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September 17, 1992 - Sailing Along on Sunlight/Moonlight Bay6A • The Suffolk Times • September 17, 1992 Sailing Along on Sunlight /Moonlight Bay By Paul Stoutenburah This has not been the best year for sailing and as a consequence we had not rendezvoused with our old sailing friends. Seeing the season was running down, I thought it fit and proper to get all hands together and have a good old - fashioned sail as we had done in the past. Since we'd probably only have one chance at this I selected a day that would bring us a full moon because part of the plan was to sail home at night with the full moon over our stern. Plans that depend on clear skies are difficult to predict but if all went well it would make a memorable trip. High hopes by all started to catch on with telephone calls about who would bring what and, of course, last - minute calls of what each could do to make the trip a success. I watched the weather on television with anxiety as a cold front pushed rain and clouds before it. There was a chance it would miss us and stay to the north but if we were to take ad- vantage of the moon we couldn't wait. We set the time and date and hoped for the best. We didn't get off at the appointed time because of a few unexpected de- tails like a defunct outboard for the dinghy and a mixup on the time we were to leave. Nevertheless, we finally got everybody together with food, drinks and clothing — in fact, enough to take care of two or three more trips. The wind was out of the southwest but be- cause the boat was moored in the lee of the land we had no problem in getting under way. Heading Down Bay We put up the big genoa and in no time were out of the protection of the land and flying along at seven -plus knots. How the wind blew as we tore down on the waves before us. It took a good hand on the wheel to keep the boat from yawing out of control and I must say there were a few times we thought it might have been wise to have used the smaller working jib. We passed the green buoy at the north end of Jessups Neck (Morton Wildlife Refuge) where the sea can and was making it pretty nasty for us. Once Focus on Nature around this treacherous point we headed south along the shore of that handsome peninsula that juts out into the bay. About 200 feet off shore we dropped the anchor in the quiet waters in the lee of the land and had one of the great lunches that only good friends, good drink and good food can create. We basked in the sun, keeping an eye on the weather for the prediction was border- line. Thunderstorms, rain and wind were to the north of us and so far we'd made it. Some of the more energetic went for a swim and I remember when I hit the water I knew fall wasn't far off for it wasn't the warm water I remembered from a few weeks ago. By one we were squared away and headed for the passage between Shelter Island and North Haven. It seemed the wind had picked up even more as we raced through the narrows, leaving the little ferry shuttling back and forth be- hind us. Around the buoy we headed south, close hauled and on a tight beat to Sag Harbor. Mashomack, that won- derland of beaches, forest, marshes and fields lay to our east and reminded me of a walk I'd have to do there on the weekend for the Nature Conservancy. First one red can and then another passed by until finally the masts of the harbor showed up and we knew there'd be shelter there. Tied Up at Sag For now it was sails down and engine on as we headed for the public dock. Tied up, we split to explore the quaint and colorful town with is shops, old streets and remarkable buildings that lay before us. We were amazed how Labor Day had cut into the population of tourists. Barbara and I walked up past the old Customs House and Whaling Museum where years ago we had brought classes of young people to ab- sorb some of the local history. We wan- dered through the back streets that un- folded before us displaying the richness of the architecture of this old whaling I_A69!M I -AMA U ■sAAL 78 Years Ago Sept. 19, 1914 In the War Zone: Mrs. John Emerson and her daughter, Jessie, who left Greenport several months ago to visit relatives in Scotland write to their friends that they are located near a fort at Burtisland and their daily outlook is nothing but war maneuvers. Police follow them, thinking they are spies, and they are stopped by guards on every cor- ner and asked questions. Living is very high, one instance being sugar, which is sold in two -pound bags at 28 cents. They are anxious to get back home but have been informed that it will be the last of October before they can sail. `Genuine Tears': "A Paradise Lost" at the Greenport Opera House next Monday is a picture play of deep human interest. Miss Nettie Nansen, who appears in the picture, will appeal to all lovers of dramatic expression. In one of the scenes she appears close to the audience and you see real, genuine tears rolling down her cheeks. You never saw this in a picture play before. 50 Years Ago Sept. 17, 1.942 Bond Sales Lag: On the opening night of the Salute to Our Heroes Bond and Stamp Drive at the Greenport The- atre, we sold $3,500 worth. In the 13 days since, the people SAILING —With a sturdy boat and a good wind, a sailor is truly content. With luck, these fall days could mean "Let's go sailing." seaport. We counted panes of glass in windows, 12 over 12, 12 over eight, six over six, etc., in houses on houses. Some were newly renovated, others just kept up in mint condition. What pride the people of Sag Harbor have put into their homes. We ended our tour by sit- ting like newly arrived tourists on the of Greenport and adjacent towns have bought only $900 worth. Is there no shame? How will this look to the local boys who have gone for the duration, or forever, to give their all for you and for me? We are not asking you to give —only to lend money to your government to win your war, to save your skins and your freedom. Come, buy bonds and stamps. Let's pull ourselves up by the bootstraps so when the history of this war is written, Greenport and vicin- ity can look with pride on the part it took. 25 Years Ago Sept. 22, 1967 Foes Speak Out The hearing in Poquatuck Hall, Ori- ent, Thursday was an example of the strength of public opin- ion in a small community on a million -dollar state highway project. The hall was crowded to capacity. Over 40 speakers expressed strong opposition. Among the arguments: the pro- ject would result in a four -lane superhighway across the Ori- ent causeway, it would destroy one of the most spectacular pieces of natural scenery in New York, the destruction of the saltwater wetlands and above all, with the war in Vietnam and the urgent need of the improvement of the ghettoes in big cities that the expenditure of a million dollars was an abso- lute waste of public funds. A petition with 770 signatures was sent to the state Highway Department. front porch of the American Hotel sip- ping iced tea and enjoying every minute of it. Some of our party had met a friend and we had to stop by and have a drink on her boat but by now the sun was creeping low to the west. With farewells and much adieu we were soon off. Back at the boat we shifted to a working jib for the trip home and later were glad we had for as we headed out into the bay we found the wind stronger than ever. With running lights on, our night eyes gradually took over as we headed north and then out into the bay. Imagine a wild, churning sea and shrieking winds along with good friends and a steady boat to sail by. That was us and to complement our trip the great white moon shown with all its glory on a silvery path across the bay. How the spray flew and how we raced through the water! In what seemed all too short a time we were home and searching for our mooring with a light. The beam aroused a mass of sleeping gulls that had taken advantage of the lee and quiet waters where we were to moor. So that's where the gulls go to sleep. Once tied up, we all responded to hugs and farewells of one of the great night sails. It brought back memories of our past sailing trips and renewed hope for the future. It will be a long time be- fore we get a better sail under a full moon. P.S. No sooner had we come ashore and emptied our goods upon the beach than the clouds covered over the moon and by morning it rained.