December 2025 | 'The Neuse Juice' | Volume 52 Number 12 |
Commodore's Log Almost the end of another year and for NSA as well with the upcoming Commodore’s Ball. I want to recognize what a great set of Officers and Directors I have had the pleasure of serving with for NSA throughout 2025. We had such great attendance at the Special Events and Cruises this year, which was great to see. Tammy and Todd Richards mixed things up with a Salty Social to get more people mingling for a fun social event this year. We had good attendance at that event and the Oyster Roast. Personally, I missed the Salty Social, opting to not spread my 2nd (mild) case of COVID. You’re welcome! What a great cruising season we had for a second year under the leadership of Christa and David Kreutz. And a special thanks to all the cruise captains that pull them off. They are so important, and I hope you will consider being a Cruise Captain in 2026! Even when the weather conspired against us for the first cruise of the year, we had a great gathering at the Morehead City Yacht Basin Clubhouse and a few ventured by boat! Just another example of NSA doing what it takes to have fun together. Only one cruise got scuttled altogether due to weather. Of course, the VC’s of Cruising also mixed it up a bit this year swapping out the Dog Days cruise in July for an additional Fall cruise. Considering the heat, it was a wise decision! Overall Membership was down a little, but new members joining remained strong. Busy schedules, getting out of boating, and other factors are the likely cause, but total NSA membership remains very strong. A big thank you to Sharon Bellrose-McDonald for bringing new ideas to membership including burgee presentations to new members during their first cruise and the New Member Social. Both make becoming a member special, and that is exactly what Sharon has brought to the role in the past few years. These 3 key positions for NSA are all transitioning to new members in 2026, and I want to recognize each of them for their leadership and service to NSA over multiple years! The other positions, equally important for the smooth running of the club, are to be recognized as well. They “just keep working”, which is a testament to their efforts. Erik and Jean Hardtle continue to keep the entire membership informed and manage a well-run website. The running of the finances for the club was managed seamlessly by Pat Sordill, and you will see the club has managed to put a bit back into our account for 2026. Kathy Kenny continued to make sure merchandise was available at out Special Events and keeps us informed through our Facebook group. I made easier work on the Secretary, Lisa Mannion, by only holding one board meeting where we obviously set in place a good plan for 2025. Thanks to one and all! Finally, I want to wish all our members a Merry Christmas, a Joyous Holiday Season and a Happy New Year! I hope to see you at one of our events or cruises in 2026. Jeff Kenyon 
Membership As we wrap up another wonderful year on the water and on shore, it’s hard to believe how quickly this 2025 season has flown by. It’s been a fantastic year of cruising, camaraderie, and community—and now we look forward with excitement to everything 2026 will bring! If you know someone who’s thinking about joining the NSA family, there’s no need for them to wait until the new year. Let your boating friends (near or far) know that anyone who signs up now will have membership coverage through April 2027. Please direct prospective members to our website or have them email, vcmembership@neusesailingassociation.org, with any questions. Please join us in giving a warm welcome to our newest members: Patron Members: Stan Dunham and Charlotte Gregory, of Charlotte, NC, owners of S/V Marion. Corporate Members: Marjorie and George Dufek, of Oriental, owners of Fora Travel, Inc. and S/V Andiamo. Yacht Members: Jeff Boring of New Bern, owner of S/V Sea Biscuit, Nadi Findikli of New Bern, NC, Le and Marti Greene of Siler City, NC, owner of S/V Circular Logic , & Chris and Misty Rackley of Holly Ridge, NC, owner of S/V Misty Seas After three truly enjoyable years serving in the membership role, I’ll be passing the baton as the new bridge steps in for 2026. It has been an honor and a joy to welcome so many of you into the club and help our membership grow. I’m excited to see the fresh ideas and energy the 2026 bridge will bring, and I know they’ll continue to guide our club forward with passion and dedication. While I step back from membership duties, I will continue to handle all member name tags. If you need a new or replacement tag, please order it through the NSA website store or contact me directly. As always, every member is both welcome and needed. Our events and traditions thrive because of the hands, hearts, and enthusiasm of our volunteers. Whether you can lend an hour, a day, or a skill, your participation helps make the NSA the vibrant community we all enjoy. I look forward to celebrating with you at the upcoming Commodore’s Ball on December 13th. Happy Holidays, Sharon Bellrose-McDonald MV Mischief
