It’s encouraging to see our annual membership renewals running apace this early in the year. It represents an optimism that I think has always been a hallmark of the NSA. There’s some justification: COVID cases are declining, people are getting the vaccine. While it’s easy to envision a fleet of NSA sailboats heeling in a warm breeze, we have a way to go before life returns to normal.

With that mind, please see Kevin and Mary Guilfoyle’s article about preparations for the Oyster Roast elsewhere in this newsletter. They are organizing a safe, restricted event for March 27 at the community building at River Dunes. The precautions include a limit on attendance of 50 people. River Dunes will shuck and serve the oysters and masks will be required. If you want to attend, you must indicate your desire to attend by emailing Kevin and Mary at kjgeye@msn.com. Don’t delay.

COVID precautions will also be in place for our first cruise of the season, currently planned for the weekend of April 3-4, and the Shrimperoo on Saturday, April 24, at River Dunes.

Our Cruising Commodore, Howard Cheetham, continues to fill in the details of the cruising schedule. Watch for registration to open on the website as we get nearer to each date.

On the seminar front, the Nautical Co-op (NCO), which includes representatives from all three sailing clubs, is looking into possibly setting up a few virtual seminars with some local experts using Zoom. More on that later.

Speaking of the NCO, the group has chosen the weekend of Oct. 15-17 for this year’s Oriental Cup Regatta.

And finally, back to membership renewals. The deadline is April 1. If you have renewed, thank you! If not, please do so as soon as you can. Just follow the link in the email you should have received last month to renew online. If you have trouble, contact Donna at vcmembership@neusesailingassociation.org

Sailing quote of the month: “It’s remarkable how quickly a good and favorable wind can sweep away the maddening frustrations of shore living.” ̶ Ernest K. Gann

Stay safe.

Carl Crothers
Commodore
S/V Sanctuary

 Howard Cheethan, VC Cruising

 S/V Misto

February started with Groundhog Day, and the rodent forecast another 6 weeks of winter...

But Easter is nearly nine weeks away so the sailing and cruising season is just over the horizon. These last weeks of winter are the time to make sure your boat is in tip top condition, ready for the Easter cruise. The Easter cruise will be weather dependent and the destination will be a secret until we know where the wind will be blowing.

Do we have a member willing to take on this ad hoc event as Cruise Captain? We will provide help, advice and support if you have not done this before and it's a great way to get to know other members of the NSA. Contact me at vccruising@neusesailingassociation.org

The full calendar for the season is:

April 3-4 Easter Cruise secret until much closer

May 1 ANNIVERSARY RACE in conjunction with ODC

May 2-23 (or 28) May Day Cruise Chesapeake Bay, free cruising - Pat Thomaier and John Messer

May 29-31 Memorial Day Cruise Cape Lookout - Tony Nelson

June 19-26 Week-long Cruise Overnight to Manteo

July 17-18 Dog Days Cruise Bath

Aug. 7-8 Lazy Days Cruise South River or TBD

Sept. 4-6 Labor Day Cruise Ocracoke - Chuck Gordon

Oct. 9-10 Fall Cruise West Bay or TBD

Oct. 30-31 Halloween Cruise New Bern

Howard Cheetham

Vice Commodore, Cruising

S/V Misto

Welcome Our New Members!

Please join me in welcoming six new NSA members who have joined in the past month! Joining the club recently are: Lisa and Ray Mannion of Wake Forest, owners of S/V Freedom which they keep at River Dunes Marina; Carter Hunt and Georgina Mollick, owners of S/V Chimera which they keep at Pecan Grove Marina, and Richard and Tina Marsh of New Bern, owners of S/V Bluebird which they keep at Bridgeton Harbor Marina. Please be sure to say hello when you see our new members!

Donna Crothers
Vice Commodore Membership
S/V Sanctuary

 Special Events

 Kevin and Mary Guilfoyle, VC  Special Events
 M/V Delphina

The excitement is building for the first NSA event of the year - the infamous Oyster Roast.  This year we are having to do things a little bit differently than usual due to COVID 19 and state guidelines. Under the current guidelines we are limited to only 50 people.   We have over 50 people that are interested in attending the event. The first 50 people that registered have been notified.  The remainder are on a wait list.  If you are one of the first 50 people that have been registered and your plans change please email Kevin Guilfoyle at kjgeye@msn.com.  The next members on the waiting list will be notified. River Dunes will be catering the event.  Beer and Wine will be available.

 If you plan to come by boat and need a slip call Scott at River Dunes Marina. Thank you for your understanding of these changes and we look forward to seeing our NSA friends again.

Kevin and Mary Guilfoyle

M/V Delphina

Our online marketplace is still up and running. When you place an order please let me know so I can arrange to have it delivered to you in Oriental. We still have lots of tee-shirts, caps and visors in various colors. Tee-shirts and caps are $20; visors are $15.

Our NSA Facebook group is one way we can stay connected so please continue to post photos and anything of interest. Who knows, we may have another Zoom happy hour with the details of how to participate posted there. It was so good to “see” all who participated in the last one.

Kathy Kenny

S/V Cool Change

Jeff Kenyon
S/V Calitri (website)

Pat Thomaier
S/V Wild Goose (Neuse Juice)

Thanks for all for prompt inputs this month. If any members wish to share newsworthy items in the Neuse Juice, please email me at pthomaier@mindspring.com by the Friday before the second Tuesday of the month.   If there are any corrections needed on the website, contact Jeff at vccommunications@neusesailingassociation.org. Thanks!

Pat

S/V Wild Goose

 Sailing Adventures

 The adventure continues aboard Solveig:   Adventures on Solveig.   

Any other NSAers out there who have left for warmer climes?  Send me your latest to share with those of us left in the cold and seemingly always  grey and rainy weather in NC.