STRATEGIC PLAN
After
months of work, the Strategic Planning Committee submitted their draft
plan to the board and to the membership. The next step is to work out
how best to accomplish the goals set forth in the plan. This will be
worked out through a committee process formed of board and volunteer
members. Each Guild member should become familiar with the plan and
how they can help in the implementation process.
Click this link to the Guild's website to see a draft of the plan www.gazela.org
Click here to see a photo of the Strategic Planning Committee members.
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NEWS FROM JUPITER
By Ralph Onesti
Scott Rickards, deck supervisor, has been hard at it -- removing the old railing on Jupiter's lower deck. Soon a work detail will finish the job and install much needed new railing.
The galley sole has been cleaned and painted and the galley in general has been detailed. Thanks to Scott's unwavering brush hand.
Click here to see galley before and galley after photos as well as railing before and railing after.
With Ed Stemmler's help, Scott Rickards and Jack Gifford (pictured above) located a ladder which will be installed on Jupiter's bow. It will go from the upper deck just forward of the wheel house to the main deck, clearing the forepeak hatch. This ladder will allow much more efficient movement of guests on board during open ship, adding to the safety and comfort of all. Putting this ladder forward, rather than aft, will allow the weather deck, aft of the stack, to be closed to visitors -- reserving it for crew only.
Please watch for the work detail to be announced in the Weekly Update to finish the rail work, chipping, and painting. Jupiter can use your help.
Training Sails have been set by the Jupiter Steering Committee for March 22nd (1100-1500), and April 19th (time TBA). Keep an eye out for additional training dates for Safety Training, Line Handling and the like.
If you are attending the March training sail please bring your own food, the galley is not covered for this training date.
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THE BOARD ESTABLISHES NEW AWARDS
The Philadelphia Ship Preservation Guild's Board of Directors has established three named awards, each to be presented annually to a friend or supporter of the Guild who has either during the year or over a period of years made notable or significant contributions to the Guild. Below are the first recipients of each named award.
Jack Brown receives the William Wikoff Smith Award
Jack was selected for his long and generous support of the guild over many years. When he learned that Gazela needed new sails this past year he stepped forward and supplied the necessary funds. He provided the use of Pier 40 during Gazela's deck replacement project from 2000-2003. Another example of Jack's generosity was revealed the day after he was presented the William Wikoff Smith Award. During Captain Steve Masone's presentation about Gazela's 1985 re-coppering, he explained how, after the project was completed, the shipyard would not release Gazela because the bill was much more than the Guild had budgeted, and therefore could afford. Jack Brown was the Guild's president at the time, and according to Captain Masone, Jack personally made up the difference out of his own pocket.
This award is named in memory of William Wikoff Smith, the philanthropist/adventurer who in 1971 acquired Gazela for the City of Philadelphia, and served on the crew that sailed her from Portugal to the United States, retracing Columbus' original route. In establishing this award in Smith's memory, the board wished to recognize Smith for his singular act of bringing Gazela to Philadelphia and also to acknowledge his lifelong commitment to social responsibility. Furthermore, the board wished to acknowledge the unwavering support of Gazela over the years by Smith's widow, Mary L. Smith, both personally and through the W.W. Smith Charitable Trust.
Lynn Yonally - Gay Burgiel Gazela Volunteer of the Year
Lynn was selected for her strength of service to the Guild. Most recently she has made major contributions to the Guild's Strategic Plan. Lynn really has helped in so many facets of the organization. She has been a key volunteer coordinating programming of all sorts aboard Gazela. From events to crew training, Lynn has taken it all on. She has been particularly effective in the education areas of the Guild programming -- from building a syllabus for the Girard College program to conducting outreach to classrooms around the region for educational tours. Lynn has relied on her strengths as a professional educator and brought them to benefit the Guild. The crew has also benefited from her many hours provisioning and in the galley as ship's cook. Lynn is an extraordinary Guild volunteer and we wish to honor her for her service with this award.
This award is named in memory of long time Guild volunteer and friend Gay Burgiel, Burgiel was known for her absolute devotion to Gazela and the close friendships she formed in the Guild. In establishing the award the Guild Board noted that Burgiel was, "an appropriate role model for all who sail the ship she loved so dearly."
