Hempstea Bay Sailing Club History
In the beginning…
In mid 1962, a group of sailors met in Middle Bay to race whatever craft they owned, under the enthusiastic leadership of Donald Bailey. Bailey, an architect from Long Beach, now living in Florida (at the time of this writing in 1989), was an avid sailor and the owner of many interesting and odd-ball sailing craft, often at the same time.
When two sail boaters meet on the water, they test their skills, one against the other. When three meet, they have a regatta. Donald Bailey recognized this primal maritime urge and began to organize these chance occurrences, hailing skippers to meet with him and to hold structured races. By the end of the summer, they exchanged addresses and Don was sending Postcards with race results and future race dates.
The majority of the sailors were berthed at the Lido Marina, now the HBSC. The rest had their own dockage, usually where they lived. They raced Highlanders, Thistles, Lightnings, a trimaran, a Rebel, a Day sailor, and others under a handicap scoring system.
Later in the Year, they met at Jerry Berg’s house (one of the original members), to form a club with all the appurtenances thereto, They continued to meet at somewhat regular intervals throughout the winter, at various members, homes to iron out their egos, problems, and differences, to formulate rules and to give out trophies. Bailey sent out a newsletter and was the motivating force.
In order to give the club a patina of antiquity, he developed a mythology, that the club was organized in the mid 19th century by an old seafarer named Garret Lead, Don had a sign painted with an elderly gentlemen, grey bearded, seated and holding an oar inscribed "HBSC 1860". Even the members began to believe this.
‘63
By April, we had a Race Committee and schedule for the year. The Race Committee set up the first rules and regulations for racing. Handicaps were made, rules adopted and other committees formed.
The charter members were: Jerry Berg, Frank Licari, David Herrick, Seymour Herman, Bob Rich, Bud Schoen, Jim McMahon, Sam Rosenfeld, Art Rothenberg, Phil Packard, Jerry Sachnoff, Jack Van Name, and Hartley Grim. The first race committee consisted of Herrick, McMahon, Rich, Sachnoff, and Van Name. Donald designed the club Burgee. Every incoming member was given a burgee to fly on his boat. The members owned the following boats: Highlander; Rosenfeld, Rothenberg, Schoen, Rich, Bailey, Herrick, and Berg. Handicap Class; Packard (Firefly), Grim (Osprey), Vicky Bernstein (Lightning), Schoen (Rhodes 19), Herman (Rebel), McMahon (Trimaran), Licari (Shinnecock).
A trophy dinner was at Lenny’s Steakhouse the night J.F.K. was killed. Donald Bailey led us all in a moment of Prayer for him and our country.
‘64
A houseboat on a barge was obtained, probably by Bailey, and anchored in Middle Bay during the racing season. This was the, clubhouse, race committee boat, starting line, and whatever. It had a head that never worked. It was regularly vandalized, graphitized, and, on non-racing days probably used by the locals as a place of assignation. At the end of the season, it was brought in to be repaired. Ultimately, a few years later, the barge was de-housed and used for a time as a landing dock at the club. Its final resting place was on the shores of the dump across the channel.
Our first sailing course was announced in March, 1964. It cost $5.00 for the husband or wife, $3.00 for a child. Four lectures on sailing were given by Ms. Pamela Prime of the Sea Cliff Yacht Club. The first commodore was Jack Van Name. Of the founding fathers (at the time of this writing in 1989), only Bob Jaffee, Jim McMahon, Dave Herrick, Seymour Herman and Bob Rich remain.
In 1965, the current general structure of the club was put in place.
Lido Marine, which occupied the north half of our property, was owned and serviced by Pete Gallagher, . He lived in four small rooms upstairs, had a garage, workshop and small supply store downstairs. The current paint house had an electric winch to haul ashore boats onto the railway for service, maintenance and storage, Our members docked, worked on, and stored their boats here as well. The dock and ramp formed an "L" on the North, with a straight section (our center dock) on the South that had slips inside and an opening in the southeast corner for exit. There was no way of getting out in a Northeaster. You were pinned in. There were other boaters, as well, docked here, including one who had a beautiful classic wood boat, and every weekend, a new girlfriend. We all envied the high polish on both each weekend.
