Dockside Blog

The Ephraim Yacht Club regrets to announce that longtime EYC member and Ephraim summer resident Hugh Meilinger passed away on October 21.

The Eagle’s Cry, the newsletter of the Ephraim Yacht Club, has been mailed to all EYC members and is also available online at www.eyc.org/eaglescry.  The latest issue features 2012 racing results, an interesting article on jib-and-main racing by John Peterson, an announcement of a winter fundraising gala in Lake Forest to benefit the Aaron R. Moore Sailing Scholarship Fund, a wrap-up of the EYC’s successful 420 fundraising campaign, a description of the EYC’s new online membership renewal system, a story on the 2012 Flying Scot North American Championship regatta, and more!

A big thank-you to everyone who contributed articles to the Eagle’s Cry.  Special thanks to our volunteer editing and publishing crew, Fran Morof and Nancy Claypool.  Twice per year, they spend a lot of time producing a timely, high-quality newsletter for the benefit of all EYC members.  Be sure to thank Fran and Nancy next time you see them!

The EYC already awards a lot of trophies at the annual Ephraim Regatta.  We give trophies to the top five finishers, the winner of the first race (Vail Cup), winner of the last race (Charlie Sauter Trophy), top skipper age 18 or under (Sturgis Trophy), and the top husband-wife team (Peder Knudson trophy).  And that doesn’t even count the longest-distanced-traveled prize, or all the extra trophies we award when the EYC hosts the Flying Scot Midwest District Championships!

But at the EYC, sailing is a family sport and we don’t have an Ephraim Regatta trophy which recognizes sailing families.  Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could give an award for the top boat at the Ephraim Regatta sailed by family members?  If you are interested in joining the Vail, Sauter, Sturgis, and Knudson families by donating a named trophy, please contact [email protected].

Now that the summer season is over, do you have surplus items which you could donate to the EYC?  The EYC would be grateful for your donation of boats or equipment (or cash, or appreciated securities).

The EYC relies on donations from members and friends to help keep dues low and to keep EYC membership accessible.  Because of its educational and amateur athletic mission, the EYC is qualified as a charity under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and therefore your donation is tax-deductible.

Among the items which the EYC would particularly like to receive are:

*  A used compact pickup truck (Chevy S-10 or Ford Ranger or similar) or similar sized SUV with an automatic transmission.  We need a dedicated EYC vehicle for towing and launching boats, and to run errands…for too long we have been depending on EYC volunteers to provide free use of their vehicles for these tasks.

* Flying Scot, Optimist, Laser and 420 sailboats, and sails and equipment for them.

* Powerboats from 13 to 20 feet.

* 4-stroke outboard motors.

* Shore Stations and similar boat lifts.

The EYC will also gladly accept other boats and marine items in good condition which can be used in the EYC’s programs or sold to raise funds for the EYC.  To donate, contact [email protected].

And, remember the EYC in your will!

If you have good photos of EYC people or events from 2012, please submit your photos to the EYC.  The EYC will post the photos in its public online photo archive at www.flickr.com/photos/ephraimyachtclub/collections.  Your photos may also be used in the Eagle’s Cry.

Do you think that would take too much time?  How about submitting just your three FAVORITE 2012 EYC photos?  We especially like good sailing action photos, and photos of EYC members and juniors having fun at various EYC events and activities.  We also like older photos scanned into digital format!

You can submit your photos by e-mail to [email protected].  If you have too many photos to e-mail, contact [email protected] to learn alternative methods to submit your photos.

Alternatively, you can share your photos on the EYC’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/EphraimYachtClub

Please share your photos!  We want to build an EYC photo archive which future generations can look back on with a smile.

The EYC is once again featuring classified advertising on its website!

Check out what’s for sale, or place your own ad to reach the EYC’s members, at http://ephraimyc.wpengine.com/classified-advertising/

Currently the page features a couple of beautiful laminated charts of Upper Green Bay and Northern Lake Michigan, a top cover for an Optimist, five various printers / scanners / copiers / fax machines only $50 each, and a pile of used sails suitable for making bags and other crafts.

The EYC regrets to announce the passing of member Kurt Schultz, of Chicago and Ephraim, on August 5.

