Waterline July 2020 North East River Yacht Club www.neryc.com Follow us on

1

Commodore’s Letter Dear NERYC Members,

As I write this, we are steadily approaching a feeling at the club of beginning to get back to normal, or at least a new normal for the time being. While I am filled with optimism for where we are today, there are always a few concerns that temper that feeling. In any organization, It is normal to have these ups and downs especially given the circumstances with Covid 19. I would like to thank the board and the team of volunteers who are always so willing to give of their time and have proven time and again to be resourceful problem solvers.

There are so many ways that we may all be proud of our club:

NERYC held the first CBYRA sanctioned race on the bay in 2020, with our invitational on June 6th. We were delighted to see 32 boats attend what turned out to be a great day of racing. After a delayed start, due to lack of wind, we waited and then were rewarded with great conditions. Thanks go to Wes Diesel for organizing the race, to Mike Wagner and Julie Cottage for officiating, and to Jack Kemery for providing the race committee boat.

NERYC has a full marina and a waiting list for boats. We also had 6 new members approved at the June board meeting. This is just brilliant! Thank you to Rick Hanson and Judy Murray for their tireless work here.

NERYC is holding a limited junior sail program this Summer. We are one of only a few clubs on the to do this. Many thanks to Sharlene Wilkins, Julie Cottage and Mike Wagner, for their passion, incredible hard work and creativity to get this to happen.

NERYC held our first soft opening of the restaurant and bar on June 19th. Despite the initial downpours, it was a tremendous success. It was great to see so many members attend and thanks go to Brandon Bush and Alex Razzook, for their great foresight and imagination in safely organizing this event. Thanks also to the volunteers who helped to facilitate this. Rick, Sue, and Kyle Hanson, and Dave Brzezowski. We will be needing more member volunteers to help with future events.

The blue cottage has been transformed. You may have seen a lot of industry going on at the blue cottage in recent weeks. With the help of many volunteers, and the leadership of Elaine Walsh, many improvements have been made. The blue cottage is now ready for a new tenant. Thank you to everyone who has helped out with this project.

You can see that NERYC is an amazing place to be. It takes the effort and enthusiasm of many volunteers but look at what we have been able to achieve, particularly in the era of Covid 19.

We are doing well and are in a good position, better than expected in these difficult times, but we still have some difficult challenges ahead. There are continuous efforts needed to maintain and improve the facilities at our club. Recently we have been plagued with a host of, more than usual, equipment failure in the kitchen and club house. Our restaurant and junior sail revenues are obviously down significantly on where they typically would be due to Covid 19 and we are still carrying legacy debt from prior years. We will continue to address all of these issues going forward and keep you all updated on our plans and strategy.

How can you help? In small ways: If you see something that needs to be done, weeds that need to be pulled, cobwebs brushed away, pots watered, please feel free to step in. Many hands make light work. In large ways: We always need volunteers for all of our initiatives and work days. We would also appreciate your continued support of our restaurant as a patron and volunteer waitstaff in the weeks ahead. I look forward to seeing you at the annual July 4th celebration picnic, organized by Dave Brzezowski, on July 3rd.

I end this letter on a very sad note. Many of us are heartbroken about the passing of our beloved member John Sergeant. He was considered a Patriarch of our club for so long. He will be sorely missed but never forgotten. Our sympathies go to Jan Sergeant and her family at this time.

Sincerely,

Matt Sheldrick Commodore NERYC, 610 757 5023 2

Our friend and chaplain John Sergeant, lost to us way too soon.

Photo taken June 19 2020

3

IPC Letter

Like many of you, this club is special to me, and my family. We are a club that offers many unique qualities to our membership. NERYC’s most important quality is that we are friends and boaters who enjoy life along the North East River and the Chesapeake Bay. Some members are here for the waterfront, offering floating docks and easy access to the bay. Other members are here for the Restaurant and Burgee, offering a place to break bread, have a drink (or two) and provide for social interaction. Other members are here for our outstanding junior sail camp program and trophy winning Bay Racer team, teaching our kids the sport of and a love and respect for the water. And other members are simply here for the beautiful sunsets.

Regardless of your reasons for being a member at NERYC, it is our collective responsibility to assure that our club is operating in a responsible manner. And this responsibility falls on the shoulders of the entire membership. This is your club.

As members, we are volunteers, we do our best to keep the doors open and lights on, to keep the grounds in tip top shape, to keep docks afloat, pay our bills, maintain our insurance and provide a healthy calendar of events and activities.

