Commodore's Corner

Monthly Newsletter of the NorthWest Sailing Association

2012 NWSA Board Officers VOL. 38, No. 11 Editor, Janice A. Holling November/December 2012

Joan Burden Founded by a common interest in sailing, we, the members of Northwest Sailing Commodore Association, share our love for the sport through our quest for increased knowledge, 847-695-5625 improved seamanship, exchange of experiences, and the promotion of safe boating [email protected] based on the strength of friendship and the spirit of camaraderie and fun. Larry Hagemann Vice Commodore WWW.NWSAIL.COM NWSA EBB: [email protected] 847-731-0109 [email protected] Issue Highlights

• Photo Contest Winners Page 4 Marc Holdwick Fleet Captain • Richard Darnell’s Door County Adventure Page 7 847-255-0422 • Member News Page 8 [email protected] • Cruise Captain Reports Page 10

Kyle Donnelly Purser COMMODORE’S CORNER 630-863-4572 [email protected] Our 2012 sailing season has come to an end with many happy sailing events Gary Gronberg and memorable times spent with other sailors in our club. I am very pleased Yeoman that many of our newest members were in attendance for several sailing 847-372-8083 events. We are now preparing for the 2013 sailing season. [email protected]

Margaret Fritzinger Our annual sailing club banquet was held Saturday, November 3, 2012 at Membership Director Cotillion Banquets in Palatine IL. The festivities were, as usual, superb with 847-865-3402 the banquet room decorated in our usual nautical theme. The food was great [email protected] and the music was wonderful. Everyone had an excellent time. Thanks to Judy and Joe Storts for organizing another fantastic banquet. Jules Rothschild Technology Director 847-250-7540 As our new Board was elected and announced at the banquet (see page 3), we are ready for technologydirec- our 2013 season. I look forward to introducing the new Board to you at the January meeting. [email protected] The turning over of the Board dinner will be on Saturday, December 1 at Pinstripes in South Janice Holling Public Relations Director Barrington IL. I will send a meeting invitation to the newly elected Board members as well as 312-203-3226 all previous Board members for 2012, with all of the details. You may bring your spouse or [email protected] one guest for dinner. See you there.

Asayo Horibe Social Director There is no club meeting in December due to the holidays. Our next scheduled club meeting 224-623-1304 will be on Monday, January 21, 2013. [email protected] The January NWSA Board meeting will be on Monday, January 14, 2013 at the Palatine IL Paul Del Monaco Ships’ Store Director Library. I will send an agenda and directions for the meeting to all the Board members. 708-352-2518 [email protected] Best wishes to everyone and their families for a joyous, happy and safe holiday season.

Bill Seger See you in 2013. Librarian 630-495-4326 [email protected] Fair Winds, John Burden Joan Burden Member-at-Large 2012 Commodore 312-615-5534 [email protected]

1 Vice Commodore Report Fleet Captain Notes

This is my final V/C report. I’m sorry I missed the Ban- quet in more ways than one. In mid-October I stood up 2012 NWSA Sailing Awards and before taking a step my right knee popped. I went to the hospital emergency room. Diane went without Here we are already in November and our 2012 sailing me to Cancun and Playa del Carmen, MX, while I recu- season over. Our Banquet was the first weekend of perated at my daughter’s home in Janesville, WI. the month and this week is Thanksgiving!

Thanks to Bill Seger, Margaret Fritzinger, John Burden, With that let's give thanks to the people who helped Paul Del Monaco and Jules Rothschild for their service create and provide for our 21 sailing events this year. as members of the 2012 NWSA Board of Directors. First there are the cruise captains. We had 15 volun- Welcome to Karl Olson as Vice-Commodore, John teers this year who organized each individual sail. Morris for Ships’ Store, Irene Jarmulska as Member- They kept track of the crew sign-ups, found boats, ship Director, Ralph Daehn as our Librarian and Peggy chose meeting places and on the day of the sail they and Bill Draver for Director of Technology. assigned crew to the boats. They even helped organ-

Thank you to those professional and especially NWSA ize the dinners afterwards. And when everything was members who offered programs each month. January: over they wrote up articles for the Communiqué! Lou Muno and Africa Mercy, February: Hal Shanafield & the Shanty Singers March: Perry Lewis NorthSails, Finally there were the captains who graciously took us April: Sam Bugg Shedd Aquarium Great Lakes Inva- as guests on their boats and helped make sure every- sive Species, May: Chas Hague USCGA, June: Amy one was safe and had a good time.

