Volume 84, Number 09 September 2012 A Personal Note to the Members of SCYC Words are inadequate to express the gratitude webmaster” on my site at CaringBridge.org to help I feel for the tremendous amount of support I have get accurate information to you, Tim Gilmore, who received from all of you at SCYC. I have found out organized the life-saving blood drive for the Stanford that SCYC is truly a family that pulls together in tough Blood Bank that was held at SCYC, all the members times and I never expected the outpouring of kindness who urged me to go to the doctor when I showed up and generosity I have received from all of you. Janell at the club after sailing on 8/1 (which probably saved and I have simply been overwhelmed by your prayers, my life), Greg Haws for his encouragement and get- offers of help, encouragement and love. I especially ting the word out, everyone who drove all the way to want to thank Rob Schuyler, who has stepped in as Palo Alto to visit me in the hospital, everyone who Acting Commodore while I have been ill and has done wrote encouraging words on the CaringBridge site a superb job, De Schuyler, who has acted as a “co- and everyone who sent me cards and emails while I September 2012 Santa Cruz YaCht Club Spinnaker Vice Commodore Report Welcome home Dave! Our commodore, Dave Emberson, was diagnosed with leukemia this month and then made miraculous improvement during his treatment at Stanford Hospital. Incredibly, he was able to visit the club during a blood drive held in his honor. It was heart- warming to watch Dave and Janell walk through the room thanking members for their support while they were in the process of donating blood. I would like to give a heartfelt thank you to all the members who came to donate blood in support of Dave and others in their fight with leukemia. I would also like was at Stanford Hospital. I literally wept every time I to thank Tim Gilmore, a Corinthian member, for bringing opened one of the dozens of cards I received. Dorothy his staff from Stanford Medical Center to our club in order Lea thanked me for the dance at the Luau and Doro- to conduct this blood drive. I hope it becomes an annual thy we shall dance again. I was especially touched by event. one card signed by the members of SCYC’s Disabled Sailing Program. I have been an unwavering supporter of that program from the its beginning and the card quoted Winston Churchill: Never Never Never Give Up. They don’t and I promise you I won’t. I am delighted to say that I did set some sort of record for achieving remission of my leukemia. Those interested in the details can get them at www.caring- bridge.org/visit/davidemberson. The treatment is pro- ceeding very well. I am home now and intermittently functional. I am told the entire treatment process will take somewhere between 2-1/2 and 3 years. It will be a long fight and I will win it. There is something I learned from Philippe Kahn that has been inspir- ing to me. I recall him saying that the three important ingredients to success are individual excellence, team- work and a positive mental attitude. I am blessed to (The Yacht Club was tranformed into a Mini-MASH have the leading medical researchers for my condition unit to donate blood on Dave’s behalf. In this picture in the world, a great team of medical professionals, is Laurie Cole Radovan, Tim Gilmore, Barry Whittall, friends and family that works seamlessly together and Rob Schuyler and the Stanford technicians) a positive mental attitude that has been nurtured and sustained by the love I have received from all of you. Janell and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We will beat this. Dave Emberson Commodore 2 September 2012 Santa Cruz YaCht Club Spinnaker There is an absolutely inspiring journal of Rear Commodore’s Report Dave’s battle while at Stanford hospital. The website is Caring Bridge and you can email De Schuyler (de- We hope that this issue finds you all well and [email protected]) to be added to the group. It is a enjoying the excitement of a multitude of activities great way to stay in touch with Dave and Janell during related to yachting and our club. As the summer comes this difficult time. to a close, the kids (grandkids) are getting ready for This month our boat hoist broke down several school, the America’s Cup World Series is happening times due to malfunctions and operator error. Please in our backyard, and the club activities continue at full be very observant and aware while operating the hoist. speed. Tom Garside has had the difficult job of Port Captain The 18th Annual Golf