Winter 2009 Newsletter
đ Download PDFOutside the first MAJOR snow storm of the winter 2008 is upon us. With many inches on the ground and many yet to come, thinking of summer and Friendships (both the boats and the people) is a welcome break! It was wonderful to see so many faces at the Merry Manor Inn in South Portland for the Annual Meeting. There were many familiar faces and new faces. Unfortunately, Gail and Roger were not able to attend the meeting. As many of you are aware, Gail underwent surgery to remove a tumor in her brain in the beginning of November. While the process of recovery is a long and challenging one, Gail and Roger are optimistic and hopeful that all will be well. As of this writing they are spending their weeks in Boston for daily radiation treat- ments and are returning to Belfast on the weekend. Your thoughts and well wishes are very much appreciated. It was with sadness that we heard the news of Jack Vibberâs passing on December 9th. Jack has been an integral part of the Friendship Sloop Society for many years. It was his hard work and dedication that began the New London Annual rendez- vous and cruise 20 years ago. Thank you to Greg for continuing that wonderful tradition! Jackâs obituary is on page 2 of this newsletter. Last winter many of you will recall viewing Red Boutil- ier’s photos of Friendship Sloops. Soon after, Roger and Gail contacted Ned Lightner from Insight Productions, in Belfast regarding a Friendship Sloop video. Last summer Ned spent some time at the Annual Homecoming in Rockland interviewing and video taping many of us as well as, of course, our boats. At the Annual Meeting we had the pleasure of watching this wonderful video. There were many excellent shots and great conversations. Ned is in the process of having the video placed on local access stations in Maine for the public to view. They are also, of course, for sale in our chandlery. We have started to make plans for next yearâs 49th Annual Homecoming in Rockland on July 16, 17 and 18th. Just thinking of it is making us wish that summer was around the corner. Of course, that would mean we are very far behind in getting the boat ready for 2009! We are hoping that in these uncertain times everyone will think about the enjoyment and peace they find while on the water. Remember the quiet and solitude of sailing and watching the sunset. Think about the friendships and good times, the laughter and excitement of Rockland. Whether you come to race, show off your boat, or just spend the day at the museums and galleries of Rockland (and of course visit with friends), we hope that you are starting to make your plans now for what promises to be an exciting 3-days! Wayne and Kirsten Cronin 2009 Schedule of Events Spring Executive Committee Meeting Saturday, April 4th Peabody Essex Museum Salem, MA New London Rendezvous & Cruise Saturday, June 20th to Wednesday, June 24th Southwest Harbor Rendezvous Saturday, July 11th Pulpit Harbor Rendezvous Tuesday, July 14th Homecoming Rendezvous & Races at Rockland Thursday, Friday, Saturday – July 16th to July 18th Marblehead Regatta August 9th Gloucester Schooner Festival Saturday, September 5th Fall Executive Committee Meeting Saturday, October 3rd Location – To Be Announced Annual Meeting Saturday, November 14th Best Western Merry Manor Inn South Portland., ME Volume 21 FSS.ORG Winter 2009 Issue 1 Friendships Newsletter of the Friendship Sloop Society Commodoreâs Message
WATERFORD – Holt C. “Jack” Vibber, of 5 Soljer Drive, Waterford died Tuesday, December 9th at Lawrence and Memorial Hospital in New London. Born March 23, 1914, the son of Wheeler and Almeida (Cowles) Vibber, he was a lifelong resident of New London and Waterford. He graduated from Chapman Tech High School in 1932. He served honorably in the U.S. Navy during W.W. II while stationed in New York as a carpenters mate lst class. It was during this time that he married Virginia Barbera in June, 1943, at the Staten Island Naval Base. After he left military service in 1946, he was employed for thirty-seven years by Northeast Utilities, working as a foreman in the overhead and underground distribution department. Besides his wife, he is survived by his three sons; Van Vibber and his wife Julie Shular of Malibu, California; Jaxon Vibber of Gales Ferry; and Kurt Vibber of Waterford. He was predeceased by his brothers Howland and Royce and his sisters Leona, Genesta and Winita. Jack was a remarkably dynamic individual who had a major influence on many lives. More significant