FROM the MASTHEAD Vice Commodore Bob Chadwick 978-373-6106 “We Must Free Ourselves of the Hope That the Sea Will Ever Rest
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July 2008 Issue 6 Sailorgram Commodore Eric Vasquez 978-521-9017 FROM THE MASTHEAD Vice Commodore Bob Chadwick 978-373-6106 “We must free ourselves of the hope that the Sea will ever rest. Rear Commodore We must learn to sail in high winds.” —Aristotle Onassis David W. Hewey 978-373-6038 July 2008 • Eric Vasquez, Commodore Secretary s a member of the American Yacht Club, I ask that we all reflect not only on our Gary Gastman 978-462-6533 Aheritage gift given to us by our predecessors, but that we should all think about what we are doing for the future.This month we begin the AYC Sailing School, and the response Treasurer Douglas Cornell has been fantastic.You could see the gaze of enthusiasm in the youngsters and the grin of 978-474-4323 anticipation in our adults.This year the American Yacht Club should stand proud as the Collector sponsor of this great endeavor we all sponsor as a club – the gift of sailing. Pamela Mertinooke 978-388-4515 Continued on page 2 Measurer Augustus Harrington 978-463-8882 Membership Committee Mark Hansbury 603 887 6943 Mooring Committee Gene Piermattei 978-374-7940 House Committee David Hewey 978-373-6038 Regatta Committee Bruce Brown 978-521-6802 Entertainment Committee Angela Vasquez 978-521-9017 Activities Committee Rob Brun 978-462-1948 Sailing Camp Sue Manzi 603-474-9644 The captain of Swamp Fox waves while being passed in the Merrimac River Challenge. Half mile from the Steward/Club House finish line in very light air, Peregrine (in background), Swamp Fox, and Topanga II were perfectly aligned. 978-465-9053 (Photo by Kate Derrick, co-captain of Topanga II.) July 2008 Issue 6 FROM THE MASTHEAD continued from page 1 members, our Club has never looked better.The new Buntings installed on our house and to our riverfront decks are planned For some of our students this is the first to remain in place for the whole month of July. This, in celebra- time they will see a sailboat up close, tion for our July 3 Independence Day Party, and for our just nonetheless touch one. You can see the announced July 18 Gala Centennial Day Party.A special thanks hope and amazement in their eyes as goes out to P/C Gary Thompson and Entertainment Committee they listen and stare on, evaluating Chair-person Angela Vasquez for their efforts to prescribe and shape, rig, and fitting. Immediately, the install the decorations necessary to make our Club stand proud questions fly out, sometimes only to during this Centennial Year of the Club House. confirm they are here; they will be sailors. My friends, we should envy What about the great organization of our Yard? Thanks to our Yard them all, with their eyes gazing out Committee Chairperson & AYC Measurer Gus Harrington, as well beyond as their instructor’s voice as Activities Committee Liaison Rob Brun we now have more speaks on, imagining new adventures, creating new possibili- room to park our vehicles! Performing the actual moving of the ties.They will, one day, find themselves dreaming of embarking various boats and trailers was Bill Newmeyer, Bill Gynan, Dan onto new shores, inspired by this introduction to sailing, this Streeter,Antone, George Switzer, Joe Puleo & David Clark.This new life experience. group planned together and came up with fantastic results. Thus is life; Sailing is life. And, of course, speaking of parking, it was a shear pleasure to An old Irish proverb notes: “You are not a fully fledged sailor have Mr. Dave Clark and Mr.Woody Delgado to volunteer as unless you have sailed under full sail.” In life, you have not parking attendants for our July 3rd Independence Day Party.We lived until you try and give, at something, with everything originally had a signup roster of approximately 115 attendees. you’ve got. This very concept is learned through the process of However, Mother Nature decided to drive a white squall sailing. Sailing teaches us to adjust and to embrace change, and through our yard just minutes after Dennis Unger worked to in essence, this is exactly what is taught at our American Yacht light the Grills, and this kept the attendance to 80 participants. Club.As members of the AYC, we all represent that source for The amazing thing was the grills actually stayed lit, thanks to the chance to exercise the checks and balances, the affects of the Unger magic! A special Commodore’s recognition goes out change and adjustment, that opportunity to sail for the very first to Mr. John Desch for bearing the gales, as he actually had to time. It is