The club started as, and still remains, a cooperative; committee chores, work and labor being done by the members. Then, as now, there were workers and onlookers. Work parties were a communal event with friendly overtones and accompanying camaraderie. As the club grew, it became an extended family. The joy of each member became the joy of all, the sorrow of each was also felt by all.
In 1964-66, Ed Stein and Paul Katz joined us. In 1963, membership was at 23. In 1964 it increased to 39. There were those who favored a small membership because of the friendliness and intimacy and those who favored a larger membership because it meant more to race and greater income. Ed Stein, because of his expertise, was a major factor in the construction of the club; joined in later years by Joe Alter, Shelly Bryman, Hugh Malone, and others. Our original architect, of course was Donald Bailey.
In 1964, after examining the constitutions of other clubs, committee set up a constitution formalizing the club and its structure. This remained in place until 1981, when a new one was formulated by Sid Hackell, Harry Moser and others. Women then became recognized members of the club and had a vote. Membership changed from family head, to family or, if no family, to whomsoever of either sex.
The 1964 club champions were Bob Rich and Seymour Herman. Bob Jaffee scored in the handicaps. Paul Katz had a firm hold on last, then and thereafter. An assessment in August was $10, 00 for old members and $5.00 for new.
We were formally incorporated on 4/29/64. A nominating committee was set up in September, new officers elected in October, and a budget passed in November. Trophy dinners were held annually in late November to collect the hardware of the previous season. These were dress-up affairs and always well attended.
In late 1964, at the insistence of Donald Bailey, it was voted that HBSC should race "one-design". Highlanders were first suggested, but these were too large and required too much crew. So the club voted for the Flying Scot since it was fast and responsive but still a good family boat.
‘65
In January, the constitution was amended to set up a Board of Trustees to run the daily activities of the club. Also, the club received the Fleet charter, for the Flying Scots group.
This Year, Pete Gallagher, owner of the Lido Marine, married a young socialite and brought her to live at the marina. She immediately took a dim view of her new residence and its ambience (the garbage dump), She prevailed on her husband to move elsewhere. In October, a proposition for the club to rent the marina was put on the floor, At this time, Connie and Jerry Freirich came aboard. A cocktail party was held at the Holiday Inn as the social event of the fall season.
By December, a committee including Dave Herrick and Bob Rich negotiated a four Year lease of the premises with an option to buy under very favorable terms. There was a price of $63,000 for the building which had a $43,000 mortgage on it, The arrangement was that we would apply our rent check which covered the mortgage, against the option to buy the property for $43,000 plus one dollar. HBSC now had a home! We also found that the 38 feet in from the bulkhead belonged to the town of Hempstead and we paid rent on this for a long time at $50 a year,
‘66
We now had a Place to live and many plans for this place. After much discussion, plans were accepted and the architect and the builder, Bailey and Stein, supervised the realization, using the labor of the whole club. The conversion of the building began. The whole upper floor was gutted and redone to assume the present status. Partitions were put in, tables and the bar were reconstructed and chairs were purchased. The place was livable. All the debris, in the process was thrown out the windows on the north side. Suddenly, we found a hill of enormous proportions reaching to the second floor. This became the cause of much discussion and amusement. Ultimately it was cleared.
The homes across the street were being built and in return for the use of our electricity and facilities, the developers helped us with the clearing and trucking. In the process of demolition and construction, roof supporting elements were removed. Bailey said that this was O.K. but later Bryman supported the sagging roof with the steel wires you see today. Also we had no time to insulate the roof so we froze during club meetings the following winter until insulation was put in place.
The downstairs shop was changed to an entry way and toilet, Our current locker room was a garage and was used for storage. All this took place fall to spring of 1965-66. May 16, 1966 was painting day and we were all there, man, woman, and child with brush in hand. I think we did it all, inside and outside in one day! The docks were repaired somewhat and we had two ramps from before and makeshift floats (including the cut-down barge)going straight out. Across the channel were some old piles and walks. We discussed the use of these but vetoed the idea. The members without slips were later put on moorings.
‘67
Early in the Year, Bailey, designed pontoon floats to be used for slips, walkways, and docks. These were long oblong, fiber glassed plywood floats with boards going lengthwise as walkways. We differed from all those who used simple, low maintenance structures. Ours had to be taken out each winter, repaired, bottom painted and put back each spring. Those were Work Parties! And the Chinese armies required were enormous. This, of course resulted in collegiality, brotherly love and a taint of insanity, Also much cursing, splinters, and wrenched shoulders, It was rumored that the club would trade two doctors for a good carpenter.