is that he was such a quietly effective person due to his gentle good nature and endearing simplicity. Jack was known by many and his good reputation preceded him all along the eastern coast from Connecticut to Maine. He had been involved with boats practically all his life, working on sailing barges in his early years, restoring or repair- ing vessels such as Friendship Sloops (Ancient Mariner, aka Tern), Muscongus Sloops, Beetle Cats and other catboats, smacks, and Herreshoff Bullseyes. He was a charter member in 1929 of the Ship Model Makers Club International. Jack was an active and contributing member to many boating associations, notably Mystic Seaport Museum, U.S. Power Squadrons and the local New London Power Squadron, The Catboat Society, and the Noank Wooden Boat Association. He was also a member of the Thames Yacht Club, a plank owner in the American Schoo- ner Society, and, most especially, a well-recognized advocate for the Friendship Sloop Society. In the 1980s, Jack gathered a number of Friendship Sloop owners and enthusiasts to plan for a racing event during the New London Sailfest weekend. What started over twenty years ago continues as an annual rendezvous and cruise originat- ing in New London. He had volunteered and worked on organiz- ing committees for OPSail 2000, waterfront activities in New London such as Boats, Books and Brushes, and the Sailfest planning board. Jack involved himself in local affairs and civic organi- zations as well. Long enjoying baseball, he was a founding member in 1953 of Waterford Little League North. He even started up a band of L.L. players and was manager of the “Lumberjacks.” He was a founding member of Oswegatchie Fire Department, having served as foreman and drillmaster of firefighters. Additionally, he earned a life membership in the Cohanzie Fire Department. He was a member of the New London Elks, Lodge 360, where he and his wife were often noted for their elegance, energy and enthusiasm on the dance floor. As for music, Jack was quite knowledgeable of jazz and was very capable of calling a good square dance as well. A funeral tribute was held at the Byles Memorial Home, New London, CT. Burial was followed in Cedar Grove Cemetery, New London. Donations in Mr. Vibber’s name may be made to the Friendship Society’s Pendelton Memorial Schol- arship Fund, The Friendship Sloop Society, P.O. Box 279, Friendship, ME 04547 or a charity of choice. Friendship Sloop Society 50th Annual Regatta July 2010 Itâs hard to believe but the 50th Anniversary of the Friendship Sloop Annual Regatta and Homecoming is fast approaching. In July 2010 we will be having a wonderful celebration in Rockland! There have been many thoughts and ideas passed around regarding ways to celebrate this momentous occasion. Some of these ideas are focused on the event itself (like having 50 Friendships in Rockland) and others around things we can do to showcase who we, The Friendship Sloop Society are. I am in the process of putting together a â50th Anniversary Committeeâ and need people who are willing to help. Now, before you say âI donât have timeâ or âSo much workâ remem- ber that the more people are available to help the less work there will actually be. Please let me know if you have an interest and weâll figure out what works best for you! One of the things we are working on is creating a book about Friendships. We all know there are a few books out there dedicated to Friendship Sloops that do a wonderful job of educating people on Friendship Sloops. Unfortunately, they are getting outdated. I am putting together a book about Friendship Sloops AND their owners. Inserted in this newsletter is a questionnaire to be filled out and returned to me if you have not already done so. Please also include a picture of your sloop so that we can include it! If you prefer not to complete the entire questionnaire, thatâs ok, please just send the basics back to me (name, owner, builder, etcâŠ) The more questionnaires I receive the more complete this book will be. The deadline for submis- sion of the questionnaire is May 1st. My mailing address is: Kirsten Cronin 525 Main St. Thomaston ME 04861 Email if itâs easier is: Kirsten@kirstentranscribes.com Donât hesitate to get in touch with any questions, concerns, thoughts etcâŠ. you can also reach me (and Wayne) at 207-354-0467. – 2 – Jack Vibber, New London Organizer, Passes Away at 94