Seeley NOAA Weather Forecasting, July: Bill Strauss This year 33 captains volunteered to bring their boat to 1000’ Lake Freighters August,:Courtney Smith with the our sails. Thank you! Without them we would still be three Rs of Skipper & Crew: Rights, Respect and Re- on the dock day-dreaming about sailing. sponsibility. September: Mike Kenny described steps to prepare for sailing his 38’ Catalina Debbia as a Of those captains, there 14 who brought their boat to Racer, Day Sailer and Cruiser as well as a single- three or more sails. As an extra thank you we give handed MAC racer! them a small award in the form of a West Marine gift certificate. Thanks to Hal Shanafield, John Burden, Joe Rittner and others for doing the 50/50 raffle for me ! October’s Then there are those captains who really went above winner was Magda Markowska. and beyond. They are the Most Active Captains. There are two categories: moored sailboats and trailer This year I participated in 11 or 12 NWSA sailing sailboats. For them we prepare a handsome plaque to events. I am proud to be an NWSA member and look hang on a wall at home or in the boat’s cabin. ahead to 2013 as your Member-at-Large. This year Rich Kingdon brought Impetuous to seven sails, including his first Across Lake Michigan sail. He Larry Hagemann wins the MAC award for "moored" sailboats. Vice Commodore In the trailer sailor category we had a four-way tie for the MAC award! These most active captains brought

their boats to four sails each. Paul Del Monaco trailered Ivory, John Morris trailered Enriqueta, Eric Purser’s Report Mueller trailered Knots of Fun and Joe Rittner trailered Bargello. During the month of October, the club received $135 in Membership and Ships’ Store income. With expendi- See Fleet Captain Awards on pages 5 - 6. All of these tures of $404.12, our balance as of October 31,2012 cruise captains and boat captains had a great season was $7,142.71. This Monthly Purser Report, as well as of fun. For them it is rewarding to share their day on the Income & Expense Summary for this year thus far the water. It is especially rewarding to introduce new will be posted on the NWSA website. members to sailing. They are the ones who will help keep our club going year after year. Hope to see you all at the January meeting. Have a Even though it is a little early to sail we can start plan- wonderful and safe holiday season! ning another great season of sailing. See you in 2013! Kyle Donnelly Purser Marc Holdwick Fleet Captain 2 Introducing NWSA’s 2013 Board of Directors

Joan Burden Karl Olson Marc Holdwick Gary Gronberg Kyle Donnelly Commodore Vice Commodore Fleet Captain Yeoman Purser

Irene Jarmulska Peggy and Bill Draver Janice Holling Asayo Horibe Membership Director Director Technology Director Public Relations Social Director

John Morris Ralph Daehn Larry Hagemann Ships’ Store Librarian Member-at-Large

Photo: Mercury Theatre Mark Your Calendars Not an NWSA sponsored event

November 23 - December 30, 2012 The Christmas Schooner Mercury Theatre, 3745 N. Southport, Chicago

Add this event to your short list and begin a memorable family tradition. Brighten your holidays with a favorite Chicago holiday musical which premiered here in 1995. braving wintery Lake Michigan to bring Christmas trees to The Christmas Schooner is a the crowds waiting at Clark Street docks in Chicago. delightful musical for all ages telling the adventurous and You will be talking about this story long afterwards and heart-warming story of how humming tunes. Mercury Theatre is located on Chicago’s Christmas trees first arrived in Chicago in the late 19th north side. School parking lot nearby. Information at century from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, thanks to the www.mercurytheatrechicago.com or 773-325-1700. Indi- courage and bravery of Rouse Simmons, a Great Lakes vidual and group sales as well as dinner packages. captain whose schooner was known as the Christmas I’ll be enjoying this holiday treat. Hope you will too. Tree ship.