|
Cruising We ended the season spectacularly with . . . wait for it . . . all boats sailing! Halloween weekend in Ocracoke couldn't have been better with good weather, camaraderie, many pirates and a fair wind for the sail home. Overall, it was a great season, from the ‘new to us’ adventure to Manteo to some of the more familiar standbys and ending in Ocracoke. We're thankful to everyone who volunteered as cruise captains this year! It was the first time for some of you and we really appreciate it. Almost all our cruises were BYOB this year. That seemed to work well and it makes things simpler for the cruise captains. We hope you’ll consider being a cruise captain next year, especially if you haven’t done it before. It’s a lot of fun! There will be some exciting adventures in 2026, so get your boats ready! David and Christa Vice Commodores of Cruising S/V Cymbeline
Saturday began with a cannon blast as the Colonial There was also a pirate parade in which some NSAers joined in while dressed in their pirate attire. The NSA social took place at noon on Saturday under the gazebo at the Anchorage Marina. Food, drink, laughter and fun costumes, including our very own Blackbeard, were enjoyed by all. Later that afternoon at the NPS docks, there was a reenactment of Blackbeard’s Last Stand. Cannons fired and swords flashed and clanked. As the day went on, many NSAers visited on each others boats or joined each other for dinner in town.
Sunday morning saw a mass exodus as most of the NSA boats cruised back to Oriental or to their home ports. The fall cruise to Ocracoke was a very enjoyable way to end up the NSA cruising season.
Tim and Lisa
|
The NSA cruise to Ocracoke on the last weekend of October proved to be a real blast, as the annual Pirate Jamboree was held there October 31st & November 1st. Since Hurricane Melissa was plying the near Atlantic, the weather forecast looked rather dicey in the days leading up to the cruise. On Thursday, the high winds abated, the rains ceased, and the seas smoothed out on the Pamlico Sound. Many boats made the trip that day. Others arrived on Friday. In all, around 12 boats attended, anchoring in Silver Lake or docking at the marina or at the government docks.
Village opened with living history re-enactors, cooking demonstrations, music and more.
NSA Website Neuse Juice Newsletter If you missed something going on with the club,... catch up here -> Our past Newsletters “The Neuse Juice” Please send your stories and photos to vccommunications@neusesailingassociation.org, and add "Neuse Juice" in the subject line. Jean & Erik Hardtle
1974 Gulfstar
|
NSA Merchandise
As always, I want to thank everyone who posts on our Facebook group. This group is for all our members to post photos, get togethers (on land and water), for sale and in search of items, advice or anything else you would like to share with our private group.
We do have a limited supply of tee shirts. You can view them on Marketplace on the website and place an order. If you don’t see what you are looking for please reach out to me.
Kathy Kenny
Vice Commodore - Social Media & Merchandise
S/V Cool Change
NCO “World Headquarters” meeting
A Special Shout Out
The NCO “World Headquarters” meeting in action — 12/4/25 (Photo: Sharon McDonald)
Who says serious club business can’t happen at the World Headquarters? Each week, year-round, our dedicated NCO members gather at the brewery, pens poised, papers spread out, and beers… strategically deployed. While some imagine they just sit around sipping and socializing, the photographic evidence proves otherwise: these masterminds are deep in discussion, planning our combined club fundraising events that help provide Pamlico County children with swimming lessons, an essential life skill, and sailing school that inspires our local youth to get out on the water and discover a love for life afloat.
Of course, all club members are encouraged to represent their club by offering to help with NCO events. Every hand makes a difference in supporting these important programs.
A huge thank you to the active NCO volunteers from all three sailing clubs. Your passion and commitment are what makes it all happen, pint or no pint.
Click on our Sponsors! Please support our sponsors! Click on the circles to the right to view them all! |
Neuse Sailing Association | PO Box 253 | Oriental, NC 28571