Sailors Enjoy Two Days of Racing by Ken Waltz, âVillageSoupâ Community Editor ROCKLAND (July 22): After Mother Nature refused to cooper- ate Thursday, racing went off without a hitch the next two days to make the 48th annual Friendship Sloop Days races in Penob- scot Bay a rousing success. âWe had two days of spirited races in excellent wind on Friday and Saturday,â said Roger Lee, commodore of the Friend- ship Sloop Society. âThursdayâs race was canceled for lack of wind.â Lee said the parade of sloops was well attended by spectators, âwho had a beautiful view of the boats passing the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse under full sail.â He said about 130 owners and supporters gathered for Saturday nightâs awards dinner at the public landing. The races were held in and around the Rockland Breakwater. Lee said 17 boats made it to the homecoming, including four boats from Massachusetts – Resolute, Tannis, Gaivota and Banshee. Three boats sailed from Mount Desert Island – Salatia, Peregrine and Lucy Bell – while 10 arrived from Midcoast ports, including William Rand, Sarah Mead, Celebration, Sazerac, Rights of Man, Echo, Heritage, Gladiator, Lady M. and Black Star. Lady M., owned and skippered by Martin Thomas of South Bristol, won the State of Maine Trophy for overall fastest boat. The William Rand, owned, built and skippered by John Rand of Cundyâs Harbor, won the Harold Jones Trophy for first place in Division I (boats 25 feet and shorter). Lady M. also won the Commodoreâs Trophy for first place in Division II (boats longer than 25 feet). Known as Friendship Sloop Days, and held annually since 1961, the gathering serves to preserve the heritage of the Friendship sloop, which was the lobsterboat of its day, from about 1880 through 1920. The vessels are gaff-rigged sloops. The sloops were open for public viewing at the Rockland Public Landing each afternoon after the races. Friendship Sloop Days are run by the Friendship Sloop Society, an organization that represents the roughly 250 existing Friendship sloop original and replicas, their owners and support- ers. Chandlery News The Sloop Society chandlery has a professionally produced video âSociety of Friendshipsâ available for $15 through the chandlery. The video was filmed at the July, 2008 Homecoming in Rockland and includes interviews with sloop owners and members, video segments of the sloops sailing, and onshore activities. The video is 30 minutes in duration. The chandlery has added an updated photo catalog of all available items to the FSS website. Chandlery items can be purchased by contacting: Bill & Kathy Whitney 75 Kingsbury Street Needham, MA 02192 781-449-2063 Rockland Homecoming 2008 Results State of Maine Trophy Best Overall Performance Lady M Division I Herald Jones Trophy William M. Rand Bruno & Stillman Trophy Banshee Lash Brothers Trophy Salatia Division II Commodore’s Trophy Lady M Gordon Winslow Trophy Tannis Rockland Trophy Rights of Man Class A Wilbur Morse Trophy Gladiator Charles Morse Trophy Sazerac Alexander McLain Trophy Not Awarded Rum Line Trophy Not Awarded Special Trophies Chrissy Trophy Gail OâConnell Spirit of Friendship Cindy Pendleton Gladiator Trophy Gaivota Nickerson Trophy Ashleigh Cronin Owner/Builder Trophy Gaivota (Bill Whitney) R.W. Stanley Cup Peregrine Liberty Trophy Gladiator Jarvis Newman Trophy Banshee Cy Hamlin Trophy John Rand Tannis Award Celebration Danforth Trophy Resolute Support Your Yearbook Remember: Two things are due on April 15th!!! Your Taxes and your article (and/or photos) for the yearbook. Rich Langton is always looking for an interesting article for the yearbook. Rich is also looking for photos, especially a photo for the cover of this yearâs book. Please support your yearbook either through soliciting advertising or through the Bulletin Board. Bulletin Board Notices cost $20 and people should send their notice and check to: Rich Langton 868 Cross Point Road Edgecomb, ME 04556. Four lines maximum….some people have written a book and we don’t have space to publish long messages. We did pretty well in getting people signed up at the annual meeting but are still far short of last years listings….so lets hear it from the Bulletin Board supporters. If you want to send you message electronically then send it to: editor@fss.org. The advertising rate sheet is included in this newsletter and is also available at the website: FSS.ORG/2009ADSHEET.PDF. Print it out and take it to your local boatyard and see if they are interested in taking an ad. Please remember, advertisements have to be sent by April 1st to: Kirsten & Wayne Cronin 525 Main Street Thomaston, ME 04861 – 3 –
Friendship Memorial Scholarship Fund Annual Report to the Members of of the Friendship Sloop Society The Trustees of the Friendship Memorial Scholarship Fund, formerly known as the Beatrice Pendleton Memorial Scholarship Fund, are pleased to report that nine scholarships were awarded in 2008 to the young people of Friendship. The total award amount was $4,800. Three awards of $1,000 each were given to the follow- ing graduates of Medomak Valley High School for their second semester expenses: Dustin Wayne Delano University of Maine at Orono Abbi Joanna Sandblom Capilos Institute Steven Thomas Ehle University of Maine at Orono and recipient of the John T. Harlor Memorial Scholarship Six awards of $300 each for continuing education were given to the following: Lucas R. Benner Unity College Alison Ann Bramhall University of Maine at Augusta Elizabeth M. Chamberlain Husson College, Bangor (School of Nursing) Joshua A. Chamberlain Lancaster (PA) Bible College Bruce Allen Cunningham New England Culinary Institute Wesley J. Ehle Husson College, Bangor (School of Nursing) For the first time, all awards will be administered through the Maine Community Foundation, 245 Main Street, Ellsworth, ME 04005. All donations to the Friendship Memorial Scholarship Fund are fully tax-deductible to the extent of the law. As we are all aware, the value of all investments has dropped considerably. However, the loss in value of the pooled investment funds at the Maine Community Foundation was under 12%. We will have the exact numbers at the end of the year, as well as a grant budget for 2009 awards. The Friendship Memorial Scholarship Fund has lost one of its original founding members with the death of Connie Pratt, the beloved wife of our Friendship Cannoneer, the late Elbert Pratt. Connie and Elbert were both strong supporters of the Scholarship Fund, and Elbert was chairman for many years until his death. Many memorial gifts have been received in Connieâs memory, and a $1,000 bequest was made in her will. We are accepting donations, and if you so choose, they may be mailed to P.O. Box 279, Friendship, ME 04547. All donations will be acknowledged both by the Trustees and the Maine Community Foundation. Respectfully Submitted, Bill Zuber, Chairman Dues Reminder If you haven’t mailed your annual dues in for 2009, please send them to: Caroline Phillips Sloop Society Secretary 164 Sturbridge Road Charlton, MA 01507 2008 Registrarâs Report There were two new sloops added to the fleet this year. #280 – Retta – This sloop was built by David Westphal in Key Largo, Florida and was launched spring, 2008. The sloop is 24â long and will be homeported in Key Largo. #281 – Susie B – This sloop was built and is owned by Robert Parker of Easton, Pennsylvania. The sloop was launched Spring, 2008 and her homeport is East Hampton NY, The sloop is 22â in length. Mr. Barker has joined the Society. There have also been a number of sloops changing ownership this past year: #166 – Schoodic has been sold by Bob Barth & John Mayer this past September to Phineas & Joanna Sprague, Jr. of Portland, ME. The homeport will be Portland. She was previ- ously homeported in Kittery Point. The Spragueâs have joined the Society. #130 – Narwhal was sold by Jim Rosenbaum of Milwaukee to Kevin Murphy of Chicago. The sloop had been in the Rosen- baum family since her launching in 1972. The Murphyâs have also joined the Society. Her homeport will be Chicago. #97 – Integrity has been sold by Brian Wedge to Kent & Paulette Mack of Chesapeake, VA where she will be berthed. This sloop was named Gannet when owned by Tom & Peg Miller. The new owners have also joined the Society. #159 – Pacific Child, a Bruno & Stillman sloop, has been sold to unknown parties by Catherine Randak. The sloop was donated to an organization in San Diego called Angel Care who in turn sold it to a couple in Seattle. If you have any information on this sloop, please contact the registrar. #145 – Yankee Lady has been purchased by Don Zappone of South Portland who came by way of road to the Rockland Homecoming. The sloop has been renamed Sabrina and will be homeported in South Portland. #92 – Priscilla which was owned by Norm Sullock of upsate New York has been sold to Charles âRustyâ Geis of Perryville, MD. Rusty hasnât joined the Society yet, and we donât know the homeport. #152 – Ollie M has been purchased by Aaron Snider of Gloucester from Kevin Stinweis. After some rebuilding, the sloop was relaunched this past summer. The sloop