Marvel as the stage magically transforms into a schooner Janice Holling, Editor 3

2012 BANQUET AWARDS - PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS

Best Sunset Best Under Sail Arlyn Hale Larry Hagemann Aruba Lake Geneva Ice Breaker Sail

Best Scenic Bill Seger San Juan Islands, Washington

Best Old Salt Best Group Larry Hagemann Marc Holdwick Aboard Enigma North Point III

Best Boat Name Best Boat Name Best Blooper BillBill SegerSeger Marc Holdwick Across the Lake Sail

4 2012 Fleet Captain Awards

Most Active Captains - Trailer sailboats Most Active Captains - Moored sailboats

Captain Boat Sails Captain Boat Sails

Paul Del Monaco Ivory 4 Rich Kingdon Impetuous 7

John Morris Enriqueta 4 John Burden Andiamo 5

Eric Mueller Knots of Fun 4 Don Day Della 4

Joe Rittner Bargello 4 Brett Gruchow Sanity 4

Dick Spears New Adventure 3 Larry Makowski Sea Hawk 4

Harley Johnson Carol's Rival 2 Debbie Garrity Bridget 3

Jim Mueller Driftwood 2 Mike Kenny Debbia 3

Allen Penticoff Thebote 1 Chuck Litgen Kerplunk! 3

Jules Rothschild It's Your Time 3 Barry Bernstein C'est La Vie 2 Banquet Photos Rich Darnell Sea Dick & Jane Sail 2 Courtesy of Barry Bernstein Wayne Eisel Carpe Datum 2

Spencer Johnson Alegria 2

Bonnie Alcorn Easy Touch 1

Don Buell Hassle 1

Tony Campo Codfather III 1

Dennis Karwoski Friendship III 1

Ira Klurfield Misty 1

John Mason New Adventure 1

Russ Nelson (backup) Gawdelpus 1

Some Former Board Members and Banquet Organizers: (left-to-right): Charlie Olson Paper Tiger 1 John Bardin, Joan Burden, Mike Kenny, Paul Del Monaco, Sy Race, John Burden, Judy Storts, Marc Holdwick, Sheila Sebor, Courtney Smith, Mary Gynn, Kate Ficke, Asayo Horibe, Bill Seger, Margaret Fritz- Ron & Sheila Sebor Tir Na Nog 1 inger Hal Shanafield Hjalmar II 1

Bonnie Smith Northern Star 1

Curt Taylor Ataraxia 1

January Communiqué Deadline

January 9, 2013

Send articles and jpg photos to Some of the 2013 Board: (left-to-right): Ralph Daehn, Irene Jarmulska, Kyle Donnelly, Paul Del Monaco, Margaret Fritzinger, Bill Seger, John [email protected] Burden, Karl Olson, Asayo Horibe, Marc Holdwick, Joan Burden, Peggy and Bill Draver 5 2012 Cruise Captains Notes on Annual Banquet

Cruise Captain Sail Kudos to Judy and Joe Storts for once again organiz-

Kyle Donnelly Icebreaker ing a memorable Banquet event. Everyone in atten-

Racine - Lake Michigan dance greatly enjoyed the festivities and decorations, Marc Holdwick Opener along with fine wine and food served on beautifully pre-

Hal Shanafield Montrose I - Ed Gans pared tables. There were door prizes, announcement of the 2013 board and presentation of the photo con- Irene Jarmulska Northpoint I test awards. Additional awards, were presented by the Margaret Fritzinger Fathers Day Picnic & Sail Fleet Captain. Attendees had the pleasure of lovely easy-listening music and dancing. Check out NWSA’s Brett Gruchow Kenosha I Tuxedo Junction with some of our members ‘dressed Larry Hagemann Monroe to the nines,’ in Barry Bernstein’s photo at the bottom of this page. Lots of laughter and storytelling prevailed Joe Rittner Lake Mendota amid the delightful camaraderie of our club’s sailors. Kyle Donnelly Northpoint II Editor Marilyn Olson Start of the Mac Asayo Horibe Door County Banquet Photos Marc Holdwick Montrose II

Don Buell Waukegan Dick Spears Green Lake

Larry Hagemann Air & Water Show

Marc Holdwick (with Across Lake Michigan Joan Burden) Marc Holdwick Northpoint III Janice Holling Kenosha II

