In This Issue
Compass Highlights
Some "Retired" Members still pay...
...The Commodore points out that some Life, Life Surviving Spouse and Non-Resident Members set a good example by continuing their financial contributions to the Club on a voluntary basis.
SSYC Juniors...
...are showing their stuff on the race course.
Wild Wednesdays...
...just when Wednesday weather seemed like it would never cooperate for SS-SSS, the wind and waves brought a night of heavy sailing.
Parking lot reconstruction...
...is finally done, and SSYC reaped a number of benefits in the process.
Check out two new Compass advertisers...
...Ginger Gill & Co. realty and In-Focus Photography join the stable of Compass supporters.
|
From the Helm
Members Continue to Give
I want to say a Big Thank You to all of the Life, Life Surviving Spouse and Non-Resident Members who give to help South Shore Yacht Club.
Even though they are not required to do so, many of those Members have continued to offer financial support to the Club through donations to specific projects or through payment of dues or partial dues. It seems appropriate to recognize them.
Life, Life Surviving Spouse and Non-Resident Members who Donated to the Security Fund
John L Archibald, Robert W. Aring PC, Paul Bargren Corr Secr, John R. Beatty, James Blackwood, John S. Blackwood, Carolyn Blackwood, Charles L. Blakely, Kenneth A. Bourgeois, Emily Burrows, James L. Doyle, Sandra M. Doyle, Jane Durment, Kenneth Dziubek Cmdre, Warren W. Emery, Bruce H. Fuller, John C. Goetzman, George E. Grimm, Ronald Haas, Charles R. Hanna, James Herman, Robert E. Heup, Mark W. Humphrey, Herbert W. Jelinek, Robert J. Jursik, Jerry Kedziora VC, Richard Kettner, Michael Krohn, Arrie Larsen Manti, Howard A. Millard, Jim Morrill, Helen Cookie Mueller PC, Paul J. Pagenkopf, Lynnell J. Peterson, David L. Phelps, Kay Putney, Joseph Rakowski, John C. Roy, Joyce Sabinash, Thomas M. Salkowski, Robert L. Serotini, Robert F. Shoman, Peter Sohlden, Gerald F. Staut, Richard P. Tollefsen, Todd N. Weiler, Ralph H. Winkler, Norbert A. Zajc, Harold V. Zimdars.
Life, Life Surviving Spouse and Non-Resident Members who Donated to the New Fence Fund
James L. Doyle, Kenneth Dziubek Cmdre, Mark W. Humphrey, Jerry Kedziora VC, John Liebenstein, Bruce Nason PC, Carl F. Pluckhan, Kay Putney, Gerald F. Staut
Life Members who Donated Partial Dues
Paul Bargren Corr Secr, Charles S. Clark, Kenneth Dziubek Cmdre
The New Fence Project
A to Z Quality Fencing, LLC has been chosen as the contractor to replace our existing wood fence. They were chosen by price, quality and response time of their bid. They are currently working with Milwaukee County’s permitting process and procuring materials. We should be hearing from them soon on a start date for the project.
Gather Your Friends and Family
The SSYC Annual Corn Roast is this Saturday, August 12, from 4:30-8 p.m. It’s all you can eat. Advance Tickets are $13 for Adults and $8 for Children (under 10) until Wednesday, August 9. After that, tickets are $15 and $10.
Bell Buoy Memorial
The Bell Buoy Memorial is now on our website. Paul Bargren, our Publication Director has posted it at the Members Section http://www.ssyc.org/green-buoy-memorial. It will be updated monthly. Please send the names, DOB and DOD of the people who are interred and want to be listed to .
|
|
|
Juniors
 |
| The South Shore Juniors traveled to the Ephraim Opti Regatta in Door County and came away with a clean sweep. SSYC's Alex Wilcox won overall and Ingrid Stollenwerk won the Woman Skipper Award. It's the team's favorite Opti regatta of the year. |
Kaszube Cup a Huge Success, and SSYC Juniors Sail Well 
On behalf of the South Shore Yacht Club Junior Organization, I would like to thank all of the volunteers for your help during the 2017 Kaszube Cup Regatta.
This year’s regatta attracted 110 junior sailors from Wisconsin and Illinois. There were a total of 76 boats racing in the 420, Laser and Optimist fleets from 8 different yacht clubs.
