
From the Helm
And then Christmas made it to Ware Neck in a most graceful fashion. Decoration of the Club was accomplished in a most wonderful way. Ceci had arranged for this party and arranged the decoration which was most exquisite. A moderate number of attendees were there - limited I think by competing events. Food was brought by the attendees and provided a festive and ample meal.Everyone there seemed to have a great time. Thank you to all who planned, worked, and attended. Well done!
Please make plans to attend the annual dinner meeting in January. Information about 2022, 2023, financials, Board composition, annual awards and anything else anyone wants to discuss. Plan to start the meeting promptly with the goal of getting to a fine meal by Dave Brown. See you there.
Who said it quiz of the month. Who said “there’s gravy in the end zone Big Daddy - there’s gravy in the end zone”.
Extra Credit: What team did he play for - what team were they playing?
Bob Davis
Commodore
From the Commodore
Hard to believe that it happened again. Earlier this year I described an event in glowing sports terms - again it happened. The annual Oyster Roast was a smashing success - another “walk off homer in the bottom of the ninth”! Thanks to Will and Tish Grant’s family for all their efforts. Garretts, Hermansons, and Holtquists - as well as others - were guilty of contributing to the success. The oysters were great. Historical thanks to Ben Garrett for passing the chowder recipe on to Jim. Some of the biggest baddest hot dogs served in Ware Neck. If you want them they can be found at Nuttall’s Store. If that sounds like an unsolicited promo for the store - you’re correct - it is. I was amazed to look at my watch after 8 o’clock - a time when usually 75% of attendees are gone - and found the club still to be full of people having a great time. Mostly thanks to all who attended - seems strange to thank people for having a fun time - but there it is.
Next up is a resurrection of an old Club tradition - Christmas party. After we joined - I remember it being held this way many times. With a little effort from many people to bring dishes a fine meal was available. Fun way to celebrate. Christmas garb!
Don’t forget the annual meeting coming along in January. Expect a strong push for volunteers in the social arena. We need to get away from the same people stepping up to work. New blood!!!
Monthly “who said it quiz”: What football coach - faced with a major injury in his starting lineup said: “we’ll just use one of the Italian boys”?
See you at the Club.
Bob Davis
Commodore Ramblings
The end of the year approaches - only a couple of events are left. Unfortunately Oktoberfest did not fly - finally done in by the weather. As always we thank everyone - particularly Shanna and Pat for stepping up to be the organizers. Perhaps next year.
Thanksgiving time is upon us. Despite the many woes in the world - the Club has much to be thankful for. Club activities have rebounded - and sometimes exceeded - pre-Covid levels. Membership is up. There have been significant upgrades to the facility - with more needs identified. I personally am quite thankful for the continued efforts of the Board members - fantastic job. And - most importantly - very thankful that no major storms came to visit!
In the traditions of WRYC - the Oyster Roast ranks at the top. Members have stepped up with extensive plans to again make this a successful event. We encourage everyone to join in - should be a fine event!
“Who said it?” quiz of the month: “We know that he has, more than any other man, the gift of compressing the largest amount of words into the smallest amount of thought”.
See you on the 12th.
Bob Davis
Acting Commodore
From The Commodore
Seasons come and seasons go. So happy to see cooler less humid weather come in. We’ve had an incredibly successful summer season with events and programs that went well. The transition to Fall was marked again by a fine event - the Labor Day Social. Autumn and Harry Taylor were the organizers - special appreciation is given to Stephanie Peart, Mark Holthaus, Sean Smith, and Eric Moore for volunteering to help. Gary and Beve always seem to show up when help is needed and with Mark did cleanup duty. Thanks to Charlie Woerner for "coming home” to cook and reminding us of the thanks due to the Woerners for many years of service.
No longer being of a younger generation - I remember being taught to use a keyboard - it was called “typing”. A sentence that was used was “Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid……”. Now on my keyboard that sentence is finished “….aid of their CLUB”. Now is the time for planning for 2023. Board members are finishing their Covid tour of duties. Help is needed to keep this going. We need YOU to step up - so please give serious consideration to participation.
New Item - Monthly Quiz - “Who said it?”
