Crows Nest 
Editor Brad Osmundson  MC 2000

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Crows Nest

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August 26, 2010    ,

You may (or may not) have noticed that there was no newsletter last week.  That’s only because there wasn’t much news.  There isn’t much more news this week, but I hate to go 2 weeks without all the valuable information that gets included here.  The biggest sailing news from the past two weekends is the carnage that occurred two Sundays ago in the first really big winds we’ve had this summer.  During that race, for the first time in anyone’s memory (or at least since they were teaching sailing school 4 decades ago) both Tom Birdsall and Bill Nicholas had major capsizes with lots of surrounding drama….feel free to ask them (or their crews) about it. 

E FLEET PARTY THIS SATURDAY, AUGUST 28……….at the Boat House, starting at 7:00 p.m.  All E crew members and all CLYC judges are invited.  It’s very casual and it’s on the patio.  Your current Fleet Captain wants to remind you that if you don’t attend, there is a very good chance you will become next season’s E Fleet Captain……..so be forewarned. 

START GATHERING YOUR CLYC TRAVELLING TROPHIES……because the season is nearing the finish line.  You can turn them in to Jeff Nicholas after you’ve fixed all the broken parts and shined them up, so another person can abuse them for another year. 

PICNIC DOWNLOAD………The Association For The Preservation of Clear Lake annual picnic a couple weeks ago was basically positive and informative.  The “plants” that have been floating up on your beaches the past few weeks are something called muskgrass, and they are a sign that lake is getting healthier.  On the other hand, the zebra mussel problem is not improving and there don’t seem to be any good answers…..So, stay tuned. 

I’ve got nothing more………. 

Later, Oz

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August 12, 2010 

OK, the Interlakes Regatta is over.  We entertained over 70 boats with their sailors, crew and posse’s in the usual Clear Lake fashion….spectacularly.  Now it’s time to start thinking about the end of the summer sailing season…..boo hoo. 

INTERLAKES REGATTA REPORT……..Clear Lake did quite nicely, thank you.  The X and MC Fleets won their team competitions. Stu Oltrogge took top individual honors in the MC Fleet, all our C Fleet finished in the top 20…..and our E Fleet got 1st and 2nd overall J. The winds were all over the map in terms of strength and direction, but somehow we got all 6 races in.  The parties were great, the meals were great, the CLYC hospitality was great.  I don’t have a list of individual thank you’s ready for all of our fabulous volunteers…..so for now let’s just do a GROUP HUG. 

NO SATURDAY MORNING RACES THIS WEEKEND……..We have a shortage of judges due to the Big Inlands Regatta at Lake Geneva, so there will be no races this Saturday morning.  X’s and C’s will race Saturday afternoon. 

ANNUAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE PRESERVATION OF CLEAR LAKE PICNIC…..is this Friday, August 13, 6:00 p.m. at the State Park Shelter.  The Picnic invitation and notice is attached to this newsletter.  Speakers from the DNR, the Corps of Engineers, Iowa State and the CLEAR Project will fill us in on the latest.  This is always an interesting meeting……and has become especially so the past few years with all the strides taken to restore and maintain the quality of Clear Lake.  So, come one, come all. 

IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR BOATS TO PURCHASE…….this is a good time of year to check the “4 Sale” section of the CLYC web site.  I know the Risewick boys are putting their C and MC on the blocks and there will probably be a few more boats appearing there now that we are nearing the finish line of the season. 

THE M17 DEMO HAS GENERATED SOME INTEREST AROUND THE CLYC……A few weeks back, Melges left an M17 here to demo, and I know many of you took it for a spin.  I know there is some interest in trying to get a fleet together in the near future.  Mike Risewick and Marcus Lundberg are already advertising for crew, so if you have some interest in running a jib and asymmetrical chute on these sweet boats you could start by giving them a call. 

Later, Oz

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August 4, 2010 

I think we are entering the summer doldrums.  It’s hot, it’s humid, and the winds are light and unpredictable.  Last weekend was all of that, at least until the Fun Race on Sunday afternoon, when the wind came up enough to move a lot of strangely decorated sailboats around an equally strange race course. 

NOW WASN’T THAT FUN?........The 75th CLYC Anniversary Fun Race was true to its name.  The  Six Knot course was goofy…….although they probably didn’t think so when they used the same course for the first ILYA Championships on White Bear Lake in 1898.  There were 22 sailboats, there were great costumes, there were youngsters, there were oldsters, there were wooden boats, there were water balloons and squirt guns……there was even a garden hose (apparently John Hanson’s boat really does have all the bells and whistles).  Some folks were back ashore having a beer before some of us finished the race…..but when it gets right down to it, what was the hurry. 

Thanks to those who helped make it happen, including Head Judge Tom Erickson and his minions, Gil Bovard, John Hanson, Casey Callanan, James Roberts and Denni Erickson. 

If you do care, the results are attached to this newsletter…………. 

INTERLAKES REGATTA…..is this weekend at Clear Lake.  And here are a few announcements from the Committee: 

We need crew!!!!!!  So far we need two 3rd crews for C Boats and three crews for MCs.  Call Margaret Oz on her cell (612-418-8856) if you can do this. 

If you want to buy lunches or attend the Friday night dinner at the Yacht Club, you need to buy tickets at the Yacht Club on Thursday, August 5 from 3:00-8:00 p.m..  If you want to attend the Saturday night party at the Outing Club, it is free to CLYC members…..and the E, C, and X Parents are in charge of beverage service and big, big, big appetizers. 