SSYC Junior sailors finished in the Top 5 positions in every fleet! We had 5 420s in the top 10 out of a fleet of 31. Daniel Payne won Laser Full rigs, and we had a 4th and 6th finish in radials out of 15. We have had massive interest and involvement from our Intermediates in regattas and racing! They are stepping up and attending regattas, even sailing with our racing tactics.
Our race team has been showing a lot of improvement this summer, we are very proud of their results and attitude on and off the water.
Our regatta was a successful event because of your help. It is through the continued efforts of involved members and volunteers such as yourself that the South Shore Yacht Club Junior program continues to grow. (They also managed a trip to Great America, a fun off-the-water day.)
Once again, thanks for all of your help and support. We’ll see you at the 2018 Kaszube Cup Regatta.
Upcoming Events:
- August 8-9 - Skyline Regatta
- August 11 - Turkey Cup (last day)
- August 12 - SSYC Corn Roast- BUY YOUR RAFFLE TICKETS AT THE BAR NOW!
- September 7 – Juniors Advisory Committee Meeting
- September 10 – Juniors Meeting
|
Members
New Member Summer Open House is Thursday, August 17
Here's a great chance to show off SSYC in all its summer glory to your friends, crew and acquaintances who may be interested in membership. The Membership Committee is hosting a Summer Open House under the tent from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, August 17.
The event will feature live music and "complimentary hospitality," more often known as free wall beer. Prospective members will get a chance to tour the clubhouse and grounds and hear about all the Club's benefits and amenities, including the no-risk try-it program.
"You don't need to be a boater," Membership Chair Patty Thompson said. "Just have the desire to join a big group of really fun, friendly people in one of the coolest, most beautiful spots on Milwaukee's lakefront, smack in the heart of the city's most happening neighborhood."
Details are here, including a chance to contact the Committee ahead of time. RSVPs are not required, but are encouraged.
|
|
|
Parking Lot
 Parking Lot Project: It's Done, and SSYC Gained Much
By Greg Gaitens
Slips Director
The County parking lot project is all but complete. The majority of the comments I have received from SSYC Members and guests about the completed project and its effect on the Club and local community are favorable. While SSYC was not able to get 100% of what it wanted in negotiations around this project with Milwaukee County, the County was accommodating to the Club in many ways. As this will be the last Compass article about the parking lot project, I wanted to share with the membership several accommodations granted to the Club by the County over the course of the project.
The County replaced SSYC’s forced sewer main with a new 12” main directionally bored under the Club’s grounds all the way to our lift station. The entire expense was included in the County project.
SSYC requested that two 4” communication conduits be installed from the corner of SSYC’s skid lot to the southwest corner of the Club’s grounds to support any future expansion of SSYC communications. The entire cost – from materials to directional boring to installation – was picked up by the County.
A new electrical switch and breaker panel on the southwest corner of the Club’s grounds was purchased by the County and will be installed and hooked up as part of the County project with no cost to SSYC.
SSYC expressed concern over the dredge depth along the new sea wall behind F Dock. The County added an additional 12” of dredge depth to its plan and absorbed the cost of dredging and material disposal.
The County changed the parking lot plan at SSYC’s request. The result was fewer parking spaces but spaces that were still 9 feet wide, allowing room for dock cart access between parked vehicles.
At SSYC’s request, the County designed the islands in the parking lot to allow for tractor trailer access to SSYC’s main derrick. This allows yacht transport to and from the derrick as needed.
At SSYC’s request, changes to the plan were made modifying the cement aprons in front of the Club’s main gate and dumpster gates.
Changes were made to the curb design around the Club’s skid lot in order to support trailer and skid traffic.
The County changed the landscaping plan along SSYC’s front fence line to facilitate future fence replacement, minimizing the potential for damaging plantings during fence tear-down and installation.
There was great cooperation shown by Milwaukee County, its consultants and its contractors throughout the project. To show the Club’s appreciation, several of those who worked closely with SSYC on the project have been invited as guests to our annual Corn Roast.
In closing, there remain a few items on the County project punch list. Two items that are of interest to SSYC are hooking up the remaining lights in the parking lot and installing the new electrical panel on the southwest corner of our grounds, which feeds D, E & F Docks, along with the dock master hut. The equipment needed has been delivered, and it is expected to be installed in the next week or two.
|
|
|
Fleets
Wednesday Weather Hasn't Been Cooperating
By Barbara R. Drake
SS-SSS Fleet Captain
This has been an unusual season. Every week when they give the weather, they seem to forecast storms on Wednesday. This has been quite a challenge for the committee. I remember the last race where Ken Kaim was in charge. He agonized about abandoning the race. But then the rain came, validating his decision.
