tour in the summer of 2001, they Channel. Kathie wrote, “Rick has been were not sure what adventures were in dreaming about this for years (as do a lot store, they only knew that they were ful- of boaters), hundreds of little coves to filling a dream. Their destination was the anchor in, beautiful rock formations, North Channel of Lake Huron. “I have clear water and skies, remoteness and wanted to sail in the North Channel for an abundance of wildlife.” They planned years,” said Rick. KARIMI set sail from to spend about three weeks in the area, the EYC on June 15, 2001, and four although Kathie has heard that there are weeks later, Rick got his wish. Of course, only two kinds of boaters, those that every extended sail is fraught with deli- have hit the rocks and those that are cious highs and frustrating lows, but like about to! a good captain and first mate, Rick and Kathie recorded it all via e-mails to friends and daily logs. What follows are some of the highlights. Benjamin Island anchorage in the North Channel On their 1500 nautical mile journey, Rick and Kathie stopped in 29 ports, and Perhaps now would be a good time to took advantage of six secluded anchor- mention those frustrating lows involved ages. Their favorite anchorage, by far, with an extended sail. For starters, the was Pilot Cove where they were able to wind! On many days, there was either skinny-dip, and enjoy each others’ com- too much (as in gale force), or none at pany for nearly three days before all. When there was none, the boaters encountering another boat or human. As Killarnie Port lies on the north shore of suffered from the invasion of literally mil- you can see from the photographs taken, Georgian Bay, north of the east end of lions of bugs and the ever-present the scenery was breathtaking. Rick and Manitowaning Island, in the lee of Mayflies. When this became too much, Kathie also met incredibly friendly peo- George Island they holed up in port longer than antici- ple along the way, some with ties to their pated; thereby delaying Rick’s eagerly Pittsburgh home. They ate wonderful This became increasingly clear to awaited passage through the North meals, from Rick’s Puttenesca, which he Kathie as they meandered north in the Channel. The trip involved way too much prepared on-board with only two six-inch channel toward one of its best-known motoring and power-sailing for Rick’s alcohol burners, to the seven course anchorages, the Benjamin Islands. The taste. On one day, he was able to sail at feasts they enjoyed on consecutive appeal of the Islands is their massive speed for nearly eight hours and was nights at the Manitowaning Lodge. They pink rock formations, both above and in his glory! But the lowest of the lows attended a jazz and blues concert featur- below the surface... a truly spectacular occur when misinformation provided by ing Denise Pelley in Port Stanley, a sight! The only problem was that in navi- either charts, or the locals, result in Summer Festival in Port Huron that fea- gating a course there, Rick chose a route a captain’s worst nightmare, going tured the Robinson Racing Pigs, and had through a very tricky, narrow, and rocky aground. dinner aboard a 65 ft. luxury powerboat entrance. Kathie was convinced that she continued on page 4

3 Lights Out! Fulfilling a Dream... By P/C Gib Loesel (continued from page 3) Many years ago it was at least an Before motoring out of Lake St. Claire unwritten rule that you never never drove (no wind again), Rick and Kathie had on the Club grounds at night with your been assured by a local that depth was headlights pointing out onto the water. If “no problem.” Kathie wrote the follow- you did, more than likely one of the old ing: “While angling our way into the ship- timers would “dress you down”. The ping channel, we ran aground in two feet reason for this is it absolutely eliminates of water. Big problem! The Captain a boater’s night vision. (Rick) started his “grounding routine.” I was reminded of this on July 4th this First, rock the boat and reverse. Nothing! year when I was unable to start my Second, the Captain sits on the end of engine, I sailed up the bay with a furious the boom, which has been extended at a storm approaching, for safety right angle to the boat (there’s a vision), and tries rocking again while Kathie reasons I elected to anchor in the lee of Gardens at Manitowaning Lodge about the east pier near the light house. My reverses. Nothing! Third, the Captain attaches a long line to the halyard, jumps 10 miles into Manitowaning Bay from the next step was to call Lake Shore Towing North Channel to get my guests and boat back to the into the water, stands on the bottom, and safety of our basin. pulls on the line as hard as he can, tilting Someone who probably thought they the boat just enough to dislodge the keel size. Kathie wrote that these days were were helping elected to shine their bright while Kathie reverses the engine. very trying, even for what has been a gen- lights at my anchored boat, I could not Success! There was a lot of instruction erally successful thirty-five year relation- see. The vision problem was com- from the Captain during this maneuver. ship. At times, she dreamed of lashing pounded when the rain and lightning Apparently he was quite fearful that the Captain to the and letting him started. The tow boat operator was Kathie might back away and keep going suffer alone. They survived by managing blinded and had difficulty bringing his without him! to overnight at five different yacht clubs craft along side. Once the tow was KARIMI arrived back at the EYC on along the way; each carefully selected established our “headlight friend” pro- August 11. The last nine days of the two for the size of their pools. All in all, both ceeded to follow us along the north wall month tour were memorable only for the agreed that they had the time of their again making it extremely difficult to relentless, hazy, hot, and humid weather lives, and we are happy that they chose operate the tow. that nearly shrank the boat to matchbox to share it with us. I would urge all members to drive slow- ly at night on our piers and to use their parking lights only when their vehicle is pointing East, West or North, i.e. out across the water. They should addition- We Do it Right... ally educate their guests and children to the headlight problem. the First Time. With over 30 years as a commercial, industrial and institutional painting contractor, Beals McMahon has set the standard as the industry leader. For example Electrostatic Parking lights do not interfere with boater vision. Painting Technology for office furniture and industrial equipment and it doesn’t stop there.

