From Michael Wagner

I just love the sounds of our club on Thursday evenings. It usually starts around five o’clock, as long-time friends begin rolling into the parking lot one by one and make their way into the clubhouse, greeting one another and catching up on what’s new. Within a short time, the bar in the Burgee Lounge is crowded, the noise level is elevated to a healthy roar, and continues to build with each new arrival. April and Kim are dashing back and forth to keep up with the drink orders, adding the sounds of glassware, fluidics and fizz to the mix.

Outside the noise level is on the rise too, like tonight when 11 Junior sailors began assembling their boats for a race. There’s the clanging of spars and booms, the clunks of centerboards and rudders, and the raw sounds of unbridled enthusiam as everyone hurries their pace to be one of the first out on the water. And of course, there’s always the parents reminding someone to put on their lifejacket or find their shoes.

The next wave is a steady stream of adults hauling sails and gear bags, comparing viewpoints on whether the wind is going to stay or drop, whether we’re going to get a thunderstorm or not, and what is being ordered for dinner. By this time, the Burgee Lounge is packed, with noise of a happy crowd leaking out each time a door is opened when April comes out to check up on the early outside diners.

The decibel level must drop a bit about 6:20 since the kids are out on the water and the keel boat sailors have headed out on the docks, but I can’t be sure, since I’m with them. But when we all come back as the Sun sets, its nothing short of pandemonium. The Burgee Lounge is still in full roar, there’s not a seat to be had outside, so additional chairs are flowing out of the ballroom, along with food trays, silverware and glasses. April’s running around like a crazy person trying to figure out where everyone is sitting, and its all being played out against a backdrop of laughter from about 20 kids playing tag or other games on the lawn. Sometimes its tough to even have a conversation with someone sitting right next to you. Like I said, I love the sounds of our club on Thursday evenings.

Tonight, we had a nice breeze that unfortunately all but fizzled shortly after we headed out to sail. The big crowd of Junior sailors got the better end of the wind, starting a bit before the keelboats. We had 9 boats out to race, but only 3 were able to finish. The Hergans on Morning Star had their usual large crowd of kids sailing, and once again, smoked everyone. Dobbs and Suzanne Fryberger on Whimsey also did very well, sailing in second place boat-for-boat which was impressive. Joanne Veater showed up to crew, but was easily persuaded to take Therapy out on her own, snagging Alex Razzook and John Murch to assist her, and finished in third. Yeah Joanne! That will teach Nigel to not show up.

Tonight’s results are attached. We still have 2 more Thursday Night races to go in the series.