Northern Star Hunter Sailing Association members feast to end the summer.
The Northern Star Hunter SA held its Labor Day celebration at Sailing Associates on the Sassafras River. Thirteen boats made it to the event with some starting the weekend early anchoring in Turner Creek, Stillpond or Knights Island on Friday night. For those ‘late’ starters Saturday’s easterly winds of 15 knots provided a great sail all the way up the bay and into the Sassafras River.
Tony Tumas of Great Blue Yachts provided the food for the Saturday evening barbeque and Sailing Associates provided tents just in case it rained. Happy Hour and the barbeque also included many of the slip holders from Sailing Associates so we had the opportunity to make new friends with the party continuing well after dark. Chris Schultz won the prize for the most creative use of watermelon with his hand carved Shark sculpture. There were several other entries that were equally as good, making it difficult for the judges to decide on a winner. The prize, a large bottle of "water" Mellon wine was awarded to Chris, who graciously shared it with anyone brave enough to try it.
As part of the Club’s effort on boating education several Captains shared their knowledge and experiences on various topics. Joe Cameron held a wonderfully informative class on Spinnakers and after lunch at the Granary Paul Borchardt reviewed actions to take when there’s water covering the cabin sole. Chris Schultz shared his first-hand experience on the same. Rex Noel covered proper radio emergency protocols and Steve McDonough discussed AIS systems and shared several experiences with us. Several of the ladies sought the alternative and walked to Galena to shop.
All the education and shopping was followed by a Pot Luck dinner on Sunday evening. Fortunately the thunderstorms held off just long enough for everyone to finish eating and dash back to their boats before the rain started.
Winds on Monday where calm which made for a motor back to homeports but the Sassafras is a beautiful river and the camaraderie of the weekend made for an excellent Holiday.
