High Tidings April 1, 2025
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A preview of our planned “Commodore Statues Garden.”
Commodore Remarks
Greetings fellow NCYC members! I have…interesting news. Many of you already know that the railroad bridge just upriver from our cove is undergoing replacement. It is a huge multi-year project and will (hopefully) not impact river marine traffic too much.
Now for the interesting news. Due to the anticipated extra volume of silt stirred up by the construction as well as the tendency of the cove to silt up, The DEP has decided it would be more cost effective to forego dredging the cove in favor of building a dyke across its channel.
The operable dike/wall will function much like the lock station system along the Rideau Canal in Canada. Their canal has 47 locks and 24 lock stations that span from Ottawa to Kingston, a distance of 202 kilometers (125 miles). Its history dates back to 1832. Many of the locks are small and narrow, much like the mouth of North Cove. Unlike the Rideau locks, though, this dyke will have set hours of operation. It will be opened at 8:00 AM and closed at 6:00 PM weekdays, and opened at 7:00 AM and closed at 7:00 PM weekends.
We know this will be a big adjustment, and to make the transition smoother for our members, the club has engaged the services of two consultants:
Pierre LeClaire is the chief operator of the canal lock station located near Manotick, a town on the Rideau River not far from Ottawa, and Jack Clouseau is a lock inspector stationed in Ottawa. Together, they have years of experience maintaining and operating the locks along the Ottawa and Rideau Rivers and will be available to answer any questions members may have. Inspector Clouseau and Mr. LeClaire will be staying with the Vinciguerras. If anyone is interested in hosting the consultants for the two weeks the Vinciguerras are on vacation in August, please contact Lou or Janet.
As always, we will extend a warm welcome to our visitors–and we look forward to the opportunities this new development brings to our club.
Linda Tuzzio, Commodore
Vice Commodore Remarks
As Vice Commodore, I am thrilled to introduce some new “Great Wall of Cove” (GWC) related initiatives to improve our NCYC member experience:
Clubhouse Reservations: We now offer booking slots synchronized with the opening and closing times of the dyke. Don't miss your window!
Finance & Investment: Funds previously earmarked for dredging will now be allocated to our UberBoat service and boat-sitting program. Investing in fun, one knot at a time!
Insurance: Exclusive 'Openable Dyke' insurance policies are now available. Protect your vessel from unexpected closures. (See member Nicole B. for rates.)
Membership Photo Board: Featuring heroic members who braved the closed dyke and made it back against all odds. Legends of the cove!
Offshore Race Committee: New race formats that include strategic dyke navigation. May the odds be ever in your favor!
Sailing Program - Juniors: Special training programs on navigating the dyke for our junior sailors. Let's groom the next generation of ace navigators!
Sailing Program - Adult: "Dyke Drills" – fun and educational drills to master the art of timely dyke crossing.
Ships Store: Exclusive "I Survived the Dyke" merchandise. Caps, tees, and more!
Yours in nautical mischief,
Melissa Mason, Vice Commodore
Membership
Change is in the air, and as Membership Chair and participating member of the Bluetits cold water swimming club, I am happy to introduce a new membership process beginning immediately: Namely, we will not be accepting any more new members in 2025, and going forward, the open enrollment period for new member applications will begin again on January 1, 2026. In order to be considered for Club membership all prospective members must demonstrate their ability to swim a pre-determined course around the Cove when the water temperature is 35 degrees Fahrenheit or less. We firmly believe this additional requirement will help keep out the non-committed riff-raff. For now, existing members will be exempt from this new requirement.
Caroline Miller, Membership Chair
Junior Sailing
North Cove Junior Sailing Curriculum: Sails & STEM
This season, we’re revolutionizing the Junior Sailing curriculum. It’s time to combine the art of sailing with the rigor of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education. Our Jr. Sailing students will now spend half their time learning to sail and the other half… in the lab. That’s right – they will be learning how to build their own sails and tillers using 3D printers. No longer will we need to find old golf clubs to replace broken tillers or patch old sails; our junior sailors will create their own parts!
The kids will also learn the fundamentals of sailing larger boats–which is often repairing things. Classes will include subjects like Sanitary Lines 101, Electrical Engineering Basics, Small Motor Repair 101, 102, 103, 104, 105; Bilge Basics (not for the squeamish.) Immediate Past Commodore Lou V. is thrilled at our new program and has offered to supervise the program with the help of our esteemed member and inventor genius Walter G. (of North Cove Mud™ fame.)
