LEVEL 1 is SO Ready for launch this Saturday! - - Joan Swain  

Finishing up our third day of boat prep this past Saturday leaves me very impressed with the leadership that the Maintenance Team again has provided and for all the members who have shown up to prepare the boats for launch this coming Saturday. 

A hearty thank-you also goes to Bill Crawford who not only provides his land for storage and prep, but is ever ready to assist with his tractor in gear, hauling trailers from here to over there, all the while treating those within earshot to some chuckles.

I claim no credit for the level of preparedness.  Once again I was the note-taker, the inquirer - and now reporter.     But I wish to extend appreciation from all who sail the Interlakes to Don Caley, Don DeRyckere, Bob Moon & Don Sharpe for being our leaders at the farm and lake -  and to the groups of members who showed up on April 2 and 9 to have us poised for the 21 members who arrived this past Saturday. Their work is complete.  We are now sooo ready!   

The last group included Blaise Molitoris who brought a surprise treat of donuts, perhaps  doing a trial run of feeding us. He had offered to be, and was quickly accepted  as, our new Picnic leader (while yet to take this spring's L1 class).   Yeah, Blaise!   He joined the other members who willingly did whatever was needed, including Mike Nolta, Gary Roush, Kurtis Walker, David  & Sharon Toth, Peggy Clark, Carl C. Clarke, Dave Amsdill, Fred Trinker, Tom Haeusler, Joan Jack, Paul Szafranski, Stan Urbiel, David Pardy, Bob Frank, Cece Grabowski, Nancy Weiss, Anthony Calvas, Susanne and Dan Guendelsberger . 

With the last boat-prep tasks done, we are now ready for you to show up on Launch Day at 9am (details in the article below). 

Thanks to Johnnie Tiley for all the great pix!

Launch day for Interlakes - what to expect

You know that the Interlakes are being launched this Saturday, and we know that for many of you this is a rite of Spring.  But for those who have never attended a launch before, I thought it would be beneficial to give a general idea as to what to expect so you can have in mind where you may choose to help out.

Those who have responded to our call for Station Leaders will be arriving at the Crawford Farm at 8:30AM.  Yes, that's a tad early, but a leader does what a leader must do.  If you are not already a Station Leader, plan on arriving at 9AM, again at the farm where all are to meet.   Our reliable haulers will arrive then as well.  You will be asked to sign in and get a name tag.  Coffee and donuts will be provided - with an early thank you to Diane Tower for again taking care of that.

At 9:15AM, we will gather to match up Station Leaders with a varied number of team members.  Once you have a team position, we ask that you stay with that leader, doing the task under their direction.  Some positions require a degree of knowledge or level of skill, some just require your willingness to help out. All are important. 

At the farm we will need 1-2 teams to help load the remaining boats onto trailers as they become available;  assure trailer lights are set and all is secure & safe before the boats are sent off to the Lake.  One team will first go to the Sail House to gather up boat equipment, but most teams will move to the Lake to manage the following tasks:

At the Lake, we only want 2 boats at a time being launched, as much for safety as for courtesy to other boaters - the first 2 will include the power boat. Drivers, in line to launch, will stay back from the launch site along the washroom parking area until one of the two slots is available.  While waiting, the trailer lights will be unplugged so the lights can cool down before being backed into the water.  Then, the masts will be raised -- the boats will be paddled to the slips -- the boom and rigging will be put in place -- and other boat equipment will be placed in the boats. After a final check by Don DeRyckere, the boats will be ready to sail - after you sign in the boat's notebook (thank you Anne Ostroth for all you've done off-season to get them updated, upgraded and ready for use).

Then, the Calendar notes this Saturday as a date for a General Membership meeting. In the past, it has been relatively brief, yet an opportunity for an informal exchange. As last year, there are plans to have pizza/pop ready for your enjoyment for which you may thank Judy Martens, Marilyn Alimpich and Diane for that preparation.

One more thing:  here's an early thank-you to all available and planning on helping out.  See you Saturday, Kate & Joan.