OOPS……..Last week I reported that if you cross the starting line (or an extension of the starting line) within a minute of your fleet’s start you would be DSQd.  I was wr…..I was wr…..I was wr……I was not exactly correct.   The rule is, if the “I” flag is up (which is what we use), and you (or any part of your boat) cross the starting line (or the extension of the starting line) within a minute of your start you can exonerate yourself by rounding either end of the line and getting back below the line. So, the bad news is my earlier report was wr…..was wr…..was not exactly correct; the good news is it generated a lot of interest as well as emails from many of you who actually pay attention to the rules and have a rule book handy. 

X CHAMPIONSHIPS REGATTA REPORT………4 of CLYC’s X Boaters, their crew, parents and coaches all journeyed last weekend to Lake Pewaukee in Wisconsin to float around in no wind for 3 days.  There were 62 boats racing in the Senior Fleet and 56 boats racing in the Junior Fleet. There were actually 2 light wind races, which is disappointing……..but good experience for our  two Senior Fleet representatives (Anne Tesar and crew Megan Vratsinas, and Maggie Long and crew Henry Long) and our two Junior Fleet representatives (AJ Hanus and crew Cameron Gillman, and Chrissy Tesar and crew Antonio DiMarco).  AJ took the CLYC honors for finishing 25th overall in the Junior Fleet. 

Later, Oz 

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July 29, 2010 

A nice weekend overall, unless you have problems with north winds (Saturday) or no wind (Sunday).  It warmed my heart to see eight (count ‘em…..8) X Boats on the line for Saturday’s races……that was so sweet!!  Hopefully, most of you had a chance to enjoy the RAGBRAI tornado as it blew through town on a hot and humid Tuesday……..kind of like compacting the entire 4th of July holiday into a 24 hour period. 

JACK MACNIDER MEMORIAL REGATTA RESULTS…….. 

I think it should be noted that our Scorer, who will remain nameless, but whose initials are MT, sent out the regatta results early Sunday morning (before the race was actually cancelled) right after he checked the weather report and looked out his window to see 0 mph of wind. 

      E Fleet                                     C Fleet                                                MC Fleet 

1. Z-5   Mike Lundberg                      1. Z-2    Tom Birdsall              1. 2178  Mark Tesar (a/k/a MT)
2. Z-6   Jamie/Lori Zachar                   2. Z-100 Steve Swift              2. 2340  Stuart Oltrogge
3. Z-24 Bob Swanson                         3. Z-3     Bill Nicholas             3. 2475  Eric Protzman
4. Z-17 John Vratsinas                                                                       4. 2000  Brad Osmundson
5. Z-15 Charlie MacNider                                                                  5. 2484  Mike Risewick

 

      X Fleet                                                Hobie Fleet 

1. Z-42  Anne Tesar                            1. 6367     Todd Wilson
2. Z-11  Maggie Long                         2. 105377 Jeff Griffin
3. Z-24  Chrissy Tesar                         3. 63059   Bill Wilson
4. Z-6    Katie Zachar                          4. 626       David Atkinson
5. Z-7    Aspen Lundeen                     5. 109310 Steve Brewer 

X CHAMPIONSHIPS REGATTA……..is this weekend at Pewaukee in Wisconsin.  All except one of the CLYC X Boats are attending, and are already racing as you read this.  Here’s wishing them all good luck. 

SAILING SCHEDULE THIS WEEKEND…..is changed because the X Boats are all traveling off the lake.  There will be no races this Saturday morning.  C Boats take note…..your Saturday races will be in the afternoon with all the rest of the fleets. 

INTERLAKES REGATTA INFORMATION….The Interlakes Regatta is nearly upon us.  We are hosting 75-80 boats from Thursday, August 5 through Sunday, August 8. 

            If you want to buy lunch tickets for each day and dinner tickets for Friday, please do so during registration at the Yacht Club from 3-8 p.m. on Friday, August 6…..lunch is $9 and Friday dinner is $18 (Cajun chicken, wild rice, green beans, cake and drinks….plus the Classic Car show parade for your entertainment). 

            Saturday evening is actually a Yacht Club party at the Outing Club that includes all CLYC members and our Interlakes Regatta guests.  Our own Vice Commodore Gerald Peterson will be preparing BBQ pork and pasta.  E, C and X Boat Parents are being contacted to bring the hors d’ oeuvres.  This is a no cost event for CLYC members. 

            We need spectator boats!! And taxis!!  Please call or email Bill Casey (319-331-4929 or William-Casey@uiowa.edu) so he can get a good read on what we can count on.  Friday is always the toughest day.  Plus, even if you don’t call Bill, if you are around during the regatta and have a motorboat, please check the CLYC dock for spectators and crew. 

BEWARE SAILBOAT RACERS…….PAY ATTENTION TO THIS NEW SCARY RULE…….Our Head PRO wants everyone to be aware of this rule, because it will be enforced during the Interlakes Regatta.  If you cross the starting line within 1 minute of your fleet’s start, you will be disqualified from the race.  Here’s the really scary part……the starting line is defined as an imaginary extension of the starting line that runs all the way from shore to shore.  So even if you are outside of what you consider the starting line, but you still go above that imaginary extension of the line, you will be DSQd. For those of you who like to read dense language, I am told this has something to do with Rule 30.1 of the US Sailing Rules….and the fact that we use the “I” flag.  Hopefully ‘nuff said on this.  Be afraid, be very afraid……. If I were you I would start practicing complying with this rule starting this weekend. 