John Gerry - Captain Jim Andersen Jupiter Volunteer of the Year
John was selected for his extraordinary number of hours in the service of Jupiter. He has been chief engineer of the tug for the past six years. To know all John has done - you must look behind the scenes - he stops by several times a week and checks the tugs systems to make sure all is well. He hasn't just signed on as a Jupiter volunteer for the trips - he has fully taken on responsibility for the tugs systems all year long. Not to mention training other volunteers to take great care of tug Jupiter. Of course, engineering isn't all John does - he is also a great photographer. You can see some of his photos in the Guild office. John is recognized this year for going above and beyond the call of duty in his volunteer service for the tug Jupiter.
This award is named in memory of Captain Jim Andersen, who was a long time friend and benefactor of tugboat Jupiter for many years, even before becoming her captain. Captain Jim's spirit and dedication stand as an example to all the tug volunteers who follow.
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VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR REPORT
By Francisco Franqui
(Sail Training Spring 2007)
We are planning to conduct a recruitment event on a monthly basis starting in April. The president of the Independence Seaport Museum, Lori Dillard Rech, has graciously allowed the use of their facilities for our audiovisual recruitment presentation. This will allow us to conduct the bulk of the event away from the ship, so as not to disrupt the ship's maintenance or training schedule. It will also allow us to conduct the event independent of weather conditions. Potential volunteers will then be taken for a tour aboard our ships, culminating the event back at the Museum to sign-on new members, or answer any further questions. All new volunteers recruited at these events will then be asked to take part in training sessions. Guild members interested in voluntering for recruitment events are encouraged to e-mail office@gazela.org. The first two recruitment dates are: Saturday, April 19 and Saturday, May 17, meet dockside at Gazela at 10:00 am (ends at noon).
Our next Potluck Supper will be Saturday, April 5 at 6:00 pm. Join us after work for food and music.
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SPRING TRAINING SCHEDULE
Lynn Yonally, Coordinator
New Volunteers
During the winter season new volunteers were assigned a mentor to teach courses based on Nick Horvath's lessons from previous years, covering vital information from the crew manual. The intention of the mentor program is to connect new volunteers with seasoned crew in a one-on-one learning environment. The program was evaluated at the mentors meeting in February and changes were made as follows:
All new volunteers need to attend the first course in PSPG History (Class #1). This course is an introduction to our public outreach, including open ship procedures, receptions, introduction to knots, and nomenclature of the ship. After this initial class, volunteers will be asked to hone their new skills by contributing one Saturday or Sunday afternoon at dockside open ship on Penn's Landing.
Upon completion of the first class, new volunteers can then attend one of the practical skills ship classes:
Class #2: Firewatch, Helmsmanship, Lookout
Class #3: Emergency drills, Line/Sail handling
These will be taught either in a class setting or by an assigned mentor. A record of classes attended will be kept by the training coordinator (Lynn Yonally). This will help determine that a trained crew member is ready for any sailing or public event this season.
We will also ask that all crew pass Level 1 training (comprised of the three classes above) before being allowed to climb -- especially during uprigging this spring. If you are interested in climbing right away and are a new volunteer please contact Lynn or the office at (215) 238-0280 so we can get training started.
That being said, we will still need lots of hands -- climbers or not -- to help with uprigging in April and May. As the weather gets warmer there will be lots to do.
One need we have this year is for individuals to work with the public on open ship, receptions and school visits. We are doing our best to raise our local profile and as a result we have more requests for these tours and events this year and will need eight crew members at each function in order to meet Coast Guard requirements.
By participating in these tours and events you contribute to the financial well-being of the ship!
SPRING TRAINING SCHEDULE
Saturday, MARCH 22: LEVEL 1 TESTING (all day)
Sunday, APRIL 6: Class #1 shipboard (1 - 4 pm)
Saturday, APRIL 12: Class #2 shipboard (1 - 4 pm)
Saturday, APRIL 19: Class #2 shipboard (9 - 12 noon)
Saturday, APRIL 25: LEVEL 1 TESTING (all day)
Wednesday, MAY 14: Class #1 shipboard (6 - 9:30 pm)
Saturday, MAY 17: Class #2 shipboard (1 - 4 pm)
Sunday, MAY 18: Class #3 shipboard (1 - 4 pm)
Saturday, MAY 23: LEVEL 1 TESTING (all day)
JUNE CLASSES #1, #2 & #3 (TBD)
Saturday, JUNE 27: LEVEL 1 TESTING (all day)
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GAZELA MAINTENANCE PLAN
By Ed Stemmler
Each weekend, more progress is made, bringing the Guild and its vessels back into operational form. A lot of work has been done to make the barge a productive place. The wood locker has been cleaned out, floor space cleared and tools serviced. The barge roof has largely been cleared off. Once the weather warms up, a crew will serve up top to chip, rust bust, weld patches and then repaint the barge roof.
