Ahoy! -With the rain receding and the temperatures warming, our sails are finally underway. Although a few sails were cancelled in June due to weather, the Shake Down was challenging but accomplished and the Summer Sailstice sails went well-think blue skies and a fair wind-(and, as I write, we’re keeping our deck shoes crossed for much of the same for the first Kenosha sail.) The Father’s Day Family picnic was likewise somewhat challenging but everyone had a great time.

As for the upcoming July and August sails, we are hoping that more club members will volunteer as cruise captains. The following sails are still in need of cruise captains:7/13. Start of Hook race (cancelled); 7/20, Kenosha to Racine sail (Thanks Ty!), 7/19-22, Green Lake sail (cancelled); 8/9-11, West Coast to Port Washington; Green lake, 8/16-19, and West Shore to Milwaukee, 8/30-9/2. These sails will be cancelled unless cruise captains can be recruited. Remember, you don’t have to be a boat owner to be a cruise captain and many members are available to help, if this would be your first time volunteering for this position.

So, we all need each other to enjoy the remainder of the summer sailing season. Here’s to red skies at night.

—Lorraine Klabunde

Editor's note: updated to reflect Hook & Green Lake cancellations.

Only two more months and we’ll be hoisting the NWSA sails. Our first sail is scheduled for May 18 at Lake Geneva, the weather gods willing.

There are still slots open for cruise captains so we need your help. You do not have to be a boat owner to sign up. This is a great way for crew to meet other members, get an insight into the inner workings of the NWSA, and participate in this VOLUNTEER organization. A seasoned member will work hand in hand with a new cruise captain to assure that everything runs smoothly.

Established members of the club are ready to answer any questions you may have. So, I hope everyone gets on board for the 2019 season.

—Lorraine Klabunde

Can you believe it!!!…we posted our last Communique for announcements for NWSA Lake Michigan sails for the year. Weather wise we had a so-so year. Many sails were either cancelled, or reduced to less time out on the water due to rainy, foggy, too light wind, or too heavy wind conditions. Personally, my opportunities to sail were about one third to one half as much as usual, but on the other hand I had some real QUALITY TIME out there with NWSA club members, and that’s what matters the most!!!

Unfortunately, our Labor Day Weekend sail across the lake sail got cancelled due to a threatening weather forecast. Also, our cruise captain for the sail, Ed Morosky, is having some serious back problems. We hope you get better soon Ed!!!

Our last sail out of Chicago harbors is Saturday Sep­tember 8th out of Monroe for an evening sail. It should be splendid as September sails on Lake Michigan usually are. The water is warmer than any other time of year, and the city lights look spectacular!!!

Our last sail out of northern harbors is the Kenosha III sail on September 15th. George and Sally Andersson are the cruise captains and there is probably room for more if you haven’t signed up yet.

There are 3 more trailer sails for the year. The sail for the weekend of September 8 and 9 was originally planned to be up at Lake Mendota, but all boating on that lake is banned due to high water. The sail is now planned to be a one day sail at Lake Geneva for September 8th. There are also 2 more sails planned in October at Lake Geneva for the trailer sailors.

See you at the next club meeting September 17th, and…may you have fair winds and calm seas!!!!

—Mike Saavedra