NSA – TIME TO CELEBRATE 50 YEARS!

It’s hard for me to believe that 30+ years ago I was introduced to sailing by the lovely and very talented Sharon Stephenson, who fortunately became my bride in 1997!   Also she brought me to Oriental and the Neuse Sailing Association and needless to say those 3 happenings changed my life! If you know Sharon, then you know I was the lucky one in 1997!   Coming to Oriental on weekends for 20 years and then retiring here in 2016 has been very rewarding.

The NSA has brought us much joy and lots of fun but most importantly new friends that I would never had met if all of the above had not taken place! This club has been a focal point of many of our activities and we have been honored to be members of this group. It’s always such a good feeling when I watch new members make new friendships. For 50 years the NSA has provided a lot of opportunities to it’s membership to cruise and to gather at social events but more importantly is the contribution that the members have made to the success of the club. The next 50 years success is in the hands of our membership and the  willingness of them to step up in leadership roles. Thanks to everyone for all you have done, so let’s Celebrate!!

The 16th annual Dinghy Poker Run was held on July 29th and it was a huge success!! The DPR was originally an NSA event but 4 years ago it was put under the banner of Nautical CO-OP of Oriental. Thanks to Sharon Stephenson for being the Chairwoman once again and to all the NSA members as well as the members of ODC and SCOO who brought this together!!

Please mark September 9th on your calendars for the 50th Anniversary Celebration to be held at Whittaker Pointe Marina. This event is open to all present and past NSA members. (See below for more information).

The Labor Day Cruise to Cape Lookout will be here soon so please make plans to join in on the fun! Keeping fingers crossed for good weather!

Hope everyone is having a good summer and I for one is looking forward to a little cooler weather. Thanks for all your support and remember if you have any questions, suggestions or concerns please contact me. This is your Club!!

Once again if you have any questions, suggestions or concerns about NSA please contact me.  Cell: 919-880-7879, email: chuckgordon55@yahoo.com

Chuck Gordon 

Commodore

S/V Pelikan

Dinghy Poker Run Follow-up

The Dinghy Poker Run, held Saturday July 29, was an overwhelming success! Yes, we had some wind and rain, but that did not deter a record number of folks to get in their dinghies or other watercraft and make the rounds to the 6 docks and one anchored pontoon boat/Tiki hut scattered in Smith, Green and Kershaw Creeks to collect the cards needed to complete their poker hands. Many folks also “played” poker by drawing all their cards from the land dealers.

Prizes were awarded for the top 13 hands.

There was a large selection of items and gift certificates at the silent auction, including art work, jewelry, assorted decorative items, boat services, lodging options and other things, some inducing lively bidding prior to the close of the auction. The live auction included a fishing boat rental, marine speakers and audio, the 6-Pak course at World Wide Marine, a bracelet and an overnight trawler trip, all yielding good returns to the auctioneer’s coaxing.

Lunch consisted of hot dogs prepared by Roadside Dogs, cookies baked by many volunteer bakers and tea and lemonade – a perfect combination for a hot summer day.

Madison Scott from Bow to Stern Boating gave a brief presentation about learning to sail at camp. Some of the campers who have benefited from past scholarships also shared their experiences at camp. One of the mothers expressed great appreciation to all who have contributed to the scholarship funds.

Net proceeds from poker hand sales, 50/50 raffle ticket sales and auction items = ~$8600!!!

(There is still some money trickling in from unclaimed auction items.) This is a record! These funds will be used to provide scholarships to sailing camp and also some will be used to provide swimming lesson scholarships. (Hopefully Pamlico County will have a swim instructor next summer.)

A huge THANKS to everyone who made this possible – those who helped leading up to the event with media, collecting and donating items for the auctions, preparation of auction items and bid sheets, organizing supplies, baking cookies and covering all the tasks on the day of the event. This fun and profitable event would not have happened without you. And of course, a big thanks to all who participated and bought poker hands, raffle tickets and auction items.

Sharon Stephenson
Dinghy Poker Run Co-Ordinator

S/V Pelikan