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4 Hypothermia Jack Bierley... By Sandy Will A Lifelong Passion for Sailing By Sue Parry

Following school and the service, in 1956 Jack bought his first boat, an “18 footer” class keel boat from Nat Reyburn. “We had a fleet at that time. Ted and John Schuler were the class hot shots.” He remembers. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, if Jack’s next boat was a #250, you’re wearing a lifejacket that keeps which he bought from Past Commodore your head above water and are Bob Dodsworth. This purchase started a immersed in relatively calm 50-degree 25 or 30 year ‘love affair’ with the water for 50 minutes, you have about a Thistle class. Jack owned at least 6 of 50/50 chance of survival. Your chances them over the years. The Thistle at one are slim to approximately one out of time was very strong in this area with big ninety after three hours. Higher water It was an unexpected and timely barter fleets at close to a dozen clubs. As Jack temperatures improve your odds, as do over 60 years ago that sparked Past recalls, “We often sailed in 50 boat fleets your physical stature, health, clothing, Commodore Jack Bierley’s life long pas- on weekends. It was the pinnacle of and your level of physical activity. Quiet sion for sailing. His interest and dedica- class boat racing in this country. We floating or huddling with others helps tion to the sport has inspired countless attended regattas on both coasts; the tremendously. others and is now influencing a third Gulf of Mexico, Lake’s Erie, Ontario, Pull yourself up on any floating object - generation of seafarers as well. Michigan and St. Clair as well as inland an overturned hull, , life raft or res- “I learned to sail when I was around lakes throughout the midwest.” cuer platform - that raises you partially or nine. “ Jack recalls. “My dad had an ice Early on there were significant fleets of totally out of the water. Water conducts boat and had acquired a timber that he Lightnings, Thistles, and Stars at EYC; heat away from your body roughly 25 subsequently additional fleets including times faster than air. Rhodes Bantams, OK , Get victims out of wet clothes, wrap Highlanders, Fireballs, and later, Lasers. them in blankets and apply body-temper- “Here at EYC we hosted a couple of ature water bottles to high heat-loss and Nationals, areas including the head, neck, chest, Bantam, M.O.R.C and OK Dinghy and groin. Moderately warm, non-caf- Nationals, several Thistle Great Lakes feinated drinks are allowed. Avoid alco- Championships, and at one time hol, caffeine, hot drinks, and massage held a successful One-of-a-Kind Regatta and exercise at all costs. Be prepared to in conjunction with the Annual Erie Open administer CPR. Regatta.” FYI—Water temperature in our area is “During this period the Thistle Class usually between 60 to 70 degrees during became like a nuclear family to us. We’d the summer, but exhaustion or uncon- Jack can easily be spotted by his socks, all go to regattas and pitch tents. All our sciousness can occur within 2 to 7 hours started as a tool to help kids learn the dif- kids grew up together. It was fun. This and the expected time of survival is ference between port and starboard. tradition still is going strong in many between 2 and 40 hours. They’ve been his trademark and lucky locales, and it’s great to see this way of racing attire for decades. life carrying over to second and third generations.” In 1960, Jack had the opportunity to run Kids’ was going to use to make a running the junior sailing program for the sum- Halloween Party plank. But instead he swapped it for a mer. ”Possibly the best summer of my run down 13’ lapstreak, Lund-built sail- life,” he reminisces. Following that, he Sunday, October 26th ing dinghy. It had been owned by Steve ran the evening Adult Program for sever- Samol (father of EYC member Steve). al years with Jack Schultz. 3:30 to 5:30pm We fixed and painted the dinghy, and When Lasers were introduced, Jack named it HALFPINT. I sailed that boat was appointed the original dealer in Erie. • Trick or Treat everywhere for years, even all the way Together he and Greg Gorny sold about through college!” Stations 50 during the first few years. When not • Contests College for Bierley was Bowling Green selling them, the two friends had a lot of University in Bowling Green, Ohio. There, fun sailing the little boats everywhere •Magic Act at only 19, he became Commodore of they collected. • Kid’s Buffet the university’s Sailing Club, a position he held for several years. continued on page 13 Reservation deadline Oct. 23rd 5 Let Us Entertain You! By Dan Dundon Chairman Entertainment Committee