So, the weather has provided us with some unusual conditions for our races. Race 7 was a good example. The wind was light but we went out and started the race. We started Division 4, and then it happened. The wind died completely and because of the current the boats were going backwards. It was a strange sight from the Lily E. The race was abandoned.
Just last week, August 2, it was a different story entirely. The wind was about 15k from the northeast and rollers on the course were three to five feet. As Bruce Nason’s photos show, it was a wild night, but there was a lot of good sailing to be had.
Two weeks ago, we did not have a windless on Lily E for the anchor. The average age on the race committee was 73½. There was no way any of us were going to be pulling up the anchor in the middle of Lake Michigan. We asked for a volunteer to pull the anchor, but no one came forward. I don't think many people wanted to race. One minute before we were going to abandon the race, Mike Dziubek came through the bar. When we heard he was available we grabbed him up. So thank you Mike for going out on the Lily E and saving the race.
There are other people on the SS-SSS race committee whom I would also like to thank. Our PROs are Ken Kaim, Rick Trisco, Bob Aring and Bill Sprotte. We are also very happy to have Pat Randa back with the team. The other committee members are Bruce and Carolyn Nason, Karen Stevens, Kristen McCall, Vic Wexler, Jean Wolfrum, and Mary Buczynski.
The South Shore racers and the SS-SSS fleet are very fortunate to have such a professional and experienced race committee available to run their races.
Let's hope that now that the Wednesday weather has improved, it stays that way. See you on the starting line.
| After weeks of sketchy Wednesday evening weather, August 2 brought a strong northeast breeze and some good size rollers. Bruce Nason was on the SS-SSS course and took these photos. Who says Wednesday night sailing is "just social"? |
 |
 |
 |
|
Fleets
Weekend Racing Update
By Dave Wehnes
Our Milwaukee area weekend racing always pauses for a while in July, as racers participate in regional events including the Chicago-Mackinac Race, the Hook Race and the 100-Miler on Green Bay. SSYC boats and skippers distinguished themselves in all three of these races.
Milwaukee Bay racing resumed July 29 when SSYC hosted the annual Richard Tanger Memorial Regatta. The series is named for Dick Tanger, a 1962 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and a Naval Aviator. He died in an aircraft accident in Guantanamo Bay on June 26, 1963.
The regatta was blessed with a light northerly breeze, a cloudless sky, and a light chop.
In the Milwaukee Bay Offshore Series three race regatta, Promo (John Kuber) placed 1st in Section1, followed by Tango in Blue (Rick Trisco) and Hooligan (Joel Carroll). Bounder (Jim Kelly) placed 1st in Section 2, followed by Rogue (Pete Engel) and Sabotage (Joyce Sabinash).
In the SASS afternoon race, Jolene (Eric Jones) placed 1st in Section 1, followed by Reckless Abandon (Tom Pease) and Nature’s Touch (Peter David). Odyssey (Greg Gaitens) was 1st in Section 2, followed by Chance (Bob Kraus) and Caravel (Dave Wehnes).
Next up for the SASS fleet is the Racine Race on August 12.
The next MBOS regatta is the Commodore’s Regatta on August 19, hosted by Milwaukee Yacht Club.
Looking further ahead, we’ll have the Port Washington Race on September 1, the Grudge Regatta on September 8-9, and the Last Blast on September 16.
The traditional last race of the season is the "Louie’s Last" charity event on September 23.
|
11 Meter
Reviving an 11 Meter
Team Wolfhound, an 11 Meter One Design racing team in Los Angeles, CA, is looking for donations in order to represent the US at the 2017 Norwegian and Swedish Nationals. They’ve started a GoFundMe campaign at Team Wolfhound GoFundMe, they have a video at Team Wolfhound Video . and they’re on Facebook at , Team Wolfhound Facebook.
|
|
|
Members
New Members Join SSYC
The Board of Directors approved several new members at its July meeting:
 |
 |
|
Craig Weber, above, joins as an Active
Member and has deep roots at SSYC. He
went through the Junior program and served
as Junior Commodore. After medical school
in Boston, he returned to Wisconsin as a
physician. He and his family maintain
roots in Milwaukee.
|
Lianne Wiggins, above, is a new Associate II
Member. She grew up in a sailing family
on Long Island and looks forward to participating at SSYC.
|
 |
Gabi Conklin, pictured with Jack Rodee,
joins as an Active Member. Gabi and Jack
live up the hill at Delaware and
Oklahoma and expect to be frequent visitors at
the Club |
Also voted to Active Membership in July were Bryna Nielsen, Sally Parente, and Kevin Zimmerman. Ronald Van Dusen transferred from Non-Resident to Active Member, and Joan Peterson transferred from Surviving Spouse to Active Member.