Call to action for volunteers to join our Board of Governors and Committees. It’s nomination time!!!!! We need you to continue the tradition of volunteer supported leadership.

2020 Board of Governors and Committee Chairpersons: Commodore – Matt Sheldrick Vice Commodore – Dave Brzezowski Rear Commodore – Claire Brechter Fleet Captain – Glenn Davis Administrator – Barb Luloff Secretary – Cecil Keenan Treasurer – Christopher Reno Finance – Judy Herman Restaurant Chair – Alex Razzook Membership Chair – Judy Murray Building and Grounds – Elaine Walsh Sail Program Chair – Julie Cottage Dock Master – Rick Hanson Immediate Past Commodore (IPC) – Brian Fuchs

The Board of Governors and Chairpersons are the champions of those committees listed below, there are needs for additional members to assist in the day to day operations of the club. For that matter we have a list of Committees that we need your assistance. Maybe there is a subject in which you have experience or can lend some support…….some of these are filled, some are not. Regardless we always need support and need to reposition or fill roles with new energy and expertise. Nominating Committee Publicity Committee Administration Committee Restaurant Committee

4

Finance Committee Marketing Committee House Committee Legal Committee Entertainment Committee Sail Program Committee Roster Committee Piers and Moorings Committee Assistant Fleet Captain Long Range Planning Committee By-Laws Committee Procedures Committee Waterline Editor Ship’s Store Supply Officer CBYCA Delegate Club Chaplain Email Net Coordinator Internet Web Master Club Safety Officer Club Parliamentarian

Year over year, we have to fill the Bridge Officer role of Fleet Captain, which then works their way up the ranks to Commodore. While this might seem like a daunting role and time commitment. The Bridge Officer commitment is a tremendous experience. I personally have gained an appreciation for the work hard of my fellow members, the support and dedication of past officers and committee members and benefited from the friendships of all members.

Please call or email me to discuss the many roles we have to offer at our club.

The Nomination Committee will be holding court shortly to discuss your role in our club.

Thank You, Brian Fuchs, Immediate Past Commodore, NERYC [email protected], 610-733-4078

What gets our members super excited???

A snake! Cliff Shaw’s email and photo generated more reply emails than any other topic in recent memory. Consensus: Water snake (but some members were concerned it was a copperhead)

This was the best response: Hi. Had to comment. It is most likely a common black snake. We had them actually climb onto our boat and cozy up in the engine well and come out one night into the cockpit while we were on the hook. Let’s just say, it was a very scary experience. Jim threw it overboard and the darn thing swam back. They can swim very well. They’re harmless, but they’re big and they like to go up under docks and sun themselves. Ours had apparently decided that our big wide deck was a lovely place to sun himself and sleep in our wheel well. Our experience is FUNNY now, it was not funny then. Cheryl , Tigger

5

JULY NEW MEMBERS/BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARIES Birthdays

1 Ken Grove 9 Jessica Peters Anniversaries

9 Amanda Workman 11 Deborah Ridenour 1 John & Julie Cottage 15 Dale Nowland 5 Patrick Jones & Deborah Ridenour 16 Jan Sergeant Welcome New 17 Joe Benckert Members: 11 John & Sue Carey 17 Stephen Plovanich 15 Bob & Doris Brady 20 Barb Wheaton Drew & Deb McDowell 17 Woody & Cheryl Jackson 22 Lynda DiPasquale Bob & Christina Sonchen 24 John & John Suchyj 22 Joseph Romasco 27 Matt & Wendy 23 Diana Lim Mandi & Chuck Workman Sheldrick 23 Alexander Milne 29 Phil & Joan Gravatt 23 Mike Wagner 30 Glenn Usher & JoAnn 27 Patty Reno Yaworski-Usher

29 Tom Kelly 29 Babs Manges 29 John Suchyj 30 Suzanne Weaver 31 Carrick 31 Chris Lukeman

6

Notes from the Sail Chair, Julie Cottage The Little Ships The little ships are dearer than the great ships For they sail in strange waters, They lean nearer the green waters. One may count by wavelets how the year slips From their decks; and hear the Sea-King’s daughters Laughing at their play whene’er the boat dips. ~ Lesbia Harford, Australian poet

