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.

July 12 Race and Riffle-Fest

 We had good wind for our second race of the season, and a good turnout, followed by a post-race celebration of a milestone birthday for Jim Riffle. 

We had a great crew of volunteers including birthday boy Jim Riffle, Cindy Bartlett, Margaret Powers and Mimi’s visiting daughter Amy who enjoyed the experience. Jim Voelz and Laura Garrett set up a good course that presented healthy challenges on the way to the first mark and the finish line – into the wind (windward), our preferred racecourse layout. Thanks to them and Beth Auld, Kevin Preuss and Arlene Truex for handling all the race organization and post-race gathering preparations.

The race was followed by a celebration of Jim Riffle’s birthday with all four generations of Grandview Yacht Club members well represented at both the celebration and the race. 

Jim blows out the candles. Instead of a cake, Jim's favorite confection, jelly donuts,  were enjoyed by all. 

Mimi, Jim and Mimi's daughter Amy.  Oops, Jim is blocking out his age on the banner.

Jim is wearing his #54 Lima Ohio Panthers football jersey.  Jim was a standout awarding winning athlete in both high school and in college at Dartmouth.  

Race Results:  

2026 Sock Burning & Lake Poetry

 Adhering to a fun custom among sailing organizations across the USA, the Yacht Club held its annual "Sock Burning" to celebrate the end of sock-wearing season and beginning of sailing season.  

The group assembled, enjoyed the pitch-in snacks and an extended period of trading yarns about the race, the winter, lake chatter, etc.  Then we formed a circle and began the ritual by tossing filthy winter socks into the flameless "fire" and took turns reading fun lake related poetry that some had either composed or thought appropriate. 

Below are the items read by the participants: 

THE POEMS:

The sailors wondered,

Will the season ever start?

Ahoy, it’s today!

-L.D. (Haiku)

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Sailing on Grandview:

 Warmed by the sun,

Carried by the wind,

Cradled by the lake,

Is the ultimate

“Happy Place”

-A.T.

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 There are good ships and wood ships and ships that sail the sea.

But the best ships are friendships and may they always be!

 -    T.C. & S. C.

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A Grandview sailor from our lake

Planned a season to sail in “no wake”.

Staying out in front is no easy stunt

But he’ll get the trophy to take.

-M.R.

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“Leisure” by W. H. Davies (1871-1940): 

WHAT is this life if, full of care,

We have no time to stand and stare?—

 

No time to stand beneath the boughs,

And stare as long as sheep and cows:

 

No time to see, when woods we pass,

Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass:

 

No time to see, in broad daylight,

Streams full of stars, like skies at night:

 

No time to turn at Beauty's glance,

And watch her feet, how they can dance:

 

No time to wait till her mouth can

Enrich that smile her eyes began?

 

A poor life this if, full of care,

We have no time to stand and stare.

-As read by LG

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Another year sailing at GYC

And as a hobby it’s not free!

 

Although delayed, we started.

The racing was good hearted!

 

And as usual, we followed Jim V!

-M.B.

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Sailing is a fickle sport

As you can plainly see.

There’s too much wind, or not enough,

A chance of rain, oh GEE!

 

There’s all the special words to learn,

Bow, stern and port.

It’s easy for a newbee to stumble

And fall short.

 

But when your sails are tight and full

And you’re flying toward the dam

The water’s sparkling,  you’re in the lead,

You’ve won a grand slam!

-J.H.

 

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Race Day at Grandview:

 The powerful wind pulls hard on your line,

Sensation of speed greatly multiplied.

First to finish is our hard fought mission,

So we trim the sails to the perfect position.

 

The heart beats fast, the mind stays busy,

Sailors caught up in a competitive tizzy.

Each gust a joy unless we capsize.

We hope to win that elusive prize.

To those who finish with a winning outcome:

Beware of  succumbing to high five syndrome!

 

When the race is over our sails we stow.    

With snacks and drinks to Arlene’s patio we go.

Exhausted and spent, sailors sink into a chair.

Then race yarns and alleged infractions we share.

-T.S.

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Also, for those interested in the origins of this quirky tradition, Arlene found the most likely source:

Started in 1977 after a bad winter in Maryland.  It was March 21^st, the traditional start of the sailing season in that area.  Weather was not good for sailing, so sailors were gathered on the beach with a fire in the fire pit.  One disgruntled disappointed sailor threw his winter socks into the fire. 

June 28, 2026 Race Report

 After cancelling the first two scheduled races of the season, sailors were eager to get wind in their sails, feel the pull of the mainsheet,  and the adrenalin rush of competition. Seven boats raced and sailors were grateful for an adequate wind with no real windless periods.

 The Committee Boat was packed with experienced volunteers and Riffle relatives who enjoyed a sailboat racing experience with front row seats. Thanks to Jim Riffle, Margaret Powers, and Cindy Bartlett for conducting the races flawlessly.  John Auld, with assistance from Tom Schroeder, set up a race appropriate to the day’s winds.  Harbormaster Arlene Truex kept the set-up and officiating boats well-supplied and efficient in their comings and goings and hosting our post-race gathering.  Beth Auld and Kevin Preuss made sure we had the Committee Boat staffed and that all involved were well informed prior to a during race day.   

The race was followed by a well-attended post-race gathering featuring our annual  “Sock Burning” ritual to welcome summer, complete with fun poetry by participants.  See the separate post on the Sock Burning complete with the creative poetry etc. (see separate adjacent post). 

Race Results: