CYC Lake Calhoun - Minneapolis - USA - Keel boat Sailing & Racing

Happy Thanksgiving 2011

2011-11-23T11:12:00.000-06:00

With Love Henk & Wenona

The story of Sinterklaas and his 2011 arrival in our city Woerden, Holland.

2011-11-13T05:28:00.004-06:00

The Dutch has their very own tradition in December, Sinterklaas. This man should not be mistaken for Santa Claus even if they do have kind of the same job. Sinterklaas does not come from the North Pole and he does not have reindeers, brownies or a red cap with a tuft. Sinterklaas lives in Spain and he has a white horse. Instead of the brownies he has Zwarte Pieten, Black Piets, who assist him on his journey, little helpers with dark skin and colourful clothes.

They all board a ship sailing from Spain to a port (different every year) in the Netherlands and when arriving, they are welcomed by the mayor and citizens. They arrive sometime in mid November just in time for the annual parade which is the start of the “Sinterklaas season”. The following weeks are spent to the assessment of the behavior of the children during the past year. In short, if they have been naughty or nice. He keeps this information in a large leather bound book, with gold print. They get to sit on his lap and then he asks them about their behavior during the year. And you can not lie to Sinterklaas, can you? That is why naughty children go straight into the sack and have to go back to Spain with Sinterklaas.

The eve of December 5th is a special day for all Dutch children. This is when Sinterklaas rides around the country on his white horse. Children put shoes under the chimney and they also place a piece of carrot in them as a reward for the horse. Sinterklaas stops at the roof of the houses and send a Piet down the chimney to put some kind of gift in the shoes. This is often a piece of chocolate in the form of the receiver's first initial and pepernoten, small hard cookies. This is a very busy time for Sinterklaas, in the day he visits schools and other places and in the evening people's homes. He knocks on the door and hand out gifts from his sack.

Of course he needs a bit help sometimes, so kind souls dress up in a red cape with golden embroidery over white clothes, fix themselves a nice white beard and put a mitre-shaped red hat with a golden cross on their heads and grab a golden shepherd’s staff to go with that. These clothes are much similar to the ones worn by bishops. This because the model of Sinterklaas is said to have been Saint Nicholas, a bishop from Myra in Turkey born in 271 AD.

There are numerous legends about his good deeds. One story is that he saved three little girls from being sold by their poor father. By throwing three golden pieces for their dowry through the window he saved them from a future in despair. It just happen to be that the gifts landed in the stockings that the girls had hung up by the fireplace to dry. Another story say that he brought three children back to life after they had been chopped up by a butcher.

He just put the pieces together and prayed and suddenly they were alive without a scratch. He is also the patron saint of the sailors after calming a storm at sea and when doing that he saved the lives of many people, including himself. Old scripts say that Saint Nicholas died on the 6th of December in 343 AD, that is why he is remembered this time a year. His relics have been the subject of some disagreements, but they are said to be in Bari in Italy since 1087.

Saint Nicholas connection to shipping might explain why Sinterklaas is said to live in Spain. In the 17th century the Netherlands was a major shipping nation and the country had close connections with Spain. This would also explain the dark colour of the skin of the Zwarte Pieten, since Spain naturally gets more sun than northern Europe. Another explanation for it could be the constant climbing up and down sooty chimneys.

The celebration of Sinterklaas is foremost for children and families, but some friends also celebrate with giving each other gifts. Short humorous rhymes or poems are attached to the gifts and they often have a personal touch. There are a number of popular songs about Sinterklaas and the stories surrounding him. Special food that is close connected to the celebration are Speculaas, a spiced cake filled with almond paste. Marzipan is another appreciated goodie.

On Christmas, the 25th and 26th of December, Santa Claus visit some families and bring gifts. Others just do not care for the American fellow and all the fuss around him. Which is actually quite ironic since it was the Dutch people themselves that brought him along when they settled in New Amsterdam (present-day New York) in the 17th century.

Happy Sinterklaas on Dec 5th

Congratulations to all 2011 Sailing Champions

2011-10-19T07:59:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to all 2011 CYC Sailing Champions

and their crews.

The end of the sailing season 2011

2011-10-19T07:46:00.000-05:00

Dear friends,

Wenona and I wish you a very nice, warm winter. We hope you come together bowling, playing darts or any other activity to stay in contact.

We hope that the Keel Boat races will pick up next season as it is truly great to compete as friends that way.

Greatings.
Henk & Wenona

CYC annual meeting and election of officers and board members

2011-10-04T02:45:00.000-05:00

Greetings,

You are invited to attend the annual meeting and election of officers and board members on Tuesday, October 11, 7:000 p.m. at Kenwood Neighborhood Center, corner of Penn and Franklin Avenue South, on Franklin Avenue.