We will also introduce a variety of other inventive programs such as Drone Flying & Programming supervised by Len V. and Tom T. , our resident pilots. The drones will deliver snacks for a nominal fee and Tom .T will be stocking snacks in The Ships Store for our drontastic program. The kids will learn valuable skills studying the aerodynamics of wind as they deliver mid-day snacks. We anticipate this will be a significant cash flow opportunity for the club.
Kathy and Cathy (our fearless Junior Sailing Co-Chairs) are thrilled to introduce this new curriculum. And Amy (our ever-dedicated Junior Sailing Director) assures us that “nothing could possibly go wrong as kids navigate the reality of modern sailing and technology.”
What could be more fun for eight to eighteen-year-olds than combining sailing with 3 D printers, drones, and learning basic repair skills. We expect to have a funtastic summer!
Kathy and Cathy, Jr. Sailing Co-chairs
Grounds and Garden
The Grand Transformation of North Cove Yacht Club: Statues, Gardens, and a Dyke!
Greetings, fellow yachtsman! We're thrilled to bring you the most astonishing news from the Grounds and Garden Committee of the North Cove Yacht Club. Prepare yourselves for an extraordinary evolution—nay, revolution—that is about to sweep our beloved club!
Entering the New Era: A Green Gateway
Picture this: you drive up to the entrance of the North Cove Yacht Club and instead of the charming though unremarkable entryway we're so used to, you are greeted by a lush green privacy screen. Yes, that's right! Our team of eccentric gardeners ( Cathy and Kathy) has outdone themselves by planning an exquisite living artwork—a coastal garden scape that aims to refresh both the air and your senses as you step into the wonderland that awaits.
concept of the new entrance
Commodore Statue Garden
Forget the old tired parking lot and embrace the Commodores’ Garden! Not only will your trek to the Clubhouse be a scenic stroll through native plantings, but you’ll soon be welcomed by a host of new larger-than-life statues celebrating our esteemed Commodores. These larger-than-life monuments will be impeccably crafted in genuine ResinRock™ to capture the wisdom, courage, and slight bewilderment with which they governed our nautical kingdom. They bravely will guide you towards the heart of the Clubhouse, reminding us of the legacy we cherish. Preliminary mockups have been started using the images below.
Dyke Lawn
As part of our luxurious renovations, we will be replacing our waterfront area with a stunning lawn punctuated by vibrant Adirondack chairs. Each chair sporting a splash of color more radiant than a yachtie's trophy jacket or Joe Caroll’s vibrant slacks, and angled to showcase impeccable views of our North Cove Dyke. An array of lawn games and toys will be available for your enjoyment. Anyone for Sailboat Croquet? Melissa, our Activities Chair will be busy whipping up exciting lawn events and signature cocktails for our summer enjoyment.
concept of new adirondack chairs on deck facing the dynamic dyke
The Dynamic Dyke
Last but not least! Shoaling has decided to make itself right at home. But fear not, because coming soon a brilliantly bonkers solution: a dynamic DYKE! Yes, you heard it right—a magnificent dyke engineered to heroically hold back Mother Nature's sandy shenanigans. But this dyke isn't just about keeping the shoaling at bay. Oh no, it’s here to give our cove the makeover of a lifetime and the garden committee has this covered!
Welcome to the Dyke Gardens!
concept of dyke gardens
By day, this fabulous dyke will double as a delightful garden! The centerpiece of the garden with be a larger-than-life statue of our current Commodore Linda Tuzzio. Facing out toward the beautiful Connecticut River, arms stretch to welcome seamen as a guiding light to all who visit our cove. Our plans include a paradise of native pollinator plants, making it not only a dyke but also a botanical bonanza! But that’s not all—this garden will also be a new hangout for our feathery friends, the ospreys. We've planned to set up cozy platforms for them to perch. No longer shall your sturdy masts be the location of an osprey reality TV show! We trust our feathered friends will find the comfortable new platforms viable, leaving your yachts un-perched, poop-free zones.
Astronomical Theater by Night!
concept of what one might see in the astronomical spectaculars
At night, prepare for a star-studded spectacular! The dyke garden transforms into an astronomical theater, where you'll witness the wonders of the Universe. Get ready to sit back under the stars as our very own Astronomer Extraordinaire, Amy Vinciguerra, takes us on a mystical journey across the night sky. Trust us, her star narrations are nothing short of a cosmic comedy show.
