SOCIETY OF OLD SALTS
Lakeside's sailing program was started in 1977, with three volunteers giving free lessons in their own boats. It was reluctantly allowed by the trustees on a one-year trial basis, and was so popular that a petition signed by 251 prominent Lakesiders persuaded Lakeside to allow it to continue. In 1978, lessons costing $10 a week were taught in borrowed boats. The Lakeside Sailing Club was formed, and for $25 sailors could store a boat on the beach and use the boathouse for sails and other gear.
By 1984, about 70 boats crowded the beach, many lessons were offered, and Lakeside obtained three used sunfish. Also, the idea of a sailing club was dropped, because some people thought that a 'club' might make visitors feel unwelcome. Through the 1980s, the program was financially self-sufficient for operating expenses with lessons, storage fees, and donations, but little money was available for major purchases. Most of the labor for developing boat and sail storage, classroom, and boat repairs was done by instructors and volunteers, with little support or encouragement from the administration. Rescue boats and motors were donated, but were heavy, poorly suited for that use, and often unusable.
In 1990, Joe Caner, who had already served six years as the regatta director, became Lakeside's Director of Parks and Recreation. He soon discovered that the administration was unwilling to finance sailing capital expenses. Items such as a new, reliable, inflatable rescue boat and motor had to be paid for solely by donations.
The following year, in 1991, Tony Apotsos formed the Society of Old Salts as a sailing support group. Tony realized that unless proper funding was available, the future of the program would be difficult. Spurred on by the actions of Joe and Tony, the administration began to recognize the program as a legitimate activity that might benefit Lakeside.
The SOS mission was ‘to provide the resources for a safe, enjoyable, and comfortable sailing center with a commitment towards continuous improvement.’ Its structure involved no elected officers, no meetings, no written regulations, and was open to all sailors and non-sailors. It began with 26 members, paying $25 per year, which entitled them free use of boats that had been donated to SOS.
In 1996, a lifetime membership also became available, which was a one-time $720 fee. A sailor who participates in small boat races recognizes a 720 as the penalty for committing a foul during a race. The sailor must execute two complete turns, or 720 degrees, before continuing further. By the end of the 2019, season 720 members totaled almost 100, which generated nearly $67,000, and there were almost as many who were annual contributors.
In 2001, the SOS endowment was established with a $10,000 transfer from the cash account and, in 2007, another $5,000. All 720 money goes into the endowment, which by 2023 exceeded $150,000. Four percent of the average year end endowment for the past three years is available for sailing center improvements.
While Lakeside has legal control over the endowment and expenditures, they are advised by the SOS President and have fully cooperated with his recommendations. Endowment funds are restricted to capital improvements of the sailing center, and a separate cash account is used for general operating expenses.
SOS funds do not only pay expenses, but the cash account enables necessary items to be purchased when they are needed without waiting for them to be approved by the office or included in an annual Lakeside budget.
Probably the most important contribution of SOS has been its financial support. Nearly everything at the sailing center has been provided by SOS at little cost to Lakeside, and they are too numerous to list. Included have been such things as converting the pump room that supplied water to Lakeside's old water treatment plant into the sailing office. Nearly all indoor and outdoor boat and equipment storage racks and beach improvements have benefited. Countless equipment over the years, like binoculars, windspeed indicators, PFD's, tools, repair supplies, and boat carts were purchased. Major items have included four sunfish, three lasers, two SUPs, two kayaks, and the expenses of buying, maintaining, and repairing hulls, sails, and rigging. Not only has SOS paid for things like these, but SOS volunteers have usually also supplied the hours of labor for the actual building and maintenance.
While the financial help has been valuable, SOS has also benefited the program in other ways. For 31 years, it has sponsored the Mouse Island Race, with Tony directing the race and making the twelve trophies awarded each year. SOS also notifies the Lakesider of sailing events and race results.
A very successful SOS activity has been Kids Setting Sail. Every Sunday afternoon, at least 15 volunteers enable kids to experience free sailing in a sunfish. As of 2023, over 10,000 rides have been given, also providing joy to probably 20,000 parents and grandparents. Many people might credit SOS with the entire sailing program and the regatta, but they are actually Park and Recreation programs, and SOS acts as a support group.
Volunteers—both sailors and non-sailors—have been the backbone of SOS for its 29 years. Whether by membership or donations, maintenance help, race committees, KSS, or in other ways, they have provided the money, labor, skills, and spirit to fulfill the SOS mission. Many have served in leadership roles, such as Tony Apotsos for 18 years, Brian Brucken, Joe Caner, and Mike Haas as presidents. Carolyn Fleischer and Mike Krosnosky have been treasurers and Nancy Brucken, secretary. Bill Maenner has volunteered as a board member and head of Kids Setting Sail. Tom Prior is the current Vice President.
Lifelong friendships have developed within the sailing program. Many—young and old—have been introduced to sailing, which has given them physical and mental challenges, perhaps out of their comfort zones, and non-sailing family members have been included in the social and dry land activities.
For 32 years, SOS has had a positive influence on Lakeside and its sailing center, and it will undoubtably continue to do so.
