AMIDSHIPS:
Scuttlebutt & Race Yarns

 We tease, embellish and exaggerate, so don't take anything you read here too seriously. Click-able list of prior posts at bottom of port column.

2025: A TORNADIC 64th SAILING SEASON - AWARDS AND THANKS

2025: GETTING BACK TO "NORMAL"

Sailing season provided a welcome sense of getting back to “normal” as well as the needed blessing of the club's camaraderie  after a rough start to the year:  An F2 tornado hit Grandview Lake on May 16. It was a real blow, with very significant damage to property.  Amazing that no one was injured. We were also mourning the passing of club mainstay Bob Orben a little earlier in the year. You can read about Bob here.

We had 8 race days. There were 35 participants, about half sailors and half Committee Boat volunteers. About half are women and half are men.  Ages of the participants  ranged from preteens to octogenarians.

NEW PARTICIPANTS – WELCOME ABOARD!

We are very pleased to have Lily and Molly Garrett sailing with us along with the welcome return of Peggy Voelz to the water as well.   Colleen Logan and husband Steve Anderson joined us for the first time during their stay at the Logan’s place in July.  Dylan Wilson, one of the Auld clan, joined us as well.  

VOLUNTEERS RECOGNIZED

Volunteers on the Committee Boat enjoying lunch while watching the race. They were busy a few minutes later when they recorded the finishing times of the sailors.

Thanks to our Committee Boat volunteers!  They are wonderful, great at what they do, highly esteemed by the sailors, and are always right!

Arlene welcomes the race set-up volunteers arriving to pick up gear. 

Special thanks to  Arlene Truex, for hosting our gatherings and our pre and post-race logistics. It is non-stop activity at her place all day long on race days! 

SOCK BURNING AND POETRY

Sock burning at the start of the sailing season has become “a thing” amongst sailing clubs across the country. It is a celebration of Springtime. Such exuberance inspires poetry, so that is part of it as well. This year many of the poems composed by club members mentioned the tornado, the importance of friendships, and sailing of course. You can find the blog post with all of the poetry here .

SAILORS & AWARDS

 

SPECIAL AWARDS

Ghost Sailor Award  Enthusiasm Award

This year we repurposed the “Ghost Sailor” trophy.  Under the stormy circumstances of 2025, rather than a mild teasing of those who were somewhat absent, we recognized a couple who travelled the farthest and went to great lengths to be able join our sailing fun.  Colleen Logan and Steve Anderson began inquiring about joining us in January and travelled here from way, way out west.  Unfortunately the sailboat they had arranged to borrow was a tornado victim.  Instead, Colleen was able to crew for John Auld.  Steve helped out on the Committee Boat. 

Colleen Logan up front, crews for John Auld

Regarding the trophy: We changed the title plate and put a new figurine on top of the ghost sailor trophy as you can see below.

Even with its modifications, the former ghost sailor award remains difficult to capture in a photograph (frustrating the web-master). 

The "Jim Riffle Perfect Attendance Award"

This award is named after Jim Riffle because he is rarely absent from any Grandview Lake related activity, function, or meeting.   

The award is Jim's favorite holiday breakfast doughnut - jelly filled.

Although no one achieved such attendance perfection this year, some were close, including:

John Auld, Cindy Bartlett, Matt Bartlett, Tom Cartwright, Dianne Fisher, Laura Garrett, and of course Jim Riffle.

 "Booby Prize”

This year’s misadventure award went to “The Tornado of 2025” Kind of like in 2021 when we awarded it to “Covid 19”.   Both events are recorded for the sake of historical infamy on the very appropriate chamber pot trophy.  

The chamber pot is full of actual tornado debris along with a depiction of the tornado itself. 

Good Samaritan Award:

This year’s winner was Doug Hale who with the assistance of the safety patrol officer was able to get Catey Hale's turtled Y-Flyer righted - never an easy task. A jelly donut was awarded.

RACING AWARDS

Memorial Day Race Winner

Matt Bartlett (right) with trophy awarded by Kevin Preuss– just like last year – same T-shirts even!

 July 4th Race Winner

Jim Voelz with the trophy awarded by Lisa Duret

 

Labor Day Race Winner

John Auld was the winner

Accepting the award on behalf of John Auld is Tom Schroeder, his crew for that race.

 

CREW  AWARDS

    FIRST PLACE

Tom Schroeder

SECOND PLACE

Sarah Cartwright - see her?

THIRD  PLACE

Ben Cartwright
pictured at the helm giving his dad a scare

 

LASER CLASS AWARDS

    FIRST PLACE

Matt Bartlett

 

SECOND PLACE

Laura Garrett

THIRD PLACE

John Gall

INTERNATIONAL  CLASS AWARDS

FIRST PLACE

Tom Cartwright

SECOND PLACE

John Auld shown here with crew Beth Auld

THIRD PLACE

Catey Hale shown here with crew Elizabeth Hale

     ROOKIE OF THE YEAR:

The 2025 Rookie of the year is Molly Garrett (not pictured)  

** CLUB CHAMPION **

MATT BARTLETT

The Club Champion is the sailor that accumulates the most points based on the club's scoring system

And thanks to our club officers for another great season!

Beth Auld

 

Kevin Preuss

 

Lisa Duret

 

Tom Schroeder

Thanks to Beth Auld our Committee Boat Chairperson and Kevin Preuss our Race Chairperson. They are the ones that organize the races and keep them running like clockwork. And to Lisa Duret  our Secretary/Treasurer keeps our memberships and checkbook current and helps in many other ways. And to Tom Schroeder the Commodore who tries to help if he can.

We hope you and yours enjoy FAIR WINDS in 2026!

 

Sept 7 Race: Good Wind, Quiet Lake

 A window into our race 

This was our last race of the 2025 season, and  the second race in a row with a good strong wind (for the most part).  It was cool as well, so there were very few other boats on the lake. A perfect day for a race and an after-race gathering.  Up above is Sarah Cartwright in the window of  the mainsail as Tom Cartwright navigates the start.

We had a well staffed Committee Boat with Nate Schloss, Arlene Truex, Cindy Bartlett and Tom Schroeder. Jim Riffle kept track of things from the safety boat. Kevin Preuss and Beth Auld organized the race, and Arlene hosted us for the protest meeting.  Thanks to all! 

Kevin Preuss, with assistance from Tom Schroeder, set the course for the strong north/northwest wind.  The course from the starting line to the first mark is supposed to be straight into the wind, requiring multiple tacks to get to the mark.  However for the first race, the wind shifted to the west, making for a fast, "close hauled" straight shot to the first mark.  In the second race the wind shifted back to north/northwest as the course intended, but weakened near the first mark making it very difficult for sailors to round the mark. 

Laura Garrett won the first race and Matt Bartlett won the second race.  

Before we get to the pictures, just a note to sailors and volunteers past and present:  The Awards gathering for the 2025 season will be Sunday, Sept 21st at Arlene's patio at 3pm (In the event of foul weather, it will be at Tom and Julia Schroeder's).  Bring a snack to share and BYO beverage.  If you haven't participated in a while, we would be happy to see you. Just let us know so we can make sure we have an extra chair for you.  You can do that by leaving a comment in the comment section below - although it says "post" a comment, only the webmaster will see it and will not publish your RSVP comment. 

Back to the race:  

2nd race, looking north into the wind. The three Lasers on starboard tack after a great, simultaneous start 

 

Tom and Sarah hiking out in the mighty Thistle, taking a bit different route than the Lasers

 

Tacking back and forth into the north wind, this is when right of way rules come into play as the boats cross each other's paths.

Matt, left is on a port tack (wind coming across port side) so he will have to yield to Laura, who is on a starboard tack, such that she does not have to alter her course. 

 

Close quarters!

 

 Laura (front) neck and neck with Dianne on way to the 3rd mark

 

Meanwhile, Matt rounds the third mark with the Cartwrights in hot pursuit. Jim in the safety boat enjoys the show.

Nate, in foreground gets ready to blow the "you've finished" horn as Matt is about to finish just ahead of the Cartwrights.

 RACE RESULTS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aug 24 Race: Strong Wind, No Heat Dome

Photos courtesy of Beth Auld

The wind was strong, much stronger at times, making for fast races.  But the wind was Grandview-shifty, and very subject to the wind shadows of the hills, so  sailors could take nothing for granted as they plotted and executed their starts, courses to the marks and finishes. 60% of the sailors experienced a capsize. 

 

Shortly after the start on way to 1st mark

 

Taking time to sail the course ahead of the first race, John Auld and crew Tom leveraged that recon into a win with a good margin over the rest of the fleet in the first race, much less so in the second. 

John Auld (right) and Matt Bartlett (left) approach the 3rd mark.  Since they are overlapped prior to being within 3 boat lengths of the mark, Matt will have to give John room to round the mark.

Good riddance to the heat dome!  Our volunteers didn't have to swelter, but with the wind, did have to deal with a challenging anchoring situation.  We are very grateful to Jack and Sandi Miller and Beth Auld in the Committee Boat as well as Jim Riffle and Arlene Truex in the safety boat. Matt Bartlett and Dianne Fisher set up a very good course for us that stood up to a changing wind,  Arlene hosted a fun and well-attended protest meeting.  Beth Auld and Kevin Preuss organized another good race.  Thanks everyone!   

Just one more race for our 2025 season:  September 7th 2pm as usual. 

Race Results: 

 

 

 

 

August 10 Race: "So Start Already!"

We were happy to see Peggy Voelz back with us in a race again, crewing for granddaughter Mollie in the Butterfly. Welcome back Peggy!  Meanwhile the sketchy low wind situation had sailors concerned prior to the alleged "start" of the race. Alleged is an adjective used to describe something that is claimed to be true but has not yet been proven or confirmed,

Our Committee Boat volunteers, Margaret Powers, Arlene Truex, Jim Riffle and Nate Schloss did a flawless job on a hot day with very little breeze on the Riffle's pontoon boat (excellently anchored by the way).  Committee Boat Chair Beth Auld did some last minute recruiting after a schedule conflict had arisen, so we appreciate her efforts and the availability of Arlene and Jim on somewhat short notice, and to Phil Bush who would have had he been needed.  To all of them thanks, and also to Dianne Fisher for setting up the course, Arlene for hosting a fun protest meeting,  and Beth Auld and  Kevin Preuss for organizing the race. 

Prior to the alleged start, volunteers heard the  shouts from one boat to another about how to shorten the course due to the lack of wind.  Lifelong sailboat racers Matt and Dianne referred to their mutually preferred option in nautical speak simply as the "windward/leeward course" each immediately knowing exactly what that meant without referring to specific marks. Wait a minute: Wind? Is there wind? What direction? Tom asked for a translation in terms of which marks they meant since the wind was absent or unclear.  "In landlubber's English please!"   And so it went, and a consensus was reached to race to the first mark, then the third mark, and back through the start/finish line, skipping the second mark which appeared to be in a "wind shadow" from the nearby hills. And indeed the first leg would be raced toward the alleged wind, "windward", and the second leg away from the alleged wind, "leeward". A "windward/leeward" course. Of course. 

 Even that shortened course seemed a bit ambitious with the lack of wind as we waited for the alleged start.   And it was. Dianne had set up a fine course appropriate for the better winds that were blowing during set-up, but things had changed.in the couple of hours that had passed.  

When the starting horn was sounded, nothing much happened other than Matt's boat ever so painfully slowly inching along while all other boats sat motionless. Observer from paparazzi boat: "I'm sure I heard the starting horn, why aren't they moving?" Volunteers heard one frustrated sailor shout "I'm going backwards!"And so they sat there bobbing up and down waiting for the slightest breeze.  The slightest breeze only existed in Matt's sails as he approached the first Mark while nothing was happening at the starting line.  He won the race very far ahead from the rest of the fleet that finally achieved a start many minutes later. 

A teaser breeze showed up toward the end of the race, ready to lure the ever hopeful sailors into a second race which they wisely voted against, avoiding a justifiable mutiny by the baking volunteers. 

Sailing, like golf, and certain volunteer opportunities can, at times, be a character building activity. 

Allegedly.

 

Race Results:  

 

 

 

July 27 Race (back to our docks)

We completed one exciting race described below, but then scrambled back to our docks upon hearing thunder.

John Auld and family member Dylan set up (and took down) a nice, long course for the S/SW wind. Veteran volunteers Cindy Bartlett and Margaret Powers tolerated help from Committee Boat rookie Tom Schroeder. Jim Riffle kept watch on from his safety boat.  Arlene Truex hosted all the race activity at her place which included a scramble after the race by her, Cindy, and Margaret to put away patio furniture cushions etc before the deluge. We scuttled the protest meeting due to the weather.  Thanks all, including Beth Auld and Kevin Preuss who organized the race.

John Auld and his ace crew, Dylan, won first place overall by a good margin.  It appeared from the Committee Boat that by quickly getting out of the wind shadow of the south shoreline after the first mark, they had a significant advantage over the rest of the fleet with their lead lasting the rest of the race.  There was drama as Jim Voelz and Laura Garrett approached the finish line. Laura was well ahead of Jim and much, much, closer to the line, apparently about to beat him. But Jim had significant speed advantage.  Volunteers held their breath and observed a photo-finish with Jim barely passing Laura, and only by a few inches, and only just as they were hitting the finish line.  It's very exciting to watch such scenes close-up on the Committee Boat and hear the associated banter of the sailors (come join us!). Another highlight was having Lily and Molly racing with us again on the Butterfly. 

We were getting ready to start the 2nd race when the sky darkened and thunder was heard.  Rain is okay, but not thunder, so we scuttled the race and everyone skedaddled for their docks. In addition to Lily and Molly's attentive paparazzi, the safety patrol officer, who was also monitoring the weather with us,  made sure Lily and Molly, who were farthest out,  made it back to their dock safely - kudos to him!   

Race Results: 

 

 

 

July 13 Race: More New Participants!

 Photos courtesy of Steve Anderson

 

Start of the Race in Light Wind

We were delighted to welcome Colleen Logan and Steve Anderson to the ranks of sailors and volunteers.  They recently completed their US Sailing certification (basic keelboat).  Spending the month of July at the Logan's place they were anxious to join in our sailing fun.  Colleen crewed for John Auld and Steve volunteered on the Committee Boat. We were happy they were also able to join us at the "Protest Meeting" after the race to get acquainted (thanks Arlene for hosting).

John at the tiller and mainsail, Colleen upfront at the Jib

 

In addition to Steve, Committee Boat volunteers also included Cindy Bartlett, Margaret Powers and Nate Schloss.  Tom Cartwright set up and took down the course and Beth Auld and Kevin Preuss arranged for volunteers and organization of the race. Thanks everyone! 

Winds were very light so the sailors agreed to make it a two-mark race instead of three marks.  

Tom and Sarah Cartwright in the Thistle

 

 

Race Results: 

 

 

2025 SOCK BURNING: Poems reflect friendship, shared tornado experience,..and sailing.

Sock burning at the start of the sailing season has become “a thing” amongst sailing clubs across the country. It is a celebration of Springtime. The ability to go barefoot is the excuse for the festivities , and an illustration of busting out of the confines of winter. Such exuberance inspires poetry, so that is part of it as well. 

You will notice the mention of the tornado and the importance of friendships as themes in many of the poems as well as sailing of course. Poems were recited as socks were tossed into our magical smokeless, heatless “fire” (it was a very hot day so we nixed having a fire). 

THE POEMS:

 “Do re mi fa so Tornado!”

Grab the kids, run down the stair
Into the basement not a second to spare!

Come up for air overwhelmed by destruction
So many days now doing reconstruction

Grateful for help from so many friends
To clean up the effects of the tornado’s winds

When its racing day I like a strong wind
So pick up your glasses for a toast my friends

To a crazy night, to wind and fright
To love and care from those gathered here

Smooth sailing ahead, rough waters behind
Raise up your sails its racing time
-    John Gall.

*********

 Embrace the minute
So thankful to be here now
The best place on earth
-    Laura Garrett (Haiku)

**********

There are good ships and wood ships and ships that sail the sea.
But the best ships are friendships and may they always be!

-    Tom and Sarah Cartwright

*********

On Grandview Lake, the breezes play,
White sails unfurl in bright array.

With friends beside, we chase the wind,
Each tack and jibe, our fun is pinned.

The sunlight dances on the waves,
We race as one, no boats to save.

Amazing people, and spirits free—
A sailor’s joy, our Sunday spree.

-    Dianne Fisher

********** 

Grandview sailing club
Sailing camp is fun at Geist
Excited to sail here soon
-    Lily  Garrett (Haiku)

**********

Who would have guessed that a sailboat could fly?
Perhaps that’s why Tom’s boat was named the “JY”

The winds picked it up and it caught in a tree.
After the storm passed, Tom’s face had no glee.

The hull it was cracked, the mast broke in three.
Since Tom can’t sail it, a crew man he’ll be.

-    JHS

**********
 

Our sailing season is a go!
And every sailor must know,
Win or lose, don’t pout,
We’d not enjoy without
Surviving Grandview’s tornado!

-    Matt Bartlett (Limerick)

**********

 

Summertime at Grandview with quite a lot to do.
The mowing, the painting, sprucing up the house,
Oh and don’t forget there’s sailing too!

Get out the sails, clean off the vests.
Its time to prove who’s the best

It really doesn’t matter when all is said and done 
‘cause we love to sail and its lots of fun!

-    Arlene Truex

**********

There once was a sailor named Bob
Others lost races to him with a sob.

He graduated to the Committee Boat
And helped set race marker floats

In all things he did a tremendous job

-    Margaret Powers (about Bob Orben)

**********

 

Tornado was fierce
But did not dampen desire
To play in the wind
-    Lisa Duret (Haiku)

**********

"Ode to the JY-15"

She wasn’t too cramped, she wasn’t too big
She fit on a lift, and was simple to rig.
With a hull like a recliner, I’d sail really chill—
Feet up on the gunwale, not a care, not an ill.

She could cruise with a crew, or solo with grit,
(Though sometimes the main sheet had to go in my bit).
No winches, no gadgets, no lifting to dread—
Just a simple sweet setup for my simple old head.

With a "V" to slice wakes and a bottom quite round,
She wobbled like tipsy old sailors I've found.
New crew would freeze, gripping gunwale in fright,
“Don’t worry,” I’d grin, “She feels wrong, but she’s right.”

We could hike her out hard, take in water galore—
It drained out the stern—that’s what scuppers are for.
She did capsize, yes—once, twice, maybe three—
But she always came back, just like stubborn old me.

Dave Brown first owned her, that skilled trophy-taker.
Wayne Truex brokered my purchase, that enthusiastic matchmaker.
“Trust me,” he said, “This one’s for you.”
And just like he said, it turned out to be true.

Catey and Jim gave trimming advice:
“Shift your weight, tighten the sheet—now doesn’t she slice?”

She took newcomers, green sailors, even racing vets aboard,
Got them hooked, got them racing, helped get the Yacht Club restored.

And then...."The Wreck of the JY-15"

But then came the storm with a twist in its tail—
A tree downing, house-wrecking, boat-flinging gale!

It was quick, and quite awful, with drama to spare,
Snapping her mast in two places as she flew through the air.
With a hull-cracking downdraft she was slammed to the ground—
Between two fallen trees the wrecked JY-15 was found.

To this Grandview sailor she was a boat with no peer—
To capsizes laughed at, and friends who’ve become dear.
A sailor’s recliner, a gateway, a glistener—
That could ride any wind except that ‘25 twister.

She’ll sail in my mind every time we convene—
That nimble, well-mannered,   JY-15.

-    Tom Schroeder