Gina's shop class has been building a new set of stairs for the barge gangway. They are just about finished with the work. Rob Sawyer has been tarring the rig, working from aft forward. It's nice that this work is getting done now, as any tar spilled from aloft hits the winter cover and doesn't foul the painted surfaces on deck. We've learned that the sails being built by Nat Wilson (upper topsail, foretopmast staysail) in Boothbay Harbor, Maine are done and will be picked up by Chip Herr. The company in Camden, Maine building the inner and outer jibs may well have them done by the end of March (thanks to Hank Bilhuber for all of his behind-the-scenes efforts in arranging for the new sails!). Deb Peretz will soon take delivery of sufficient ¾" line to replace halyards, braces, and some sheets. She'll be needing help to splice eyes and whip the ends. This work will be announced in future Weekly Updates.
The Guild has hired Patrick Flynn to serve as shipwright in order to get three projects done. He'll be working on the coaming for the submarine hatch, fitting the steering gear to the rudder post, and to repair the starboard buffalo rail. Patrick fit three of four coaming pieces last weekend and picked up the fourth piece of the coaming on Monday. Volunteers will fasten the pieces to the deck beams while he's away at his other job in NYC. Once the coaming pieces are fastened in place and caulked, the volunteers will take the winter cover down and stow it. Patrick's work list will continue to drive the weekend work until the coaming is done.
Patrick returns on March 29th to start the repairs to the rudder and to lead the work on the starboard buffalo rail. If you have time during the week to assist him, I'm certain you'll learn quite a bit from him.
The tentative schedule through the end of April follows:
- March 15/16 - Finish tarring standing rig, regular work list
- March 22/23 - Begin cover removal (Easter Sunday)
- March 29/30 - Finish cover removal, paint prep on Gazela's hull on every nice day, Patrick works on Rudder
- April 5/6 - Paint prep, Patrick works on Buffalo Rail
- April 12/13 - Painting
- April 19/20 - Painting, uprigging starts
- April 26/27 - Bend sail on
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EDUCATION COMMITTEE
By Lynn Yonally
One of the directives of the Strategic Plan is to increase our education outreach to both schools and the public. In order to do so, we will need people to serve on a committee and to help as crew members when we do school visits and classes to the public. We usually set up four "stations" for the students and 8 to 10 crew members are needed to help.
Please contact the office at (215) 238-0280 or Lynn if you can help with committee work or act as volunteer crew for a visit.
EDUCATION COMMITTEE MEETING
Saturday, April 5
4 to 6 pm on Gazela
Please RSVP to Lynn or the office
Of the various education committee topics, one exciting possibility on the horizon is a partnership shaping up with several of the Friends
School's high school classes. Lynn is working with their faculty to provide something much like the former Girard School program. If we can coordinate this, we will need
volunteer instructors available during the day. Many of these schools also
require their students to complete 50 hours of service to a non-profit
organization.
CURRENT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
School Events
Tuesday, June 3 (daytime TBA) - visit from a class from Roanoke, VA
Thursday, July 10 (daytime TBA) - West Point Child Learning Center. A visit from 44 children and eight accompanying adults.
Public Classes
Sunday, April 20 (1 to 4 pm) - Knots and Nomenclature - Deb Peretz is offering this class to the general public (for a fee).
Sunday May 4, 2008 (1 to 4 pm ) - Sail Handling Class - Deb Peretz is offering this class to the general public (for a fee).
Deb will need some of our crew to help with both classes. She doesn't know how many until she finds out how many are attending the classes. Probably about six crew for the April 20th class and a dozen Level I trained crew to help with the May 4th class. She will definitely need some climbers to volunteer for the May 4th date to help furl sail after class. These classes will also be offered to the membership at a later date.
Interested in helping Deb teach or participate - please contact her directly at dperetz@k-sea.com or (267) 505-0683.
Skills Class for Guild Members
Another opportunity for crew members to learn blacksmithing at the Newlin Grist Mill Blacksmith shop will be: Saturday & Sunday, April 12 & 13 from 9 am to 5 pm each day. Fee is $90/per person (mail check to Guild office). A total of 5 participants, 3 slots are already filled. Please let the office know if you wish to attend (215) 238-0280.
