Happy New Year, 2010 !!
Welcome back NWSA sailors for a great year of sailing, dinners, parties, picnics, and camaraderie. It will be a challenge to match the many events of last year. We had 20 scheduled sailing events thanks to the talents of John and Larry. Sometimes the weather may not have cooperated so we emphasized the social aspect of our sailing club.
Off the water Joan and John organized the summer gathering at Ravinia and also hosted a picnic at their home. Don and Joe invited our sailors to cookouts at their homes after the respective Waukegan and Green Lake sails. Marsha sponsored our invitations to dinner aboard the Abegweit at the Columbia YC after the Start of the MAC and again after our tour of “Real Pirates” at the Field. Who can not appreciate the friendliness of the Corinthian CY before and after the Montrose Harbor sails? Let’s not forget the food, music and fun at the Winthrop Harbor YC after the Northpoint sailing events. Judy and John culminated the season by organizing the memorable annual awards banquet. Well done!
The long weekend at Door County once again organized by Joan and John has included dinners, concerts or plays, fish boils and sailing. This has always been a not to be missed event. For the more experienced who do well on long distance sails and potentially heavy weather, the sails to Egg Harbor, Port Washington, Milwaukee and the many interesting harbors across the lake have been favorite destinations. And it’s been common for some of us to take the four wheels and meet the skippers and crew at these far destinations for the food, music and day sails in those waters. Not to be omitted are the trailer sailors making destinations to the Apostles and to the white crystal sands of the Emerald Coast, just ask Dick or Chuck.
Events coming up are: Strictly Sail and our booth organized by Kate and Dave; and “I Wish I Were Sailing” party hosted by Vicki and Geoff in March. With the warmer weather in April, we have a ready crew and skippers who help one another in time for the launch dates. The common thread in all our activities is the willingness of our members to step forward and make these events so successful.
Ah, yes, some of our sailors are also serious racers. Take Mike and Geoff who have participated and placed in several long distance events; The MAC, The Hook, The Queen’s Cup and numerous solo and two handed events. Gina has a strong record in the Buccaneer fleet along the north shore. Perhaps Don will enter his J22 in local events. Debbie and an all women crew have been active in the beer can races at Northpoint. We know the race is on when Dick sees a set of sails in the distance.
Visitors at Strictly Sail: We hope that many sailors and those with just a passing interest saw our booth, the display of photos and talked sailing with our members. The NWSA promotes sailing at all levels. The home ports of our skippers include the string of harbors from Racine to Burnham and the inland lakes of IL and WI. Come and experience the many benefits of the NWSA and the many sailing opportunities with us, all 200+ of our members.
Thank you, all, for making the NWSA so enjoyable and such a unique club for sailing and socializing. Have a wonderful year among the winds and waves and on the boats you sail.
Joe, Commodore 2010