was renamed by Aaron back to her original name of Ollie M from Murphyâs Law. Ted Walsh, owner of Black Star has sent a note with the following information: #161 – Summerwind – – was at the Atlantic Challenge in Rockland and was in need of repair, but sheâs now left the yard. Tedâs trying to find out from the Atlantic Challenge who now owns the sloop. The Summerwind was homeported in Quisset, MA for a number of years and owned by Norm McNeil, who according to his daughter, passed away a few years ago. #93 – Anna R – has been purchased from Dale Young by Sarah McLean of Ontario, Canada who is currently an apprentice at the Atlantic Challenge. Sarah was interested in the society and about attending next yearâs Homecoming. Ted believes she will join the Society. The Anna R was built by Ken Rich. – 4 –
Forty-five years ago Peter Sellers was a young mathe- matics professor with a dream. Specifically, he wanted to build a boat with the lines of a Friendship sloop. The project would combine two of Peter’s favorite activities. As a youth, he loved the small boat sailing he had done during summers spent on the New Jersey shore. As a child he had also developed a love of woodworking, a skill nurtured by his father. By 1970 Sellers was sufficiently established profession- ally to get started on his dream. With a wife and four young children, however, he realized that he was in for a long-term project. Sellers was nothing if not sanguine realizing that he would only be able to work on weekends and even then only during the winter, since he and his family spent their summers on Mt. Desert. He was, however, a patient man. “It would take as long as it had to take,” he observed recently. He loved sailing and enjoyed woodworking, but Sellers admits he knew little about boatbuilding, especially constructing a craft as large as the one he had in mind. He was familiar with Howard Chapelle’s book, “American Small Sailing Craft,” which gave him the general principles to follow. “It became my Bible,” he said. Sellers’ first step was to get in touch with Chapelle’s publisher, W.W. Norton & Co. He requested a set of plans Chapelle had made for a cruising boat based on the old gaff- rigged, Muscongus Bay workboats that plied the waters of Maine in the early 20th century. Sellers proceeded to scale the plans up approximately 40 percent (remember, he is a mathematics professor) for a sloop that would be 38 feet long by eleven and a half feet wide. This would just fit into the barn on his Bucks County farm, where he intended to build the hull. It took him the better part of a year to assemble the plans and building materials, and it was 1971 before actual construction could begin. The initial challenge was to find a piece of white oak 25 feet long to serve as the keel. He found one at a nearby sawmill in Doylestown, but it wasn’t properly seasoned. His solution, literally, was to pickle it. “I packed it in rock salt and built a box around it. I left it in there for a year and you could see the water dripping out of the box.” This became the backbone of the boat and construction began. Following the guidelines in Chapelle’s book, Sellers then fashioned the ribs. “I made lots of small ones (called canoe framing) which were easier to steam and bend”. When the ribs were in place Sellers put African mahogany planks over the oak framework. “Building a boat from scratch was a painstakingly slow process,” Sellers recalls. “There were lots of steps and I made lots of mistakes. Every day I had a new problem, but then I had lots of time.” For example, in 1975 he built a new transom after deciding that the original wasn’t a good fit. And then there was the day in February 1980 when he opened the barn door and found to his horror that most of his tools had been stolen. At one point I asked Sellers what he used for fasteners and he told me he used bronze screws, which he countersunk and covered with wooden plugs. “My father-in-law told me he was âtoo old to help’ but he’d pay for the screws. There were literally thousands so this was a considerable expense.” The result, however, was a boat that is so tightly put together that it has never taken on water. In the winter of 1982 the sloop was finally finished and appropriately named Lucy Bell in honor of Sellers’ wife, who had been his invaluable assistant throughout the project. Sellers had the hull hauled to the Brooklin Boat Yard, run by Joel White on Eggemoggin Reach, where the mast was stepped and the sails and rigging fitted. The sloop Lucy Bell