Later, Oz

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July 22, 2010 

Last weekend was pretty decent for sailboat racing on the lake; more than pretty decent for trying out the demo MC17 that Mike Risewick finagled Melges into bring to Clear Lake (a very nice ride, by the way, at least in the heavy winds we experienced); very decent for attending concerts at The Surf (especially if you like the band America…..you know, the “Horse With No Name” guys); and very, very decent for Yacht Club partying at Lundeens (who deserve a thank you for having us). Next week will see the RAGBRAI tsunami descend on Clear Lake on Tuesday……so get ready to ride the wave, not get drowned by it. 

THE JACK MACNIDER MEMORIAL REGATTA……..is this weekend, so expect back-to-back races on Saturday. 

MC FLEET PARTY……..is also this weekend, on Saturday, July 25, at Todd and Amy Tesar’s, 627 North Shore Drive.  Festivities begin at 6:30 (p.m. that is).  Main dish and beverages will be provided by Tesars, so fleet members should bring a side dish or dessert to share. 

GET YOURSELF READY FOR THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY FUN RACE……..which is going to happen on Sunday, August 1 at 2:00 p.m.  Take a look at the attachment to this newsletter so you can see the bizarre course we all will be racing together.  It’s called the Six Knot Course for some reason, and apparently was the course used during the first ILYA Championships at White Bear Lake in 1898.  Winning is not necessarily the point of this race……fun is.  There will be trophies for Best Classic Boat, Best Decorated Boat, Best Dressed Crew and Youngest Skipper.  If you miss this race, you will probably have to wait at least another 25 years before you get a chance to do it again!!! 

WISH OUR X BOATERS GOOD LUCK……Four of our X Boat Fleet will be leaving next Wednesday for Lake Pewaukee to represent Clear Lake at the X Championships. Maggie Long, Chrissy Tesar, Anne Tesar and AJ Hanus and their coaches Nathan Kotz and Harrison Southwick will be testing their skills against the best in the Midwest.  Hopefully Chrissy and Anne can take advantage of the fact that their dad will be one of the judges for the regatta……… 

REGATTA REPORTS 

            MC INVITATIONAL REGATTA……Last week I reported that I had no idea how Mark Tesar did at Cedar Lake.  Well, now I do have an idea.  40 Boats journeyed there to compete on the lake where the X Blue Chip Regatta is held every year……a lake the size of the west end of Clear Lake, but only ½ as wide, where you have to sail at least 4 laps to get a race in.  Mark had a nice 9th place finish overall, and made sure to note that the Cedar Lake Yacht Club is a very nice facility, and its members are very warm folks who host a fine regatta and, most importantly, know how to throw good parties. 

            XTREME REGATTA……..Last weekend Anne Tesar and crew, Megan Vratsinas, and Chrissy Tesar and crew, Alexia Calaguas, ventured to Oshkosh, Wisconsin and “big, scary” Lake Winnebago (where many of us have seen waves cause our boats to completely fill with water going upwind) to compete against 50 X Boats at the Xtreme Regatta.  Winds were light to medium (so no sinking). Anne found herself in a respectable 25th place overall and Chrissy, in her first big regatta, found herself in 37th place overall.  Good job girls……. 

IF YOU ORDERED WINE GLASSES……..they have arrived and are being held at Denni Erickson’s.  So give Denni a call (357-7342) or an email (ericksn1@netins.net) so you can pick them up.  She actually has about 50 extra wine glasses that you can purchase if you didn’t place an order. 

Later, Oz

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July 15, 2010 

Not a bad weekend, especially if you like partying in City Park, watching bicycle races and listening to outstanding blues music.  Oh yeah, and we got some nice racing in as well. 

YACHT CLUB PARTY THIS SATURDAY….July 17, 6:30 p.m. at Tom and Nancy Lundeen’s, 5950 S. Shore Ct.  The MCs and Hobies are in charge of the goodies and beverage service.  That could be a good or bad thing.  There should be a lot of food, but the quality may not match what we get treated to by the Social Members when they’re in charge.  Remember, all CLYC members are invited to these parties, so come one, come all. 

MC17 DEMO……….Melges is delivering an M17 today (Thursday, July 15) to the Yacht Club.  Coye Harrett, from Melges, is setting the boat up at 8:00 a.m. and will be available to take people out to demo the boat today.  Mike Risewick will then take over.  He will make the boat available Friday afternoon for anyone to sail and he’ll bring it to Family Fun night that evening.  The M17 will be here from this weekend until next weekend, so if you want to steer it or ride in it, contact Mike by phone (357-5155) or email (musailor@gmail.com). 

INTERLAKES REGATTA…..will be here before you know it.  Clear Lake is hosting the event this year.  Races will be held Friday, August 6 thru Sunday, August 8.  Registration and put-in will be Wednesday, August 5.  We are expecting about 80 boats.  Regatta co-chairs Bill and Carol Casey, and their minions of volunteers, are making last minute preparations……..if they ask for your help, please make their lives a little easier. 

MC INVITATIONAL…….I know Mark Tesar represented the CLYC at the MC Invitational Regatta in Cedar Lake last weekend, but I have absolutely no idea whether he represented us well….or not.  Let’s assume he did well…….at least until further notice. 

That was short and sweet.

Later, Oz

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July 7, 2010

So, the weekend seemed a bit chopped up, what with the (always) awesome fireworks coming the night before the parade. Thank god, the carnie is always there to maintain some order.  And we only got one race in for the 4th of July Regatta……there was a lot of wind and an equal amount of boat chop that made for some exciting (and disastrous) downwind runs.