John Burden Racine II Marc Holdwick Frostbite Marc Holdwick Fall Color

Past Commodores: Mike Kenny (2005, 2006), Joan Burden (2011, 2012, and upcoming 2013), Courtney Smith (2007, 2008, 2009), Mary Gynn (2002, 2003), Kate Ficke (1999, 2000)

From Left: Peggy and Bill Draver, Judy and Joe Storts, Bob and Gloria Carter, Barry Bernstein and Lauren Noel, Ralph and Bunny Daehn

6 MARK YOUR CALENDAR

2013 Strictly Sail Chicago Boat Show, Navy Pier Thursday, January 24 - Sunday January 27, 2013

“Nation’s largest indoor all-sail boat show” Details at January 2013 membership meeting

VOLUNTEER for the NWSA Booth and earn free admission to the show. Sign up in January.

Show Hours: Thursday/Friday 11 am - 8 pm, Saturday 10 am - 7 pm, Sunday 10 am - 5 pm

Enjoy the showcase for sailboats, yachts, dinghies of all sizes, look for free merchandise, join seminars and workshops, shop for sailing clothing, find new boat products and hardware that are available for purchase. Look for the Midwest Women’s Sailing booth from Milwaukee. Obtain sailboat leasing and time-share information at the NWSA member booths of Charlie and Marilyn Olson, Olson’s Classic Yachts and Norm Zable’s Chicago Yacht Share booth. Editor

Door County, Our First True Voyage, a True Story or How an Islander 36 was Ambushed by a Great Lake

Part One...

The standard question asked by most people about our sail to Door County last year, 2011, was “How was your sail to Door County?". My standard reply became “16, 13 and 8 gallons of diesel” because I couldn’t collect enough coherent memories and thoughts to say anything meaningful, no matter how hard I tried. I guess the usual reply should be something like. “Oh, it was a wonderful sail and Door County is just so beautiful this time of year.” Sure...

The concept of sailing to Door County from any Lake Michigan marina on the east coast of Illinois and southeast coast of Wisconsin is truly a mythical story. These fairy tales are told by naive or forgetful sailors drinking rum sit- ting around a yacht club fire place in February. As the skipper, for lack of a better term, of a 1974 Islander 36 sailboat. Our mythical voyage to Door County ended after the first few hours of listening to the drone of our 33 HP Vi- tus Diesel running like a top, a drowning top. The true meaning of our diesel running and running for several hours was like the frog in the slow-to-blow pot. It was too late for frog and crew to jump out.

To sail to Door County? Is it not nobler to suffer the long hours of driving a sailboat northwards or sailing with the winds? If it was up to me, I'd rename the western shores of Michigan, “Door County” and drive to Egg Harbor for Pumpkin Fest.

The crew. We started with a crew of three. Richard Darnell, Skipper/Captain. Jane Mikucki, Admiral. And our mu- tual friend Richard Forst, maintenance and repair crew. Richard F was also, the nice-to-a-have-third-person-along on our first real voyage. A just-in-case kind of thing. Jane and I have been sailing for about five years, newbies. Richard Forst has been sailing for thirty or so years starting on a Sunfish. Later, he raced 24' Rainbow sailboats for ten years. Sailing or cruising to Door County is a little different than racing as we all learned.

My sailboat, named Sea Dick & Jane Sail, gives you an idea of our age. A beautiful sailing vessel nearly restored, a 1974 Islander 36. The sailboat had been stored indoors for about 18 years with a lot of refitting done in those early years. The new 1992 33HP Vitus diesel had just over 50 hours on it when we started north. I know this for a fact, because I was the person that first started the engine with Zero hours on it.

Another jewel that was installed on the boat was a Vitus bow thruster (when it works). Maneuvering in an unvisited before marina is made easier with a working bow thruster. Many a sailors’ heads have turned on the piers when I fire up the bow thruster. It is either hit another boat or crash into the pier and that is without any wind blowing. When the wind is stiff and it is 8:00 pm in the evening the bow thruster and angels on the piers are the best salva- tion provided by Poseidon.

