SailorgramNovember 2010 Issue 10

FROM the MASTHEAD Bob Chadwick, Commodore

THE AMERICAN YACHT CLUB NEWSLETTER

The AYC is closed, the windows boarded, the water turnedoff, the floats removed and the moorings dropped. It

looks like the club falls into dormancy, sleeping until spring.For many at the club this may be the case. But in member’shomes, at the local banks and via e-mail the committees andofficers are still working to close this year and open the next.

You have elected some new officers. Treasurer Doug Cornellis leaving and Amy Puleo–Sison is taking on the position.P/C Clif Robinson who served as interim collector during adifficult time is handing over the position to HomerShannon, who in turn is being replaced on the ExecutiveCommittee by last years Membership Committee chairmanDan Streeter. All these positions must transition and come upto speed. Other Committees, such as the MembershipCommittee will work through the winter, as will the Yard

Committee and Mooring Committees.

Winter is also the time for us to work on major projects, thisyear we will be taking on rebuilding our accounting systems,our technical infrastructure and formulate the budgets fornext year. We need to restructure and recruit for ourEntertainment and House Committees – so... no screening ofcalls!

Thankfully (and thanks to the work of many) the club isphysically in the best shape in years, and I have ordered acalm winter (hopefully whoever is in charge of weather listened to my order!). We hope to open next year as easily as we closed this one.

During the winter, while we are working on these projects

November: It’s Not Over

Joppa from the AYC Deck

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November 2010 Issue 10THE AMERICAN YACHT CLUB NEWSLETTER

Membership Committee Remindersubmitted by Dan Streeter,

Membership Committee Chair

In response to the change in dates for electing AYC offi-cers and committees, the Membership Committee has

also made a change in policy.

As voted, all applications with legacy status (spouses, chil-dren, and former members with preference as described inthe Constitution) must be received by the Secretary on orbefore December 1st to be considered for installation inthe subsequent calendar year, prior to those on the generalwaiting list. Please make note of the change and forwardapplications by that date.

It is also recommended that members sponsoring newapplications for regular membership encourage applicantsto return their forms as soon as possible. Every year, thereare a number of people who have risen to the top of thewaiting list that choose to defer membership. Applicationsreceived before these deferments are placed on the waitinglist in the order received, ahead of those choosing to “go tothe bottom of the list”.

Come join the Unger Family�s25th Annual Open House

Sat. December 4, 2010

6:00 p.m. till whenever

12 Maple St. West NewburyHors d’oeuvres and desserts will be served.

R.S.V.P requested by: Nov. 17, 2010

phyllisunger@hotmail.com or 978-363-8816

REMINDER

Reservations Duefor the

AYC AnnualAwards Banquet

Don't miss out on the 2010 Annual Awards Banquet

at Carriage Pines Country Club (formerly the Rowley Country Club)

on Saturday, November 13th

Please respond as soon as possible to Jim and Sue Gallagher

RSVP via email now:windego890@gmail.com

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Closing Day Work Partysubmitted by Jim Grenier

photos by Joyce Stoehr, Jim Grenier, Sharon Chadwick and others*

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November 2010 Issue 10THE AMERICAN YACHT CLUB NEWSLETTER

Every year the club opens and closes. Eachevent requires many volunteers and solid

teamwork to accomplish all that is necessary.

This year has shown a good demonstration ofmember participation. Things started in Februarywhen crews tackled storm damage and continuedthroughout the year with Opening Day, races,activities, events and more. Closing Day seemedto cap the season well with a yard full of activity,

Floats were pulled out and stored away, windowsshuttered against the coming winter weather,vines and bushes cut away from the fence, yarddebris hauled away, plantings pruned, weedspulled, the gin pole disassembled and mooringstended. And as impressive as all that seems,there were also members and spouses preparingcoffee and food so the workers could take a lit-tle time out and hang out by a roaring fire inthe clubhouse.