4TH OF JULY REGATTA RESULTS……Those who managed to survive and thrive in the wind and waves on Saturday were: 

     X Fleet                                              MC Fleet                    

1. Z-11 Maggie Long (tie)               1. 2178 Mark Tesar   

1. Z-42 Anne Tesar (tie)                 2. 2340 Stu Oltrogge  

3. Z-7   Aspen Lundeen                 3. 1764 Randy Kotz   

4. Z-8   AJ Hanus                          4. 2401 Todd Tesar

                                                   5. 2475 Eric Protzman          

 

       Hobie Fleet

1. 105377 Jeff Griffin

2. 6367     Todd Wilson

3. 626       Dave Atkinson

4. 63059   Bill Wilson

5. 5931     Mike Pruchnicki 

INTERLAKES REGATTA QUALIFYING……ended with the 4th of July Regatta.  Our scorer, Mark Tesar, has emailed the fleet captains from the E, C, MC and X Fleets the list of qualifiers with instructions on determining who will be sailing in the regatta and who will be on the 5 person teams….then reporting all that to Marcus Lundberg, our Secretary/Treasurer in the next week or so.  The list should also be appearing soon under the “Race Results” tab of the CLYC Website (www.clyciowa.com). 

LATE BREAKING GALA NEWS…….Remember the group photo that was taken at the 75th Anniversary Gala??  Whether you do or not, you can order your very own print from Images Photography.  Order online at www.craigkienast.com (look for the “Yacht Club” gallery) or stop by the studio at 606 Buddy Holly Place in Clear Lake (641-357-3965). The prints come  reasonably priced (especially considering you can average it over the next 25 years)…I believe 8x10s are $18 and 11x14s are $40.

Also, gala attendees voted on the best CLYC boat name over the past 75 years….and Ed Hanes won with “O Chute”.  That phrase, or a slight variant of it, has probably been uttered every single weekend on the race course by at least one or two sailors over the past ¾ of a century.

And finally, in memory of R. Lyle Bergo, the 1935 vintage starting cannon was donated to the CLYC and will be mounted on the wall at the Yacht Club with a commemorative plaque. Tom MacNider had brought it over for Lyle to use when Lyle started judging regularly……somehow it had disappeared several  years ago, only to be found by Pat Bergo resting safely and snuggly under the Bergo residence, apparently awaiting its chance to be presented at the 75th Gala. 

THE YACHT CLUB PARTY EARLY WARNING SYSTEM IS IN EFFECT….so clear your calendar for the evening of Saturday, July 17, when the next CLYC party will be held at the Lundeen residence, hosted by the MCs and Hobies (who are probably already preparing hors d’oeuvres as you read this).

Later, Oz 

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June 30, 2010 

As predicted, the 75th Gala Event dominated the weekend, but there was still time for what could have been a very nasty storm Friday evening, and for a bunch of races in strange and shifty winds. 

THE GALA MET ALL EXPECTATIONS………..As Commodore Byron Beasley noted:  “It was great to see so many “old” friends and some new faces at the 75th Gala! Thanks to ALL who made it come to life.  I want especially to thank Jeff Nicholas and the management of The Surf for allowing us to use their facility.  Their generosity and hospitality saved the event from the vagaries of Mother Nature.” 

Ms. Commodore, Ann Beasley, added that she wanted to be sure to thank everyone who helped with the Gala. “It was such a wonderful evening but wouldn’t have been possible without the combined talents of so many Yacht Club members, past and present.  Here are some of the groups and individuals that we want to specifically thank: 

            Steering Committee members: 
               
Paula and Ken Hanus, Jeff and Joann Nicholas, Denni and Tommy Erickson, Gerald and Janelle Peterson, and Byron and Ann Beasley. 

            Past Commodores who donated money to buy the wine at the tables. 

            Boat owners (Tom Birdsall, John Vratsinas, Bill Casey and Tommy Erickson) who dug their boats out of storage and set them up
                    so we could all feel nostalgic about our early days of sailing. 

            Eric Protzman and Stu Oltrogge, who presided over the evening and helped us remember all the good things we enjoy
                     as members of the CLYC. 

            We especially enjoyed our Sailing School volunteers who tirelessly served 280 guests with appetizers, main course and dessert. 

            And a big thank you to everyone who contributed to the “tip jars” set out at each table.  This raised nearly $1100 for the Sailing School. 

            The Board of Directors really came through with wonderful appetizers.  We had plenty and they were delicious! 

            We also had committees who assembled the invitations, arranged the centerpieces, set the table, prepared the salads, set up the boats,
                    assembled the nametags, and helped with after-party cleanup. 

            The evening was a success because of all the people who came together and generously gave of their time and talents because of their
                     love of the Clear Lake Yacht Club. 

            Again, Thanks to all those deserving folks I mentioned and those I forgot to mention……..” 

            Let’s do it again in 25 years…………….. 

A DECAL REMINDER……….If you didn’t get your 75th Gala decal at The Surf, you can pick yours up by stopping by the Outing Club, Cottage 11/12, the Schurtzes, or by checking with the Sailing School Director at the Yacht Club during class hours, or by attending the next Yacht Club party.  All registered racing boats are entitled to a FREE decal. For everyone else, its 2 decals for $5.00……..a steal! 

REGATTA REPORTS……….As the lone CLYC representative at the MC Masters Regatta, held at Lake Okoboji last weekend, Eric Protzman did us proud with a 4th overall, including a first in one of the races.  About 30 boats showed up for the 3 races. 

