- January 19, Sat: Commodore s Ball, Gibson Island Club - February Stay Tuned for a Membership Meeting in February

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1 The Old Man < January 2013 > The Monthly Newsletter of the Magothy River Sailing Association Contents Calendar, 1 Commodore s Comments, 1 Upcoming Cruises and Events, 2 Past Cruises and Events, 3 Special Notices, 3 Racing Corner, 3 Junior Sailing, 4 Oh, by the Way, 4 newsletter contributions to newsletter@magothy sailing.com Deadline for ALL future issues: 25 th DAY OF THE MONTH PRIOR TO publication date Calendar of Upcoming Events - January 19, Sat: Commodore s Ball, Gibson Island Club - February Stay Tuned for a Membership Meeting in February - March Stay tuned for a Membership Meeting in March where you will be receiving your 2013 Red Book, edited by Joanne Trepp Commodore s Comments New Commodore at the Helm By Dick Paden, Commodore The MRSA Board of Governors held our first meeting on December 11 th. We had great interaction among the board members. I thought I would begin my first article as Commodore by providing insight to the Board s discussions, and conclude by looking forward to an enjoyable year on the water. As the first BOG meeting was about to begin, one of our new members asked what does BOG stand for? This year, I will refer to the Board of Governors, BOG, simply as The Board. Our first order of business was the Budget for 2013; we discussed each account and approved the Budget for The next most immediate item was the Commodore s Ball, Chris and Norm Poulsen were quickly introduced to the scope of work and willing accepted the challenge and the deadlines to ensure everyone is invited. We also came up with some great ideas to promote attendance. Angelo Guarino was able to connect Chris with the Frank Russo Jazz ensemble and Chris was able to book them for this year s Commodore s Ball. This January, you will be able to spend a wintery Saturday night with your friends and dine and dance to music provided a top quality Trio on a private island mark the date January 19 th. Be sure to look for your invitation; it will be arriving soon. Our racing schedule concluded back in November. The racing marks or buoys have been pulled from the water for the winter; a few will need repair. Zoe Forsyth, discussed this year s Junior Training Summer Camp and issues regarding the logistics and dates for the camp. This is still a work in progress but it seems evident that we will have a different schedule this year. Mike Bonham, made a great suggestion for reducing the Ships Store inventory and allowing us to obtain a broader selection of sailing gear at any time. Page 1