Being a politician requires “ the ability to foretell what is going to happen tomorrow, next week, next month, and next year. And to have the ability afterwards to explain why it did not happen.”
Bob Davis
Acting Commodore
Commodore’s Ramblings
State of the Club: PONDERING! Indeed I have been pondering which positive adjectives to use in describing the remarkable success of this year’s Gov. Cup. My pondering has moved on to consideration of appropriate sports analogies. Was it a “walk off homer in the bottom of the 9th?” - a “3 pointer drained from another zip code at the buzzer?” - a “slam dunk over a short guy?” Even non-sports fans can appreciate how well this event went. So much went well - overall organization, weather control, tide control, registration, food management, grounds management, race management on the water, Junior Sailing, and a fantastic dinner. Fantastic tee shirt design! Many thanks to all who contributed - your efforts are greatly appreciated. Perhaps I should add - special thanks to the person who put 2 cookies instead of 1 in each lunch bag. Cookie Monster approves!
I’m sorry that the football outing to VT-ODU did not work out. Many of us remember fun trips to William and Mary, Annapolis, and Charlottesville for football games. I think the concept remains alive. Perhaps other sports events - basketball or baseball, horse races, cultural events, boat shows, wineries …. Suggestions are welcome. If someone brings a suggestion they will not automatically be asked to be an event organizer.
Our Social Events seem to be recovering well from the Covid doldrums. We’re looking forward to the Labor Day event this weekend.Thanks to Harry and Autumn for their efforts in hosting.It is rumored that this event may involve a re-appearance of an old Club favorite: Charlie Woerner. He and Mary Alice were stalwarts - so many social events. Welcome back Charlie!
Hope to see you at the Club or on the water!
Bob Davis
Acting Commodore
Commodore Ramblings
State of the Club report. At the beginning of 2022 a challenging transition was apparent. We needed a transition from Covid doldrums back to an active invigorated club. At the halfway point of the year - the available information suggests a major success - big thumbs up. Activities - adult sailing, junior sailing, Sunday sailing, and socials are thriving. Facility upgrades - pier and tennis courts - have been accomplished and membership has increased. Thanks again to all who have contributed.
Followup on July 4th Social: Incredible planning and effort went into this event and it seemed to be a spectacular success. Then the food issue reared its ugly head.. Members have received a communication about this previously. The Board has addressed this issue - working towards eliminating it as a problem in the future. We thank the many people who forwarded compliments to the Board about the quality of the event. One take-away - as previously communicated - is that volunteering helps to solve and prevent problems.
Tennis/Pickleball Court followup: The court repairs are almost complete. At the onset this seemed a difficult task due to years of neglect. The courts look great - in fact better than in the heyday of tennis socials in the distant past. They are getting frequent use now. Minor further repair is underway - the courts are however readily available for use. Again - huge thanks to Gary Hermanson for his dedication to this effort. Members will be getting further information about this upgrade project.
Another aspect of this transition is a change in leadership. With great reluctance we note the resignation of Commodore John Singleton. Having previously served in that role- John stepped up at the beginning of the year to fill a void. His previous experience and wealth of knowledge of “all things yacht club” were instrumental in our success this year. Many thanks to him for his contributions.
As part of this transition I will now take the role of Acting Commodore for the rest of the year. In addition the Board will work towards back-filling Board slots. Issues that are to be addressed to me may be sent to rtdsr13@gmail.com or my cell 804-725-8791. Texts are welcome.
Looking forward to a great Gov. Cup.
Bob Davis
Acting Commodore
Commodores Comments
When a fiberglass vessel gets soft or spongy, you take quick action to repair the problem. It is worse than you thought. We have a 1994 Boston Whaler that has been a steady and fun boat, but the ravages of time created some soft spots in the deck. Fortunately, past Commodore Steve Hanson is an experienced boat builder and speaks fluent glass.
Steve is very generous with his time and knowledge in everything boat related. He loves to sail and teach sailing as much as he enjoys boat building. I called Steve and described my problem. He invited me to his home for a lesson. Steve unraveled the mysteries behind the WestSystem epoxy and resin, the myriad product numbers, pumps, the mystery of the fiberglass (“glass”) cloth, the filler and fairing compounds. Warning: there is a fair amount of grinding, sanding, cutting and safety gear involved. Fire is a real possibility.