(L to R) Tom Madura, Cindy Madura, Mary Weibler, Don Dundon, Gary Weibler, Sandy Will, Carolie Otto, Gerry Urbaniak, Jane Schwab, Joyce McGee, Bob McGee, Kitty Ferrari, Tony Ferrari, Pat Stuart and Paul Otto. Committee members missing from photo: Mary Ann Curtze, Kathy Dundon, Laura French, Ron & Jenn Santos, Don Schwab, Mary VanHorn and P.C. Harold Will

In the EYC Log last spring, Vice can’t maintain order at our meetings? Commodore Andy Hanks told everyone, Maybe you can explain what Harold Will “The Entertainment Committee deserves means when he says, “Dan really knows a hand for their commitment to having a how to throw a meeting”? good time”. Our committee was thor- oughly amused by Andy’s remark. I’m told it is sometimes difficult to tell our meeting’s from many of our parties. In addition to our more-or-less monthly meetings, our committee also manages a few “pot-luck” parties and picnics each year. The current Entertainment Committee evolved from “The 1995 Centennial Oktoberfest Committee”. Mary Ann Curtze, Kathy Dundon, Tony and Kitty Ferrari, Paul and Carolie Otto, Mary and Gary Weibler, Jane and Don Schwab, Pat Stuart, P/C Harold and Sandy Will, and Gerry Urbaniak are “Charter Members”. Since then, we’ve been joined by Laura French, Joyce and Bob McGee, Ron and Jenn Santos and Mary VanHorn. Most recently, Cindy and Tom Madura “signed on” the day they joined the EYC. Annual committee events are “EYC Oktoberfest”, “100 Days ‘til Summer” party, as well as the spring and fall Karaoke events. The committee attends these events in force, and we are repre- sented at most of the other EYC events. We offer suggestions, both during event planning and for “the next time around”. Our third “big (hopefully annual) event” will be a mid-summer “EYC Luau” being planned by Gerry Urbaniak and Mary Van Horn for August 2004. Call me at 455-6672 if you’d like to join our group. Maybe you can tell me why I

6 no way affected their ability to hunt and Jerry, Rick, Steve, Neil and Bill’s track, they were slightly disappointed at the missed opportunity to witness thou- sands of caribou crossing the frozen Excellent Adventure lakes and tundra at one time. By Jan Stachelek The camp provides bunkhouses, a cafeteria, a great-room for gathering in the evening, laundry facilities, and show- ers. It can accommodate about 100 hunters at any given time. Our travelers found the Indian hosts to be gracious and the food excellent. One thing that the camps do not provide is alcohol, an absolute must for the weary hunter after a long day. If you do not stock your trav-

As the group’s convoy crossed one of many such northern Canadian rivers, Steve Samol felt compelled to record this foreboding scenery.

What do you get when you take five The other truck was reserved for the cari- hunting buddies, two pick-up trucks, and bou. a grand plan for their first ever-hunting The hunters left Erie on November 29, excursion as a group into the unknown? 2002 for the two day drive north. They An excellent adventure! used walkie-talkies to communicate Fourteen hundred miles due north of with each other while on the road. Their Erie, at the mouth of the Hudson Bay, lies first night was spent in the town of Amos the path of the largest caribou migration in Quebec Province, the last bastion of in North America. To get there requires a civilization they would encounter for the 35-hour drive, the last 12 hours of which next seven days. Knowing this, they are traveled over a single highway that debated whether or not to risk a straight traverses the desolate frozen tundra of Neil Milligan and Steve Samol pose in run up to the next relay station, or to front of Camp Kiskimaastakin welcome Canada’s most Northern Province. To say attempt to find lodging at Nouchimi there is nothing there at all except for the sign. Note the ARRET sign and population Camp, a few hours closer. There was no number on lower sign. beautiful scenery is slightly inaccurate. way to know if the Nouchimi Camp There are relay stations where one might bunkhouses were booked solid, but they eling bar before you are 24 hours north of find gas, lodging, or snacks. But the relay did know that the camp had a large gath- Erie, you have missed your chance. stations are about three hundred miles ering room. Armed with six-packs of Remember, after Amos, there is nothing (or one tank of gas) apart. Timing and beer, they decided that friends could be there! The Canadian government allows planning are critical. No one wants to made, and that sofas were more com- each hunter to purchase one case of spend a night in a truck on the frozen fortable than trucks. Fellow hunters and beer, and one bottle of liquor. The liquor plain due to poor planning. the Indian hosts of Nouchimi Camp of choice for each of our travelers was Provisioning for this adventure far jovially shared the offered beer before Bailey’s Irish Crème, the one thing that exceeded what the five friends would informing our adventurers that there they told me they wished they had more normally require for their yearly jaunts were many available bunkhouses. It will of for the trip. Of course, they also (at least 30 consecutive years) to Steve’s become clear later why this beer offering wished they still had the six-packs of hunting camp in Warren, Pa. amounts to what many would call the beer they had needlessly squandered Temperatures on the tundra can range ultimate sacrifice. making friends at Nouchimi Camp. The anywhere from minus 20 degrees to plus Their final destination was Camp French Canadian hunters that frequent ten degrees Fahrenheit, especially in the Kiskimaastakin, a rather mobile structure the camp prefer to accompany their first week of December. That is the time run by indigenous Indians with the sanc- meals with fine red wine, and they don’t our travelers chose to leave the warmer tion of the Canadian government. The share! climes of Erie. While most of us would camps move from year to year based on Depending upon how well the camp is head south, these intrepid adventurers the migration patterns of the caribou. situated along the caribou migration were packing snow shoes, snowmobiles, Since the west to east migration is path, a day’s hunt might entail a short sleds, several layers of clothing, felt foot weather dependent, peak migration snowmobile ride or a two to three hour packs, mittens, face masks, range find- could occur anytime between drive before the caribou are found. Each ers, walkie-talkies, 30-06 caliber rifles, September and February, but experience hunter is allowed two caribou, and it ammo, along with the traditional orange dictates that the first week of December does not matter what combination of hunting vests and jackets. All of this went is a safe bet. Our adventurers missed the into the one truck with a covered bed. peak by about two weeks. While this in continued on page 8

