Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club

John Eastman, age 62, died last week of natural causes. Jory wrote this nice poem for him. In addition to that, it will be remembered that John was willing to help anyone do anything at any time. We will not soon forget what an excellent parking supervisor he was. He took many a new sailor for their first sail in the Gambit, exiting the boat at speed once the newbie was comfortable with the helm. Below, Lloyd, John and Jory on Lake Chickawaukee.

At our local dump, we meet our friends
catch up on news, even make amends
So a week ago, in a morning fine
on John’s tailgate, we took our time

our talk turned soon to his many woes
and he shared how his health was running low
his depressions now had a tighter hold
and I was tempted again, by rescue bold

but many years had left a trace
of the need we have to guard our space.
I was fooled again by the disease he had
those impulsive moods, both good and bad

once we’d sailed his schooner to Isle au Haut
and returning encountered a wicked blow
to my sailor’s eye, t’was a normal sort
we reefed her down, and gained the port

but fear had challenged his fragile mind
and he slipped into a judging bind:
our age-old habit of praise and blame
and for a year or so, I shunned his name

now his shambled house, out-buildings packed
of half-done projects, never hacked
so Lloyd and I rolled up our sleeves
we’d pick up pieces on aged knees

after many calls to machines that talk
and to his spooky land, we’d dared to walk
we came again, to a peaceful space:
John lived and died in a chaotic place

only our minds, saw a state to fix
we could honor John, and still say nix
life’s perfect way would find its path
and we could peacefully delight and laugh

So we came again, to our many tales
he’d brought adventures, amazing sails
he’d tried our patience, that is true
yet we thanked our stars, for this man we knew

on our meeting day, John gained the ER’s lot
and skilled hands stuggled against his plot
but in the quiet of the dawn so sweet
John joined the mystery we all will meet

But, before we go completely to ice, here’s a wonderful video about the history of Loring Air Base, just about the best landsailing venue anywhere.

Bombers, Tankers, and the Crown of Maine youtube.com

It was made just last winter and for those of us who have been spending time there it is very touching.

Ok, landsailing season is over. Time for ice. Peter Boynton sent this reminder of our incredible run of black ice on Pushaw early last season.

More than one sailor came for the day and stayed for the week. Be ready. Traditionally Plymouth Pond is ready the first weekend in December, but it has been earlier.

Iceboaters are nothing if not tinkerers and builders. Now we have a young fellow coming along doing fantastic work, who also happens to be a helluva sailor. His name is A.J. Laurent, 16.

Pursuing MAX Efficiency : RC Sail Car youtube.com

Looks like a natural iceboater…

Sent from my iPad

Begin forwarded

Subject: CIBC Fall Meeting held on October 27th 2024

Gentlemen,

Here are my notes from todays meeting:

Opened the meeting at 11:30 with nine members attending.

I asked all present to review their entry on the latest version of the CIBC Roster and notify me if they discovered any errors. There were a few updates due to changed email addresses and telephone numbers. I also asked people to record their boat type and sail numbers. I will update the master roster and forward each of you a copy.

I instructed the members that it is time to pay their annual dues of $20.00, and that they could pay me now or mail it directly to Jim Gagnon. The following four members paid me:

Eben Whitcomb
Joel Tompkins
Steve Kozloff
Jeff Roseberry

I will send a check to Jim Gagnon to cover the above members and myself if Jim agrees that it is the best way to handle it.

I read the Financial report to the group.

We reviewed safety equipment and procedures:
Equipment:
Throw rope in a bag
Tow rope
Space blanket to protect a victim from hypothermia if they are wet
Picks (Several members talked about their frustration with their picks getting tangled or wrapping around their necks. We weren’t able to come up with a better solution.)

Procedures:
Always ask other sailors about any hazards that have been discovered out on the ice by the morning scouting before leaving the pits. We talked about providing some display of any hazards found by early scouting that day. This could be in the form of a white board mounted securely in the pits (maybe on a trailer). This would be useful for late comers who arrive when there is no one left in the pits to ask.

Use the buddy system when cruising, even when you are part of a larger group. This way you and your buddy would sail together and keep track of each other. This would prevent stragglers from getting left alone.

We talked about doing more scratch races around marks that include other boat types besides the DNs. Everyone seemed interested.

Lastly, I brought up the idea of responding to a post that announces a sailing destination for the next day with a comment letting Bill, the sender, know that you intend to be there.

The meeting adjourned at 14:30

The Great NEIYA Swap Meet, lunch and meeting will be held again at the Thompson Motor Speedway, Thompson, CT. on Saturday October 26. Peruse the greatest collection of iceboats and gear east of the Mississippi. Bring stuff to sell and cash to buy. Learn to recognize your fellow iceboaters without their helmets on. More details: New England Ice Yacht AssociationNew England Ice Yacht Associationhttps://theneiya.org

Sunday October 27 the CIBC will hold our meeting at the home of Dave Fortier, 12 Chretien Rd. Biddeford, ME. Meeting at 11:00, pot luck lunch to follow.

Our esteemed Treasurer forgot to mention in his recent post that our dues are still a bargain at $20.oo. Thanks for supporting the club that supports iceboating in Maine and beyond. A newsletter and roster will be coming out soon.