UPDATED LEVEL 3 /4 POSITIONS OVERVIEW - - Norm Schmidt

Level 3/4 Management can be a team responsible for coordinating Level 3/4 operational activities. Specifically, these positions and activities include:

Level 3 /4 Manager – Volunteer needed

Level 3 /4 Assistant Manager – Volunteer needed

The L3/4 Manager is the primary team leader and liaison for the Level and can be tremendously instrumental in all related efforts.

• Communications to Membership regarding L3/4 specific concerns
• Ensuring Timeshare Captains follow Level 3 /4 procedures
• Hosting L3/4 specific meetings
• Represent L3/4 membership at General Sail and Operations meetings

Assistant Maintenance Director for Level 3 /4 – Tom Baker has volunteered

• Lead Organizer for commissioning of L3/4 Keelboats
• Lead Organizer for decommissioning of L3/4 Keelboats
• Oversight for L3/4 Operational Activities 

Dinghy Boat Captain – Dave Clark has volunteered

Assistant Dinghy Boat Captain – Tony Calvas has volunteered

These are very important positions for ASI.

You can volunteer to fulfill one of these commitments as part of a team – i.e. co-managers.  Your efforts will be greatly appreciated!  

Note that the Level 3/4 Manager position is not responsible for organizing the North Channel timeshare lottery.  The Level 3/4 Manager is only responsible for coordinating this event with the North Channel Lottery Committee 

If you are a L3/4 member, please consider volunteering for this position.  The absence of a L3/4 Manager will be most consequential to you and your peers in L3/4. Contact Joe Jaeger for more details at joe@computer.org

Crawford Farm location

Where's Crawford Farm?

If you're driving west on I96, take the 155B exit toward Milford. A couple of miles north, turn right on Buno, a gravel road. Go one mile to South Hill, also gravel, and turn left. Crawford Farm will be about 300 yards north, on the left. Pull into the drive, and park behind the outbuildings. 

We'll be starting around nine and will work for 2 or 3 hours, depending on the weather. See you there!

Ahoy Instructors and Instructor Wannabes! - - JoAnne McClure

Spring is here, and it's time for Level 1 Instructor Training! The workshops are designed to provide information for instructors, both experienced and new. If you've been thinking that you'd like to earn volunteer hours for sailing (what a novel idea??), this may be for you. Even if you're not sure you want to take out brand new sailors, you may want to teach Intro Class (how to rig, taught at the dock) or even shore school! It's fun and the best way to sharpen up your own skills.

The FINAL workshop will meet on Wednesday, April 27 at Wayne State Oakland Center on 12 Mile Rd, West of Farmington Rd. Time is 6:30 - 9:30 PM. If you plan to attend and do not have a copy of the Instructor's Handbook, please contact JoAnne McClure (je-mcclure@earthlink.net) for an electronic copy.

Hope to see you there!   JoAnne

Boat Names are Neck & Neck - - Joan Swain

No, the winning boat name is not "Neck & Neck,"  but two names in the contest are running neck and neck.  While last week's voting brought votes for 7 of the 14 names,  so far two are tied.

Strict deadline to vote via email to me, jkswain36@att.net, is 4/30 midnight OR you may choose to go the paper-pen(cil) route if you can track me down after launch.  I'll be up in the picnic area ready to munch on pizza and poised to participate in a brief General Membership meeting.

Thanks to 11 of our members, one of the varied, appealing names listed below will soon adorn our gleaming, new Interlake.  Now it's up to you to collectively decide if it will be: 

• Adventure                                        
• Moby
• Allure                                               
• Off-Roading
• Cat's Paw                                       
• Off the Rocks
• Etude                                               
• Questar
• Hakuna Matata                               
• Reliable
• Imagine                                           
• Spud
• Island Princess                              
• Stargaze

Some guidelines for voting:

1. You may vote via email  (jkswain36@att.net) or, after the launch 4/30 at Kensington there will be an opportunity to vote in person.
2. You may submit 3 votes BUT only 1 vote per name.  Any double or triple voting for your one and only favorite name will not be in the tally.
3. The winner will be announced in the May 3rd Burgee. 