After touring Steve’s beautiful grounds, he gave me a hands-on course applying epoxy and glass. These are skills I’ve heard about for years but have never seen or practiced. In a short visit, Steve lifted the veil and I’m an avid devotee. I came home and went to work on our Boston Whaler. A few days later, the soft spots were cured and the sanding completed. I’m not signing up for the shipyard, but I am happy in the knowledge I’ve acquired.
The yacht club has a few soft spots and you don’t have to speak fluent glass to help fix them. TENNIS COURT. Gary Hermanson has a done a great job working with the contractor on the court. Ben Rennolds Tennis did the crack repair, painting and striping. The old courts were in very bad shape, but now we have two very good courts that are being used regularly by tennis and pickle ball players. Please check out the courts and play a few sets. We need all of you to help maintain the good condition of the courts.
Like a boat, a tennis court may not sit idle without maintenance. If you see water on the court, please grab the roller and push the water off the court. If you see leaves and other debris on the courts, please grab the broom and sweep them off or get a blower and clean the court. You don’t have to speak fluent glass to keep the court in good shape but you have to help. Organizations struggle because 10% of the members do 90% of the work 100% of the time. The Ware River Yacht Club prides itself on being a member supported organization. Members, please get out and support your club.
The tennis court renovation was very expensive. If you have not donated to the renovation fund, please do so now. The courts are beautiful and playable. It is a very private setting for fun and competitive games. Organize your friends in weekly games, a tennis ladder or a weekend Tournament de Ware Neck. Use your club facilities but also help maintain them.
Keeping on the self help, learn how to fix and fix things theme, please sign up to help with the Governor’s Cup Sailing Regatta August 6-7, 2022. This is a great event. It is the showcase event for the yacht club, and we are proud to host and run it. It is always a great crew of people that travel from afar to enjoy the bounty of our club. We need volunteers to help with traffic control, food service and preparation, skipper and crew
check in, sales, scoring calculation and on the water work (crew and boat operators). You do not need prior experience. A good attitude carries the day.
Nautical term: Baggywrinkle - a soft covering for lines on vessels to prevent chafing the
sails.
Fair winds and following seas.
John A. Singleton
Commodore
Kedging...
Kedging is a maneuver used when a sailboat runs aground or needs to maneuver out of tight harbors or tidal river entrances. You attach a small anchor, known as a kedge anchor, to a long line or rode and take it in the direction you want to move the sailboat and throw it overboard. You then haul in the rode to pull yourself to the kedge anchor and repeat until you are free.
From Sailing Magazine article by Andy Schell: “If an inflatable with an outboard is all you have, make it easier on yourself by loading the anchor in the center of the dinghy and then take in the rode over the bow. Be sure to flake the line down instead of coiling it, so that it will run smoothly as you haul the anchor away from the mother ship. When everything is ready, drive the outboard in reverse and let the line pay out from the bow. You may get wet, but this will keep the line away from the prop and also makes it easier to control the dinghy in a crosswind.”
In July 1812 Captain Isaac Hull in command of the USS Constitution found himself nearly in the grasp of a British sailing squadron off Egg Harbor, New York. All ships were becalmed but Hull was able to escape by kedging and several other creative moves. Here is the full story https://ussconstitutionmuseum.org/major-events/escaping-a-british-squadron/
Why kedging? It is an interesting term and simple but complex act. For the WRYC we are kedging are way forward. We opened the sailing season with Flag Raising on Saturday May 7, 2022. Thank you to Scout Master Jason Wells and Scout Troop 10; Layne and Bill Brown for hosting the event and Harry Taylor for his tasty and potent Mint Juleps.
Kedging is self help and that is what the WRYC is, self help. We are not supported by government grants or handouts. The club was built by our founders, who did all the work. Now we need to heed their example but the form of work now is raising funds for the tennis court, pier and bulk head.
Real kedging is being taught at the adult sailing program and we are a few weeks away from Sunday racing series. Come out and enjoy the club and its many amenities. Autumn Taylor is brewing up a very special 4th of July event with games, food truck, live music and fireworks.
Fair winds and following seas.
John A. Singleton
Commodore