This month we have to celebrate our sailors – new, experienced, and hopeful! While all across the nation, we were all, no doubt, curtailed in so many ways with addressing COVID. However, the NERYC community has really shown resilient and creative colors, in so many ways. The entire Chesapeake was closed to racing under Gov. Hogan’s decree. Many clubs from Virginia to Delaware, big and small, canceled most of their events for the year. It was sad to watch. Our annual NERYC Invitational was one of the early ones on the CBYRA schedule, on June 6th. We decided to keep our options open and plan how we might be able to pull it off, if allowed. One week before we had to call the cancellation, DNR posted the release of boat racing and we were able to move forward! For this year’s Invitational, we had a really good turn-out, with boats coming from as far south as Annapolis, and close neighbors from Hances Point and Havre de Grace. Not only was everyone celebrating the opening of the season and the loosening regulations, many wanted to see how a race could work out in these times. All in all, there were 32 registrants, in 7 different classes, the biggest being the Cruising class – won by our own Andrew Adair/Aurora, and the elite PHRF A class handily taken by Rick Hanson/No Surrender. YAY NERYC !!!! It turned out to be a great day. Wes Dinsel, as the event chair had been planning all aspects from bands, prizes, parties, and sponsors for almost a year. He had to turn on a dime to stream-line it to work in the new COVID era. Mike Wagner was the Race Officer and he had plans for every situation, which was a good thing as the wind decided a few minutes before we wanted to start to die, then come back in a direction it hadn’t come from all week. After an hour start postponement, all that planning worked out a new course that allowed all the boats to have a good run. Speaking of boats and good runs, we are always grateful to Jack Kemery for his joyful sharing of Heritage as the Committee Boat. He is a ‘jack of all trades’ as captain, finish line marksman, and assistant to the PRO, and all-around good company. So, while we were not able to hold the traditional Invitational Pig Roast party, it was still a really great time and a celebration of Chesapeake !

7

1st place: Alamand, Dane Anderson 2nd place: Pandora’s Box, Patty Reno

Our next big race is the 2nd Moonlight Run on August 8th-9th, created by Rick Hanson. This overnight race is also a CBRYA sanctioned event and we will be watching the evolution of regulations to plan the event. Overnight sailing is a magical experience and I urge you to consider participating, either on your own boat or as crew.

On the home harbor, our Summer Friday Evening Series and our Wednesday Night Beer Can Series are seeing some action, when weather allows. Try to find a way to be at the Club on Wednesday or Friday nights around 6. It is getting to be regular good time, with participation picking up - well worth making sure you leave work a tad early 

The other sailors who are back on the water this season are our young sailors. While we have not been able to deliver our usual Learn to Sail Camp this summer, we were able to re-tool and offer a sail skills clinic program for small groups of young sailors, compliant with state and local COVID regulations.

The Bay Racers will also continue their training in the anticipation of some regattas opening up (even if they are on a limited level) later in the season.

8

Bay Racers Isabella Webb & Skylor Sweet on their first day back. Looking good!

One neat “circle of life” is that our coaches this year are all former NERYC campers, turned Bay Racers & NERHS racers, turned collegiate sailors – Ellie Sekowski, Chris Trentham, and Iain Shand are still on Team NERYC! You can see all those masked children in action Monday-Thursday afternoons, through early August.

Ellie, Chris, and Iain

And I am really happy to announce that the Blue Chip team got right to work as soon as restrictions allowed and have gotten her in shape for us all to enjoy! Yes, if you would like to take a sail, and don’t have a boat of your own, Blue Chip is available.

9

Details are posted on our website on the Small Boat page Daysailor Policies. To take Blue Chip out, please sign the required waiver and forward to me. Once the paperwork is filed, you can get on the schedule. For sailors born on or after 1972, a MD Boat Safety certificate should also be on file. This 8-hour on-line course can be taken for free on BoatUS MD course. By July 1 there will be a basic online reservation app called “Appointy” available to reserve time for your sail. I like the app because it is simple and works on Google, Facebook, and even from your phone. There will be a “manual” the NERYC website, with a few “To Dos”, and how to tie her up when you are done.

If you are new to sailing and would like to have a lesson or two, we have a lot of willing members to help, and we can arrange lessons with our coaches too. Waivers still need to be on file for all members prior to using Blue Chip.

Not Blue Chip – please take her out and send pics of your fun times!