Thanks again to Barb Hayes, Blaise Molitoris, Cece & Ron, Dave Clark, Donald Kapit, Heidi Dzendzel, Joan Jack, JoAnne McClure,  John Johnston, Marilyn Leece and Richard Jagers for this democratic opportunity.

Stony Creek welcomes you back! - - Heidi Dzendzel

We need a couple more drivers to take the snug harbor trailers and boats from the farm to Stony Creek in the afternoon of Saturday, April 30. You’ll need a trailer hitch with a size 1-7/8 ball and a working lighting package. Please reply to me by email.

We will be stepping the masts on Sunday, May 1st in the afternoon beginning at 1 pm. Come on out and enjoy the volunteer hours had by all! Bring your sail pass too. Cookies and coffee are included.

Heidi Dzendzel, Stony Creek Level 1 Boat Manager  (asiheidi26@gmail.com)

MAY DAY! MAYDAY! - - Attention all keelboat captains! - - Marilyn Leece

Don't be in distress! Plan your ASI 2011 Sailing Season now.

First Come! First Served! 

Local Keel boat Timeshare Reservations begin soon! 

WHEN?   MAY 1ST, 2011 

WHO?  Contact Keel boat Timeshare Scheduler:            

Jon Buyle @ (313) 881-6393 (jmb51@hotmail.com)

Please review the ASI website calendar BEFORE contacting Jon Buyle for your timeshare dates. All timeshares must be reserved with a credit card. Card is charged at the time of the time share. Please note:There will be limited timeshare dates available due to Level 2, 3 & 4 Instruction classes held through June. 

Hope to "sea" you at the dock! Marilyn Leece

Level 2 Manager

(SEE JON'S ARTICLE BELOW)

Reminders from the Keelboat Scheduler - - Jon Buyle

The sailing season is just around the corner and timeshare reservations can be made, beginning May 1.  I need any priority scheduling events, such as maintenance, instruction, evening sails, or special events sent to me before the end of April so that I can get them in the scheduling calendar.

Here are a few reminders for keelboat captains in order to make the process work best for all of us: 

1. Please limit your calls to 9AM-9PM, unless it’s an emergency.  Feel free to email me anytime. 
2. Use the ASI website to check on availability of keelboats before calling.  It is updated daily. You can also click on an entry in the calendar to obtain more details, such as the timeshare hours and the designated captain of a timeshare.  That information can be useful for several reasons, such as checking with the previous captain on any problems he experienced with the boat, arranging a transition with the next captain, or notifying the next captain if you are going to be late. 
3. When leaving voicemail requests, please speak slowly and clearly, especially when leaving numbers.  I often have to listen to a message several times to get all the information. 
4. Be sure to notify the Boat Captain and Keelboat Scheduler if a boat needs immediate attention that could affect safety & future timeshares. 
5. Remember that reservations are made on a first-come, first-serve basis and are not held or confirmed for you until secured with a credit card. 
6. Make your reservations as far in advance as you can.  I will do my best to respond to last-minute requests, but cannot guarantee a response in less than 24 hours.  (I have a life too!) 
7. Finally, Do NOT take a boat without clearing it with the Scheduler first, even though a boat appears to be available or your boat becomes disabled.  There have been situations where a member who has reserved and paid for a timeshare arrives later and finds the boat gone.  It may also be a safety risk for you and your passengers, as the boat may have been taken out of service or have special instructions that the Boat Captain has asked me to convey.  

A special welcome to all the new Level 2 Captains.  Have a great summer and great sailing season!  Hope to see all of you out on the lake. 

Jon Buyle, Keelboat Scheduler

313-881-6393   (jmb51@hotmail.com)

One more thing...       

Words to live by: Don't sweat the petty stuff, and don't pet the sweaty stuff!

The ASI Burgee is on a weekly schedule. The next one will be next Tuesday, May 3. Please send your Burgee input to asidon@comcast.net by Sunday for inclusion in that Burgee.