A celebration of life service will be held in Winnetka on August 31.  An obituary is here:

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/chicagotribune/obituary.aspx?pid=159029643

The EYC has completed its campaign to raise funds to purchase a fleet of eighteen 420-class doublehanded dinghies.  The campaign’s final push took the EYC over its fundraising goal of $64,420 in pledges.  Currently the amount pledged is almost $68,000!  The pledged amount, plus the amount the EYC will realize from the sale of its eight Flying Juniors, will fund the purchase of the 420s, sails and dollies without the need to spend the EYC’s operating funds.

A big thank you to everyone who pledged!  The 420s, together with their new sails and dollies, will be delivered prior to the 2013 season.  The EYC plans for this fleet to serve the EYC for a decade, for lessons, racing, and recreational sailing.

Thanks again to several people who were instrumental in raising these funds:  campaign co-chairs Scott and Duska Pearson, Scott’s assistant Joanne Shea, EYC Treasurer Deb Ritter, and fundraisers Marsella Fults, Jack O’Rourke, and Jay Lott.  Special thanks to Heather and Bill Andersen, who donated all the liquor for the fundraising gala hosted at the Pearson’s home.

Although the EYC has reached its fundraising goal to purchase the boats, additional donations to the EYC are always welcome and appreciated, and will be used to pay expenses associated with the fleet expansion, including new concrete on the pier, and additional sail and gear storage lockers.  So, if you would still like to donate, your donation won’t be turned away, and your name still can be included on the list of 420 campaign donors!  To donate by credit card, go to www.eyc.org/donate.  Or, mail a check to the Ephraim Yacht Club, P.O. Box 331, Ephraim, WI 54211.

Individual donors will be listed in the Fall Eagle’s Cry and on the EYC website.  Before the donor list is published, each individual donor will be contacted and given an opportunity to opt out of the listing or to be listed as an anonymous donor.

If you have pledged but not yet paid, you must pay prior to October 15, 2012 in order to have your name listed in the Fall Eagle’s Cry.  If you cannot remember how much you pledged, or if you are not sure if you have already paid your pledge, contact EYC Treasurer Deb Ritter [email protected].

The 2012 Ephraim Regatta (August 3-4-5) also will be the Flying Scot Midwest District Championship!  Over forty Flying Scots are expected to compete.  All EYC members are encouraged to participate, as racers, volunteers, spectators, or partygoers, in the 107th consecutive Ephraim Regatta.  For more information see the Notice of Race at www.eyc.org/racing.  To register online for the Ephraim Regatta go to www.eyc.org/racing.

Here are the highlights of the Ephraim Regatta, in chronological order:

The DEADLINE FOR QUALIFIED EYC MEMBERS TO ENTER THE DRAWING TO SKIPPER AN EYC-OWNED FLYING SCOT in the EPHRAIM REGATTA is extended to 9:00 AM on Wednesday, August 1.  Qualified members can enter the drawing by sending an e-mail to [email protected] stating your name and that you wish to be in the Ephraim Regatta drawing.  The drawing results will be emailed to drawing participants on July 31. To skipper an EYC-owned Flying Scot you must be an EYC member and you must have an EYC Skipper’s License.  The list of Skipper’s License holders is at www.eyc.org/member-info.  If your name is not on the list, and you believe it should be, please contact EYC Director Alex Zalar [email protected] as soon as possible to cause the list to be updated, or to schedule an in-person assessment to determine if you can be on the list.  By entering the drawing, you commit to skippering the Flying Scot you draw in the entire Ephraim Regatta, unless you choose not to sail for safety reasons.  Any boats remaining unassigned after the drawing will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis to qualified skippers.

The FLYING SCOT MIDWEST DISTRICT SINGLEHANDED CHAMPIONSHIP REGATTA will be held on the afternoon of Friday, August 3.  The first race is scheduled for 3:30 PM.  Anyone registered in the Ephraim Regatta is eligible to compete in the Singlehanded Championship Regatta.  The Singlehanded Regatta is also a prime spectating opportunity, with some of the more amusing boathandling you will see this summer.  For more information on the Singlehanded Regatta see the Ephraim Regatta Notice of Race at www.eyc.org/racing.  Advance online registration in the Ephraim Regatta (www.eyc.org/racing) is required in order to be registered for the Singlehanded Regatta.