As with all new programs, there are sure to be a few kinks, but we are ready to share the fun and grow as we learn. Please feel free to contact me with concerns or ideas. We have so much to enjoy! See you on the water! Julie [email protected]

Note from Mike Wagner June 24 As you all know, we decided that our traditional summer camp format would not be possible this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the State restrictions currently in place. However, we were able to retool our program into small group afternoon clinics that keep everyone safe and allows junior sailors to get out on the water and enjoy sailing. We’re into our second week now, and if you are around the club on weekdays, you’ll likely see enthusiastic, albeit smaller groups of masked Junior sailors buzzing around the docks and our local waters. Of course none of this would be possible without our wonderful coaches, who have taken all the new challenges in stride. We are so fortunate to have them with us. All were NERYC Junior Sailors themselves for many years and have continued to sail in college, so we know our current participants are in very good hands.

10

It is not too early to start working on your boat! The race is scheduled for Saturday TBD – 5pm start. Are you ready to sail, sink and swim!

11

Cardboard Boat Race

Basket of Cheer Raffle $250 plus value-Everything you need for the Summer  2 Thirty One Tote Bags  1 Thirty One Anchor Back Pack  Beringer Chardonnay 2016  Trapoche Pinot Noir 2015  Andre Extra Dry Champagne  Zenato Pinot Grigio 2017  Cave & Cove Cabernet Sauvignon  Woodbridge Malbec 2016  FlipFlop Merlot  Pinnacle Vodka / Cranberry Juice  Bacardi Rum / Orange-Pineapple Juice  Seagrams Gin / Tonic Water  Canadian Club / Ginger Ale  Cinnamon Whiskey  Guinness Blonde 12 Pack Beer  Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy 12 Pack  Miscellaneous accessories  Sunset boat ride on Willow Rose

Tickets: 1 for $5, 3 for $10 and 7 for $20 Proceeds will be used towards kitchen equipment repairs for all the equipment that have failed while we’ve been shut down. Drawing will be held at 7pm Saturday July 18th after the Cardboard Boat Race. With thanks from V/C Dave Brzezowski

12

13

The ones that didn’t get away

Member Joe Gwiazdowski with his rockfish caught in the

Cliff and Pat Shaw’s grandsons Grady & Brogan Gorski caught this 24 inch catfish on the Northeast River near D dock

Membership Chair Contact: Membership Chair Judy Murray at 215-859-3250/ [email protected]

14

Welcome New Members

Drew, Deb and Grady McDowell have their new 27’ Tartan on A dock.

Troy & Jamie Voght with their new pontoon boat. Looks ready for a party!

15

Workman Family Mandi is a professor in the business school at the University of Delaware, and husband Chuck works in fiberglass manufacturing for Composites USA in North East. Their three kids, Charlie (9), Kamryn (8), and Jimmy (6) all go to Elk Neck Elementary. They joined NERYC so they could have our boat in the water and get out more often, and to join a boating community where they could make friends.

Bob and Christina Sonchen are looking forward to this season at NERYC! They are from Hockessin DE but had their boat in Kent Island for the last several years.

(If you are new over the past few months and would like to share your photo in the Waterline, please send it to [email protected])

16

From the Ship’s Store: See Patty Reno’s June 19 email for details.

17

Member Profile: The Gamble Family

Our Story Begins with a Every Friday evening during sailing season, 1986- 1989, Cindy, and Bob Gamble headed south in a car- packed with sailing gear, sleeping bags and tent-to Sandy Hook Bay Club for weekends of socializing and sailing. When the wind filled in around 1 pm, launched from the beach for an afternoon of fun. Danger Day – the name says it all - offers competition of hull driving and hull flying contests each year. Bob, shown in the photo to the right, flies a hull on a Hobie 17, our first boat.

Married & Moving to Delaware Our second boat, a Hobie 18, came on vacation with us and can be seen to the left launching from Holgate, Long Beach Island, giving rides to friends and family members in Barnegat Bay. Moving to Delaware in 1991, we joined the New Castle Sailing Club to sail and race Thistles and Flying Scots on the Delaware River. Bob later purchased a J24 to race in Havre de Grace-his brief experience with monohull .

A Need for Speed By 1996, ready to take our only child, Evan, out on the water for weekend trips, we traded up for a F28R , as seen to the right. Over the next six years, we explored the Chesapeake Bay- flying along at high speeds- trying various marinas each season and participating in bay races, including the overnight Governor’s Cup of Maryland. We joined the North East River Yacht Club for the first time.

18

Kids Ahoy!

Upon returning home in 1998 after a year in Germany courtesy of Hewlett Packard, we discovered the Corsair was a bit too small. But it was not until 2003, when Meghan turned 2, that we transitioned to a boat where we could accommodate both our teenager and toddlers.