7 Getting the Most From Your VHF Radio By Sandy Will

Your VHF radio can be a valuable cruis- ing companion, even if you seldom use it for talking. This is especially true if you have a scanning feature. Fortunately or unfortunately, depending upon your point of view, there are plenty of other boaters out there who love to talk. If you listen long enough, you will glean much useful information from them such as 1521 Lowell Avenue slip availability. Erie, PA • 833-0261 One way to confirm that you are near- ing a popular port is the sudden increase in calls to the dockmaster as approach- ing boats begin inquiring about slips. Excellent Adventure Listen and you’ll learn: (continued from page 7)

• What channels the port is answering cow and bull. What does matter is the on and talking on speed with which one can dress, skin, • How responsive they are to answering and cut the meat before it freezes. On incoming calls this trip, the temperatures hovered at a • How many slips they have available relatively constant four degrees above and what size these slips are zero. The caribou are dressed in the field, • What procedure they want you to fol- loaded onto the sleds, and raced back to low as you near or enter the harbor camp for skinning and cutting. This is • Who your competition is for slips, and when the distance to camp matters. On how far out they are this trip, our adventurers bagged five cows and five bulls, and each brought back one hide to be tanned. The empty pick-up truck returned to Erie with near- ly 1,500 lbs. of caribou meat, neatly packed and frozen solid on the open The five hunting buddies with their truck bed. The hunters told me that cari- trophies L to R Steve Samol, Jerry Emling, bou is the mildest and best-tasting game Bill Guyer, Neil Milligan and Rick Santos. meat to be found. Here are a few of the memories they tals if any of you out there would like to brought back. Jerry Emling collects embark on this kind of adventure. You baseball caps. Jerry says, “When the must register with the Canadian govern- expected shipment of Camp The anonymous knowledge you pick up ment. Gun permits cost $35.00 Canadian, Kiskimaastakin hats did not arrive at the can often put you in a stronger competi- and the hunting permit is $350.00 camp on time for me to purchase one, I tive position than if you were transmitting Canadian. You will also need a passport, “cap”tured one right from proprietor away as part of the babble. It allows you birth certificate, and the core body tem- Rod’s head. Of course I had to badger to make your harbor entrance with max- perature of a snake. him for three days before he would sell it imum efficiency and minimum time talk- to me, but it is now part of my extensive ing on the radio. collection.” And from Neil Milligan,”There are so Support many loves in our lives, how we go about fulfilling them is a richness shared Karaoke between friends. Hunting, whether for caribou, elk, whitetail deer, or any other Night! game, is ten-fold enhanced when in the company of lifelong friends or relatives. To sum up our caribou hunt, taking the Friday, game is secondary to the richness of our by Sept. 26th friendship.” Supporting Log So successful was this adventure, the 8:30pm five friends are planning another. This fall Advertisers they head to Anakasti Island at the mouth In the Lounge of the St. Lawrence Seaway to hunt white-tail deer. But the following year, “Tell ‘em the with DJ Toby. they are heading back to (you guessed it) the frozen tundra of Camp LOG sent ya!” Join in the fun! Kiskimaastakin. Here are a few inciden- 8 east side of the Club House. The Grounds Committee The resources for these projects are generated from various sources. The By Irene Boyles donations of the materials, supplies, and monies made the completion of these projects possible, along with the efforts of volunteers from our Club members. If you would like to help out on any up coming projects, and if you have any sug- gestions and/or ideas that you feel would be an appropriate project for the Grounds Committee to undertake, please contact any of the committee members. The members of the EYC take our hats off to the Club, sponsors, volunteers, and the Grounds Committee for their many accomplishments in making our Club not only “user friendly”, but beautiful. The new parking area on the east end of the Clubhouse is a much needed and mem- ber appreciated addition to our grounds. The Grounds Committee, with Fleet Fleet Captain Jim Means said, “The pur- Captain Jim Means currently at the helm, pose of the grounds committee is to has been established since the club has improve the attractiveness of the proper- been in existence. This team has always ty. Our main goal is to continuously been headed by the Fleet Captain, and make an effort to make the Club grounds has achieved numerous goals. One of more user friendly to the members.” the completed projects that we owe to Other finished goals of this committee this committee is the purchase of shrubs where the building of the new Guard and flowers to help the outside appear- House, installation of the new gate at the ance of the Club House. Our thanks are entrance to the grounds, and the refur- The Club entrance now features both a new extended to the Ladies Auxiliary for bishing of the Fuel Dock to name just a Guard House and new gate system. many years of work helping to coordi- few. The most recently accomplished nate the planting of shrubs and flowers. task has been the paving of the lot on the