Tournament was held this year. He worked on repairing the hoist all day and on Thursday, August 9th at the Boulder Creek Golf night right before the Santana 22 Nationals were to be Course and it was my first golfing competition! As a held. If it were not for his efforts, the Nationals may new golfer, I was quickly educated on “scramble play” not have happened. He is also driving a support boat which actually has nothing to do with eggs! We began for some of our races. the tournament @ 10:00am with 20 golfers and ended Our House Committee Chairman, Charlie with the same number! No one was lost in the vari- Rice is continuing to keep the club looking good. He ous narrow corridors of giant redwoods. Participants meticulously and securely rehung all our pictures and all received a complementary sleeve of new golf balls trophies on the walls. that I quickly donated to the “Redwood Foundation” I would like to express my appreciation to located on various fairways. Steve Niemann captured Freda Crum, Bridget Binko, Royce Fletcher and the “Closest to the Hole” category while Luanne Hoff- Bret Gripenstraw, for volunteering to serve on the mann earned the lady’s “Longest Drive” award. The Nomination Committee. We should have a slate of men’s “Longest Drive” went to Steve Henneuse, who officers posted soon. Bret will also be contributing was also part of the tournament’s winning foursome of to numerous other activities and events in the next golfers that included; Greg Haws, Bob Haase, and Vic couple of weeks. I really don’t know how he has the Martin. I would like to thank my patient team of Rob time and energy to do all he does for our club. Thanks Schuyler, Garry Ashby and Jack Gordon who pro- again Bret, for all you do. vided me with coaching and suggestions throughout our journey in 100 degree temperatures. We concluded the Rob Schuyler day with awards, drinks, and filled our stomachs with Vice Commodore tasty tacos as we hydrated ourselves. Note: Can anyone explain where I can find a “Blind Bogey with a Handi- capped System?” 3 September 2012 Santa Cruz YaCht Club Spinnaker This past Saturday we conducted our first rac- ing in the Fall One Design series followed by our free Wine Tasting and Potluck. A big thank you and vote of appreciation for an evening well done! We had plenty of food, wine, and I cannot believe that Charlie Rice, our wine master, had so much detailed information on hand about every wine and wine maker! How does he retain all of those specifics? I can hardly even remem- ber where I had parked my car? A reoccurring thank you goes to De Schuyler for doing all the backstage calling and organizing. Jennifer, what would we do without you? You were most helpful, especially since I still do not know where everything belongs in our Galley! Diane Abraham did not stop working once! Every time I took a short break, she kept going, going, going! Carolyn Susman, you were the best greeter, providing smiles to everyone, and kept checking to make sure all the dishes were full for all to enjoy. Susan Altman; thanks for all of your all the prepara- tion work and providing a steady cooking pace for all of that Lasagna. I enjoyed getting to know everyone better, tasting a variety of wines from our local wine makers, and it is always a pleasure to be a part of a great team. I will be waiting to taste the leftovers, if there are any, from the Truffle Making Workshop that was held on Thursday, August 23rd. Fred Molnar’s culinary talents expand to cover such delights as making bitter- sweet chocolate and teaching participants how to make their own, hand rolled truffles. Thank you Lalaine Dowdell for assisting with the planning and organiza- tion of this instructional workshop for the membership. KISS’s Mediterranean Buffet provided over 40 club members and guests with a well-planned menu to complement the cultures’ traditional foods. The re- ports from attendees indicated that we should keep this theme in our dining reparatory for next year. You can continue to provide Scott and Sandy with compliments 4 September 2012 Santa Cruz YaCht Club Spinnaker and feedback regarding the food, service, and themes at our scyc.org website under “Dining”. I know your Upcoming SCYC thoughts and comments are appreciated. Mark your calendar for the popular Asian Buf- Events Calendar fet scheduled for Sunday, September 16th after the Jack and Jill Regatta. The après sailing tradition states that “Jack” graciously invites “Jill” to join him for a drink Windjammer in our newly remodeled clubhouse after an exhilarating August 31 - September 1 day of racing.