WARNING: IF YOU HAVE A PREVIOUS HISTORY OF SENSITIVE FEELINGS, YOU MAY NOT WANT TO READ THIS MONTH'S COMMODORE'S REPORT.

It's been almost nine months since the current administration took over and I must admit, the first seven were much easier than I thought they would be. Then April hit and all of a sudden the quiet becomes a storm. Problems, complaints, workdays, a few more complaints, and lots more problems.

There is an age-old question of who it is better to be, the worker or the boss. Most people would assume it's better to be the boss because they usually get paid more. Assuming that everyone gets paid the same (in Narrasketuck's case, ZERO), who is it better to be. The answer lies in the quality of the workforce. If the workers don't do their jobs well, then the boss has a major problem. If the workers do an excellent job, then who even needs a boss? Fortunately for me, I have a great group of people helping out.

Now here is where the sensitive feelings part comes in. I am going to thank a lot of people for helping out in the last few months and if you are not specifically mentioned, but helped out, the next line is for you.

THANKS (FILL IN YOUR NAME) FOR HELPING OUT LAST MONTH. YOU DID A GREAT JOB AND THE CLUB COULDN'T EXIST WITHOUT YOU.

The biggest spring projects are always on Work Day. Thanks to Abbey Gura and Kerry O'Sullivan for running the Work Day committee. There is a lot of behind the scenes work to do just to get the projects started.

This year's big project was headed up by Bruce Van Wicklen. Bruce and Crews #1 and #2 (can't n~ame individuals, use line above) did a fantastic job reshingling the east side of the clubhouse. Barring any special El Nino effects, it should last another 40 years.

Bruce Mauro and Kerry O'Sullivan headed up this year's next to largest project, fixing up the garage and its surrounding area. The garage was reinforced the dead tree was cut down and the ground was sort of leveled off. Thanks to all the people who helped back there. We can't finish that area until the fall because we didn't get our dredging permit in time for theseasonal cut..off. George Prunty is in charge of getting the permits (thanks, George, for the years of work) and we should be all set for a fall work day.

A long range project that has been going on since the fall is the reconditioning of the Junior Training boats. I haven't seen the 420's yet, but the Blue Jays look great. Thanks to Jeff Brous, Chuck and Ruth Westfall, and a whole cast of characters who have been turning our burned-out boats into some great looking racers. The Club has been looking fine this spring with special thanks to our almost daily volunteers, Fred Dunau and John Bickerton. Fred is keeping the clubhouse in shape while John is making it safe to walk outside (geese patrol). It1s one thing to volunteer one or two days a year, but these guys are there almost every day.

The last group I would like to thank is perhaps the club's largest, the sandwich eaters. This year we ate 24 feet of heros plus an extra 8 lbs. of cold cuts and assorted salads. If all you did to help out was to eat some of our food, thanks for coming (especially on Work Day #2 when it rained and we were short sandwich eaters).

Before I end my report, I just want to mention Opening Day. It was a beautiful afternoon that had great food and was well attended. We invited our fellow boaters from just up the river. The members of the Breezy Point Yacht Club are as nice as can be and hopefully we will have some future gatherings with them.

Hopefully things will quiet down a bit and I will actually get to work on my own boat. I haven't even taken the winter cover off yet. So if you see me at the club and I look sort of boatless, you can always ask me to crew.

See you on the Bay,

Ken

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Saturday, June 13 - Night Race #1 7:00 p.m.  

Saturday, June 20 - Junior & Midget Seamanship 11:00 a.m.

Monday, June ------ Junior Training Session #1 begins

Saturday, July 4 -- Babylon Y.C. Invitation

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First a personal note (not that anyone is really interested),I retired this winter and I've already forgotten what I used to do for a living. Actually I am very active in that wonderful world of 'creative loafing.' Also I get to travel to Oregon to see my new grandson. (Yes, I did buy him a life vest as soon as he was born.)

And now to business: By now all boats have long since had their winter covers off and the masts raised. (There's no point in whining about it; I have it from reliable sources that our Commodore has been seen skulking about the area with pencil and notebook in hand!)

The Dry Slip Assignment Chart elsewhere in this month's Log is also posted on both the inside and Qutside bulletin boards. This shows your slip location by name and by boat class. If your name does not appear, you have not paid for a dry slip and you do not belong there unless you check with me first.

All trailer spacesfor summer storage have been taken - we have no more room! If you have not been assigned a space, please do not leave your trailer on the Club property (this is worth a semi-abusive phone call). The assigned space is the grassy area along the fence between the slips and the parking lot gate. All trailers should have 1998 stickers issued by me.

If there are any questions or problems, please contact me.

Have a great sailing summer.

Ed Rosenberg, Dockmaster

(212) 348-1375

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I have temporarily taken over as Flagmaster. Since Opening Day, I have been putting up the Stars and Stripes on Sundays and holidays. I personally feel that if we are sailing or it is a holiday,we should at least fly the American flag. I don't really care if we put up the rest of the flags or the club burgee. Therefore, if it is a scheduled sailing day and the flag is not flying, it will become the race committee's duty to either take care of raising AND taking in the flag or find someone else to do it.

In an unrelated matter, Narrasketuck is looking for a new (or used) member, preferably with the name Ken (Past Flagmaster Ken Shoemaker, Current Flagmaster Ken Newman), to take over as flagmaster. Special incentive may be offered for the right candidate (free parking, free food on workdays, etc.)

Thanks,

Ken

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Info on the Bay Championship Events to compete for US Sailing Regattas.

Get your skipper and crews lined up for these GSB regattas which are US Sailing 'Ladder Events'. Dates are per the GSBYRA Yearbook:

Some guidelines ---

 Pre-registration is required, go through Narrasketuck's Championship       Committee Chairperson Helmie Meyhoefer. GSBYRA needs info one week      before event.

 US Sailing membership with proof is required of each competitor.

 Life jackets must be worn during these events.

 if you compete, you need to commit (if/when you win) to go on to the next      US Sailing 'ladder regatta'. if you win and fail to go on (without good     cause) you loose your Bay title.

 Coaching is NOT permitted at these events.

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1. Club Owned DaySailer - 1971 O1Day DaySailer with trailer - boat owned by     club - hull needs work. Boat is located in rear row by fence, near north     property. Green hull. Best offer gets it(with Board approval). Contact:     Art Leiz.

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Many congratulations to proud new grandparents1 Helmuth and Nancy Meyhoefer! Son and daughter-in-law Paul and Jennifer welcomed Reese Nicole on May 71 1998. We hear that Helmie, who prefers the title Father Emeritus to Grandpa, already has plans to break in the new crew!

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This year there are the usual two 4 week sessions of Beginners, Monday through Thursday, with Wednesday night races. Lessons are 8:30 a.m. to noon. The first session begins June 29 with graduation on Thursday, July 23. The second session begins July 27. The graduation will be Friday, August 21. Non-members fee is $265.00 and members $240.00.

Intermediate training is one 8 week session, Monday and Wednesday lessons, Friday for regattas and other events, Wednesday night races. Lessons are 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Non-members fee is $285.00 and members $260.00.

Advanced training is the same as Intermediate, except that the lessons are Thesday and Thursday. Hours and fees are the same. Advanced students who wish to enroll in the Intermediate classes for more sailing experience receive a prorated fee for the second course.

The Narrasketuck Seamanship race is Saturday, June 27. First gun is 11:00 a.m. Racers should be at the Club by 10:00 a.m. The winners of this race represent the Club at the Midgets and Junior double and singlehanded races in July at Bay Shore. All Junior skippers need to get a crew. The Club provides the Blue Jays.

Speaking of Blue Jays, many thanks to Fred Dunau who gives so much of his time to help Chuck and me refurbish the fleet. All the boats have positive flotation now and four have new paint jobs. We will have two refurbished 420s thanks to Jeff Brous and Don DiStefano, hulls donated by Bay Shore, for the Advanced racers. It1s always helpful for members to spread the word about our Junior Training program; it's how most of the kids find us. We've got a great summer planned and hope to have a great turnout.

Ruth Westfall

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Due to inclement weather on Work Day #2 (May 9th), there's still some work around the Club to be done. If you were unable to attend one of the scheduled Work Days, this is your chance to make a contribution.

Call Abbey or Kerry.

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We have had two great articles printed in the Log about Narrasketuck's unsung heroes. I can think of at least the next five people who should be written about, but there aren't too many volunteers to do the writing. If you don't want me to pick the next writer, then volunteer now. If you don't, I'll pick Jim Connelly to be the next writer and you all know how longwinded his articles can get (Jim, refer back to warning at beginning of Log).

Thanks,

Ken

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NEXT MEETING: Thursday, June 11, 1998 8:15 p.m.