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Commodore’s Log August 2021 First it was Covid, now we’re dealing with our own version of the Monsoon Season. But, as the author of our quote of the month says, sailors have patience. Wait a little while and the skies will clear, and the wind will return. Our switch from Bath to Beaufort for last month’s Dog Days Cruise – another weather-based change – turned out well. We had a good turnout of 10 boats at Beaufort Docks. The weather cooperated for the weekend, and we had a great time at our social on the docks under the boardwalk on Saturday afternoon. It was nice to be able to socialize like the old days with a great spread of food provided by members. We even recruited a few potential new members. Speaking of the dastardly Covid, we are watching the new variant threat and will adjust our policies if we must. Suffice it to say, if you have resisted being vaccinated for other than a medical reason, please reconsider. For your own safety. The final tally is not in, but the estimate of the profits from this year’s Dinghy Poker Run, July 24, broke all records. The event, which is sponsored by the Nautical Co-op of Oriental and organized and executed superbly our own Sharon Stephenson, raises funds to support youth sailing. See Sharon’s article elsewhere in this newsletter. A big thanks to Sharon and to all of you who volunteered and participated. It’s time again for the annual New Members Social, created by the lovely and talented Donna Crothers, Vice Commodore for Membership. The event for the 30-plus members who have joined in the past year will be at Whittaker Point Marina, 5001 Maritime Drive, at 4 pm Saturday, Aug. 21. New members will get a chance to meet the members of the Bridge, learn about the club and ask questions. Refreshments will be provided. Our postponed Shrimperoo is coming up on Saturday, Sept. 11, at the Oriental Marina & Inn. Look for more information in today’s newsletter from Kevin and Mary Guilfoyle, our Vice Commodores of Special Events. And invite your friends. The Shrimperoo, normally held in March, is our major recruiting event. And, weather be damned, our cruise schedule continues. As I write this, our Lazy Days Cruise to South River, Aug. 7-8, is on tap. Hopefully, the rain will abate, and members will be able to enjoy one of the nicest anchorages on the Inner Banks. We will report on the cruise next month. If you registered for our Labor Day weekend cruise to Ocracoke, Sept. 4-6, and requested a slip, you should have received a call by now from the Anchorage Inn Marina. They have guaranteed us 15 slips, which leaves just four boats on the waiting list. If you did not get in the first 15, don’t despair, life intervenes, and some members end up having to cancel. So, you may still be called. If not, come anyway and anchor in Silver Lake or try for a spot on the National Parks Service docks. Look elsewhere in the newsletter for the Cruising Update from Howard Cheetham, Vice Commodore for Cruising. After Labor Day, West Bay, Oct. 2-3, and New Bern, Oct. 30-31, remain on the horizon. And finally, mark you calendars for the NSA Commodore’s Ball, Saturday, Nov. 13, at River Dunes. More info to come. Safe sailing. Sailing quote of the month: “Without patience, a sailor I would never be.” – Lee AllredCarl Crothers Commodore |
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As I write this, the Lazy Days cruise has started with several boats already in South River on a rainy Friday. I'm sure everyone is enjoying themselves with Tracy as Cruise Captain - she can turn anything into a fun event, and it's our Treasurer Cara's birthday so there was plenty of partying! Who cares if it's a little damp outside! |
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So at last we have one cruise going according to plan (well the Chesapeake cruise went to plan except for a day delay at the start due to weather). Last Month's Dog Days Cruise was another weather-related change of plan. Although a number of people were keen to go the Bath Creek, a larger number were concerned about the high temperatures and lack of power for A/Cs after a long trip for a short weekend. We were going to be away (visiting family with Grandson) so I really needed a cruise captain; at first Bruce and Kay were going to plan a trip to New Bern but we have a reluctance to support marinas that insist on nonrefundable deposits, then Carl stepped in and organised a weekend in Beaufort that was very well attended. The tides were perfect for a favorable trip down Adams Creek on Saturday Morning and also favorable for a return on the Sunday. We had a great turn out and my beer provisions were seriously dented - so we can safely assume everyone had a good time. |
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Next month's cruise is the Labor Day weekend to Ocracoke. Chuck has this totally under control and those who have one of our allotted slips at the Anchorage Inn and Marina should have been contacted by now. When I checked the registrations we appear to have a record equaling 35 boats signed up - so a good number will be anchoring or fighting for the Government docks - don't worry, there is lots of space in Silver Lake and we all get to enjoy the pool at the Anchorage if it's hot. Labor Day weekend is always a highpoint of our cruising calendar and not to be missed. If we have any "new to cruising" folk out there concerned about anything - the distance, the route, which channel to take, how to avoid ferries, how good is the anchoring what if (... fill in your own question...) - Don't be concerned! Contact me at vccruising@neusesailingassociation.org and we'll talk about it and find a way to help you there. On the water there will be lots of other NSA boats you can call on the VHF, use the comraderie of the NSA to become more familiar with our cruising area and more confident sailing and cruising around it. Our last two cruises for the season will be in October: Oct. 9-10 Fall Cruise West Bay - hopefully by October the threat of bad weather will be past and prevailing SW winds will be behaving - but we will have a backup if the wind is in the wrong direction. Oct. 30-31 Halloween Cruise New Bern (or Bath or Beaufort, or Ocracoke – somewhere with a history of Pirates!) - Do I have any volunteers for a Cruise Captain to plan this?Sail to the wind, not a schedule, Howard Cheetham S/V Misto |
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The NCO sponsored Dinghy Poker Run was on Saturday July 24 at the Oriental Marina & Inn and in Smith, Kershaw and Green Creeks. The weather was perfect – no rain storms, no high winds and not too terribly hot for a July day. The purpose of the Dinghy Poker Run is to have fun and raise money for a local charity. This year’s charity was the Pamlico Coastal Activities Council with the donation marked to provide scholarship money for underprivileged Pamlico County kids to go to sailing camp. We had a very successful day! 184 poker hands were sold. Six docks scattered along the creeks as well as an anchored pontoon boat tiki bar served as the stops for those collecting their poker hands by some type of water vessel. Land dealers were also available for those who wanted to try their luck at drawing a winning poker hand, but did not have water access. The top 13 hands received prizes. There were lots of wonderful silent and live auction items which had been donated by a multitude of people and businesses, and lots of folks actively participated in the auctions. There was also a 50/50 raffle. Hot dogs were grilled and served with all the fixings (except sauerkraut!) This year’s donation for sailing camp scholarships will be ………..$7,428!!! I want to give a huge thanks to all the people from NSA, ODC and SCOO, as well as town folks not in any of the sailing clubs, who helped make this event possible. There were lots of jobs done the day of the event as well as the preparation beforehand – all handled beautifully by volunteers. I also want to thank all those folks and businesses who donated items, gift certificates and adventures for the auctions and prizes. Sharon Stephenson S/V Pelikan 919-414-7719  |
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Our Labor Cruise to Ocracoke is a month away and we are very excited to be going back to the island. The NSA will be bringing a large group of 58 members and guest to Ocracoke! Please fly your burgees so the Islanders will know we are back!! We will have a social on Saturday beginning at 4PM at the Gazebo on the Anchorage Marina’s dock and NSA will provide adult beverages. Typically we have an impromptu gathering on Sunday to finish up whatever is left from the day before which usually begins around 4PM. Looking forward to seeing everyone! I understand that Anchorage Marina has contacted the people who were assigned slips based on the list we sent them. Remember slip assignment was based on 1st come 1st serve. We had more request for slips than were available which is usually the case and we are sorry that everyone’s request could not be honored. There is a waiting list and if space opens up they will contact you. If you have any questions please contact me, chuckgordon55@yahoo.com, or text/call 919 880 7879. See you in Ocracoke! Chuck Gordon Cruise Captain S/V Pelikan |
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Plans are underway now for another great Shrimperoo so mark your calendar! The fun starts at 2:00pm September 11th at the Oriental Marina and Inn . There will be plenty of shrimp, assorted foods, live music with Ken Belangia and our favorite beverages from the Tiki Bar. There will be a 50/50 raffle and the proceeds will be given to the Oriental Fishes and Loaves This event has become a very successful recruitment for new members. There are many of us in the club now that the Shrimperoo was our introduction to this fantastic club. Currently Covid 19 attendance limits have been lifted, but will be watching for any new restrictions that could affect the event. We are needing volunteers to help with the event. Please email Kevin at KJGEYE@MSN.COM if you are willing to help with registration, setting up the event, preparing the shrimp or cleaning up after the event. Volunteering is a great way to get to know your fellow NSA members. As always, don’t forget to bring a side dish or dessert and name tags! Kevin and Mary Guilfoyle V/C of Special Events M/V Meridian |
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Marketplace is always available on the website to order NSA merchandise. Please inform me if you place an order so I can deliver it to you in Oriental. The next event to buy tee shirts, caps, etc. in person will be in September at the Shrimperoo. Thanks to all who continue to post pictures on the Facebook group page. As a reminder our NSA group page is not open to the public but rather only for NSA members. Kathy Kenny Vice Commodore, Social Media S/V Cool Change |
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More photos! Keep those great event photos coming to to jeff.kenyon@gmail.com for inclusion in the main website scrolling photos area. We’ll also select one photo per month as the website background picture. For the background, the photo needs to have "interesting" content along the top and sides, since the website content consumes the entire middle. Jeff Kenyon S/V Calitri |
Neuse Sailing Association | PO Box 253 | Oriental, NC 28571