Commodore’s Corner

1/13/2012

I am sitting in my office, looking out the window, watching the snow blow by and accumulate into drifts at the base of the pine trees.  I found that if I squint just right, swaying my head from side to side, I am able make the drifts look like waves on the water.  Perhaps this is a sign of cabin fever.  Thank goodness it is early enough that I am the only one here to see me rolling my head from side to side. I am positive it is a sign of sailing depravation.

For some members of the club also suffering with this affliction, they may find a remedy in February with the club trip to the British Virgin Islands.  Unfortunately, I won’t be able to attend that trip and must delay my treatment until the beginning of the Alum Creek sailing season.  I truly envy those that are able to join our members in the Caribbean at the end of February.  If there are some that are interested, especially with the recent meteorological incentives, I believe there are still a few open bunks on some of the boats.  If you are interested, be certain to contact our Monohull Captain, Luis Navarro or Neil Heiser for more information.

For those who made it to the January general meeting or read the minutes, you will know that we are sending out the dock invoices shortly (you may have received them even before receiving this newsletter).  Included is our membership form for the 2012 sailing season.  Please attempt to get these back to ACSA early, to allow us more time to process all the invoices.

Dock Pick day is also just around the corner, on March 10 at Gordy’s in Westerville.  This is when we will be performing our annual dock swap, allowing current dock holders to move to different, unoccupied docks.  After that, we will be cycling through the dock waiting list to assign new docks.  Finally, after all of the unoccupied docks have been assigned, we will cycle through the dock waiting list again to assign seasonal subleases.  Thanks to much planning and experience this process moves very well and takes about an hour.  Our Rear Commodore, Gordon Fowler will be providing more information on the Dock Pick process.

The official splash day is still April 1, 2012, but, as many of you know, the two southern ramps on Alum Creek (Hollenback and New Galena) are closed due to construction.  The last we have heard from the State Park is that they are scheduled to be opened by May 1, 2012.  Some boats who are able to raise their masts at the dock will still be able launch their boats at the Cheshire ramp and motor under the bridge to the ACSA docks.  Those who are not able to raise their mast at the docks will need to postpone their launch until one of the southern ramps re-open.  I will be meeting with the State Park officials on April 18 to discuss the topic of the ramp maintenance topic, among others and will provide updates to the TwoList as soon as possible. 

I just glanced out the window again and noticed that the snow is coming down heavier and the wind is picking up pace.   I am thankful that it is finally here, for the sake of the skiing facilities and people who enjoy the winter weather.  Perhaps we might even salvage an ice boating season this winter.  Still, I long for the hot, sunny days of summer, spending time on the boats with good friends and fair winds.  Until then, I can daydream out my office window and envy those who are able to escape for a brief tropical sojourn to lower latitudes.  For those who are escaping, I only ask two favors; enjoy local beverage for me and bring back plenty of pictures and stories. 

Commodore