Membership by the Numbers
These were the totals as of July:
Active - 491
Life - 174
Non-Resident - 84
Life Surviving Spouse - 43
Associate II - 8
Associate I - 7
|
Members
The Right Stuff about Bill Dickinson
Some incorrect information about Bill Dickinson -- and an incorrect spelling -- slipped into the article about Golden Life Members last issue.
The 1928 Ford Roadster pick-up that was mentioned in the article has never been out of Bill's family. He purchased it from his grandfather for a nickel when he was 15 years old. Bill has since completely refurbished the pick-up to bring it to its present beautiful condition. That's the truck he has proudly displayed at past SSYC auto shows.
|
|
|
House Committee
 We Need Your Help!
By Craig Depies
House Committee Chair
Many Members have approached me with concerns and ideas for the Club, which is appreciated. The problem then lies with implementing those ideas, even simple things like general maintenance. There have been a small handful of members who have helped. However, they cannot always continue to do the work and be called on for new projects.
We need your help in the House Committee. A couple hours of your time each year is all I ask. If I can get 15 people to volunteer a couple hours a year for some projects or maintenance, it would help tremendously. Frankly, I’m getting burned out and need help. Our dues are lower than any Club in the Great Lakes because we have a large membership and rely on volunteers in the Club. Your small amount of time makes all the difference. Besides you get to know other Members better and become closer to a facility that has a storied history. Please email me before the end of August if you are willing to help for a couple hours during the year. My email is
Food Survey
I have had a great deal on my plate like everyone else, but should get around to completing the food survey tally soon. Those results will be shared with all Members.
Continued thanks to all volunteers who have helped the house committee improve and keep our Club functioning!
 |
| The House Committee says, "Keep it classy, SSYC!" |
|
|
|
Our Great Lakes
Pair Will Walk to Sustain the Lakes
Two young Milwaukee women are embarking this month on the “Walk to Sustain Our Great Lakes.” Julia Robson and Alyssa Armbruster are hiking more than 330 miles from Milwaukee to Lake Superior to raise awareness and funding for the Great Lakes and freshwater conservation.
Despite their majesty, the Great Lakes are a fragile ecosystem and face serious threats from pollution, invasive species, climate change, and degradation and loss of wetlands. The need for regulation, research, restoration and education on local, statewide and national levels is imperative now more than ever, the duo say.
No SSYC Member can deny the value of a clean and healthy Lake Michigan and lakeshore. Consider learning more about their walk by visiting www.wsogl.com . Under “About the Walk,” you’ll find a link to the first official trailer for their documentary. Throughout their three-week walk, they will post updates at https://www.facebook.com/WSOGL/
Julia and Alyssa have a community send-off event planned for 11 a.m. to noon on Saturday, August 26, at Discovery World, 500 N. Harbor Dr. This free event is open to the public, with no registration required. The event coincides with Discovery World’s "Science Saturday" activities, and the Kohls Design It! Lab will be set up offering crafts and fun experiments for kids and adults. At noon, everyone is welcome to join the pair for the first mile of their journey along the beautiful lakefront on the Oak Leaf Trail!
|
|
|
Power Boaters
 Big Brother/Big Sister Event is Coming
By George Graubner
Rear Commodore
Even though attendance at the annual SSYC/LMYA Open House on July 8 and 9 did not live up to expectations, the event still was successful in many respects. I understand from Doug Reading that those who had tables at the flea market sold a lot of their treasures. Our auction had a lot of enthusiastic buyers. A big thank you to Dave Tucholka for his efforts in selling the raffle tickets for the TV, grill, and booze baskets. The bottom line income was up to par with last year, even though we served only 45 for the steak dinners, 30 for breakfast, and 25 for lunch.
This Power Boater event makes it possible for us to provide an entertaining event for the kids from Big Brother/Big Sister and to make a donation to a worthy cause. Your participation in our events is important to us. If there are any ideas or suggestions to improve our events, please let me know.