So, if you lent a hand on October 23, all membersof our club should thank you. *I lent my camera out to several people

while I was doing chores, so I don’t knowwho took what photo.

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November 2010 Issue 10THE AMERICAN YACHT CLUB NEWSLETTER

Closing Day continued from page 3

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November 2010 Issue 10THE AMERICAN YACHT CLUB NEWSLETTER

Closing Day continued from page 4

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November 2010 Issue 10THE AMERICAN YACHT CLUB NEWSLETTER

Dodge Morgan died last month at the age of 78. Mostmembers of the AYC will remember Dodge for his

1986 around-the-world-alone sailing record and his regu-lar, earthy, down-to-business contributions to Points Eastmagazine. In his eulogies, Dodge is alsoremembered as an engineer, an entre-preneur and a business executive. To aselect group of AYC members, Dodge isremembered as the man they sharedcocktails with on a very private islandone fine summer day.

It was the morning of July 14th, 1999.Three boats from the AYC—CarpeDiem, Overtime and Cinderella—wereanchored way up in Quahog Bay.Homer and Dee Shannon fromCinderella had just returned from ashort trip in their dinghy to collectmussels. They were tying up the dinghyand getting their things aboard whenthey noticed a small launch-like craftapproaching their boat. It was a some-what odd vessel with a man and a woman aboard, and ithad the distinct thump-thump of a one-cylinder engine.The boat came alongside, and the man asked if Homer orDee knew the time. It was apparent that the stranger waslooking for a little conversation. He was quite an engagingfellow, and the Shannons obliged him with small talk aboutthe Maine coast and where they had sailed from.

Shortly, Gordon Bailey aboard Carpe Diem noticed theactivity and hopped over in his dinghy with Debbie to jointhe conversation. The conversation turned into a regular

gam, and soon it was apparent that proper introductionswere needed. Homer and Dee introduced themselves, andGordon introduced himself. As Dodge began to introducehimself, Gordon commented, “You don’t have to introduce

yourself, I know exactly who you are,you’re Dodge Morgan.”

Dodge looked a little amused and stated,“And so I am!” The conversation continued with Dodge’s personal commentary on Boothbay Harbor. “Itry never to go there. It’s like being onthe inside of a pinball machine.”

By and by the conversation broke upand Dodge left. But later in the dayhe returned to Carpe Diem and invit-ed the Baileys and their friends to joinhim for cocktails at his home on SnowIsland, which is in the middle ofQuahog Bay. Everyone was excitedwith the prospect. Gene Piermonteand Gordon had read The Voyage of

American Promise and were very familiar with DodgeMorgan’s achievements.

At around three o’clock, the Shannons, Baileys andPiermontes dinghied over to the dock at the south end ofSnow Island. Soon Dodge came down to greet them and,following a tour of the boathouse, led the group up to hismagnificent home. The home was designed by notedPortland architect Winston Scott and blended in perfectlywith the natural landscape of Snow Island. Although it

Please respond if you wish to continue receiving the AYC Sailorgram in the mail.

In order to reduce overhead, the club is asking the membership to convert from the printed and mailed version of the Sailorgram to themore colorful digital version. If you are currently receiving theSailorgram in the mail and wish to continue receiving it this wayplease fill out this form and mail it to:

Joyce Stoehr, SecretaryThe American Yacht Club

P.O. Box 1360Newburyport, MA 01950

This applies to the pprriinntteedd Sailorgram only. If you are already receivingthe Sailorgram digitally you should disregard this form.

PLEASE PRINT!

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IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!

Remembering Dodge Morgansubmitted by Homer Shannon,

photos by Carol Piermonte

Dodge’s schooner Eagle

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November 2010 Issue 10THE AMERICAN YACHT CLUB NEWSLETTER

looks out over the water, you really can’t see it from a boat. Upon entering the house, the first thing the group noticedwas the stacks of liquor cases, floor to ceiling, that filledthe entryway. “Not taking any chances on Y2K,” Dodgecommented. “If the world is going to end, I’m going to beready.”