The Tesar girls ventured up north to the Minnetonka Yacht Club X Invitational.  Only two of the five races were sailed….one in 1-3mph, the other in 8-12mph.  Anne moved up in Sunday’s race to improve to 13th overall, followed by her sister, Chrissy at 17th. 

SPECTATOR BOAT REQUEST…….A request was made at last week’s Board Meeting that if spectator boats are on the lake and have marine radios with them, please turn them on so you can hear if the judges are broadcasting for assistance…..either to help a boat that may be in trouble or to help with repositioning marks before the start.   I understand that if you have a marine radio on board, you are encouraged to notify the PRO before the starting sequence begins if you are available to assist. 

M17 REPORT………Mike Risewick has arranged for Melges to deliver an M17 for our viewing and riding pleasure.  Coye Harrett will bring the boat over on Wednesday, July 15, do a set up and demo the next morning at the Yacht Club.  The boat will stay here at Clear Lake until Sunday, July 25, and Mike will be keeping it on his lift.  I hear these are really fun boats to sail, and if Mike can drum up enough interest we may have to start considering a new fleet for the CLYC.  Feel free to contact Mike at musailor@gmail.com or by phone, 641-357-5155 (weekends) or 515-277-7021 to make arrangements. 

Later, Oz

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June 23, 2010 

The weather and winds may have been a bit tricky, but we got in lots of races last weekend, including the Dad/Mom/Lad/Lass. It looks like this weekend’s main event will by the CLYC 75th Anniversary Gala Celebration. 

SPEAKING OF THE 75TH GALA……….Because of the “iffy” weather forecasts (Ed. Note:  I thought all weather forecasts were “iffy”), the Gala will be at The Surf.  Only the location has changed, everything else is the same. So we’ll be looking for you at The Surf on Saturday, June 26, at 6:30 p.m., dressed to kill and ready to celebrate.  Spread the word that The Surf is the new location because some members don’t do emails, or don’t get emails or don’t check the website or don’t know what a website is. The Committee tells me there are a shade less than 300 folks who are primed to party……so let’s do so……at The Surf.  The Committee also informs me that, by sheer coincidence, this year is also the 75th Anniversary for Sperry Topsider Co., a little known fact that should help you when making decisions regarding your Gala attire. 

The self-proclaimed “Shameless Commerce Division (SCD for short)” has produced a decal of the 75th Anniversary logo that is suitable for boats, vehicles or anywhere else you care to put a sticker.  Each registered racing hull is entitled to one free decal – the rest are available for purchase (2 for $5).  They will be available for pickup and purchase at the Gala….. which is at The Surf. The SCD hopes you can bring exact change, because for some mysterious reason their petty cash drawer is empty. 

Did I mention that the Gala is at The Surf this weekend??!!:) 

DAD/MOM/LAD/LASS RESULTS…….are in.  Five brave skippers tried to show the kids how older folks fumble around in an X Boat amid dying breezes last Sunday afternoon, and here’s how they finished up: 

            1.         Z-8                  Ken and AJ Hanus
           
2.         Z-6                  Nick and Katie Zachar
           
3.         Z-42                Mark and Anne Tesar
           
4.         Z-11                Chris and Henry Long
           
5.         Z-22                John and Megan Vratsinas
           
Dead last                     Bill and Will Casey, interlopers in the wrong boat (a Catalina 16) and who certainly are the wrong ages!! 

A BIG THANKS FROM THE BUILDING COMMITTEE…..to Jenny Tomlinson and Bill and Fran Oz for helping restore the flower garden at the Yacht Club last weekend, just in case the Gala was going to be held at the Yacht Club…….which it isn’t……it’s at The Surf. 

GOOD LUCK TO THOSE ATTENDING THE MC MASTERS REGATTA…….at Lake Okoboji this weekend.  Unfortunately attendees at this regatta are giving away the fact that they are over 50 (hence the “Masters” designation).  I think Eric Protzman and Jeff Nicholas will be representing CLYC admirably………and then will be racing back to Clear Lake to attend the Gala…….which is at The Surf, by the way. 

See you at The Surf,  

Oz

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June 17, 2010 

From a racing perspective, we were O for the entire weekend.  Got two races started on Saturday and Sunday morning, did a couple of laps, then went home.  Saturday afternoon was basically a nice leisurely sail to the starting line followed shortly by a nice leisurely sail back home. 

DAD/MOM/LAD/LASS……….is this Sunday, June 20 at 2 p.m., weather permitting.  This is the annual rite of passage for X Boat parents to demonstrate to their kids that there are some things the kids are definitely better at.  Always a lot of fun….and laughs….so don’t miss it if you have the chance. 

ITS COUNTDOWN TIME FOR THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY GALA……on Saturday, June 26, 6:30 p.m. at the Yacht Club.  The Committee wants to thank everyone for getting reservations in on time.  There has been a wonderful response and final plans are in place for a truly memorable evening.  The CLYC website is no longer available for reservations, but if there are any last minute reservations or cancellations you may call Ann Beasley at 641-512-1970. 

Parking for the Gala might be a bit challenging because there is an event in the park that evening which also starts at 6:30.  If you want to give your guests the red carpet treatment, you can still drop them off in front of the Yacht Club so the paparazzi can snap a few shots……….. 

Be sure to come promptly at 6:30 for the delicious appetizers provided by the Board of Directors.  At 7:00 there will be a quick photo of the group before dinner is served. 