Refreshments and snacks will be served.

Attached is the proposed list of officers and board members for 2012. You may notice that the position of Vice Commodore remains open at this time, we can take nominations from the floor for this position.

Best regards,

Tom Weigel
Rear Commodore

Apostle Islands

2011-09-18T20:17:00.003-05:00

Mary, Emma & I went trailered our boat to the Apostle Islands for long weekend beginning the 24th of August.
To read about the trip; follow these links:
Part 1: http://bbs.trailersailor.com/forums/trailersailor/index.cgi/read/803919
Part 2: http://bbs.trailersailor.com/forums/trailersailor/index.cgi/read/804083
Part 3: http://bbs.trailersailor.com/forums/trailersailor/index.cgi/read/804414
Approximate route http://g.co/maps/nuh8
A larger sampling of photos is at http://photobucket.com/rickkane-apostles2011

Saturday was HOT

2011-09-11T22:45:00.005-05:00

Emma's cousin (Dr.) Tara, and her BF Harry visiting from Cuzco, joined us for a sail though the water beckoned more than the wind!

Little known story of boats and 9/11

2011-09-10T08:40:00.001-05:00

"Music at the Lake" Summer 2011

2011-09-05T05:16:00.004-05:00

Marcel Sailing on the Solent with a Beneteau Oceanis 37

2011-08-29T03:15:00.000-05:00

Hello my Calhoun sailing friends,

I hope you are doing fine. We have returned from our sailing trip in England, and

finally, yes, finally I found some time to write a short report for your blog.

If you like it, just post it there.

All the best,

Marcel

Sailing on the Solent with a Beneteau Oceanis 37

Having sailed in many parts of the Baltic Sea, the North Sea, and the

Mediterranean, we figured out it would be exciting for us to discover a new

sailing area: the English Channel. The Solent and the Isle of Wight at the

British southern coast are a mecca for sailing. So we chartered a 37ft yacht

there, and off we went! Here are some impressions from our voyage:

What comes next? Hmmm, actually crossing the English Channel could be a fascinating challenge, finding our way through the dense traffic of massive 1000ft+ container freighters and tankers, mooring up in a beautiful French yacht haven, and then raising our glasses with local red wine?

Let's see what opportunities the next year will bring to us!

My very best regards to all sailors on Lake Calhoun, I miss you!

Fair winds and following seas,

Marcel.

34th America's Cup - Emirates Team New Zealand wins Cascais ACWS

2011-08-15T02:53:00.000-05:00

34th America's Cup - AC World Series - Cascais 2011 - Race Day 6 - Emirates Team New Zealand wins Cascais ACWS.

www.americascup.com

2011 Americas Cup Cascais Portugal

2011-08-08T05:23:00.004-05:00

Before coming to Minneapolis in 2001 this the place I lived.

Cascais is a coastal town in Cascais Municipality in Portugal, 30 kilometres west of Lisbon, with about 35,000 residents. It is a cosmopolitan suburb of the Portuguese capital and one of the richest municipalities in Portugal. The former fishing village gained fame as a resort for Portugal's royal family in the late 19th century and early 20th century. Nowadays, it is a popular vacation spot for both Portuguese and foreign tourists.

http://www.americascup.com/en/Events/2011-2012-world-series/2011-cascais-portugal/Results-and-Highlights/

Boca de Inferno Cascais

Cascais Lighthouse

Fishing fleet

View of the Cascais Bay and Marina from my apartment

After Sailing party Saturday July 30.

2011-07-29T04:41:00.000-05:00

Come join the happy CYC throng for a party.

Hosted by Rich and Barb Makela, with help from Ed Owens and Lily Hutto.

The bash will take place at the Makela home at 1221 West 107th Street in Bloomington, and will begin around 5:00 PM.

See the attached map for directions.

Rich Makela
Home 952-884-3149
Office 952-884-0493
Cell 952-240-7016
richmak@MakelaPerformance.com

Catastrophe strikes the SeaDonkey

2011-07-22T03:05:00.003-05:00

July 22 2011

Catastrophe strikes the SeaDonkey

No vandalism involved,

It appears that the cotter pin on the roller furling must have failed, this is the pin holding it andit backed out on a windy night, then the mast fell back, snapped a stainless steel shroud, then it all fell back into the lake.

I think, with a new shroud and some new pins and a little fiberglass patching, she should be as good as it was when she arrived at the lake.

She will be ready in no time.

Nabil.

Safety:

Keep your boats in a good condition so things like this do not happen when sailing.

City of Lakes Regatta - Order your T-Shirt now

2011-07-17T05:01:00.000-05:00

Here is the art for the "City of Lakes Regatta".