So, whether you're aiming to enjoy a carefree day on the water or a stroll down memory lane in our Commodores Garden, enjoying a cocktail and a leisurely nap on Dyke Lawn, or a stellar night under the cosmos at Dyke Garden, the North Cove Yacht Club has you covered. Come join us, and let's embrace the wonders of our newly designed landscape.
Activities
The dyke across the entrance of our cove may be the best solution for the DEP, but not so great for us to essentially have a curfew!! As Events Coordinator I have racked my brain to turn this vinegar into sparkling wine.
As I envisioned a giant wall traversing the mouth of our beautiful little cove, it came to me–our first ever “graffiti” party! So, bring your brushes and rollers and let your inner gangsta’ artist loose! We will use all the Opti’s, paddle boards, and dinghies to get up close. I will supply the paint from the returns bin at Kellogg. As with every act of civil disobedience, we will need to work under the cover of darkness so we don’t get caught! Night-vision glasses will be very helpful–please bring if you have them. We will start with a happy hour on the deck at 1700 to loosen us up and get those creative juices flowing! After two or three hours, we set sail and hit the wall, LITERALLY!
concept for wall graffiti
There will be prizes in the following categories: Most Difficult Placement, Most Colors Used, Most Original Design, Most Inspirational Theme.
Who will win the coveted Golden Spray Can? Let’s see how creative you can be!
Melissa Clark, Events Chair
Cruising News
Because of the new dyke, the cruising committee had to make hard choices due to the lack of flexibility of the dyke open/close schedule. In order to allow flexibility in our comings and goings, the cruise this year will be accomplished using dinghies and tents instead of our usual sailing vessels. We will be moving the small crane from the waterfront area at the club to the dyke so that outside of operation hours (modest they are) we will be able to lift the dinghies up on the Cove side and use our soon-to-be-completed slide to move them down to the river side.
Although using dinghies will negatively effect our range, it will allow us to visit beaches from Old Lyme to Westbrook! Members without a dinghy will be issued up to three Opti sailboats per family. Joe Carroll has generously offered to haul everyone’s booze with his giant dinghy. Cruise members will take shifts keeping a watch on him so he can’t run off.
Others with large dinghies may want to volunteer for other hauling duties to help out the group at large. We will need a Fuel Tanker Dinghy, a Workshop Dinghy (to carry tools, repair kits, and air pumps), plus a Party Dinghy on which to have cocktail hours. (“At four we pour”-states Past Commodore Joe Milke) Due to the expected reduction in average cargo capacity, ladies will not be required to wear a different cocktail dress to each cocktail party this cruise.
Since the cruise won’t be going far enough to get to any actual ports, we ask that past Port Captains offer to run various beach activities each evening where we stop. Suggested games include:
Tent set up closest to the water without getting wet overnight.
Tent set up closest to a beach mansion without getting arrested.
Hiding from the police.
Getting chased by the most police at one time.
Highest and lowest bail amounts.
Additionally, there will be trophies awarded at the end of the second week for the following categories:
Most creative matching outfits per couple
Least amount of bailing required
Best tent camouflage
Best disposition
Worst sunburn
Spouses still actually speaking, or if no winners, most days into the cruise while still speaking.
All suggestions for matching outfits should be submitted in triplicate to Elio Betty by Memorial Day.
concept for matching outfits
Thank you all for making me Fleet Captain! I’m sure this will be a club cruise to remember!
Chris Griffin, Fleet Captain
Women on the River
The DEP’s plan to construct a dyke at the entrance of the cove to combat shoaling has been enthusiastically endorsed by the club—as long as the club has a say in it.
To ensure proper execution, the club has enlisted the expertise of Women on the River, a group widely recognized for their graceful tacks, fearless sailing, and dedication to post-race cocktails. Given their intimate knowledge of the cove (mostly from trying to avoid running aground), they will lead the effort by testing how the 420’s handle the new current shifts.
“This is a natural extension of our skills,” said one Women on the River sailor. “We’ve navigated sandbars, dodged moored boats, and gracefully recovered from the occasional capsize. How hard can a little hydrodynamic analysis be?”
To prepare, the women have been seen sketching diagrams on cocktail napkins, debating the best building materials, and Googling “how to build a dyke without heavy machinery.”