was launched on June 21, 1983 to coincide with the Sellers’ 25th wedding anniversary. If you do the math (1983-2008) this is the Sellers’ 25th summer of cruising, and their 50th wedding anniversary. Recently Peter showed me his notebooks. There are 13, one for each year that it took him to build the boat. Each notebook contains a log of what he did in a particular year from 1970-1983. Included are Sellers’ musings on his work, the challenges he faced, newspaper clippings, poems, letters and references to visits by friends, as well as thank-you letters from visiting schoolchildren. There are also numerous photos of the boat under construction, as well as pictures and postcards from family and friends. The result is a fascinating diary/scrapbook of the project from start to finish. Peter and Lucy Bell Sellers have sailed the waters of Maine from Pemaquid to Pulpit Harbor and from Castine to Cutler, since 1983. In keeping with early Friendship sloops, Lucy Bell does not have a engine, thus the Sellers’ route depends on the wind and the tide. They may stop to see friends, although they follow no set schedule, as they seek to voyage free of commitments. Every afternoon around 3 p.m. they look around for a cove or harbor to spend the night before the wind dies down. The Sellers stopped to see us on Vinalhaven a few years ago. Who knows, perhaps we’ll see them again this summer? Oh how I love to float on a gaff-rigged boat, propelled by the wind and the tide. If the breezes fail and I cannot sail, I can scull or paddle or glide. But I bar a motor whose unique odor Is uncongenial to me, And it’s not true sailing when one is trailing An oily wake on the sea. – Peter Sellers, 6/19/83 Trophy Engraving Reminder Please remember, before you return the trophy you won at the Rockland Homecoming to the Race Committee, it is your responsibility to have the trophy engraved with your name or the name of your sloop and the year. – 5 – The Sloop from Bucks County, PA by Harry Gratwick The following article appeared in the August, 2008 edition of âWorking Waterfrontâ
Due to the absence of Commodore Roger Lee, Vice Commodore Wayne Cronin called the business meeting to order at 3:30 P.M. Wayne discussed Gail OâDonnellâs health issues and told the membership that he had her email address if anyone wanted to get in contact with her. Wayne then asked all past commodores to stand and introduce themselves. Wayne then introduced new member Jim Salmon, owner of #206 Kumatage. Secretaryâs Report: Caroline Phillips Caroline reported the total membership for 2008 as follows: Boat Owners: 103 Full / Associates: 48 Cooperatives: 32 Honorary: 4 TOTAL: 186 Due to the good work of Penny Richards, there were 12 new members for 2008. Caroline then read some of the letters from the membership. Treasurerâs Report: Greg Merrill (See summary report on page 7) Greg stated that the yearbook advertising and the chandlery have all done well and have raised a good amount of money for the society. The biggest expense for the society is the annual regatta in Rockland. All in all, the society is doing well financially. Greg stated that the 2009 budget has not changed much. Marcia questioned the cost of the lunches of the race committee in Rockland, but after a vote, that amount remained in the budget for 2009. Regattas: New London: Greg Roth Greg stated that the New London event did not happen in 2008 due to a variety of circumstances, but he is working on the plans for 2009. Southwest Harbor: Miff Lauriat Miff reported that the Southwest Harbor event is lots of fun and no handicaps are given for racing. This was the best year yet with 13 sloops attending with 4 Class âAâ boats. Surprise was the winner for 2008. Rockland Regatta: Dave Graham David stated that 2008 was another nice year for racing with the exception of the 1st day because of no wind. Day 2 and 3 had good breezes and fun races. Lady M was the winner of the State of Maine Trophy. Dave again thanked Ralph Stanley, Dick Salter, Bill Zuber and Jack Cronin for the use of their boats for the race committee. David then presented Marcia Morang with a gold medal in appreciation for all her hard work as trophy chairperson. Marblehead: Dave Graham David reported that the Marblehead gathering is now the Woodenboat Regatta. There were 30 entrants in all, with a separate class for Friendships. The Margaret F was the winner of the Lincoln Ridgeway Trophy for 2008. Gloucester: Sara Beck Sara stated that Gloucester was a fantastic time with wonderful weather. There