The REGATTA WELCOME PARTY begins at 6:00 P.M. on Friday, August 3, at the Olga Dana Green (the park across the street from the EYC).  Admission (payable at the head of the food line or in advance with your Ephraim Regatta registration) will be $10/person, $5 for children under 11.  Adults and children alike are invited.  The EYC will provide pulled pork BBQ sandwiches, side dishes and lemonade; BYO soda and / or adult beverages.  All EYC members, their guests, and non-member regatta participants are invited. Please attend and welcome our regatta competitors!  To see the invitation go here: http://www.scribd.com/doc/101028607/Ephraim-Regatta-Welcome-Party-Invite-2012

The EPHRAIM REGATTA AND FLYING SCOT MIDWEST DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP will be held on Saturday, August 4 and Sunday, August 5.  Racing begins at 11:00 AM on Saturday and 10:00 AM on Sunday.  For more information on the Regatta, see the Notice of Race at www.eyc.org/racing.  To register online go to www.eyc.org/racing.

The LEGENDARY BRATFEST hosted by the Klein and Claypool families is the evening of Saturday, August 4.  All EYC members and guests are invited, no reservations necessary!  The Bratfest will begin at 6:00 PM. $12 adults, $6 children 11 and under (children 5 and under are free), payable at the door.  Famous grilled brats, grill-roasted sweet corn on the cob, beer and soft drinks, volleyball, music, and great company.  Parents are reminded not to leave children unattended at the Bratfest.  Location: 3282 Gibraltar Road, Fish Creek.   Directions from the EYC:  South on Hwy. 42 to intersection with Maple Grove Road. Left (east) on Maple Grove to intersection with Gibraltar Road. Right on Gibraltar Road to 3282.  Look for the flags on the side of the road.

The eight Flying Scots owned by the EYC are available to be skippered by qualified EYC members in the Ephraim Regatta (August 3-4-5).  A drawing will be held to allocate the boats and the EYC’s racing sails.

TO ENTER THE BOAT DRAW FOR THE EPHRAIM REGATTA, you must send an e-mail to [email protected] not later than 3:00 PM on Tuesday, July 31, stating your name and that you wish to enter the Ephraim Regatta boat drawing.

To enter the drawing, you must be a current EYC member and the holder of an EYC Skipper’s License.  To determine if you are on the list of EYC Skipper’s License holders, go to www.eyc.org/member-info.  If your name is not on the list, and you believe it should be, please contact EYC Director Alex Zalar [email protected] as soon as possible to cause the list to be updated, or to schedule an in-person assessment to determine if you can be on the list.

Boat draw winners will be notified by e-mail on Tuesday, July 31, including the name of the boat they have drawn and the sails they have drawn.  By entering the boat draw, you commit to compete in the entire Ephraim Regatta as skipper of the boat you drew, unless you choose not to race for safety reasons.  For more information on the Ephraim Regatta, to view the Notice of Race, and to register online, go to www.eyc.org/racing.

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LOOKING FOR A RIDE to or from Door County, from somewhere far, far away like Green Bay, Milwaukee, Chicago, Madison, etc?  Or are you making the drive and looking for company or someone to share expenses?  Now there is a place where EYC members and friends can post rides needed or rides offered.  Just go to the EYC’s new Facebook Group, “Ephraim Yacht Club Ride Share,” located at http://www.facebook.com/groups/384545634934547/, or you can find a link to it at www.eyc.org/member-info.  You do not have to have a Facebook account to view the posts, but you to have a Facebook account and join the Group in order to post.

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The TEEN ACTIVITY on Thursday August 2 has been changed to a lunch cruise with John and Deanna Peterson and John’s sister Christine Bridenhagen aboard their beautiful cruising sailboats.  Meet at 10:00 AM at Yacht Works Marina in Sister Bay.  Bring a lunch and drinks, a PFD, a bathing suit and a towel.  Pick up at Yacht Works Marina at approximately 4:00 PM.  Teen activities are open to EYC members and guests who have at least finished 8th grade.  Sign up on the poster at the EYC or email EYC teen activities chair [email protected].  Questions? Call Heather 847-420-3978.