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9 Don’t Miss Dr. Diz The Bay & Lake Wiz The Party! Environmental Issues Around the Bay & Lake By Rick Diz, PhD, Members from the Yacht Environmental Science & Engineering, Club gather during the Gannon University winter months to party longer flowing untreated into the Bay: and bowl. fewer nutrients are being flushed to the We start at 6:30 pm Bay during major storms, and potentially September 12th, at Rolling harmful bacteria are routed to the waste- Meadow, 32nd & Zuck, and water treatment plant for destruction. continue every other Friday. Secondly, we were invaded by another creature from the Eastern Med, the Somehow we find time to Round Goby. This small fish came to the throw a ball or two at the Great Lakes by the same method as did pins. Rarely does that the mussels... in the ballast water of interfere with the fun. ocean-going freighters. These Round We are looking for a few fun Gobies are nasty little fish which grow to about six inches in length, are bony and couples, or a few couples ugly. Compared to native fish, these gob- Who says that all of our Lake Erie prob- who want to have fun, ies reproduce more rapidly, are much lems were solved years ago? When I to join the group. more aggressive, and out-compete their came to Erie five years ago, the Bay was native competitors. Fishermen hate If you are interested crystal clear all summer long... you them because they steal the bait off hooks in a great time, call: could see the bottom most everywhere. and chase away the more desirable edi- Most folks attributed this to the abun- ble fish. But the great thing about Round Dennis Markley 835-1101 dance of zebra mussels. These unappe- Gobies... they eat zebra mussels! Very Carol Hall 833-2303 tizing little creatures from the Eastern few native fishes feed on zebra mussels, Maryann Curtze 456-6169 Mediterranean grow fast and attach to but Round Gobies love them. anything solid. That’s one reason why The combination of these two events, they caused so much trouble, clogging the arrival of gobies and the reduction of intake pipes and outcompeting native nutrients entering the Bay, has resulted mussels. They get their food by filtering in a marked decline in the abundance of plankton from the water, thus clarifying zebra mussels. We now have a tough SUNSET the water in the process. Clearer water time finding them when we go out look- allows light to penetrate deep into the ing for them! We don’t know which fac- ON THE water, thus fostering the growth of root- tor has been more important, but as you ed macrophytes (affectionately referred DECK may have noticed, the amount of plank- to as weeds). Where does the zebra Thursdays! ton in the Bay water has increased and mussels’ food (plankton) come from the clarity of the water has decreased. 5pm til Sunset though? Plankton consists of algae and These factors become more pronounced Entertainment tiny creatures which feed on the algae. as the summer progresses (the water in Algae are microscopic plants which get Sept. 4th - DJ Toby the Marina Lake was pea green by their energy from the sun (photosynthe- Sept. 11th- DJ Toby August last year). With such interesting sis), but need nitrogen and phosphorus PLUS ecological dynamics taking place, we (the ingredients in fertilizer) in order to plan to commence a monitoring pro- build new cells. Thus, these nutrients “Halfway to gram this summer to keep track of these control the growth rate of the plankton. changes. I’ll keep you posted. St. Patrick’s Where do the nutrients come from? Day”Party! Mostly from runoff from the city’s storm sewers, urban streams, and previously, Sept. 18th, 5 - 7pm from combined sewer overflows (CSOs on the EYC deck* are a mixture of storm water and sewage). It was about four years ago that two Green Beer! things happened which affected the Entertainment by complex ecological system described DJ Toby above. First, the City completed a major sewer system project, which separated Wear your green & the storm sewer system from the sanitary plan on joining us for (sewage) system, and increased the a wild good time! capacity of the wastewater treatment plant so that CSOs would be a thing of * In case of bad weather we the past. This resulted in multiple bene- will move inside. fits for the Bay since raw sewage was no

10 An Extended Boating Season By Commodore Peter Traphagen

tremendous bumping sound. I rushed on deck, started the motor just in case, and witnessed under that full moon, a band of pack ice about 50 yards wide that seemed endless port to starboard. It was the loose shore ice from Long Point making its steady march north. Truly a sight to behold! The large chunks seemed to graze slowly off the hull and no damage was done – back to sleep. In the morning we were able to motor into the harbor and made a request for fuel to some very surprised Canadian citizens. The sail back was uneventful except at the Point where, under genny at 8 knots, we had to dodge several stragglers of pack ice.

