By Fiona (and Bob) Hirschfeld
This year, a record number of entrants proudly spiffed up our boats and were ready for our reward -- the parties! Friday’s “Commodore’s Cocktail Party” was held at Chesapeake Marine Trades Career School (CMTCS) – a building in which fish were once preserved through canning. (Some CYCA members achieved the same goal by getting pickled.) Cofounders Mike Thielke and Guy Beckley were hosts and guides for the facility. It was the grand unveiling of months spent turning a grimy old building that reeked of fish into an establishment of higher learning. (Hey, we pay taxes in Maryland and it seems like most of the time it works the other way around.) In fact, before we get to the fun, we need to gush about the school.
When CMTCS opens its doors in Spring 2005, it will have electrical and electronics workrooms, mechanics’ facilities that include a full machine shop and engine repair workrooms, a complete fiberglass repair facility (no wood yet!) and 3 classrooms. Eventually, some of the graduates may be working on our yachts, though with the quirky mechanical problems we confront, the school may need to offer an advanced doctorate especially for difficult CYCA craft.
To thrive, the school will require an enrollment of 60 full-time equivalent students, so spread the word around your marinas. You also have a chance to spread the wealth: CMTCS is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) community development corporation. The end of the year is coming, and the tax man’s at our heels, so what better place to make your 2004 tax-deductible contribution?
CYCA set an example of generosity by donating half of this meet’s 50-50 raffle to the school. And the Club sold a LOT of tickets. Perhaps this was due to the ticket seller who wore a grass skirt and coconut bra, creating an unfortunate resemblance to one of our mothers-in-law. (To protect the guilty, and our lives, we won’t disclose which one.)
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| New member Mason Craig has a little fun selling 50/50 tickets. |
Never a group to let late-night partying get the better of us, everyone was up early the next morning at Rock Hall Landing putting the finishing touches on their beauties as the judges began their rounds. P/C Ken Jordan stopped by and noted that we hadn’t “dressed ship.” Bob thought a naked vessel might appear sexier (plus we forgot our flags) but offered to string up Ken and Judy’s underwear if he thought it would make the Orient Eggspress more presentable.
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| Judges Harvey Cook, Drew McMullen and Graham Ero relax after a nonstop judging marathon of 17 boats. |
We had to see for ourselves all the work of others that went into getting ready for this competition. This year, the quirky competitive touch that impressed us the most was Metanoia’s gold-plated “display anchor” worthy of Tiffany’s window. (Bob contends there’s a barnacle encrusted original that looks like the remains of the Lusitania hidden below deck.) Fiona was also awed by the fact that Clara Ochipinti sewed the furnishings aboard Metanoia and Audrey Edwards not only helped Ron with Hope’s beautiful varnishing, they also had to strip many layers of paint from the wood first.
(Aside from Captain Bob: My first mate reports for pleasure on cruises but is noticeably AWOL whenever work is involved.)
(Aside from Mate Fiona: Why doesn’t a man lift a finger around the house but scrubs and polishes like Martha preparing for jail time when his boat is involved?)
After the judging, most of us headed into town to enjoy the afternoon at Fall Fest. More great food and terrific music. On the way back, we took a short cut behind the School only to catch Ed in the act of messing around with a younger boat. Turned out it was Dr. Nancy’s runabout. Ed did treat us to some of his ideas for next year’s events – sounds like we have even more fun in store!
Back aboard the Egg, we had a chance to relax before heading over to dinner at P.E. Pruitt’s. New members Jeff and CJ Kligora, owners of Pinch Me, stopped by to meet everyone and say “Hi.”
After some quick power napping, it was over to P.E. Pruitt’s for a delicious meal – and to find out who the judges favored this year. Patrick did an admiral (or would that be rear admiral?) job of presenting the awards.
We were delighted to be among the recipients!
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| Orient Eggspress heads for home. |
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| The Hirschfeld’s Orient Eggspress achieved the top score in Class 1, Division II for a Best in Class award at the Annual Dinner. I hope their recounting of the experience will encourage participation. |
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