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COOK'S CORNER
By Lenore Khan
Thanks for many good meals so far this winter season. There are many April and May opportunities for those who like to plan ahead, please sign on by contacting Lenore.
March 15: Paul
March 22: Melinda McDonald
March 29: Lynn & Suzanne
April 5: Jean Morrison
April 12: Lenore
April 19: Paul
April 26:
May 3:
May 10:
May 17:
"Jam On the River" weekend, Penn's Landing:
Saturday, May 24: Lenore (or ?)
Sunday, May 25:
The venison meal prepared by Robert Hughes was a success and I will be following up with him about his availability. Jack Gifford has expressed an interest in getting his wife involved (hopefully she agrees!!).
The summer schedule is beginning to shape up and some ports that are under negotiation include Cambridge, MD, Yorktown, VA, and Baltimore, MD. It is likely that we will do one or two weeks out of town at the end of June and August as well as the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race in October. If there is more than one cook wanting a particular trip, we will figure it out based on total volunteer hours contributed this year. There will also be opportunities to cook on sail training days and possibly overnight training sails.
I am hoping to create a "Gazela Galley Favorites" cook book to put in a three ring binder in the galley to give all cooks ideas of menus,etc. There is also a provisioning list for trips available for anyone cooking for more than one day. If you are willing to share some of your favorites, please contact me and I will print them out and put a copy in the galley binder.
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GAZELA CREW MANUAL REVISION
By John Laurino & Annie Dennison
Annie and I have *slowly* been working on revising the Gazela Manual. You may remember a year or so ago there was a questionnaire / survey about the manual. Results were collated, edits were made, whole sections have been re-written. Work is proceeding. We hope to have a draft ready for proof reading and comments sometime this summer.
The manual will have a web link shortly, look for the announcement in an upcoming Weekly Update. In the mean time you may find it available online at Yahoo groups - Gazela under "files." You will need to join the Yahoo group to access it. Hopefully, this is helpful for new volunteers still in need of a manual. If you take one of the few hardcopies of the manual currently available, please give $10 to the office to cover the cost of printing.
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WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
News on former crew
Norm Meshaw: In Florida, still teaching Coast Guard classes and volunteering
Sara Wade: graduates in May and is hoping to sail this summer on a tall ship
Elizabeth Foretek: graduates in May and will be working at Mystic Seaport
Samatha Levin: working on the West Coast
Gerin Choiniere: graduates from SUNY Maritime this spring
Rachel Licht: sails for the MIT sailing team
Linda Bills: stopped by this winter and hopes to see us again in the summer
Doug Buchanan: moved to OHIO
Lukas Fauset (Kalle's son): graduates and goes on to college
Zach Stevenson: is now working in Washington, DC for the National Park Service, still planning on sailing with Gazela!
We would love to keep up on former crew and their news. Send us a one line entry for Small Stuff and we will include it each edition. Send to foretekyonally@rcn.com
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Sailing & Event Schedule Shaping Up!
By Sarah Waters
Mark your calendars here is the 2008 Schedule as it stands. Look to the Weekly Updates and the Guild website for updates as they become available and the "pending" events shape up.