We had a hoist made of two "I" beams and an angle support with a motor that always needed repair. Someone was always screwing it up. In spring, summer, and fall, we raced and enjoyed ourselves, Rules were instituted both for racing and for house and grounds. On July 7, 1967, it was decided that we would not have any new projects. We had run out of money.
‘68
In January, the purchase of a committee boat was discussed. A Spring sailing class was organized. We had been using borrowed or makeshift boats for the R.C. The use of moorings across the channel for the excess boats was sanctioned, Lockers were put in. The election of officers was moved to November, It was not noted when the custom of re-electing officers for a second term began. At this time, the ladies of the club were objecting to the assigned chores of keeping the place clean and straight. A cleaning service was hired and the ladies were mollified.
Next door to the south of us the land was owned by a party fishing boat owner. The Survivor II was docked and sailed out of there. The small house was a coffee shop plus bait and fishing supplies. There was a walk-in refrigerator at the bulkhead (over the middle concrete apron). The owner was retiring and the land would be put up for sale. On September 9, the Board voted this down but approved a new hoist motor for $42.40. They also discussed a concrete roadway from the, hoist to the street, but never implemented it.
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The following complaints and admonitions were institutionalized on an annual basis:
A) Race Committee duties are a must.
B) Not enough and only the usual people were attending work parties.
C) You are all slobs and don't clean up after yourselves.
D) Last one leaving the club, please put out the lights and lock the doors.
In September a new hoist was put up and the street fence was completed. The sailing course was prepared for the next and following years. This was a source of new members and income. The Spewacks and Alters came into the club around this time. New members found it difficult to push off from the wooden piles. We occasionally had to rescue one hanging high and dry on a pile as their boats floated away. At the end of 1968 new fees were set and the lease on the property was renewed.
‘69
Early this year we discussed buying our own property, a pontoon boat for Race Committee and the property next door. In March the membership rose to 35 and an assumed tradition began that Katz would fire the cannon at each Commissioning party. In July we finally voted to buy the Survivor property next door. A committee was formed to determine the feasibility and method of the purchase. At a Special Meeting held on December 5th, a motion to purchase the property was passed with the usual dissenters.
In August, Stan Leeds began holding annual clambakes. We all helped shuck clams, and the flavoring was enhanced by the members blood, skin, and tears. Also this year, we discovered that since the clubhouse was deemed a public building, a fire escape from the second floor was a regulation. An outside wooden stairway was approved, and with Larry Spewack's brain and brawn, it was erected.
‘70
In June, a locker room was completed. Also, a blemish in the title to the Survivor property was discovered. In consult with lawyers from both sides, a solemn decision was reached. To fight over this meant that neither would get anything. So, since they needed a parking and storage area more and we needed waterfront, they took the street end and we took the water end. That is why the South chain link fence proceeds West from the waterfront, then turns North for ten feet and then turns West again to the sidewalk.
In May we completed the South property purchase and plans for its use were discussed. Also, after much argument, for which the membership is notorious, a used R.C. boat was bought from Don Bailey for $850 in Sept. A new boat was deemed too expensive. In June new poles were placed on the new property waterfront to prepare for new dockage and slips. November was slated for the concrete patio being laid. Bailey had the opportunity to get the concrete and labor from one of his contractors, inexpensively. Despite this, the subject of expenditures outside the budget was brought up at the next meeting. The patio was named the 'Ruth Leeds' patio. Ruth had severe lack of sailing interest but loved to sit in the sun and enjoy the ambiance.
‘71
In August it was suggested that it was peculiar that we owned the new property but only rented the old. We decided to purchase the old property in December. Because of the advantageous terms of our lease, we were able to buy without the need of an additional assessment. We had 60 students in our sailing course that year. We put in new plantings and discussed the environment, particularly the incinerator and garbage treatment plant. For many years we sent letters asking for the beautification of our neighbor across the channel.
We had a minifish regatta. These were little brothers (11') to the sunfish and the club's kids sailed them. Fathers were not permitted to sail them. The 720 rule was instituted and life jackets were to be worn when white caps were present. There was a dispute with the county regarding sailboat racing, but we won in court when it was determined that only the coast guard had jurisdiction. We then began sending a race schedule to the coast guard each Spring.
‘72
This year we purchased the clubhouse and the adjoining ground was finalized in April. The township now permitted us to race in Middle bay and Garret Lead. We had new floats made, low maintenance, the Chinese army becoming obsolete. We joined the "Great South Bay Yacht Racing Association", and our sail class and Regatta were a great success.
The construction of a swimming pool was suggested. The discussion of this gave life to many a quiet meeting, but never materialized for various reasons. The Herman-Leeds annual award for life saving was announced. Since Seymour Herman had a peculiar habit of carrying his spinnaker too close to the wind, the award was given to 'who rescued Seymour this year'.
At this time, single women and widows couldn't be members of the club. A constitutional amendment was discussed to remedy this. In October, we had discussions about a new R.C. boat, the South half of the bulkhead and frostbiting with sunfish. A motion to increase the membership to 55 was turned down and the 50 limit remained. Financing of the bulkhead was proposed and dues were increased to help. Also, Frostbiting parameters were set up.
‘73
This year the Board increased the membership to 55 and as usual at the next General Meeting, the authority of the Board was questioned. The increase remained in effect. Ed Stein suggested that the disposal plant across the channel should have better landscaping. We wrote a letter, but nobody at the township was listening. A committee was set up to research this.
The small house had new functional toilets installed. Many plans were made for the little house. The inside was cleaned out, linoleum was laid with the club insignia and refrigerators put in. At first it was a recreational room, then a women's room, and finally by default a mast and small sail and sunfish parts storage room and workshop. Most of the recreation was done outside or in the clubhouse and the ladies did not want to stay apart. The property North-West of us came up for sale. We refused it and K&K took it over. The dissenting members won out this time. Gil Levin wanted permission to sail alone and be at the club without parents, he being less than 16. Even then he presented problems.
In July an amendment to the constitution was proposed to allow female members into the club as full members. In October, Ed Stein received a standing ovation for two years and more of good work on behalf of the club. December saw the budget passed with a new bulkhead approved as part of the budgetary process.
‘74
In January a Viking boat for Race Committee was approved in a budget amendment and $4000 allocated. Again we sent a letter to the town requesting better landscaping of the dump and around the incinerator. Ken Berbin died, the first in club history. He had given us much legal expertise during the previous years. The Viking boat was purchased in March and a seminar was organized on how to operate it. The club still had problems with this.
In April, a female membership amendment to the constitution was passed. Audrey Clinton, who stayed with us after her father deceased, now had a legitimate membership. Audrey had an old wood boat which hadn't been in the water for years and had become a problem. Although storage was being paid for regularly, it was becoming an eyesore. The use of it as a planter or some other non-nautical functions were discussed. Ultimately nature took care of the problem. It just rotted away and the remains were discarded.
Our plumbing this year saw new life. Walter & Nancy Hubert became members. In October we discussed bonds for the new bulkhead, had bids for it, and voted to proceed with it. The Levins took a "Leave of Absence", but Gil still wanted to race. It was decided that a member must invite him. The Baenishes came aboard. The R. C. boat functioned well during the season.
‘75
The bulkhead permits were being secured but construction was postponed until October because of the racing season. We also discovered that we could align our bulkhead with K&K to the South, who was also putting in a new bulkhead. This saved us $3000. A motion to increase membership to 60 was defeated. Hackells and Feffer were approved for admission.
The 720 rule remained in effect even on a spinnaker run. Keys were to be left in cars when in the parking lot. (The whole thing was illegal, according to the by-laws). $35 was authorized for a carbide cannon.
Again we were saddened in September when Harry Klauber lost his first wife Dolores, who had been active in the club social affairs. Shortly thereafter everyone was trying to find someone for Harry. He did well enough on his own, marrying Sheila some years later. The bulkhead was completed at the end of the year. It took three years from discussion to completion, which is par for the course and better than the federal government.
‘76
We bought an upright piano in January for $100, painted the outside of the house in the Spring and made Gil Levin an Associate Member. Race Committee protests were formalized, including the use of flags, plus written complaints and private adjudication. This was to discourage frivolous petitions. Dave Herrick was gently admonished for buying enough paint to cover all Oceanside.