In case of rain, the party will be moved to the Surf.  We’re figuring out the best way(s) to notify all the attendees if that happens……..stay tuned, we’ll get it in next week’s newsletter. 

SOMETIMES THE LITTLE GUYS WIN……..Thanks to sailors around the state, most notably from Clear Lake and Lake Okoboji, including our own Mark Tesar the latest “tax grab” by the DNR has been held at bay…..for now.  Read the attached article from the Des Moines Register for details. 
 Click here for link to article  

CLASSIFIEDS…….Karen Wilmarth is putting Chuck’s MC on the sale block.  It’s MC 1326, with trailer, 3 sets of sails, deck cover, stored inside.  This would be a good buy at $2100 for a recreational sailor or even a racer…….heck, a boat of the same vintage (MC 1345) got 2nd place in last years MC Nationals.  An extra $500 would also get you the lift.  Call Karen at 641-357-6620 if you or someone you know might be interested. 

Later, Oz

 

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June 10, 2010 

Well, last weekend was a bit of a letdown after an over-the-top Memorial Day….but it was tolerable.  The X Boats and C’s ran out of wind Saturday morning, but there were good breezes the rest of the weekend. 

THAT WAS A NICE INAUGURAL PARTY FOR THE 2010 SEASON……thanks to Risewicks for allowing all Yacht Club members to invade their home for an evening.  The Social Members provided the best fare of the year, as usual……..I haven’t had to eat all week.  And a round of applause for Dave Miller, who jumped into the breach at the last minute, inventoried our beverage supplies, purchased what was needed and got it to the party venue, all without breaking into a sweat. 

75TH ANNIVERSARY GALA REMINDER………If you are planning to attend the Gala at the Yacht Club on June 26th, you absolutely need to get your reservations in by June 10th (today!).  It’s really slick if you go to the CLYC Website (www.clyciowa.com) to register and pay your $15.  The Committee needs to order food and wants to make sure they have an accurate count. 

Please note that no tickets are being issued for the event.  If you are registered, you will be checked in and furnished with an “official” nametag when you arrive at the gala. 

I sense an overabundance of angst about what it means to wear “Black Tie and Topsiders” to the gala. OK everyone, chill out. According to the powers-that-be you can choose whether you want the operative word to be “black tie” or “topsiders”…….or some combination of the two.  No need to go out and rent a tux…..unless, of course, you can find one of those cool royal blue ones or lime green ones (or, better yet, light brown ones with dark brown stripes) that we had to wear to weddings in the ‘70s.  Actually, there is no need to rent topsiders either, but I suspect that is less of a problem. If you happen to own a tux, why not wear it…..or at least wear those parts of the tux that still fit you! Heaven forbid anyone would care what I’m wearing…..but if it makes you feel better, I will be your “style guide”….I plan to walk the red carpet with the only part of my old tux that fits (that would be the top), add some tasteful shorts (probably Hawaiian print or surfer dude) and complete my repertoire with rented (or stolen) topsiders.  

One more reason to attend the Gala is so you can vote on the best boat name in the Clear Lake Yacht Club of the last 75 years.  The Committee has laboriously combed through the archives and has come up with some doozies.  There will also be an opportunity to vote for “write in” candidates.  But, remember, you must be present to vote…….. 

Later, Oz            

 

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June 3, 2010 

Now there was a Memorial Day weekend for the ages!  During the entire history of the universe, it has never ever been pleasant for all three days……..with one notable exception…..last weekend. It was warm, it was sunny, there were nice breezes.  You could even get in the water without too much pain…..just ask Nathan Kotz, who waited until Sunday’s race to give it a try! 

FIRST YACHT CLUB PARTY OF THE SEASON……is this Saturday, June 5, 6:30 p.m. at Risewicks, 1715 North Shore Drive.  The Social Members are in charge of bringing the heavy hors d’oeuvres, so we are in very good hands.  If the weather looks nasty, the party will be relocated to the Yacht Club building.  Hopefully someone has figured out a phone tree, or an email blast, or smoke signals from the island, or (better yet) a float plane with a banner flying behind it, to let us know of the change. 

MEMORIAL DAY REGATTA RESULTS……….It was a great weekend to get the rust out, and what follows is a listing of those who managed to do it the best: 

            X Fleet                                                MC Fleet                                 C Fleet 

1. Z-42  Anne Tesar                1. 2475 Eric Protzman                        1. Z-3    Bill Nicholas
2. Z-24  Chrissy Tesar             2. 2340 Stu Oltrogge                          2. Z-100 Steve Swift
3. Z-11  Maggie Long             3. 2410 Steve Taylor                           3. Z-110 Don Taylor, Jr.
4. Z-6    Katie Zachar              4. 2178 Mark Tesar                           4. Z-2     Tom Birdsall
5. Z-8    AJ Hanus                   5. 2401 Todd Tesar                            5. Z-77   JC Risewick 

            Hobie Fleet                             E Fleet 
1. 63059    Bill Wilson                1. Z-6   Jamie & Lori Zachar
2. 1701      Chris Wessels           2. Z-15 Charlie MacNider
3. 111462  Charlie Clemens        3. Z-24 Bob Swanson
4. 105377  Jeff Griffin 

AND NOW A WORD FROM THE 75th ANNIVERSARY COMMITTEE……Be sure to make your reservations for the 75th Anniversary Gala on June 26th. It’s just around the corner and you can easily buy your tickets on the CLYC Website (www.clyciowa.com). We need to have an accurate count for tables and food, so please help the planning committee out by making your reservations by the end of this weekend, if at all possible. 