Coming up is the Big Brother/Big Sister picnic and boat ride on Sunday, August 20. We are looking for sailors or power boaters who can volunteer to take the kids and their Big Brothers and Big Sisters for a ride on their boats. Contact Doug Reading if you care to volunteer and be with the kids.
We also have Polish Night this Thursday, August 10, under the tent, and German Night on August 24. All Members are invited to attend.
A big thank you to Carol and Erv Schlomer for an outstanding Margarita Night on July 27. The food was great and the attendance was also good. We had good entertainment that night; thanks Pat for this surprise.
|
Nominations
Nominating Committee Anounces Slate
The Nominating Committee has announced its slate of candidates for the officer and board member positions up for election at the September General Membership Meeting.
The Nominating Committee is chaired by George Artka PC. Its members are Dave Wehnes PC, Bruce Nason PC, Bob Aring PC, Helen “Cookie” Mueller PC and Jerry Rakowski. Biographical information about the nominees will be published in the September Compass and in the Notice of Meeting sent to all Members. The Committee’s nominees:
Commodore: Jerry Kedziora
Vice Commodore: George Graubner
Rear Commodore: Greg Gaitens
Financial Secretary: Richard Schoos
Treasurer: Mark Humphrey
Corresponding Secretary: Paul Bargren
Director (three-year terms): Richard Olson, Vincent Verhasselt and Robert Sabinash
If elected Rear Commodore, Greg Gaitens will vacate the final year of his Director position, and the Committee will nominate Scott Burke to fill that vacancy.
Nominations can also be made from the floor at the September meeting by any Active or Life Member in good standing. Nominees must also be Active or Life Members in good standing.
|
From the GM
Plenty Happening in August
 Greetings,
When it's Corn Roast time, we all start to ask, Where has the summer gone?
August brings great music and lots of fun for Members and guests. Make it a point to stop by the Club and introduce a friend to all that SSYC has to offer.
There are many events scheduled for the months ahead, so watch for details. Here are just a few:
Polish Night August 10
Dinghy Drift August 13
German Night August 24
Packer time is not far off, so get ready for another winning season as we cheer the Pack on all the way to Minneapolis in February.
Be Careful with Disposal!
Please read the sign outside of the garbage corral. Recently we had to deal with the situation created when anti-freeze was put in the compactor. When the containers ruptured, we had a real mess. There are specific containers for oil, anti-freeze and other items. Please use them.
Thanks!
Pat
|
|
|
|
|
Slips
High Water Affects Dock Lines
By Greg Gaitens
Slips Director
We have seen several boats damaged in their slips from impact with the wave boards, finger piers or docks.
Line lengths that may have safely positioned a boat in its slip when the lake level was lower may now be long enough to allow the boat to bump and bounce against the structure of its slip. In addition, dock lines that were well positioned at lower water levels may now be chafing against the boat or slip structure when wind, waves or surge are present.
Please double check your lines to be certain your boat is protected in its slip against damage in all weather conditions.
The Slip Committee welcomes volunteers for future Slip Committee work parties. If you would like to support your Club through the Slip Committee work parties, and are not already on the email distribution list, please let me know. I can be reached via email at or on my cell phone at (414)232-5758.
|
Entertainment Committee
Corn Roast Prep Starts Early
 It will all begin early August 12.
At about 9 a.m., members of the Entertainment Committee will arrive at South Shore Yacht Club. They'll begin by removing all the ears of corn from the refrigerator, putting them in wheel barrows and covering them with ice.
The barrows will be covered to protect them from the sun and heat.
Next the committee will tape plastic drop cloths down under table spaces. And they'll tape table cloths to the tables used for condiments as well as the tables used for serving. All picnic tables are then moved to an appropriate place on the drop cloths, leaving room for the band to set up.
At about 3 p.m., the committee will start the corn roaster, as this takes about an hour to heat up. The grill team will arrive around 3 p.m. to get the brats started. They need to start grilling early to keep up with the demand.
About 4 p.m., the first shift of servers will arrive to get ready. In the midst of all this confusion we have people preparing the condiments and the salt and butter. The first corn and brats are served at 4:30, and the feasting begins. The Flamingos will take the stage from 6 to 10 p.m. Cleanup? That takes place starting Sunday at noon.
Don’t miss this long term tradition. It was started by the late Tom Poth PC and his wife close to 50 years ago. It’s a great time.
And by the way, we’re still looking for volunteers, so if you’re able to help please call me at 414-704-3306 or email me at .
|
|