‘77
A constitution committee started working on a new radical constitution for the club under the leadership of Sid Hackell and Harry Moser. It devised a new membership comprised of families and individuals of either sex. One vote per membership. The family vote being divided between husband & wife 1/2 each. All bonds, old and new were to be paid back. A new cloth awning was put up in front of the little house for shelter. This didn't last long due to the winds. A louvered wood cover was later constructed.
‘78
A new Constitution was passed in April, ending woman's suffrage at last. The Board passed a $5000 grant to buy new furniture. The Board as usual, was questioned as to its right to spend money. This grant was submitted to a vote in March at a General Meeting, and was passed by the membership. After we got the new furniture, an upstairs deck and finishing of the front downstairs room was suggested. A second hoist was turned down as awkward and too costly. The deck and finishing of the downstairs room was approved in November, to be constructed by the club.
‘79
The club paid off the remaining bonds in January. We were all busy constructing the downstairs room and deck. The number of people working in such a small space was amazing. The time spent arguing about window placement and construction helped passed the winter. The deck was done professionally, that is the decking was placed and nailed down by the dentists and doctors.
The infrastructure and supports were done under the supervision of the real pro's, Bryman and Stein. A new hoist was to be built replacing the old and concrete was poured for a new footing. At the same time, long metal rods were placed to support the bulkhead on the North. The kitchen needed cleaning. An around Long Beach cruise was planned. In June, new bluestone fill was put in by volunteers. It was rumored there was enough bluestone to support the whole North half of Island park.
A suggestion was made that sailors should have good manners, be considerate and stop cutting each other's throats. Also, the finish line should be perpendicular to the last course.
‘80
Storm windows were installed. The Kass ski weekend was a success. Those who didn't ski drank. Those who did ski, drank afterward. Conviviality was the watchword. Ski weekends continued as an annual event. Bernstein was commended for inventing and constructing a line setting apparatus on the R.C. boat which worked very well. Florence Forman became the first female member to join under the new rules. Later Mary Dawson joined her. We had a Bavarian Oktoberfest. Merrit Darmstadt and his wife received their annual accolades for taking care of the landscaping and flowers. In November we had storm damage to the docks and money was appropriated for repairs.
‘81
Larger boats were to be limited to the South slips. All needed repairs were completed in the Spring. Irving Menoff, Murray's brother and former member died. Stimpfl's new boat was delivered, but no champagne. Membership was still limited to 55. The Cohens came aboard. The East window by the deck was completed and stuccoed by a contractor. We were amazed when we took down the wall, that we found it was rotted and held together only by the paint. Arvid Baenish and Walter put up the deck rail. We held the Flying Scot Districts at our club.
Something new - our sailing class was to be preempted next year and the following years by Hofstra College as a course under the professor-ship of Sherry Funk. The club would collect the fees and we would volunteer our services. The Cohens had a daughter, Alyssa. She was the first of the new offspring in a long while, followed in later years by the Schnees, Richs, Feffers, Swensens, and Grushows.
In November, Dave Herrick cautioned against using funds not voted by the club. The Board agreed and stated that if it's not in the budget, don't spend it. This year the budget was split in two parts, an Operating budget and a Capital budget which was to be presented later. This was to preclude wrangling and at least get operating funds. The photos of all the Commodores, past and present, were to be hung in the club.
‘82
Guy wires were strung along the roof to correct sag. A new and/or remodeled kitchen was discussed. The brick was laid. Dick Stimpfl announced that we now had Tanzer Fleet #53 at the club. We complained of members sailing into slips and staying at the dock too long. The Kales joined the club, including little Alex who is no longer little.
The coming marriage of Larry Feffer to his crew Kathy was announced. Money to re-do the kitchen was put into a supplementary budget. In December, Ed Stein's daughter Amy died. The Board delayed its meeting for an hour so they could pay their respects at the funeral home. Arvid B. was recuperating from surgery. Bunny Herman, the crew par excellence, who had been ill for a while, underwent surgery.
‘83
Dry sailing was begun because of the need for more slips, but masts could remain up only if tie-downs were available. Mossberg was permitted to use the South-West corner as a vegetable garden. Al Bernstein was the new frostbiting champion. The Swensons, Chuck & Jill joined. Sandy Herrick, Dave, and Rhoda's son was married. And we were still discussing what to do about the kitchen.
‘84
Judy Bernstein graduated from college in May and the Bernsteins threw a party at the club in her honor. Walter Hubert was fixing anything and everything about the club, the plumbing, the R.C. boat, the ice machine, etc. and was continually applauded. Nancy made edible goodies for the parties. A playground facility was approved and ultimately constructed front and South of the small house, primarily by father labor. We again requested that the town dump be beautified. Seymour Herman spent some time in the hospital and was recovering. The McMahons continued to get more grandchildren, later to be followed closely by the Goldmans. Bunny Herman was in the hospital in December. This was her last stay. Seymour and the club mourned.
‘85
This was a quiet year. Dick Stimpfl and Walter Hubert procured and installed the kitchen cabinets and made renovations at minimal cost. This again took three years from discussion to completion. The Hofstra sail class took place. The Coast Guard ruled that we were to hold races outside channels. The playground was opened to us by the junior set. More bluestone was laid down. The Flying Scot districts were held in July. Ira Cohen took a first. In August, Seymour Herman announced he was going to set up a Bunny Herman fund, the income of which was to purchase an award for the 'crew of the year'.
‘86
It was decided that Ken Moskowitz's enormous trailer should be moved elsewhere to make room on the grounds. People were getting tired of walking around it. Nobody could budge it. This, after much recrimination, was finally accomplished. An Emeritus amendment was added to the Constitution which provided for the continuous membership of an elder citizen who decided to remain at the club but disposed of his boat. The house was getting shabby and the membership voted to have vinyl siding put on by an outside contractor. (no work party for a change).
Jack Keitel had a heart attack and was recovering. He later had a successful bypass. Bob Jaffee had a knee replacement. Many of the club members were getting older and crankier. The children were now grown and returning as new members. Gil Levin, Sandy Herrick, later Eric Feldman and Neil Glassberg among them. The Alters and Joselsons were moving to Florida and we had a farewell party for them in September with Goldie Katz and able assistants setting it up.
Meanwhile Joe Alter won the Labor day Regatta and Cathy Cohen won the Commodoress Race. The Darmstadts and Huberts were commended for club work as usual. The Darmstadts resigned and were made honorary members. Also made honorary members were the Alters and Joselsons. The South property was to be paid off by 4/1/87. The ski weekend was planned. Sol Rosen, Jim McMahan, & Jack Kaprow were convalescing from surgery in Dec. (not in the sailing season - of course).
‘87
The concrete apron around the hoist was to be repaired and extended. A dues increase was rejected by the membership. Stan Leeds, ex-commodore, photographer, lecturer in trivia (usually accompanied by a slide show) and a dear friend died suddenly of a heart attack in February.
Hugh Malone returned to the club after leaving for awhile. Apparently he missed us too much. Judy Goldman was Bat Mitzvahed, deciding that age was no barrier to this joyful function.
A safety ruling was reiterated. The R.C. boat and nearest Scot shall immediately go to the aid of a capsized boat or a boat in obvious trouble. The club was full at 55 members. The Bunny Herman memorial fund was formally established with a $1000 grant by Seymour Herman and the income thereof as stated before, will go each year for the purchase of an award to 'crew of the year'. No beer or liquor is to be drunk on the R.C. boat.
‘88
This was a big year for contention, argument, and recrimination. A second hoist was proposed at an approximate cost of $9000. The Board decided to blacktop the dry sailing area between the parked boat tie-downs from the apron to the fence, at a cost of about $6000. This was done without being submitted to the club as a supplementary budget item. The North half of the bulkhead needed replacement. It was deteriorating but could last another two or three years (according to technical advice). Dick Stimpfl put in a lot of work investigating construction, costs, consulting with engineers, and dock builders, and getting estimates. The Board voted to proceed, again without membership agreement, but needed the money to pay. At a Special Meeting in October, the methods of raising money were discussed but no conclusion was reached. The club membership essentially voted down all the suggestions, primarily as some members stated because the issue was never presented legally as a capital budget item. They voted to leave the bulkhead as is for another year and then reconsider.