were five Friendship Sloops that participated in the race. 1st place was Tannis, 2nd place was Resolute and 3rd place was Flying Jib. Harold Burnham accepted an award at the meeting for Aaron Snider, owner of Ollie M, who participated in the Gloucester race. Membership: Penny Richards Penny reported the following activity for 2008: New member, sloop owner Thomas Kelly of Suttons Bay MI, owner of Liberty Robert Barker of Easton PA, owner of Susie B Aaron Snider of Gloucester MA, owner of Ollie M. Kent and Paulette Mack of Chesapeake VA., owners of Integrity Kevin and Melissa Murphy of Chicago IL, owners of Narwahl Don Zappone of South Portland ME, owner of Sabrina Phineas and Joanna Sprague Jr., of Portland ME, owners of Schoodic New members, Friends of Friendships Chris and Mark Schwarzmann of Orono MN, caretakers of Independence (new homeport is Rockport, ME, their summer residence); still owned by Markâs father Fred, of Florida) Barry Banks of Austin TX, listed himself as a âhopefulâ owner, I have no update Chandlery Report: Bill Whitney Bill stated that the chandlery had a very good year and thanked all the wonderful customers. The chandlery had $3,263 in gross sales with a profit of approximately $1,200. Bill also stated that the chandlery needs feedback on ideas for new products. Yearbook Editor: Rich Langton Rich reported that we need articles, quotes, small paragraphs, photos, etc. He also needs suggestions for photos for the yearbook cover, as well as a dedication. To defray the expense of publishing, the bulletin board pages need to be filled and each ad is $20. He thanked Wayne and Kirsten Cronin and Roger and Gail for their work on getting advertisements for the yearbook which have made it profitable. Rich stated that 5,000 copies are printed each year and wants to make sure that they are all distributed. Website, Registrar, and Newsletter: John Wojcik John stated that two new numbers were issued in 2008: #280 to Dave and Loretta Westphal for their sloop Retta #281 to Robert Parker for his sloop Susie B. John reported on a number of ownership changes which are detailed in his report on Page 4. John also reported that the website continues on, but that continually â spammingâ of the (Continued to Page 7) – 6 – 48th Annual FSS Meeting Sloop Society secretary, Caroline Phillips, has submitted the following report of the annual meeting held in South Portland, Maine on November 15th.
48th Annual FSS Meeting (Continued from Page 6) Scuttlebut Forum has forced him to use a Yahoo forum which requires that to add an entry to the forum, one has to join the FSS group and sign in to enter an item. He also stated that there is now a Facebook group page. The newsletter will be published possibly before the holidays, or as soon after the holidays as possible. Pendleton Scholarship Fund: Bill & Caroline Zuber – Detailed Report on Page 4 Bill stated that nine scholarships were awared in June. With sadness, Bill reported that one of the founding members of the Scholarship Fund, Connie Pratt, has passed away. Caroline talked about the Friendship Museum and how the society is responsible for the founding of the Friendship Museum and Scholarship Fund and that the members should be proud of all that has been accomplished. The museum has donated a book to the auction with the proceeds going to the general fund. Nominating Committee: Bill Whitney Bill presented the slate of officers for 2009 as follows: Commo- dore: Wayne and Kirsten Cronin, Vice Commodore: Peter and Nancy Toppan, Secretary: Caroline Phillips, Treasurer: Greg Merrill. The officers were voted in unanimously with the Secre- tary casting one vote for the slate of officers. 2009 Donations: Jack Cronin made a motion which was seconded and voted unanimously for the following donations: Maine Maritime Museum $300 Friendship Museum $400 Scholarship Fund $500 Penobscot Bay Museum $200 Rockland Lighthouse Museum $100 Awards The Morang Award was presented by Penny Richards and Marcia Morang and is awarded to the person who wrote the best article in the most recent yearbook. Although it was a tough decisoin about whcih Cronin article, the award went to Mary Cronin for her article âTannis & Familyâ. The Hadlock Award was presented by Miff Lauriat to Harold Burnham. When Harold received his award, he mentioned the passing of Shane âShaggyâ Ferrante this past summer in Boothbay Harbor. Shane has sailed for many years aboard Lady M, and he will be sorely missed. The Bancroft Award was presented by Jack Cronin to Rich & Beth Langton. The Omaha Award was given by David Graham to Gail OâDonnell. The Messing About Award was presented by Dick Salter to John & Carole Wojcik. Discussion of Rockland Kirsten Cronin discussed the idea of her doing a 50th anniver- sary memory book. She has a questionnaire for people to fill out, or tapes for people to record their answers to the questions and to record their thoughts. There was a mention of having more land-based activities in Rockland. The Chandlery is looking for 50th anniversary artwork for the logo on the t-shirts. 