Summers on the water have fostered a love of the outdoors in all our children. In the photo to the right, Cindy lifeguards as Matt and Meg play in the .

Catamaran Cruising on the Chesapeake

Silver , our Catana 381, provides a lot of space and stability for our family while sailing at a good speed. Georgetown, on the , served as home port for several years. The annual 4th of July boat parade-always a scorcher- brought out the patriotic spirit in our family. Matthew, at right, holds his certificate for best decorated boat.

Baltimore also offered a variety of activities for our family. On a beautiful day, we could sail around the harbor or head out to the bay and drop anchor in Bodkin Creek. On brutally hot days, we found relief in the pool at the Marina at Lighthouse Point.

North East River Yacht Club As the kids got older and Evan left for college, long uninterrupted weekends on the boat became harder to schedule. We looked for a port closer to home. What better place to return to than North East River Yacht Club? Matt and Meg attended NERYC summer camp while Cindy and Bob participated in club races. Meghan poses with her Opti at left.

19

Fun on the Water Cindy and Bob began to crew regularly for Sue and Rick Hanson on their J109 Rosalita. Here, Cindy and Sue Hanson relax on the rail of Rosalita during a spring NOOD race off Annapolis.

Block Island Race Week 2015 To the left, the men- Rick & Kyle Hanson, Bob, John Dearneley, and Alex Razzook prepare to cook lobsters and steak after a day of racing during Block Island Race Week 2015. Don’t be fooled- Sue is commanding the cooking process from the kitchen window.

NERYC Commodore 2015-2016 Bob was nominated to the Board of Governors in November of 2012 and climbed through the ranks to become Commodore of North East River Yacht Club in Nov 2015 making many friends along the way. To the right are Bridge Officers and spouses at the 2015 Commodore’s Ball: Paul and Laura Miller, Bob and Cindy Gamble, Suzanne and George Braun, Vivian and Bob Malloy, Brian Fuchs.

The Joy of Friendship The teamwork to produce murder mystery plays has been a great part of our social life. Bob, in the photo, sports his Donald Trump wig surrounded by Peg Brzezowski, Jan Sergeant, and Wendy Sheldrick during dress rehearsal for Murder on Miller’s Island in 2017. We hope you will attend Murder and Mayhem at the Maypole to be performed in February of 2021.

20

Full Circle

The summer of 2019 brought independence as our youngest child, Meg, graduated from high school. We sailed away for a week at the end of June to explore the Lower Eastern Shore with Claire and Bob Brechter and Wendy and Matt Sheldrick. Here we are on our way home through the after two strong thunderstorms within a few hours. Everyone was happy to be tied up in our slip at Swan Creek Marina in Rock Hall that night.

2019 Oven Roaster Tour The Gamble Men seen here- Andrew, Bob, Matthew, and Evan- toured the Bay in July 2019, with Matthew’s friend, Kenny, and Evan’s girlfriend, Tayler. Ten consecutive brutally hot days were spent in the pool and nights in air conditioning. Not a fish was caught.

21

Photos

JUNE 12 BYO everything!

22

23

June 19 Soft Opening of the Club – Delicious food and wonderful comradery

24

25

While I realize we all received our Commodore’s emails regarding the club closures due to COVID-19 the Waterline is the only archive of the club’s history, so I am including them here for historical purposes. May 29, 2020

Dear NERYC Members.

We are pleased that Governor Hogan has announced that he is allowing restaurants to open for outdoor dining. This is good news and we are working on our plans for starting to use the restaurant at the club in June. We have been discussing different options for our approach and the services we can offer. Please be patient with us as we work to ensure the safety of our members and staff. Alex has already shared a survey with you all to help us understand everyone's views and concerns, so please take the time to respond, as it is a key part of our planning. If you have not seen it yet, it is here: https://forms.gle/cpJc1NyMXZGjkAY2A

I am confident we will be able to use all of our amazing outdoor spaces to our advantage, as we have an outdoor seating location second to none. We all want to make this work in a way that is safe for everyone, viable for the club, and enjoyable. I really appreciate everyone's understanding as we work on our initial offering and continue to adjust. We will continue to communicate with everyone as we move through this process. Please regularly check your club e mails and the NERYC Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/NorthEastRiverYC/.

As always, please let me know personally if you have any questions, concerns or have ideas to share. Cheers.

Matt Sheldrick

26