The second observation was how perfectly the homematched the personality of a man who had spent monthsalone on a small boat. It was large but not grand. It waswarm, but not charming. It was spare, but not barren.Essentially it was everything you need but nothing more.Exactly what you want on a boat.

After touring the house, Dodge suggested making somedrinks. “Summer rules are in force,” he stated. Uh, whatare summer rules? Summer rules mean that Dodge pointsout where all the liquor, mix and glasses are and then youmake drinks for yourself. And for him. “Make mine aTanqueray and tonic!” he said.

The group spent an hour or so letting Dodge regale themwith stories of his trip around the world and other adven-tures on the seas. He was a delightful host, relaxing withfellow sailors and enjoying the rewards of a productive andinteresting life. He had commitments later that evening,and the party broke up around six o’clock. It was an expe-rience any sailor would treasure, even more so now that,sadly, Dodge is gone.

Dodge Morgan continued from page 6

AYC group visiting with Dodge Morgan (center in chair)

you can help. We need your support; we need you torespond when we ask for help, and we need you all to payyour dues, submit your forms and cooperate with the collec-tor. We need you to let us know if your address, phone num-ber and email changes. Keeping track of 300+ members and60+ applicants is not easy. When you visit the club we needyou to look around, report problems and keep it secure.

And to celebrate 2010 -- Please attend this year’s AnnualAwards and Installation Banquet on November 13th at theCarriage Farm Country Club. Join us in celebrating 2010with awards, racing awards, installation of officers, good foodand good fun. Join me in thanking all of those who havecontributed so much the AYC. We hope to see you there!

From under the Shrink Wrap

Commodore Bob Chadwick

Masthead continued from page 1

NOTICE

From the Mooring Committee

All the moorings have been removed form theanchorage and members are encouraged to pickup their mooring gear and store it for the winter.Gear left at the club will be at your risk as moor-ings have been known to disappear during thewinter. The Mooring committee is not responsi-

ble for gear lost.

Please clean, repaint the numbers and checkthe pennants on them over the winter before

returning it to the club in time to be reinstalled.Any new hardware used must be American

made as some overseas hardware may not meet those standards.

Thank YouGene, MMoooorriinngg CCoommmmiitttteeee CChhaaiirrmmaann

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The American Yacht ClubP.O. Box 1360

Newburyport, MA 01950

American Yacht ClubP.O. Box 1360

Newburyport MA 01950Organized 1885, Incorporated 1890

November 2010 Issue 10THE AMERICAN YACHT CLUB NEWSLETTER

Commodore Bob Chadwick 978-373-6106

Vice Commodore David W. Hewey 978-373-6038

Rear Commodore David Dragonas 978-834-9924

Secretary Joyce Stoehr 978-462-9083

Treasurer Douglas Cornell 978-474-4323

Collector Pamela Mertinooke 978-388-4515

Measurer William R. Gynan 978-462-1157

Membership Committee Dan Streeter 978-462-4605

Mooring Committee Gene Piermattei 978-374-7940

House Committee Bob Saldarini 978-463-8219

Regatta Committee Dan Pratt 978-388-3041

Entertainment Committee Under Review

Activities Committee Dormant

Sailing Camp Sue Manzi 603-474-9644

Steward/Club House 978-465-9053

Please send all digital* Sailorgram submissions tosailorgram@americanyachtclub.org

Send all physical** Sailorgram submissions to:Jim Grenier, 5 Folly Mill Road, Salisbury, MA 01952

Due date is the is the of each month. Sailorgram will only be pub-lished when there is enough material to warrant it.

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Errata and OmissionsThe Sailorgram apologizes in advance for any errors in spelling,grammar, punctuation, or the accuracy of identifications.Sailorgram articles are the sole responsibility of the author,including stated facts, opinions, commentary, and humor. Weinclude as many submissions as possible and may, due to spacelimitations, choose to omit or delay certain submissions for laterissues. In other words, the Sailorgram takes responsibility forhardly anything.

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