After serving as GLCC Port Pilot and Harbor Report Chair since 2012, plus being involved in Harbor Report editing prior to that, Lou Bruska has decided to retire. Commodore Barzyk was pleased to recently announce that Julie Thorndycraft and husband Dan Deweese have agreed to assume duties as Harbor Report co-editors effective April 1st. For more information on Lou's contributions over the years and Dan's and Julie's extensive backgrounds as they take over this critical GLCC function, click HERE. Thanks and best wishes to Lou, and congratulations to Julie and Dan.
GLCC News
Mike Powers has been appointed Port Captain for an additional harbor; Monroe, Mich. (E-23). His homeport is located at Bolles Harbor, Mich. (E-22), where he and his wife Kathy have served as GLCC Port Captains since 2012. They have been members of the Monroe Boat Club since 2008 where Mike has served as Power Fleet Captain, Financial Secretary, Rear Commodore, Vice Commodore, Commodore and Past Commodore. He previously served the I-LYA as Trustee in 2015 and as Powerboat Chair in 2016 and was honored by being named Mid-America Boating’s Skipper of the Year in 2016. Please click here to read on!
Ahh, spring... If you’re in the northern region of the States, you might not be feeling it yet. Just like the spring issue of Lifeline, you know it's coming! This edition has many events in store for the boating season. The first installation of the Founders Award about Niels & Vicki Jensen’s 42-day, 3 Great Lakes Cruise is a good read, with enticing photos that’ll get you thinking of summer. There are recaps of past events and boat shows, a handful of new Port Captains, new Members, and the popular lighthouse trivia dedicated page, which also has our Calendar of Events. We hope you enjoy some light reading while the harbors thaw! Click here to access the 2019 spring Lifeline magazine, and here for updates and information on GLCC Events.
Now is the time to join the Great Lakes Cruising Club during our annual January and February Membership Drive. Click here to join and save $25 off the $90 initiation fee during January and February. Watch a quick video about the Club here.
Please join us in welcoming Mary Micket as newly appointed Port Captain for Irondequoit Bay, N.Y. (O-5.7). Mary has volunteered the past few years in the GLCC booth at the Toronto Boat Show and attended the Lake Ontario Rally for many years. This year she is part of the event’s planning committee. As Port Captain, she looks forward to helping fellow GLCC cruisers visiting Irondequoit Bay. Here's a bit about her and her husband's crusing experiences... My husband Wes and I began boating in the late 1980s by renting house boats and cruising in the Thousand Island area of the St. Lawrence River. In 2001 we purchased our first boat, a 32-foot Wellcraft cabin cruiser. Southpoint Marina in the Irondequiot Bay is minutes from our home and we enjoyed many nice weeknights onboard after work. Please click here to read more..
Congratulations to newly appointed Port Captains George Dew and Hélène Carrière for Collins Bay, Ont. (O-14)! George is a retired engineer / project manager; Hélène is a retired university administrator. Residents of Gatineau, Québec, they have sailed out of Collins Bay since 2017. Both learned to sail while members of the Georgian Bay Sailing Centre, which operated out of Parry Sound in the early 1980s. From the first time they met on a dock in Parry Sound they cruised together on the club’s Edel 22 and Gib’Sea 36. During that time George’s experience also included two Great Lakes transport trips between Parry Sound and Kingston (Lake Ontario) via the lakes and the Welland Canal. Please click here to read on.
We welcome new Port Captains for Marblehead, Ohio (E-16.6) Alan & Eileen Clark. Here’s what Alan had to say in their bio… While raising two children we were looking for a way to bring the family closer and eliminate outside distractions. We have always had a love for water. Sailing looked so relaxing while challenging and intriguing, it enticed us look further into this sport. I started sailing when I was 40 and coaxed my wife Eileen into it also! On Grand Lake St. Marys, Ohio, we raced and cruised a Catalina 22 for ten years. We then moved up to a Catalina 25, racing and cruising on Grand Lake St. Marys for eleven years. We trailered our Catalina 25 to Cleveland for their race week (we took second place!). This was our first experience on Lake Erie with our boat. Please click here to read more.
This issue of the Lifeline will be a nice read as you relax in your favorite arm chair by the fireplace. The winter issue has lots of information on coming events including Spring Break 2019 and updates on past times. The cover is unique in that the photo refers to the flow of the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes Foundation updates us on how the annual “Bilge Auction” plays a big part in grant accrual and asks that members keep supporting and look for opportunities to allocate donations. The highlight of the issue is the Annual General Membership Meeting article where we learn who has been appointed/re-appointed to our board. Finally, the editor has taken the liberty to post a couple safety-related articles, which you are urged to read! Remember to check out the 2019 Boat Show information on page 8. Click here to access the 2018 winter Lifeline magazine, and here for updates and information on GLCC Events.
Director (and Rear Commodore (Ret)) Mark Lifter was recently presented the Theuerkorn Award by the Detroit Yacht Club for his outstanding contribution to that organization. Mark has been the President of the DYC Foundation since its formation which has overseen the restoration of the historic DYC building which is on the National Register of Historic Places. Mark received the award from DYC Commodore Ray Batt. Also an active member of the GLCC, Mark is currently a Director, was Rear Commodore, Region 47 for 5 year and is Port Captain, Detroit (M-54),
One of the highlights of the presentations made during the Annual Meeting Dinner are the awards given to our members for outstanding contributions to the GLCC. This year, the award recipients are Past Commodore Niels and Vicki Jensen (Founders Award), Port Captains Sandi & Bill Matley (Award of Merit), and Port Captain Cynthia Sunstrum (Kivell Award). Click here to review the purpose of the awards. Other presentations made at the dinner were Awards of Appreciation to retiring Board members Rear Commodores Roger Hankle and Bob Ogur and Director Vern Meyer. Jim Ehrman was presented his burgee for being elected Rear Commodore, Region 53. Picture is of Port Captain Cynthia Sunstum receiving her award from Commodore Rich Barzyk.