For only $15 per person you will be treated to a sit down catered dinner complete with freshly barbecued New York strip steaks, grilled to perfection by our own Vice Commodore, Gerald Peterson.  Our X-Boat sailors will be on hand to serve appetizers. And, finally a short program showcasing our 75 years will top off the evening.  It really is an event you won’t want to miss, if for no other reason than we won’t do it for another 25 years!

 The party will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Yacht Club with appetizers. At 7:00 we will all gather for a panoramic photo to be taken by Craig Kienast a local professional photog. The photo will be framed to hang in the CLYC building as a lasting memento. 

And, finally the Committee (read Paula Hanus) wants to thank all who contributed to the video interviews last Sunday.  We had a great day with lots of great stories.  Special thanks to the video crew, Al Hayward, Connie Anderson, Jeff Nicholas and of course the master mind, David Woodward.  Thanks also to those of you who have been giving us old photos and video clips.  Before it’s all over, we plan to do more interviews and get a sampling of all the fleets and groups so you can see the many different facets that have made this club what it is today.  Thanks again. 

START THINKING INTERLAKES REGATTA……I know it’s only June, but we are hosting the Interlakes Regatta in early August.  Registration will be August 5, and sailing will be August 6, 7 and 8.  As usual, we’re offering housing for sailors from other lakes, which is especially important this year because the Car Classic event has booked most of the hotel rooms in the area.  Please call Margaret Oz (612-418-8856 cell) or email her (inremoz@aol.com) with any accommodations you can offer that weekend for some poor starving sailors. 

Later, Oz

 

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May 26, 2010
 

OK…….at the risk of creating yet another weather jinx, it sure seems like summer has arrived once again……..with a vengeance………we’re already in August if I read the thermometer correctly. 

MEMORIAL DAY REGATTA…….is this weekend, Saturday, May 29 and Sunday, May 30.  Hopefully you have removed the rust from your boat and yourself.  Look for back-to-back races on Saturday. 

YACHT CLUB BOARD MEETING……..is this Sunday, May 30, 1:00 p.m. at the Yacht Club.  I’ll go out on a limb (since I don’t really know) and announce that there are boatloads of issues to discuss, so Board Members, please make every effort to attend. 

75th ANNIVERSARY VIDEO INTERVIEWS………The CLYC 75th Anniversary Committee is attempting to capture stories of the past 75 years of the Clear Lake Yacht Club on video tape.  This project started several months ago and, because of a grant from the Hanson Foundation, the Committee has been able to enlist the professional services of club member David Woodward.  Over the next few months, the Committee is going to try to get some sort of representation from all of the fleets, past and present, and several of the other groups who have helped make the Yacht Club what it is today. 

This Sunday, May 30, at the Yacht Club, the Committee will be videotaping past and current members of the Cougar Fleet, MC Fleet, C Fleet, Women Sailors (editors note: this group is not to be confused with the Cougar Fleet), and some of the Old Salts.  If you are a member or past member of any (or all) of these fleets/groups, please come and share your stories.  If you have any questions please contact Paula Hanus (hanusk@netins.net or 641-357-1741) or Jeff Nicholas (jnichls@netins.net or 641-357-2630).  Here’s the actual schedule for being at the Yacht Club this Sunday:

                Noon -                  Cougar Fleet
                2:15 -                     MC Fleet
                3:00 -                     C Fleet
                4:00 -                     Lady Sailors
                5:00 -                     Old Salts 

Keep your eye on upcoming newsletters for interview schedules for other CLYC fleets and groups. 

SPEAKING OF THE THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY…….Be sure to mark your calendars for the Yacht Club’s big 75th Anniversary Gala on June 26.  Invitations have gone out with reservation instructions.  This event is similar to a regatta: your payment is your reservation and you will be checked in at the door of the event.  Those of you who already registered and paid as part of your Yacht Club registration or by going directly to the CLYC website can rest assured that you are on the guest list.  The deadline for reservations is June 10th.  

Many have asked about attire for the gala event.  The Committee recognizes that sailors like to be “comfortable” (a nice word for “slobs”), and is therefore asking that you use your own (presumably good) judgment about how you want to blend topsiders with tuxedos.  Just have some fun with it! 

The Committee has tried to include many of the Yacht Club’s former members who were active in the earlier years of the CLYC.  But if you have an idea of an “old salt” who may get forgotten by the Committee, by all means please give Ann Beasley a call at 641-512-1970 or an email a abeas@mchsi.com. 

THE YACHT CLUB PARTY EARLY WARNING SYSTEM…..is now in effect.  Next weekend……not this weekend…….on Saturday, June 5 is the first CLYC party of the season.  It’s at Risewicks on North Shore Drive and the Social Members have the hors d’oeuvres honors.  Forewarned is forearmed!! 

Later, Oz

 

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May 11, 2010 

So, forgive me if I jinxed the weather with my last newsletter.  I said summer was here…..and it was…now it’s not. Hope you enjoyed it, because it appears we’re moving headlong into autumn.  The Sports Illustrated jinx’s got nuthin’ on the Crow’s Nest jinx! 

THIS IS IT……..No ifs, ands or buts. May 15 is the deadline for your CLYC registration. Attached is an application form you can fill out and mail in (but you had better do it the instant you get this newsletter), or you can simply go online to www.clyciowa.com, click on the “Membership” tab and…..voila…..get it done instantly without a stamp, without an address label, without a check (but with a credit card). 