April
Begin filming uprigging for MiNDtv video (TBA, volunteers needed)
Uprigging Press Day (TBA, volunteers needed)
6 - Gazela Crew Training (Class #1)
6 - All Crew potluck (Barge)
19 - Jupiter Crew Training
19 - Gazela Crew Training (Class #2)
19 - Volunteer Recruitment Day (Gazela dockside & Seaport Museum, volunteers needed)
20 - Public Class, Knots & Nomenclature (on Gazela, volunteers needed)
May
Continue filming uprigging for MiNDtv video (TBA, volunteers needed)
Uprigging Press Day (TBA, volunteers needed)
Bring Jupiter around on wall for season (TBA)
"Meet Gazela & Jupiter" Event for City & State officials, new friends, and partners (TBA)
4 - Public Class, Sail Handling (on Gazela, volunteers needed)
14 - Gazela Crew Training (Class #1)
17 - Gazela Crew Training (Class #2)
17 - Volunteer Recruitment Day (Gazela dockside & Seaport Museum, volunteers needed)
18 - Gazela Crew Training (Class #3)
23 - PIRATE WEDDING - Gazela evening, Tom & Patie (volunteers needed)
24/25 - Jam on the River, Penn's Landing (volunteers needed)
29/June 16 - exact date TBA - Seaport Museum - traditional boats - sandbagger Sails! (Gazela volunteers invited to sail)
June
"Thank You Sail & BBQ" for Guild freinds & family (TBA)
Gazela Crew Training (Classes 1-3, TBA)
1 - Safe Boating Day, Penn's Landing (volunteers needed - both Jupiter & Gazela)
3 - Roanoke School tour (volunteers needed)
14/15 - Traditional Boat Days at the Seaport Museum (details TBA)
15 - Portugeuse Heritage Festival, Penn's Landing (Gazela, volunteers needed)
20/23 - Cambridge, MD - Port visit (details TBA/pending)
27 - Gazela Crew Level 1 testing all day
28 - Welcome America Festival through July 4th weekend, Penn's Landing Fireworks (details TBA)
July
1/6 - Welcome America Festival continues, Penn's Landing (details TBA)
10 - WPCLC School Tour (volunteers needed)
10/14 - WXPN Music Festival, Camden, NJ - (details TBA)
13 - Geoff Kaufman Chantey Concert aboard Gazela, Penn's Landing (volunteers needed)
19 - Yachtstock, Essington, PA (details TBA)
August
1 - Independence Seaport Museum Family Fun Day (details TBA)
22/25 - Baltimore Port Visit (details TBA/pending)
September
TBA - Southeastern Pennsylvania Coast Day
20 - Delaware Riverfront Ramble (details TBA)
October
15/20 - Great Chesapeake Schooner Race (details TBA)
24/31 - Haunted Ship
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MERCHANDISE ORDERS
By Marston Black
The merchandise committee is putting together this year's order for crew merchandise. In addition to the official crew uniform, we are also offering several optional items we thought you might like.
The Official Crew Uniform, 2008 Sailing Season
The navy blue crew polo will be required for all open ship events, receptions and any other dockside events. All new crew members who help with these dockside events or go on sailing trips MUST buy the navy blue crew polo. These shirts must be worn with clean (not ripped or stained) khaki bottoms (shorts, pants, and skirts are all acceptable).
Prior to the 2007 sailing season, it was required (at the discretion of the Captain) that this uniform also be worn during parades of sail, docking, and other events where Gazela was underway in the public eye. Last year, a red T-shirt was introduced as an optional alternative to the navy blue polo for such events -- the rational: T-shirts are cooler during the hard work of sailing & docking and keep the polo shirts clean and dry for open ship events later in the day. This year we ask that crew members wear a red shirt for events underway (parades of sail, docking, etc.). A Gazela logo red shirt is encouraged, but any clean red T-shirt is acceptable.
Thank you for all of your thoughts and opinions regarding crew uniforms -- we have decided to explore the issue fully over the next year, until then, the uniform will be the same as it has the past few years, with the addition of the red T-shirt.
An optional ¾-zip fleece pullover is offered this year for purchase -- it can be worn in place of the crew polo on cooler days.
Non-crew merchandise options will announced later this spring.
Ordering Details
Navy Crew Polo - 100% cotton, Devon and Jones brand, available in both men's and women's standard sizes. They have the Gazela logo and crew member's name embroidered on the left chest. Shirts cost $25. Click Here to see a photo of this shirt.
Navy ¾-zip Fleece Pullover - Polyester, Devon and Jones brand, featuring the Gazela left chest logo. Fleece cost $24, slightly more for sizes XXL and up.
Red T-shirt - 100% lightweight cotton, Gilden brand, featuring a large screen print of Gazela and "Crew" on the back and a small left chest print on the front. These will cost $12, slightly more for sizes XXL and up. Click here to see a photo of this shirt.
Navy Watch Cap - A knit beanie. Gazela embroidered logo on the front. One size supposedly fits all. - $8.
Navy Windbreaker - a Dickies brand waterproof windbreaker, with Gazela logo on left chest, available in women's S - XXL and men's S - XXXL. $30 or $33 for XXL and XXXL.
Navy Fleece-lined Jacket - a nylon shell with fleece lining, Devon and Jones brand, featuring Gazela left chest logo. Also available in women's S - XXL and men's S - XXXL $50 or $53 for XXL and XXXL.
To order please print out and send in order form at the bottom of this e-mail with payment to the Guild office. Additional order forms and a RED collection envelope are available onboard Gazela on the below decks bulletin board. Please contact Marston if you have any questions.
Orders with payment are due by Sunday, April 6th.
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