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Here's one of two Rode Shows that I hope to be able to get out this week; my apologies for sending this to some of you more than once. I have two email address lists that I work from, one of which are GLSS members, and the other contains those who have signed up for the Rode Show. Obviously, some are on both, but in the interest of leaving no stone unturned, I figured it would be easier for the receiver to hit delete than it would be for me to see where the duplicates lie. A thousand pardons, or mea culpas...Please give it some thought and get in touch with Erik if you can give him a hand. Here's this week's installment:
FROM THE NAV STATION
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Look for a couple of Rode Shows this week; the continuing saga of the wayward electrical system will come out in a few days, but I'd like to get something out that is a bit more pressing, and in the whole scheme of things, truly integral to our whole season.
As the season fires up, most of us are busy getting the boat out from under shrink wrap or tattered blue poly tarps, bottoms need painting, that spare Tupperware container of ready made sandwiches that you were unable to find in the middle of the night in last years Mac race has been found (at least that's what you think it is based on the container and something in it that slightly resembles mustard.). The weather hasn't been the greatest, especially on the weekends, and maybe you're a bit behind from where you hoped you would be. Fear not - it will all come together, and with a few marathon days, some help from the weather gods, and just plain good luck, you'll make it to the start of the race. As concerned as we are about making the start of the race, there's one hard working soul out there who's more concerned about how the other end of the course will play out, and that is our own Erik Johnson, who is heading up the Finish Line of the Race Committee on Mackinac Island this year.
Over the years, many fine individuals have given their time most unselfishly so that the rest of us can beat ourselves half silly trying to reach the island before any of our fellow competitors. All of our cunning, skill, and occasionally just plain dumb luck would be for naught were it not for the crew who tirelessly mans the chair sighting down the line from the Yacht Club to G "3", to determine the finishes of all the competitors. Not an easy job by any stretch, and as in aviation, it may be hours and hours of mind numbing boredom interspersed by a few minutes of terror as a couple of boats come charging at the line seconds apart after 2-3 days of racing. I know, Mark Gutteridge and I had such a finish last year at the mid-point of the Super Mac, and my hat was and is still off to Jill Pavlat and the others on duty that night to get our times. I'm still thinking that we were the ones that had the easy part of the race; were it not for their efforts, we'd have no race. It's truly one of the great aspects of the GLSS; many individuals make a monumental contribution to keep things moving along, many times behind the scenes, quite unheralded.
Erik, in the truest sense of the modern day Marines, is looking for a few good men and women to help staff the finish line this year. Those who have served so admirably in the past are most welcome, and highly encouraged to do so in this year's race as well (photo finishes may be in store once again!). Those who have never served on the Finish Line Committee but may have wanted to - here's your chance. Not the easiest thing you'll ever volunteer to do, but certainly one of the most rewarding. Just spending time in the beautiful Mackinac Island Yacht Club with its rich history is almost reason enough; the camaraderie and the view of the Straits make it almost irresistible.
If you're interested, please take a moment to contact Erik Johnson via email at Eskjohnson@aol.com or contact him the old fashioned way via the Alexander Graham Bell device at (313) 255-7148 during the evening hours. Erik is hoping for a representative number from both the Lake Michigan and Lake Huron sides. Please give him a call, and he'll be more than happy to give you all of the particulars on working the finish line. And since I usually finish in the middle of the night, I'll be the one lit up like a small freighter, white light ablaze at the masthead! See you all on the Island in a couple of months!
Cheers
Tony Driza