2 2012 OFFICERS OF THE MRSA Commodore: Dick Paden commodore Vice Commodore: Chris & Norm Poulsen vice_commodore Rear Commodore: Gene McCollum rear_commodore Fleet Captain Cruising: Myron Dorf and Mike Bonham and xxx-xxx-xxxx cruising Fleet Captain Junior Training: Zoe Forsyth junior_training Treasurer: Homer Sandridge treasurer Secretary: Sue Kirkendall secretary Race Committee Chair: Angelo Guarino race_committee Protest Chairman: Drew Dowling protests Now that we have had our first Board meeting and fortunately avoided Hurricane Sandy and survived the Mayan Apocalypse I am looking forward to a great sailing season for all MRSA Racers, Cursers, and Junior Sailors. To promote membership we will be developing an updated MRSA Information Tri-Fold Brochure. If you have a recent Racing, Cruising, Junior Sailing, or favorite Social Event picture please send it to me. We will select as many as possible for inclusion. In addition, I would like your thoughts about starting a new event, a Mid-Week Cruise. We may start with just three events: a Spring Cruise, a Summer Cruise, and a Fall Cruise to a local destination when it is not so crowded this year. Future Boards may expand and refine the program. Again please let me know what you think of the idea. You may me at commodore. I welcome your suggestions and comments. I look forward to serving as your Commodore this year and hope we all have fun. Upcoming Cruises & Events New MRSA Board of Governors (aka: The Board, or The BOG) As of the December 6 th election and Wine and Cheese Party at the Belvedere Yacht Club, we have a new slate of MRSA Officers for the new year. Elected into office are Commodore Dick Paden Vice Commodore Chris & Norm Poulsen Rear Commodore Gene McCollum Secretary Sue Kirkendall Treasurer Homer Sandridge Fleet Captain Cruising Myron Dorf & Mike Bonham Race Committee Chair Angelo Guarino Fleet Master Junior Training Zoe Forsythe Fleet Master Ben Reed Immediate Past Commodore Debbie Lund Please note that we also have numerous volunteers providing services to the membership throughout the year. Many of those are listed in the Magical Blue Bar on the left side of this newsletter. Please extend your thanks to all those above, to the left, to the right, below, and elsewhere. MRSA runs on volunteerism a good thing. Thanks to all for your assistance when asked and volunteered Commodore s Ball Saturday, January 19 Submitted by Dick Paden, Commodore Mark your calendar. Start the New Year with your MRSA friends at the Commodore s Ball Saturday, January 19 th at the Gibson Island Club. This year we will feature a live band for your listening and dancing pleasure the Frank Russo Jazz ensemble. This will be delightful change from our usual disco offerings. The snow forecast this year is for light snow about a week prior, heavy snow in February, but NO SNOW on the 19 th! So check your wardrobe, clean your tux, get all those stains and crumbs off your cummerbund, check out the latest Macy s One Day Sale for a new ball gown, peruse the consignment shops for those perfect gently used accessories and maybe do a few leg exercises. You will soon be receiving written invitations in the mail. Please be sure to RSVP in kind to the name on the card so that preparations may be made for food, entertainment, and seating for your party. We already have two tables of Wednesday Night Racers signed up to spice up the night!! See you there! ( Golly you look great with your clothes on! I heard someone say. ED) Page 2

3 Race Gear Chairman: Mark Walker race_gear Race Marks Chairman: Tom Price race_marks Scorer: Mike Mullarky scorer Junior Racing: Dan Prucnal junior_racing Membership Chair: Peggy & Ed Poe membership Fleetmaster: Ben Reed fleetmaster Immediate Past Commodore: Debbie Lund past_commodore Ship's Store: Loura Bonham ship_store Red Book Editor: Joanne Trepp redbook Old Man Editor: Bert Polk newsletter Web Master: Mike Mullarky webmaster Tall Tales from Past Cruises and Events Annapolis Parade of Lights at the Annapolis Marriott December 8 th Submitted by O. O. OHH & A. A. AAH Spectators photos courtesy of Loura and Mike Bonham Commencing at about sunset (1644) on Saturday, December 8, a distinguished crew gathered on a surprisingly warm and foggy evening in always warm Annapolis Marriott Hotel on the waterfront to OOH and AAH at the Annual Parade of Lights. The creativity of the lights on dozens of boats parading in the harbor was something magical to see, especially this year as boats and lights came and went in a Brigadoon like fog. MRSA has been doing this room thing at the Marriott long enough that our room is in one of the most prime locations in the building. Munchies and liquid refreshment of all sorts were shared as lights appeared to dazzle the fans for about two hours of uninterrupted parading on both sides of the Eastport Bridge with appropriate openings to trade sides. A good time was had by all and it was not even particularly cold this year! Special Membership Notices and Announcements MRSA Classifieds good deals from MRSA Members Fine Boat For Sale: Corret Islander 36 for sale. Please call or Philippe Masiee for details at or OR masiee@verizon.net. Dinghy Davits For Sale: Kingston SS dinghy davits, 350 lb. capacity, removable, includes optional fitting to turn one arm into an outboard motor lift. Like new. List price $1,898, Defender Marine price $1,189 (plus $83 motor lift adapter), asking $850. Corret 1980 Islander 36 See at Norm Poulsen or cnpoulsen@gmail.com. Racing Corner Think Spring 2013 It is time to check on your boat. Remember to check dock, mooring, or hard lines every few weeks to be sure everything is secure and like you would like it to be for the anticipated weather. This may also be a good time to make a few little repairs or do a little corrosion or varnish work especially for removable parts that can help you through the Ravens playoff commercials on a cold Sunday afternoon. Nothing is more frustrating than to discover too late that chaffing gear failed or a fitting has broken to require a pound of cure in the spring time. All this while thinking of your favorite or a future sail of your own. Page 3