Not to be left out, the club’s Bluetits cold water dipping group has bravely volunteered to test the dyke’s impact on water circulation. Since they’re already known for swimming in temperatures that would make a polar bear shiver, they will serve as live test subjects to assess how water movement changes with the new barrier.
“The club assured us this would be a ‘mildly scientific’ endeavor,” said one Blue Tit while wringing out her frozen swim cap. “But given that we’re now apparently measuring ‘flow dynamics with our bodies,’ we have some questions.”
As compensation, the Bluetits have negotiated an all-you-can-drink supply of hot tea, plus an emergency stash of something stronger—which Richie and Deb have selflessly offered to sample first, you know, for safety.
concept for “something stronger”
Project Timeline: TBD (Probably Never)
The dyke project is currently scheduled to begin “sometime in the near future,” which, according to North Cove Yacht Club tradition, means “whenever we can actually get enough volunteers.” Until then, Women on the River will continue refining their nautical engineering theories over dinner and drinks, while the Bluetits have vowed to keep swimming—because honestly, a little construction isn’t going to stop them.
Stay tuned for updates.
From the Chaplain’s Quiet Corner of the Cove
As the NCYC Chaplain, when I heard that the DEP had decided to build a dyke across the channel of the cove, it acutely brought to mind the flood motif that occurs in many religions, including the Manvantara-Sandhya in Hinduism, the Genesis flood narrative in the Judeo-Christian tradition, as well as similar stories in Greek, Mesopotamian, Cheyenne and Pueblo religious narratives.
And of course there is the "Peter and the Dyke" story, popularized by Mary Mapes Dodge's novel "Hans Brinker, or The Silver Skates," that tells of a Dutch boy who plugs a leaking dyke with his finger to prevent a flood. This national hero was given the formal name Peter in the poem crafted by Phoebe Cary. Due to my fascination with apocalyptic events, I pondered, “Who would be our Peter?” if all goes south with our dyke? And then I realized, well of course, our own Peter Stump. He lives close to the future dyke, and he works cheap. As long as we feed him cookies, he will keep his finger in the dyke and heroically save the cove. Problem solved, prayers answered!
Concept for…oh wait, that really is Pete
The Ship’s Store
concept for Thursday night racing
Hello everyone! You all have heard by now the DEP will be building a wall/dyke across the channel which will be closing promptly at 6pm weekdays. This sadly means there will be no Thursday Night Racing this season, no sharing stories and beers and no amazing meals from Linda. Devastating news!
BUT WAIT!
We are excited to announce that North Cove Yacht Club has invested in a large fleet of remote-controlled sailboats for members to purchase at the The Ship’s Store, turning lemons into lemonade! Boats are available NOW so you can hone your skills before the first race on June 5.
It is required to personalize your vessel with tiny little letters and numbers with your boat’s name, registration, and sail number. We will also have a big spinnaker for Osprey and a huge mainsail for Madaket. PHRF’s will be adjusted accordingly. And don’t count out pokey Kewalo this time around–the smaller size may just suit her! There’s also a tiny remote controlled committee boat for Karl and Rob!
To stay true to the big boat Thursday Night Racing, the rounding buoy mark will be so small as to be nearly invisible so that the boats will sail right past it before they realize where it is.
Awards will be presented at the end of the season. We encourage crews to grab a dinghy and follow the race close-up to cheer their boat to victory. Beers will remain full size, of course!
It will be just like the good old days!!! Right???
Contact us to purchase a sailboat. See you all in spring!
The Ship’s Store
Tom & Julie Tydeman
From the Editor
I am thrilled, thrilled! to announce that High Tidings has been nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature!! I kid you not.
While many people may think that a lowly zine couldn’t possibly be a contender for this prestigious prize, the awarding of it to Bob Dylan in 2016 opened the dyke gate, so to speak.
In the nominating committee’s missive to me, as editor, they wrote: “The unassuming joie de vivre of your publication, with its elevating of the culinary arts (as seen in the images of the buffets at your Club—we especially enjoyed the various permutations on deviled eggs) the sense of community exhibited around the bar area, the sartorial sophistication of your membership, as well as High Tidings’ straightforward, succinct narrative delivery impressed us to no end. It is, therefore, our honor to nominate you for this most august prize. We wish you the best of luck.”
I would like to thank everyone who made this honor possible. Here’s hoping we win, and all get to go to Sweden to accept our prize. Tack så mycket!
Deb Paulson, Editor, High Tidings Magazine