2008 FSS Financial Report Greg Merrill, treasurer, presented the following summary finan- cial report at the annual meeting: 11,828 11,828 10,844 10,263 Ending Balance 0 982 581 889 Net Gain or (Loss) -350 Documentary -230 -134 -247 -492 Miscellaneous 0 60 -33 -137 Dinners -500 -495 -495 -495 Insurance Premium -1,000 -1,000 -1,000 -1,000 Secretary Comp. -1,300 -1,402 -1,213 -969 Communications -1,500 -1,500 -1,300 -1,300 Donations -3,800 -3,412 -3,923 -3,415 Annual Regatta 220 222 201 147 Bank Interest 510 518 552 409 Auction & Raffle 800 656 880 1,169 Contributions 1,100 1,210 1,150 989 Chandlery 1,750 1,710 1,945 2,135 Yearbook 4,300 4,550 4,064 3,849 Membership Net Results Budget Actual Actual Actual â08-â09 â07-â08 â06-â07 â05-â06 Race winner is âSurpriseâ Written by Jeff Walls, this article appeared in the July 18th edition of the âMount Desert Islanderâ. SOUTHWEST HARBOR â Surprise got out to an early lead and only looked back at the very end as she won bragging rights as being the fastest Friendship Sloop in Down East Maine when she crossed the line first at the Friendship Rendezvous regatta Saturday. Endeavor, Salatia and Sazerac were vying for third place behind Gladiator going around the second mark by the Bear Island lighthouse, when tight quarters forced Salatia and Sazerac inside the mark, causing the boats to collide. Both boats took a penalty turn which allowed the Alice E to slip by. She caught Endeavor by Gilpatrick Cove in Northeast Harbor to take third place. Gladiator finished third. âIt was exciting; we were tightly packed,â said Miff Lauriat, publicity chairman for the Friendship Sloop Society. âWe couldnât have asked for a better day. It was perfect. It was a nice course with a minimal amount of windward work. Friend- ships are not exactly known for their windward ability.â Skipper of the winning Friendship, Surprise, Andrew Keblinsky, was overheard saying, â ⊠I have finally figured it out.â âWe had a record turnout,â Mr. Lauriat said. âThere were four original Friendships, built before 1920. Thatâs always a thrill having the real boats that arenât replicas out there.â Mr. Lauriat also noted that local boatbuilders were well represented. Ralph Stanley built Endeavor and Peregrine. Jarvis Newman built Salatia and Gaivota. All were built in Southwest Harbor, he said. – 7 –
Friendship Sloop Society 164 Sturbridge road Charlton, MA 01507 Address Correction Service Requested Class A Birthdays There are a number of member Class A sloops that are celebrat- ing significant “birthdays” in 2009. Our congratulations to the owners and crews of the following “Senior” members of the fleet: 110 Years: #23 Depression – Karl Brunner, Southwest Harbor, ME 105 Years: #2 Dictator – Peter Chesney, Burbank, CA #200 Estella A. – Mystic Seaport Museum, Mystic, CT 100 Years: #154 Muscongus – Capt’s. Cove Seaport, Bridgeport, CT 95 Years: #31 White Eagle – William Cronin, Charlton, MA Friendship Museum Thank You Edward Kahora, the secretary of the Friendship Museum, sent the following letter to Caroline Phillips: The Executive Board of the Friendship Museum offers its thanks on behalf of the Friendship Museum membership. The grant of $400 to the museum has special meaning to us because of our very long relationship with the Friendship Sloop Society. We will put the grant to good use over the coming year as we seek to make the Museumâs activities better known in the Friendship community. We will be sending you a copy of our Newsletter that will keep you informed of our activities and programs. Caroline Zuber, who we are delighted to have as a Museum Board member, gave us a report of the activities at the Annual Meeting of the Friendship Sloop Society. Thank you for the opportunity to offer some Museum items to your members at the Annual Meeting. Lastly, we were most impressed with the list of scholarships you make available to our children. We thank you for your generosity. Sincerely, Edward Kahora Secretary – 8 –