In the early Spring, Ed Dempsey tried to get permission to dock his 26 foot boat. This was disapproved by the Board. Dempsey appealed to the General Membership, but couldn't get enough votes at a Special Meeting to override the Board's decision. The Leeds photos relevant to the club and members were donated to the club by Ruth leeds. Stan Gotterer took them in custody. An increase in membership to 61 at first was turned down by the Board, but later approved by them, without demurral by the club. As increase in dues was proposed and passed, starting with the 89 budget. Eric Feldman was formally commended for his heroism in rescuing the Lowes who ran into difficulty with their boat in bad weather. The mortgage on the South property was paid up in August.
‘89
A sailing class was discussed early in the year but turned down as too much trouble for too little. At the end of the year it was rethought and reinstituted as a source of new sailors and possibly new members. Swensen-Libermans had a son in January. He was unaware his father would become the new Commodore at year's end. The Cohens sought and received permission to dock their new power boat (19') at the club. This was hemmed in with specific regulations that were defined in a motion passed by the Board. Brian Shnee and Walter Hubert did yeoman work in restoring the deck and appearance of the R.C. boat.
The Board at this time approved an increase in membership to 60 with 5 associates. It was suggested that the money from the Cohen fee for their power boat and the money from the additional members should go into the capital fund. As of May it was resolved to have 17 dry sail places plus 2 provisional places. Thus the pendulum swung from mooring in slips to dry sailing as the only way to go. Bob Jaffee, because of his infirmities, took a "leave of absence" from the club (temporarily we hoped). He was made an honorary member by the Board. We acquired an old wood power boat, about 19', as a donation for use as another chase boat. No effort was ever made to rehabilitate it. All too busy sailing and racing. In July, Ed & Charlotte Stein resigned and became honorary members. After so many years and so much contribution to the club in terms of work and building expertise, one of our primary members was gone. They promised to visit.
The hand held radio disappeared, apparently due to carelessness or misappropriation by some unknown. A finance committee was set up to determine how to raise money for the bulkhead, if it were to be voted upon. We began a new custom of reading the Board Meeting Minutes at the General Meeting. Ira Cohen continued bringing fame to the club. He got a 9th in the North American Flying Scot Champion division. Chris Swenson got a 14th. Neil Glassberg took a 3rd in the Challenger division. HBSC was well represented.
In august, the bulkhead was again discussed and again action was deferred. Jack Hay had cardiac surgery and was doing well. The Commodore undertook the task (suggested by the Board) of removing dry sailors from the South lot. Letters were sent accordingly. Brian Schnee stated that he was unable to undertake the 1990 sailing class. Herb Blum & Hugh Malone, volunteered to do the job in place of Brian. Eric Feldman had done a terrific job as R.C. chairman and was prevailed upon to give a repeat performance for the following year.
The budget was presented with the assurance that any additional expenditures would be put before the General Membership. Frostbiting had its annual discussion with the traditional exhortation that more people participate. Charles Swenson became the new Commodore for 1990-91. And for the first time, a woman was put on track to be Commodore. Sally Hackell was voted in as part of staff. During these years the hot shot sailors were (not in any particular order) Bob Rich, Joe Alter, Dave Herrick, Ed Stein, Ron Fink, Lou Goldman, Sy Herman, and Ira Cohen. Sunfish winners were some of the above and Al Bernstein.
It remains to name the Commodores in proper sequence as follows:
Jack Van Name, Frank Licari, Art Rothenberg, Bob Rich, Bob Jaffee, Ed Stein, Stan Leeds, Dave Herrick, Joe Alter, Stan Gotterer, Lou Goldman, Sid Hackell, Shelly Bryman, Leonard Pearl, Charles Swenson. Let us give credit to the main female movers and shakers, although in naming them I do not wish to slight almost all the women members, past and present, who also contributed their services in the planning, preparation and cleaning up of our parties and other social affairs. The ladies who we feel deserve special mention are Ruth Jaffee, Nita Joselson, Helen Alter, Terry Stimpfl, Nancy Hubert, Dolores Klauber, Sheila Klauber, and Eileen kale.
This history was gleaned from the Board and General Membership Meeting minutes. It reflects the facts of the minutes and the memory and biases of the historian. Hopefully, none of the events depicted are fictional. It would be grand if each new year 1990 and beyond, could be summarized annually by the then historian and added to this opus.