4 CBYRA Representative: g.com Website: com. MRSA is a member of CBYRA, CBYCA, and Boat US. (Member #GA S) RESERVATIONS REQUIRED or REQUESTED FOR: - Commodore s Ball by Wednesday, January 10 PLEASE via RSVP card or to the Vice Commodore PHOTO CREDITS: Special thanks to Donna Paden, Philippe Masiee, Peggy Poe, Kathy Polk, and Loura Bonham for the photos in this issue of The Old Man! Please contact Angelo Guarino at race_committee for more details on how to be a successful racer next spring. Junior Sailing Program Ages 9-16 Junior Training By Zoe Forsyth, Fleet Captain Junior Training See you in the Spring! Questions? Contact Zoe Forsyth at or junior_training. Oh, By the Way R Months tasty nautical lore By C. Virginica OysteR season is upon us possibly the best part of not sailing in winter I heard someone say. OysteRs R in season during the R months: SeptembeR, OctobeR, NovembeR, DecembeR, JanuaRy, FebRuary, MaRch, and ApRil. It used to be that oysters were only available in markets and restaurants in MaRyland during those months. Economics and taste intervened and oysters are now pretty much available year-round in MaRyland part of why the Chesapeake Bay Journal recently noted that the Crassostrea virginica population in the Bay is now at about ONE percent of its historic levels. (Purists would NEVER buy or consume oysters in non-r months.) Bivalves are often in the Bay news, whether they be native C. virginica oysters, non-native possible imports of C. ariakensis, or various clams, false muscles, zebra muscles, and other species. It seems every proposal to help the shelled critters and the Bay has alarmed scientists and others who are concerned about the potential negative effects on the fragile Bay ecosystem from doing something, doing nothing, or doing something in between. Several MRSA members have become involved in oyster restoration, oyster farming, and, of course, shucking, baking, frying, microwaving, and eating. Restoration and farming (growing) are difficult though not impossible on the Magothy. Major oyster reef projects have been attempted with mixed success. In some cases the oyster spat - baby oysters if you will, have survived in small numbers and in other cases, the reef farmers had to try again. Individual growers generally purchase containers of mesh wire or plastic to suspend spat under piers, periodically clean, and eventually harvest and transfer to increase reef populations. And while oysters grow quickly, success overall requires a little bit of money plus lots of time, patience, perseverance, and habitat. If you have those qualities at your pier, you might consider becoming an oyster farmer this year. As you help increase the oyster population for eating, you will also help clean the water of the Bay as each oyster filters about 5 liters of water per day. And of course, a cleaner Bay also helps populations of crabs, fish, and even people. A fun winter pursuit is a little trip to the Harris Crab House on the NE side of the Kent Narrows Bridge. There you can purchase quantities of fresh or shucked oysters at one of the few oyster packing houses still existing in the area. And if you ask, you can probably receive a fascinating tour of the shucking and storage facilities. Little known fact: every Friday this month an entire tractor-trailer full of shucked oysters will be rolling off to a very surprising location, where apparently, the natives love MaRyland oysters: IowaR. (Yes, Iowa!!) How bout them oysters?! Page 4

5 OK NOT a great newspaper photo BUT, if you look closely and can read the caption, you will see our own Sigi Dorf participating in the annual AAUW Book Sale. (Sail Sale whatever.) Left Merry Crab-mas! Marriott Hotel decorations. Photo thanks to the Bonhams. Page 5

6 Above Decorations on the Marriott for the Parade of Lights. Boat Parade decorations, December 8, Photos thanks to Loura and Mike Bonham. The Old Man Magothy River Sailing Association P.O. Box 1135 Pasadena, MD Treasure the Chesapeake! htttp:// Please do your part to restore the Bay and make it cleaner. Page 6