H E A R T F E LT L E T T E R F R O M LONG-TIME MEMBER BY RICK VAN MELL
Stan Mehaffey (Old Guard Committee Chair), First, I can’t begin to thank you (and Betsy Barrett) enough for sorting out the membership data that brought me into the very special world of the Old Guard. When I left Chicago for California in 1985 I knew I wanted to some day come back and race in an Old Guard Race. Little did I know that it would take 36 years! Second, it was a very humbling feeling to be racing with fellow members who had done dozens of Mac races, and even won section and 2nd overall this year. As I returned to Belmont and Monroe street, I took a look at the older trophies and there were the names of this year’s Old Guard skippers. What a good feeling that we are still here 60 years later! Third, your Old Guard Committee put on a first class event. Starting with the classy luncheon at Monroe Street, then followed by a first class race at Belmont. The Belmont beverages and lunch, led by Marc Anderson, was delicious and graciously served. The Sonars were rigged and ready as we stepped aboard. The Race Committee, using the Mark Bots (hey – they sometimes moved faster than we did!) pulled off a great course. Why, Mark Croll even said at the closing ceremonies, that they were aiming for a 45 minute race and the first finisher did it in 46 minutes! Fourth, at the closing ceremonies, I want to apologize for not recognizing Peter Barrett, Don Glassel, Art Atkinson, and Samuel Sax for their tremendous contributions to CYC over all these years and the great job done by the Race Committee. It was ironic, perhaps, that Nancy (Wendt) Sindelar was the PRO. I sailed my first Mackinac on the Wendt’s boat, Reverie, at age 16. Fifth, at lunch on Friday at Monroe Street I was talking with Betsy, our CYC Librarian, and learned that we did not have a copy of “There Will Always Be A Mackinac Race” in the Club’s collection at the Historical Society. It is a wonderful compilation of the logs of the winners of the races up through 1924 which are pungent with the feeling, drive and style of racing 100 foot boats in coat and tie. I have a copy of it and will send it to her to fill the gap in the CYC collection. 25
Blinker ✶ Winter 2021