Many other projects in and around the boat started during those long years of storage are still under completion or repair, even two years after purchase. I would image no one has the time or patience to read about the keel, head, water system, bilge, electrical, flooring, interior finishing, air conditioning and rigging issues. Do you?

7 The navigation technology. We have an older green Sailing Association club member John Burden from the screen Garmin Chart plotter with GPS and all kinds of \next pier came for a visit and chart-plotting. really got paper charts for Lake Michigan. The tool I treasure the going. John is well versed on the Garmin Chart-plotters most is my iPhone4. I have a Navionics application that and the evening drinks for sailors. John and his wife, is short of amazing. The charts and GPS functions in Joan, NWSA Commodore, have sailed their 30' Cata- the software are near the quality of many real chart lina to Door County several times and they are a treas- plotters. For weather issues I use several real-time ure trove of information on the subject. On into the websites from the national weather service. The NOAA night we sailors transversed the voyage to Door radar web site gives storm cell locations which is vital County. information along with thunder storms. Other websites are NOAA marine forecasts, AccuWeather radar for a Then morning came and the iPhone clearer image, Sailflow.com and Weather Quickie, so far. To be continued in a future issue of Communiqué

The day of departure, almost... The time comes when it is time to leave. Actually a few last minute details have to be tended to first. August 16, 2011, 9:00 am, we Richard Darnell leave the house in Wooddale Il heading to Evanston Il NWSA Member since 2007 to pick up crew member Richard Forst. The iPhone shows rain storms out west heading towards the Lake.

The storms and the sailboat could collide the next morning on the Lake, I will watch the storms track on my iPhone.

After a few stops like West Marine and a RV dealer we arrive at the home port of our sailboat, Southport Ma- rina in Kenosha WI. You may ask why an RV dealer? MEMBER NEWS The skipper decided we needed one 50' clean sanitary water hose to fill our two 26 gallon water tanks (two 25' white sanitary water hoses were purchased.) that Close Call for Russ Nelson would wind up small and tight and stored in the stern cockpit lazarette. Space and clean water are always a Shouts for help answered problem on a sailboat. Jane then leaves Kenosha to drive to Racine WI to pick up a special order mirror for Thursday, October 4, 2012. Kenosha Harbor. Russ the head. Any flag officer will tell you a mirror in the Nelson was planning to meet Bob Carter at Kenosha head is the most important item for any voyage on a harbor to prepare his boat for winter. The plan was to sailboat. Except, of course, for the issue of the head take sails off and get his boat Gawdelpus to the take- smelling. out lift for winter storage. When Bob arrived; however, Russ was not on the boat, so he trotted over to the Richard and I were left to ready the boat for an early Southport offices thinking he might be there. But it was morning departure on August 17. During these pre- not to be the case. Turned out that Russ and Bob had departure duties we probably got a few things done. crossed paths. Then Jane returns with the new mirror and more ship stores from Pic & Save. Meanwhile, arriving at his boat, Russ says that his cell phone unfortunately fell into the water. More unfortu- The Admiral assigns crewmen Richard to install the nately, the phone was in his pocket. For about 20 min- mirror in the head while the skipper continued pre- utes nobody heard Russ shouting and calling for help. departure activities like checking the weather on the His jacket was so soaked that he couldn’t get out of the iPhone. The storms are closing in on tomorrow’s water by himself. course just south of Milwaukee on the way to our first days sail, Port Washington WI. By the time Bob arrived back at Russ’ boat, he was amazed to discover Tony Campo, another NWSA As afternoon turned into evening I decided to increase member, and Jerry Wasserman, a long time friend, my skill set on our Garmin 2006 Chart-platter. Richard getting Russ into dry clothes. Turned out that Tony and and I added more ports of call or wave points to the Jerry who had been working on Tony’s boat Codfather plotter and learned more about the chart plotter in gen- III moored a half dozen or so slips south of Russ’s eral. Since we both had a sailor's evening drink, the boat, had finally heard Russ calling for help and hur- chart-platting became a breeze. Fellow Northwest ried over, getting him out of the water.