Future EYC Commodore Traphagen skirting pack ice off the east tip of Long Point.

There are some who will tell you that in would come over from Port Dover the Erie, Pennsylvania the boating season following day. Ash, Pete Gorny, and I starts on Memorial Day and ends on would depart at 4:00p.m. for Port Dover. Labor Day, thus allowing us only three Thinking that the ice was apparently months of boating pleasure. Others, who gone, we sailed under jib through the are hardier, will claim the season is more channel on a light southwest breeze. All like six months, May through October. of a sudden we heard a sound like rain! But, I want to tell you about an eighteen On closer inspection we realized it was month boating season that I experienced the effect of slipping through a patch of from 1988-1989. skim ice coming from Misery Bay. Was Having already enjoyed the nice sailing this a portent of things to come? Clouds in October and November of 1988, I fig- covered the full moon, the breeze Sojourner’s winter berth in the West Slip ured to extend the season even further strengthened, and we fond ourselves on behind Dobbins Landing when the 100 by wintering Sojourner behind the old a reach footing nicely toward Long Point. State Street office building was under Erie Marine Supply building in the West The usual bright pulsing beam from construction. slip. In those years the Penelec generat- Long Point Light was absent and as we ing plant at the foot of State Street dis- came closer we could see that it was Well, this set the stage. What if we charged warm water into the West slip merely a steady light rigged for winter could cross the lake every month of the keeping that body of water from freezing. traffic. It made me ponder the reality of winter? That certainly would be unusual! This move paid off and in December we the situation. Are we the only ones out Weather reports pointed to deteriorating chalked up several nice days of sailing. here making passage on Lake Erie conditions and the return of winter – but Christmas season of 1988 produced tonight? Just then we sensed a band of that was called for on the 2nd of noticeably nice weather. December 28th white ahead. As we approached, the February. We figured this gave us a win- dawned warm and inviting. That after- clouds opened up allowing the full moon dow for our February crossing. There noon Al Taylor, Wells and I slipped to shine on a band of ice from the Point was little wind, the sky was threatening the lines and set out for Long Point. The as far east as we could see! We fell off but the forecast seemed acceptable. We crossing was uneventful and by nightfall and ran parallel to streaming pack ice. motored to the point, found pack ice we were securely on the hook behind The southwest wind was driving the streaming east, bore off trying to get Long Point in a gentle South breeze with shore ice off the Point and eastward in around it and began to weaken in our the reflection of Erie’s lights from the the lake. About two miles east we found resolve. As we reached the end of the cloud cover on our bow. Over a delight- the end and headed up, setting a course ice we cut inside, turned around and ful spaghetti dinner and nice bottle of for Port Dover. Around 2:00 a.m. we were headed home, foregoing our planned wine we claimed our bragging rights. off Dover. My concern was that if we lunch at anchor at the lighthouse. As we The ice set in soon after that adventure, entered the harbor the loose packed ice progressed southward the temperature and any further winter adventure may block our way out in the morning so fell and snow was developing – weather seemed unlikely. However, on January we dropped the hook just off Wooley was degrading rapidly. We were much 27th as I was flying home, I noticed that Point to the west of Port Dover. Secure, relieved to reach the channel. Half way the lake had broad expanses of blue. we had a toddy and congratulated our- ttht Weather forecasts boded well and selves on being truly great adventurers! another plan came together. Ash Winter About 3:00 a.m. I was awakened by a continued on page 13