SORRY FOR THE DELAY IN GETTING THE LAST NEWSLETTER EMAILED…..It seems the server’s spam protection system was a wee bit overzealous.  When webmaster Harry Alcorn sent out a couple hundred emails, the spam filter profiled him as a spammer on a massive spamming expedition and promptly rejected all the emails.  It never ceases to amaze me how highly effective spam filters are when stopping a Yacht Club newsletter, and how utterly ineffective they are at stopping internet ads for weight loss, hair loss, Viagra and Nigerian money schemes. 

MEMORIAL DAY REGATTA IS STILL ABOUT 2 ½ WEEKS AWAY…….and I know a lot of docks, lifts and boats have been in the lake since mid-April, but I would be willing to bet that most of you are pretty rusty when it comes to sailing skills.  A few folks have the jump on you……those who participated in the “off season” regattas like Midwinters at Lake Eustis, Florida (where Jeff Nicholas and Eric Protzman represented CLYC in a 70 boat fleet), and like the Spring Regatta last weekend at Lake Harriet in Minneapolis (where 2 Oltrogge MCs and 2 Tesar MCs experienced rain, wind and sleet (that was Saturday), then no wind and sun galore (that was Sunday)). 

REMEMBER TO ORDER YOUR 2010 CLYC CALENDAR………It’s got every date that matters this season, it’s very impressive, and might even have a photo of you in it. Order by emailing clyccalendars@gmail.com. 

THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH THE BERGO FAMILY……Lyle passed away last week.  Great supporter of the Yacht Club and the Sailing School, former Commodore, judge and sailor…..he will be missed. 

Oz 

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April 22, 2010 

Six weeks ago there was four feet of snow on the ground.  Then, a couple weeks later summer arrived.  Apparently we don’t get spring this year…..not that I’m complaining. In fact, I bet many of you have docks in.  I bet some of you have lifts and boats in.  I bet a few may even have gotten out on the lake.  And I bet a very, very, very few have gotten their Yacht Club registrations in………….It’s time to change that because May 15 is the registration deadline this year, so read on……… 

CLYC Membership Registration Form…..is attached.  You can fill it out, and mail it to PO Box 29, Clear Lake, IA 50428 with a check.  Or you can visit the CLYC website (www.clyciowa.com), click on the “Membership Info” tab, copy the same form and do the same thing with that.  Or, under that tab, you can actually register online and pay with a credit card.  The form is designed to make it easy for you to make a donation to the CLYC Sailing School and the online form allows you to sign up for the CLYC 75th Year Gala Event (more about that later).  Whatever registration option you choose, make sure you get it done by May 15…….or else. 

Sailing School Information Sheet…..is also attached.  And you can also find it on the CLYC website under the (you guessed it) “Sailing School” tab. 

Sailing School Registration Form….is also attached.  You can complete the attached form, or print the same form off the website……follow the instructions on the form, and mail it to PO Box 29, Clear Lake, IA with a check.  The sooner you do this, the easier it is for the Sailing School to determine how best to structure classes for its sessions. 

2010 Yacht Club Schedule…..is the final attachment.  It’s got the racing schedule, the party schedule, the board meeting schedule and the schedule for important regattas.  By the way, this is also on the website under the (you guessed it again) “Schedule” tab. 

IF YOU DON’T HAVE ONE OF THE NEW 2010 CLYC CALENDARS, YOU ARE MISSING THE BOAT…………Dan and Sara Allen put together a great product last fall. It’s got primo photos of many of you Yacht Club folks and it’s got all the dates that matter.  You might be thinking this is a little late to be ordering a 2010 calendar, but if you keep thinking some more you’ll quickly realize that nothing really important happens until summer anyway.  So email clyccalendars@gmail.com and you can make the delivery and monetary arrangements to get yours pronto. 

THIS YEAR IS THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CLEAR LAKE YACHT CLUB…..and the organizers are finalizing plans for a Gala Dinner on Saturday, June 26, a memorial book or DVD, and a retro sailboat race around replicas of the old “permanent” barrel buoys that will be anchored in their old locations around the lake.  You can sign up and buy tickets for the dinner on the online CLYC registration form or on the “CLYC 75th Anniversary Gala Event” link found on the first page of the website. And, if you want to be really helpful and get in on the planning or execution of these events the Planning Committee would love to hear from you:  Byron and Ann Beasley, Tom and Denni Sue Erickson, Gerald Peterson, Ken and Paula Hanus, Jeff and Joann Nicholas. 

WE ARE HOSTING A FEW REGATTAS THIS SEASON…………The Interlake Regatta will be Friday, Aug. 6 thru Sunday, Aug. 8 (I know some of the schedules show different dates, but these are the correct ones).  The brand spanking new MC Team Regatta will be held the weekend after Labor Day.  And sometime this summer we will hold the annual Opti Regatta (details of both events to follow……when I know them). 

Later, OZ

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The Clear Lake Yacht club will be celebrating it's 75th Anniversary in 2010.  In commemoration of the event, we are planning several special events. 

 Also,  the Sailing School will be printing a 2010 CLYC Calendar which will be for sale soon.  The calendars would make great Christmas gifts...maybe your boat is in one of the pictures!   

Planning Committee 

Chairpersons:  Commodore Byron Beasley and Ann

Co-Chairs: Tom and Denni Sue Erickson     

Vice Commodore Gerald Peterson

Ken and Paula Hanus

Jeff and Joann Nicholas

 

(If you would like to be involved in some way, just contact one of us.) 

 

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