8 Russ was definitely in a state of hypothermia. Once the BoatUS Discount for NWSA Members men got him into dry clothes, Tony, Jerry and Bob took him up to the shower where he remained under warm Group Name: NorthWest Sailing Association

water for at least 30 minutes until he could stop shak- ing. Bob estimates it was more like an hour. He helped www.BoatUS.com offers a discount on boat towing and insurance to Cooperating Groups like NWSA. Russ get some gear into the truck and John drove him home, where Russ spent all Friday in bed, sleeping. On application include:

Russ says thanks to Tony Campo, Jerry Wasserman, NWSA Group ID No. GA81894S and Bob Carter and John Karklins for helping him out. “All I Cooperating Name: can say is Good Lord made sure I had friends, when I Northwest Sailing Association needed them.”

Submitted by Russ Nelson and Bob Carter Possible 2013 Vacation? Not an NWSA Sponsored Event

NWSA Member Gina Plescia has been organizing small group custom RECOVERING off-the-beaten path tours in Italy for

the past 11 years. She is now orga- Joe Rittner says that Mal Shub nizing a tour including a sail boat who was hospitalized in early Oc- cruise to “explore the wonders of tober, is in good spirits and recov- Basilicata and Puglia in southern ering at the VA Hospital Great Italy, a region rich in beauty” Lakes. Mal was past NWSA Com- planned for August 30 through September 6, 2013, modore in 2001. designed for sailors or non-sailors. Basic information

below. Contact Gina for pricing and details at Mal looks forward to sailing during [email protected]. Meet with her at your convenience the NWSA 2013 season. in January/February 2013 for planning purposes.

Photo courtesy of Wayne Eisel “Visit Italy’s beautiful Lucano Mountain region of Basilicata and the incredibile archeological sites of ancient Rome in Venosa. Land A SMILE MAKES THE DAY of beautiful and dominating Castles of Emperor Frederick II, “By the smile on Helen Richart’s face,” of amazing stories, legends, during the August Green Lake sail, people, food and wine. Then Puglia to relax on Salento Joe Rittner says that “you would never beaches, and take a day sailboat cruise along the guess Helen had an appointment for coast of this beautiful region. Learn about the Trulli dialysis the prior day.” village of Alberobello and the old cave houses of Matera, site of the filming of Mel Gibson’s “The Sail on, Helen! Passion”. This and more of a part of Italy unknown to most but amazingly beautiful.” Photo courtesy of Joe Rittner

Dorothy Cutrone

We received sad news that longtime NWSA member Dorothy Cutrone, who joined NWSA in 1997, passed away on October 22, 2012 from congestive heart failure. Visitation was October 24 at Conboy-Westchester Funeral Home, Westchester, IL

Submitted by John Burden

Photo courtesy of Ron Haluczak / Gina Morri 9

CRUISE CAPTAIN REPORTS harbor on the way. Thankfully they made it back safely.

Door County Weekend Sail Meanwhile at Door County, Sandy Krugman was still not hungry after the feast at the English Inn so she did July 26-29, 2012 not join us at the White Gull for breakfast. Wayne left early to start back to Crystal Lake. The Door County Sail continues to be one of the most relaxing four days of the summer. Everyone arrived at It was a congenial group as usual for the Door County different times on Thursday, July 26 to check in. Weekend Sail. We are saddened that others who signed up had to cancel but here is hoping you will join Sandy Krugman facilitated a timely dinner by ordering us next year for the wonderful Door County Weekend some pizza and salad when she arrived early. By Sail.

Till next year. Photo: John Burden Fair Winds, Asayo Horibe, Cruise Captain

DOOR COUNTY IMPRESSIONS

This is what happens in Door County, says John Bur- den, when you walk down the hill to the marina in Egg Harbor. You have to stop to admire the sight of a beautiful July sunset and you’re so captivated by it you almost forget to take the picture.

7pm we were able to sit down and have a wonderful back porch meal. We were all very hungry after the five plus hour drive up to the Alpine Lodge. Wayne, Asayo, Conrad and new member, Steve Lazar, sup- plied the wine and other beverages. John and Joan Burden arrived along with John and Joyce Barden about an hour later. They barely had time to say hello before they dived into the pizza and salads.