because of you, every AYC member, that these students return home and change clothes before he could eat! He stood will have that opportunity to “set full sail”Our students will be at the grills as Washington once did crossing the Delaware, and given the opportunity to remember the excitement and the can Mr. Desch cook! Amazingly, by 10:00 PM, all was calm and exhilaration of the effects of nature, and the concepts of clear Thanks also goes to our Commodores (V/C) Bob Chadwick, embracing change and its affects as they navigate through life. (R/C) Dave Hewey, (P/C) Gary Thompson,and (P/C) John Fish I want to thank some very important people, for without them, for lowering our Colors; Steven Ostrander for playing our this would not be possible. Mrs. Sue Manzi, our Sailing School National Anthem, and to (The Canonniers) Tom Lochhaas for Administrator, has worked tirelessly to guide and lead our School firing our House Canon. Of course, even through nature’s tor- in the proper direction. Mrs. Manzi has represented our Sailing rent, our house stood strong, every corner full of laughter, the School for several years, and we’re looking forward to our best music fair, with a wonderful time had by all. year ever. Her planning and direction over the school’s adminis- Fair Winds and Following Seas, tration process is something we should all be proud of. Thank Commodore Eric T.Vasquez you Mrs. Sue Manzi, for the past, for the present, for our future. Much thanks goes P/C Clif Robinson, and Rebecca Blumenthal for their involvement, their support and their volunteerism. I CHECK OUT THE MAP ON PAGE 7 must also recognize Mr. Dan Streeter, because Sue Manzi speaks A Map of the mouth of the Merrimack River 1890 by the so well of him for his willingness and expertise to keep our Army Corps of Engineers. Submitted by Bill Gynan.Try Sailing School fleet in good order.Thank you, Mr. Streeter Our comparing this map to current maps of the river today. Sailing School Instructors are doing a great job too:Win Notice the length of both jetties. See how far inland they Lambert,Will Culver and Andrew Spang. Of course, let us not actually go? There is a dike across the entrance to the forget our Assistant Instructors: Neal Hallock and Justin Basin. This map also proves that what the Islanders call Krusemark.We should all be proud of our Sailing School, not the Humpsands was certainly recognized by that exact only for what it does for people, but for what it does for the name over 100 years ago.This, of course is a reduced American Yacht Club.This calls for celebration! scale version of Bill’s authentic original, which is in Speaking of celebration, hopefully you have all seen the new incredible condition for its age. House dress of our beloved Club. If not, the City of Thank you Bill for sharing! Newburyport has! Thanks to the donations of some great AYC 2 July 2008 Issue 6 Topanga & Swamp Fox > Banzi overtakes Swamp Fox > Overtaking Shebeen > Pursuit Race Results Racing Class 1. Kalani 2.Shebeen, 3.Banzai 4.Prime Time Cruising Class 1.Terrapin 2.Spartina 3.Topanga 3. Swamp Fox 4.Peregrine 5.Drifter Felix (DNF ) Race Photos by Homer Shannon July 3rd Celebration Enjoyed by All! 3 July 2008 Issue 6 Club House 1910 Part 5 By Sue Gallagher This is the fifth installment of a series on the history of the club house and locker house. The buildings at the AYC are celebrating their 100th Anniversary this year. The Club House has seen a few changes over the course of the was located to the left of the sink – you can tell the location last 100 years. I have been told that there used to be a hallway by looking at the finish on the cabinets – and continued in use that ran alongside the ladies room to the galley; there was also until the club purchased the current gas stove during the late an office located next to the galley. There was conversation in 1990’s. the 1940’s concerning winterizing the Club House and, if I The ladies room was located where it is currently but there remember correctly, that conversation came up again in either was only one toilet and a sink – no stalls. The steward’s office the late 1980’s or the 1990’s. The members who wanted to was located where the men’s room is currently located. Once winterize in the 1940’s were told that they could winterize the the decision was made to move the office to the Locker office next to the galley but not the whole Club House.The House, where the present steward’s office is located, it was next time you are at the club take a close look at the wall by decided to put a men’s room in old location and remodel the the lending library where the photos are hanging and you will ladies room.