The T-Shirt will be white cotton, Sizes Adult; S, M, L, XL, XXL

All shirts must be pre-ordered by Monday the 18th. and paid for at Regatta Registration.

Cost: $15.00

Thanks,

Steve

Steve Woldum

4132 Colfax Avenue South

Minneapolis, MN 55409

612-825-0312 Home

612-743-7712 Cel

scwoldum@co

mcast.net

e-mail

After Sailing party Saturday 7/16/2011

2011-07-16T03:07:00.001-05:00

After Sailing party at Shannon and David Ginsberg’s home. Please come anytime after 5:00 pm.

Saturday 7/16/2011 Directions to:

501 S. 10th St.

Minneapolis, MN 55404 House is at the corner of 10
th Street and 5th Avenue. You will need to park on one of the streets nearby. Some are free, most are metered. There is a bowl full of quarters just inside the front door for our guests, help yourself.

From the south Take 35W north to the 5
th Ave exit. The front door is just to your right as you come up the ramp at the stop light.

From the westTake 394 to the 12 St exit, first right turn onto 12th street. Continue to 3
rd Avenue, turn left on 3rd for 2 blocks to 10th St, right on 10th 2 blocks and you are there.

From the NorthTake 94 east to the 4
th Street exit. Continue on 4th Street to 3rd Avenue, turn right on 3rd to 10th St, left on 10th 2 blocks and you are there.

Happy 4th of July 2011

2011-07-03T06:02:00.001-05:00

Dear sailing friends.

We wish you a very nice 4th of July.

Henk & Wenona

Calhoun Keelboat fleet readying for the race July-2-2011

2011-07-03T03:17:00.003-05:00

Have not seen this before "Storm at Lake Calhoun" July 2011

2011-07-02T11:37:00.002-05:00

Pictures by Will Winter

Sailing in Holland

2011-06-22T08:00:00.005-05:00

Hi Sailor Friends,

I see by the pictures that you have lots of sailing fun, yesterday I had the luck to sail as an instructor at a sailing club on one of the many lakes in Holland.
We sailed with 27 boats a Puzzle tour with 120 people from a social coorporation, although the weather was not as good with 20 knots of wind we had lots of sailing fun.
I hope that you have a great time sailing.

Henk.

CYC AFTER-SAILING PARTY SATURDAY.... June 25 from 4:30 P.M

2011-06-22T03:54:00.003-05:00

CYC AFTER-SAILING PARTY SATURDAY, JUNE 25 FROM ABOUT 4:30 P.M., AND ON…

YOU ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND WHETHER OR NOT YOU SAILED

TOM WEIGEL’S HOME
5184 ABERCROMBIE DRIVE
PHONE: 952-941-1197

Following is a link to a map, copy and paste in your browser: http://mapq.st/mMWj95

Directions: South on Highway 100 past Crosstown (Hwy. 62), take 70th Street exit, then a right turn onto 70th St followed by first right turn (in 200’) onto Rabun Drive, then first left turn onto Abercrombie Drive.

RACING NOTE: There will be a second race Sunday morning, June 26, to be sailed as C Fleet Makeup Race for Garwood 5.

Racing at the North Sea, June 2011

2011-06-21T03:53:00.000-05:00

Dear Friends,

Here a picture of the sailing race at the North Sea, due too very bad weather conditions we have been called back and the race was shortened.

Lake Calhoun June 2011

2011-06-15T07:05:00.000-05:00

Sailing Race - Muiden > Ijmuiden June 16, 2011

2011-06-05T05:53:00.000-05:00

Dear Lake Calhoun sailors,

It is good to see that the 2011 Calhoun Keel boat races are under way and here is some news of the other site of the big water. I will do my first sailing during a 2 days race on a 34th boat owned by my old Navy friend and colleague Tom.

The Casle at the harbour entrance.

Harbour of Muiden.

The 2011 North Holland Race will be held for the 15th time. We will start training Wednesday June 16 to get good results and we will sail deep into the night. Boat handling in the dark must run smoothly and it’s good to fresh the memory regarding the different light characteristics on and around the water. At the same time we sail in the direction of the City of Muiden where the race will start the next day with more than 250 sailing boats in all different classes.

We will set course to Enkhuizen where we all have to go through the lock before we have another passage to enter the Wadden zee, the sea passage laying between the Dutch islands and the North of Holland from there we will enter the North Sea and finish in Ijmuiden (the place Werner left for the USA 50 years ago) the entrance to the channel to Amsterdam.

It will be a different race than a Calhoun race where we have to tack after 10 minutes as we run out of water. I hope I don't get sea sick lol.

Never the less I will miss sailing with you guys.

Fair winds.

Henk.

This is not the Flying Dutchman

2011-05-27T03:23:00.002-05:00