11 O’Hare Named Naval If These Docks Could Talk Academy Coach By Sandy Will By Holly Wolford-O’Hare

Gavin O'Hare has been named the This feature will focus on amusing engine reduce RPM’s. In my dazed con- United States Naval Academy’s intercol- member stories. It is not intended to dition I flew into action. I jumped out of legiate sailing dinghy coach," Naval make fun of individuals, but to show that my bunk, into my shoes, ran up the lad- Academy Director of Athletics Chet we all have experiences that we normal- der, grabbed the dock line, jumped off Gladchuk announced. "After a thorough ly might keep secret (or only share with a the boat onto the dock and continued off national search, Gavin surfaced as a select few). I have such a story about the other side of the dock right into the leader who has an enthusiastic personal- myself. water! ity and desire to succeed that's conta- Harold and I were sailors for 17 years The startled and confused dockhand gious. He is a 1992 of the Naval before we traded the winds for inboard didn’t know what to do first—help the Academy and has been involved in the power and purchased the Carosal. still under-way boat, or haul me out of sailing community as a coach or com- During the summer of 1987 I was selling the water. My crew just stood there - petitor for the past 17 years. He has the sail yachts and took one to the in-the- ing in disbelief. knowledge and the background to take water boat show at Cedar Point. Nothing When the crew regained their senses, the Naval Academy sailing program back exciting happened to the all-girl crew the boat was tied up, and I was uncere- to where it belongs as the top intercolle- during our trip to the Point, but that’s not moniously hauled out of the water--in giate sailing program in the country." the case for our return trip. that order. In retrospect, two things to "Gavin brings the leadership, enthusi- We left for home during a misty cold keep in mind. First if you insist on using a asm and the commitment to excellence rain on the rum line to Mentor. We were 15-foot dock line on a short tie, be sure that will be of enormous benefit to the a crew of four and took two-hour on/two- the other end is secured to the boat. And midshipmen-both as athletes and as hour off shifts. During my two-hours off, secondly, make sure you’re not wearing future naval officers," said Capt. Harold I snuggled into my bunk to rest and to get your favorite Mickey Mouse watch Flammang, USN, Director of Naval warm. Whenever I heard the engine (which hasn’t worked since). Academy Sailing. reduce RPM’s, that meant we were Now that I’ve broken the ice, feel free approaching the dock where my help to e-mail any amusing stories to caros- would be required. [email protected]. Happy boating and keep I was half asleep and had forgotten those stories coming. where I was, when suddenly I heard the

Coach O’Hare at work when he’s not at home with his wife, EYC member, Holly Wolford-O’Hare. "I am highly motivated to return to Annapolis and lead the team to national prominence," said O'Hare. "I am looking forward to working closely with the mid- shipmen, alumni and those in the college sailing ranks." Interestingly, he will have the opportunity to coach two Reyburn Sailing School alumni, EYC Jr. Members Alexa Bestoso and Leigh Loesel, who are currently attending the academy and par- ticipating on its sailing team. O'Hare has an impressive coaching background including the University of Washington (2000), San Diego State (1992), as well as coach of the Severn Sailing Association (1996). He is the author of "Contemporary Team Racing," a 1995 US SAILING training publication and was recognized with the 2002 US SAILING Leadership Award for excel- lence in promoting team racing.

12 An Extended Boating Season The Brugger Family (continued from page 11) 110 Years Serving Erie. through the channel, the snow was so intense that it was blinding and in my memory, it was the only time I needed a compass course through the channel and to the Public Dock! We secured the boat with frozen lines and attempted with hatch boards to shovel the snow out of the cockpit. Perhaps this would be the end of our season. For the next fifty days winter set in with a vengeance and we turned our attention to ice boating and other seasonal activi- 1595 West 38th Street • Erie, PA 16508 • 814/864-4864 ties while secretly hoping that the end of March would provide another window of Jack Bierley opportunity. It did! On March 28th we (continued from page 5) again slipped the lines and headed for Canada. I have misplaced my notes for that journey, but I believe it was unevent- Jack’s not sure of the year but believes it ful, although it did clinch the “every was around 1980 when he was appoint- month of winter” goal we sought. ed EYC’s delegate to the Inter-Lake November 5th of 1988 was the closing Association, or I-LYA. He’s con- dinner at PDYC and we attended as usual tinued as a delegate ever since. The in the spirit of international relations. organization’s membership includes 160 However, the winds blew 40 knots out of yacht clubs from Port Huron, Michigan to the south that Sunday requiring vehicular Buffalo, New York. Among a myriad of help in getting home. Sojourner returned other activities, I-LYA is the leader in gen- home on Wednesday under the capable erating junior sail racing in the Midwest. hands of Dover’s Jim McGee. The fol- When Jack first became involved, there lowing April 8th, 1989, was the Port Dover was controversy waging over the official Yacht Club’s opening day ceremony. We boats to be used for the I-LYA Junior sailed over for that occasion and in fact Championships at Put-In-Bay. EYC had a were presented at the dinner ceremony major investment in a fleet of Flying with a trophy reflecting the six months of Juniors at the time so Jack’s persuasive winter crossings. input became very important. When I put it all together, considering Jack’s I-LYA involvement has included Jack gives a little assistance to junior sailors preparing to rig their Flying Juniors these six months, adding the routine May serving on many committees, and in through October crossing of both 1998 1998 he took on the challenge of I-LYA for a race on the bay. Junior Championships Chairman, which he says, with a grin, “is arguably the “People are using their boats different- worst job on the lake!” With Sandy ly... as cottages, focal points for enter- Lawrence as co-chair, he was in charge tainment, etc. Also, our kids who come of the racing, entertainment, food, hous- out of the sailing school with a lot of ing, coaches, race officials, and chaper- enthusiasm for racing on the class boat ones for 125 youth housed for a week in level, go off to college and on to other 6 different locations. Surviving that, Jack pursuits, and we lose them. We haven’t has subsequently served as Judge and/or figured out how to bridge the gap Chief Judge for I-LYA Jr. and Sr. Regattas, between junior sailing and our P.H.R.F. and currently serves as First Vice Class, and I suspect all other open water President of the I-LYA Yachtsmen’s Fund. clubs face the same challenge.” Juniors from I-LYA clubs now have the To help offset costs of the Junior Sailing opportunity to sail 12 regattas throughout program, Jack was instrumental in start- ing EYC bingo in the early ‘90’s. To date, the summer in their own Traveler’s Pete’s Canadian pal Ash Winter from the popular winter pastime at the Club Series. EYC looks forward to hosting one Port Dover at the helm of Sojourner in has raised nearly $13,000. of these in Erie on August 16th. January 1989. Jack’s experience on the water has also With a long history only touched on included “a fair amount of ‘big boat’ sail- here, Jack’s passion for sailing is now and 1989, I believe justified in coming ing and cruising. Including 6 MACS, 2 devoted hands-on to helping the up with eighteen consecutive months of SORC’s, 2 CORT’s, 3 Lake Erie Races, Reyburn Sailing School and I-LYA sailing. Now for you readers who are not and most big boat series on Lake Erie”. improve their junior programs. He’s from Erie, that may not seem out of the Class boat racing though, has always involved nearly every day as mentor, ordinary. And you may be right when remained his first love. He sees Erie as advisor, technician, negotiator, and you consider all it takes to accomplish the ideal place to race class boats but friend to nurture and encourage a new this are just three things; a good boat in knows boating interests have changed. generation of “Old Salts.” the water, windows of opportunity, and being crazy enough to want to do it! 13 “Tom & Jerrys” Traditional Toasting Toddies By Sandy Will