Thank you so much to the two Johns for sailing An- Photo: John Burden diamo, John Burden’s Catalina 30, up from Racine. The rain deterred us from sailing on Friday, but Satur- day got Steve, Conrad, Asayo and John Burden out to sail for a few hours before dinner. Photos left and below: We tried a new place called the English Inn for dinner Sandy Krugman before we headed to Birch Creek for the Big Band Concert. Unfortunately John Bardin was a bit under the weather and stayed to recover.

We went to the Log Den for dinner on Friday after a full day of shopping and taking in the ambiance of Door County as well as the local wineries. We concluded Frivolous topiary our Door County Weekend Sail at the White Gull Inn at Door County for breakfast before preparing for the trip home. Humorous sculp- John Burden and John Bardin sailed in “challenging ture at local Door waters” returning to Racine and had to find safe County art gallery

10 Racine II Sail, September 22, 2012 Submitted by Peggy Draver Additional photos at: http://draverphotos.shutterfly.com/3

From the top: Michelle Watters and Bill Seger prepar- From the top: Skipper John Burden and Bill Draver ing to sail; Skipper John Burden checking for wind prepare Andiamo’s mainsail; iconic lighthouse near direction; enjoying the sail are Bill Seger, Skipper John Racine; Peggy Draver looks out for obstacles while Bill Burden, Michelle Waters and Charles Buckley. Draver helms the boat. 11 Fall Color Sail Report

Lake Geneva WI, October 20, 2012

Marc Holdwick, Cruise Captain

In past years I've sailed Icarus late into the fall and have found October to be my favorite time on Lake Geneva. Leaves turning color, great winds, crisp air and having the lake to yourself are a great combination. This year I decided to make it into a club sail.

The Fall Color sail was held three weeks after the Frostbite sail. The temperature was about 50 and it was mostly sunny. Winds were good but variable. We were sailing along and then all of a sudden we would be really sailing along! Wind shifts were common too, especially around the entrance to Willams Bay.

The colors were breathtaking. It is hard to predict the best weekend ahead of time because the weather all of this year was especially weird. The early spring, hot summer and bad drought really had the trees guessing!

We had 11 people join us. The rest of the club really missed out! Four captains trailered their boats up for the sail.

Photo: Janice Holling Boats and crews were:

Holling Janice Photo: Photo: Janice Holling Janice Photo: Knots of Fun Ivory MacGregor 25 Hobie 16 Eric Mueller - captain Paul Del Monaco - captain Magda Markowska : : Marc Holdwick Marge Waldron :

Photo: Marge Marge Photo: Waldron Holling Janice Photo: Driftwood Bargello Nimble 24 (Ketch) MacGregor 25 Jim Mueller - captain Joe Rittner - captain

Lou Muno Alisa Corsi :

Janice Holling Barbara McAlister

Marc and Barb traded places on the way back. Barb obviously missed the "need for speed" on a Hobie Cat! On the way back I was able to catch a quick nap on Joe's more "relaxed" boat, although relaxed was relative. The trip back was windier and Bargello was heeling nicely. After sailing towards the narrows and catching up with the ketch (sorry, really bad pun) we turned back towards Fontana.

The west wind had Driftwood and Bargello tacking all the way back to Fontana. It even turned into a bit of a race! The two boats seemed to do better on the opposite tacks. Jim Mueller's ketch seemed to better on the starboard tack while Joe Rittner's sloop did better on a port tack. So one of us would always be pulling ahead. You can buy Jim or Joe a beer to find out who won!

Afterwards all had a great dinner at Gordy's. During dinner and beers, we planned to do a Fall Color sail next year!

Marc Holdwick 12

Photos: Photos: View of fall foliage, Driftwood launched; Dockside view: Janice Holling Joe Rittner rigs Bargello; Knots of Fun launch; Lake view: Janice Holling Knots of Fun under sail: Marge Waldron Group lunch: Marc Holdwick 13

NWSA ’s General Meetings . . . NorthWest Sailing Association

P. O. Box 921 Third Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the Arlington Arlington Heights, IL 60006 Heights Historical Society meeting room located at 110 W Fremont Street in Arlington Heights.

First Class

TO: