The Chesapeake Bay Nonsuch Association held a Summer Sailstice rendezvous from June 20 to June 22 in Solomons Island, Maryland. Being located at the midpoint of the Chesapeake Bay, Solomons made it possible for the Southern Bay boats to rendezvous with the Northern Bay boats. In fact, boats arrived from as far as far south as Deltaville, VA and as north as the Bush River, MD. Twelve boats participated including six Nonsuch 30’s, two Nonsuch 26’s and four Nonsuch 22’s. In addition, 15members and 7 guests drove in or arrived by power boat to participate.
Friday night we gathered at the Calvert Marine Museum. Ken Stout from the Solomons Island Model Boat Club (SIMBC) invited early arrivals to sail remote control boats. Dick Barton (NS 26 #43324) also brought and sailed his model Nonsuch to the delight of other members. Friday night’s dinner was pizza accompanied by homemade salads from the lady committee members. Ed Bahniuk (NS26 #92) was our master of ceremonies and encouraged each captain to tell about his crew and boat. During dinner, the Dove docked at the Museum near where were eating. She was one of four tall ships that had come to Solomons Island to participate in a War of 1812 reenactment. A major highlight of the evening was a behind-the-scenes tour of the Calvert Marine Museum by Director Doug Alves that was greatly appreciated by all.
Al Suydam (NS22 #43) led a Saturday morning skipper/crew meeting at the Holiday Inn Solomons Conference Center and Marina. Once under weigh, we paraded under full sail out of Back Creek onto the Patuxent River led by a Defever 44 trawler owned by Jack and Gail Chenevey. They had volunteered to photograph us under sail. We sailed past the Solomons Island boardwalk and cruised to Horseshoe Cove in Mill Creek. Ed Charest (NS26#191) directed us into a sunflower raft-up and his wife Maria, climbed a mast to photograph our accomplishment. The view from above revealed that the distinctive Nonsuch booms added extra petals to the flower.To add even more fun to our cruise, Al Sydam created a scavenger hunt of over 20 items, which required photographic documentation. The list included such items as an osprey with a fish, a naval aircraft, and a picture of your crew waving at a commercial boat waving back.
Pete Green (NS30 #483) was our master of ceremonies for the evening activities held at Isaac’s, the Holiday Inn restaurant. He kept all entertained and presented some lucky recipients with wine from a local, private vineyard. Much humor went along with his presentations. The rendezvous concluded with participants gathering in various places to do a little socializing. Some had to leave in the morning for their journey (two day sail for some) home, but some stayed for the 1812 reenacted naval battle on Sunday.
Special thanks go to the Holiday Inn, Isaacs Restaurant and Pub, Solomons Harbor Marina, Ruddy Duck Restaurant, Lusby Giant Food, Calvert Marine Museum, Jack and Gail Chenevey, Ken Stout, Shawn Garren, Dave Spigler, Dan Dawson for their contributions and support.
The Solomons Rendezvous Committee included Pete and Lynne Greene, Tom and Susan Jones, Al and Nan Suydam, Ed and Mary Bahniuk and Butch and Karen Garren.
Participating boats andowners: Roland Wood (NS 30 #214 Wendy hawk II), Ed and Lynne Strazzini (NS 30 #503 Manatee), Ryan Gniazdowski (NS 30 #275 Zu Zu’s Petal ), Allan Burke (NS 30 #370 Razzmatazz), Pete Green (NS 30 #483 Uffda), Jim and Barb Hauser (NS 30 #461 Rauch), Ed and Mary Bahniuk (NS 26 #92 Cat-tastic), ick and Delcy Barton (NS 26 #43324 Phat), David Darmstadter (NS 22 #12 Blue Heron), Tom & Susan Jones (NS 22 #23 Kit Kat), Al and Nan Suydam (NS 22 #43 Rejoice, Butch and Karen Garren (NS 22 #30 Whiskers).
Participating members that crewed with others: Jim and Martha Cosgrove (NS 30 #343 Fate), Phil and Mary Wagner (NS 26 #230 Swell), Bill and Shoba Duncan (NS 26 #122 Joss), Ed and Maria Charest (NS 26 #191 Funsuch), Byron Hicks (NS 30 #17 Bobcat), Jeff and Mary Ellen Dix (NS 30 #514), and Glenn and Marjorie Haggan (NS26 #198) arrived in their Cape Dory 33.