History compiled by Bill Dudrow, an Old Salt
Lakeside's sailing program was started in 1977, with three volunteers giving free lessons in their own boats. It was reluctantly allowed by the trustees on a one-year trial basis, and was so popular that a petition signed by 251 prominent Lakesiders persuaded Lakeside to allow it to continue. In 1978, lessons costing $10 a week were taught in borrowed boats. The Lakeside Sailing Club was formed, and for $25 sailors could store a boat on the beach and use the boathouse for sails and other gear.
By 1984, about 70 boats crowded the beach, many lessons were offered, and Lakeside obtained three used sunfish. Also, the idea of a sailing club was dropped, because some people thought that a 'club' might make visitors feel unwelcome. Through the 1980s, the program was financially self-sufficient for operating expenses with lessons, storage fees, and donations, but little money was available for major purchases. Most of the labor for developing boat and sail storage, classroom, and boat repairs was done by instructors and volunteers, with little support or encouragement from the administration. Rescue boats and motors were donated, but were heavy, poorly suited for that use, and often unusable.
In 1990, Joe Caner, who had already served six years as the regatta director, became Lakeside's Director of Parks and Recreation. He soon discovered that the administration was unwilling to finance sailing capital expenses. Items such as a new, reliable, inflatable rescue boat and motor had to be paid for solely by donations.
The following year, in 1991, Tony Apotsos formed the Society of Old Salts as a sailing support group. Tony realized that unless proper funding was available, the future of the program would be difficult. Spurred on by the actions of Joe and Tony, the administration began to recognize the program as a legitimate activity that might benefit Lakeside.
The SOS mission was ‘to provide the resources for a safe, enjoyable, and comfortable sailing center with a commitment towards continuous improvement.’ Its structure involved no elected officers, no meetings, no written regulations, and was open to all sailors and non-sailors. It began with 26 members, paying $25 per year, which entitled them free use of boats that had been donated to SOS.
In 1996, a lifetime membership also became available, which was a one-time $720 fee. A sailor who participates in small boat races recognizes a 720 as the penalty for committing a foul during a race. The sailor must execute two complete turns, or 720 degrees, before continuing further. By the end of the 2019, season 720 members totaled almost 100, which generated nearly $67,000, and there were almost as many who were annual contributors.
In 2001, the SOS endowment was established with a $10,000 transfer from the cash account and, in 2007, another $5,000. All 720 money goes into the endowment, which by 2023 exceeded $150,000. Four percent of the average year end endowment for the past three years is available for sailing center improvements.
While Lakeside has legal control over the endowment and expenditures, they are advised by the SOS President and have fully cooperated with his recommendations. Endowment funds are restricted to capital improvements of the sailing center, and a separate cash account is used for general operating expenses.
SOS funds do not only pay expenses, but the cash account enables necessary items to be purchased when they are needed without waiting for them to be approved by the office or included in an annual Lakeside budget.
Probably the most important contribution of SOS has been its financial support. Nearly everything at the sailing center has been provided by SOS at little cost to Lakeside, and they are too numerous to list. Included have been such things as converting the pump room that supplied water to Lakeside's old water treatment plant into the sailing office. Nearly all indoor and outdoor boat and equipment storage racks and beach improvements have benefited. Countless equipment over the years, like binoculars, windspeed indicators, PFD's, tools, repair supplies, and boat carts were purchased. Major items have included four sunfish, three lasers, two SUPs, two kayaks, and the expenses of buying, maintaining, and repairing hulls, sails, and rigging. Not only has SOS paid for things like these, but SOS volunteers have usually also supplied the hours of labor for the actual building and maintenance.
While the financial help has been valuable, SOS has also benefited the program in other ways. For 31 years, it has sponsored the Mouse Island Race, with Tony directing the race and making the twelve trophies awarded each year. SOS also notifies the Lakesider of sailing events and race results.
A very successful SOS activity has been Kids Setting Sail. Every Sunday afternoon, at least 15 volunteers enable kids to experience free sailing in a sunfish. As of 2023, over 10,000 rides have been given, also providing joy to probably 20,000 parents and grandparents. Many people might credit SOS with the entire sailing program and the regatta, but they are actually Park and Recreation programs, and SOS acts as a support group.
Volunteers—both sailors and non-sailors—have been the backbone of SOS for its 29 years. Whether by membership or donations, maintenance help, race committees, KSS, or in other ways, they have provided the money, labor, skills, and spirit to fulfill the SOS mission. Many have served in leadership roles, such as Tony Apotsos for 18 years, Brian Brucken, Joe Caner, and Mike Haas as presidents. Carolyn Fleischer and Mike Krosnosky have been treasurers and Nancy Brucken, secretary. Bill Maenner has volunteered as a board member and head of Kids Setting Sail. Tom Prior is the current Vice President.
Lifelong friendships have developed within the sailing program. Many—young and old—have been introduced to sailing, which has given them physical and mental challenges, perhaps out of their comfort zones, and non-sailing family members have been included in the social and dry land activities.
For 32 years, SOS has had a positive influence on Lakeside and its sailing center, and it will undoubtably continue to do so.
History compiled by Bill Dudrow, an Old Salt
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