In 1920, L.M. Nagle purchased the cot- the members the “holiday cheer”. and an ever-faithful friend, I. Martin tage behind the old garage that was Rip Sawdey started from the beginning Pomorski. located south of the Canoe House at the as “mixing boss” of the batter with chief Yacht Club members have made the Erie Yacht Club for Rip Sawdey, Honorary helper, Chester Curriden. When Rip died Tom & Jerry Party such an important part EYC Commodore, to use as his residence. in 1946, Chet became the “mixing boss” of the club tradition, that in 1970, Hank In reality, Rip Sawdey was the Skipper of until his death in 1983. P/C Rich Loesel, Buhl and some friends came to the party L.M. Nagle’s yacht, Eleanor II. The fol- a trusted trainee and guardian of the on Hank’s yacht, Njorth. They were able lowing New Year’s Day, Rip invited a few “secret formula”, then took over. P/C Gib to accomplish this feat because the bay friends down to his cottage for Tom and Loesel, who also had trained under Chet, had not frozen and because Buhl’s boat Jerrys. He had a secret recipe for his bat- relieved brother Rich as “mixing boss” in was kept in the water at the foot of State ter for which he later became famous. 1989. Street in his private boat house. Year after year, Rip’s party kept getting Only a few members and friends have In September, 1995, the question was bigger and bigger, as more and more served on the “mixing crew”. Some of asked of Rich Loesel: “What is the secret members heard about it. So on New those are Chuck Schauble, Bob Loose, behind the recipe?” Loesel’s reply was, Year’s Day 1935, it was moved to the Jim McKnight, P/C Bill Behr, P/C George “Snuff.” He then added in a low but audi- Club House and became a formal Club Sipple, Lou Faulhaber, Doug Loesel, ble tone, “the real secret is... is it used or function with officers in uniform serving John Dauber, P/C Pete Gorny, Ken Smith, unused?”.

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14 OktoberfestOktoberfest We Work for You! Sat., Oct. 4th, 6pm Featuring The Mad Bavarian & The Heimat Klang Alpine Band German Dinner $16 Per Person* All the beer you can drink plus a commemorative mug $9 Per Person For reservations call the EYC Office at 453-4931

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Mid-Week Buffet Every Wednesday Night $9.95 1921 West Eighth Street Erie, Pennsylvania • 16505 Champagne 814/459-3407 • 1-888-307-3133 www.vicary.com Brunch Every Sunday 11am - 2pm $9.95 Catering Don’t forget your Club for your next family or business event. Call Mary Tarbrake at 453-4931 for arrangements.

Commodore’s Ball Saturday Oct. 11th beginning at 7:30pm

Join your fellow members for a relaxing evening! • Hors-d’oeuvres 814/456-7797 • Fax: 814/459-1867 • Music by the Sid Winkler Quartet www.accutool-fasteners.com • e-mail: [email protected] • Black Tie Optional • No Reservation Required SPECIALTY FASTENERS • CNC COMPONENTS • FABRICATION • Cash Bar Members & Spouses Only (no Guests)