the Sailing Club
A dozen or so boats had been sailing informally on various community lakes since the mid 1980s. On March 28, 1992: “Commodore Gus Gustafson called the first official meeting of the SLSC to order at 9:30 am. There were 19 members in attendance.” . . . from the minutes taken by John Nolan
Since then the Sailing Club (SLSC) has organized events on and around beautiful Lake Auman (West End, NC). These events include sailboat races, a Learn-to-Sail course, sailboat tours around the lake and many social activities. All sizes of sailboats participate in the racing events thanks to the Portsmouth handicap system. The SLSC, also, includes many events for power boaters. Our social events include after-race BYOB Events, Boat Parades, Rafting Parties, Banquets and more. The Events page on this web site provides you some idea of what we do during a year. The Seven Lakes Sailing Club is open to any Seven Lakes resident or landowner who has an interest in the water or in boat related social events.
Memorial to Gus Gustafson
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Published: 22 January 2018
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Last Updated: 28 May 2018
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Created: 22 January 2018
As you saw on the list of Board members (below), Alfred “Gus” Gustafson was the first Commodore of our Club. Unfortunately, he passed away in February this year, the same year of the 25th anniversary of our Club. I would like to share with you some pieces of history which were provided to us by Jan Gustafson. She was in Colorado with her family during the 2017 Annual Banquet.
The Gustafsons moved into their home in Seven Lakes West in December 1990. He did not wait very long to take initiatives to set up organized sailing on Lake Auman. It was in 1991 that Gus got the ball rolling informally which resulted in the formal establishment of the Sailing Club in 1992. In the records of the first meeting it states: “On March 28, 1992 Commodore Gus Gustafson called the first official meeting of the SLSC to order at 9:30 AM. There were 19 members in attendance.”
At that time there was a strong interest to have a class boat in which everybody would sail the races. The American 14.6 was chosen as the class boat. However, there were only five American 14.6’s sailing in races. Many skippers found the boat too slow. Later on, the Sunfish became a much more popular boat on the lake. Gus loved running the Sailing club and loved to go out sailing. Artie Passman and Phil Streit were a few of the skippers he would sail with. Their next-door neighbor was David Tondreau. He also had an American 14.6. Any time David could walk into the house and yell "the wind’s up", and Gus and Jan would drop whatever they were doing and go down to the lake, get the boat sail ready and off they went in their American 14.6’s.
Gus would sail every race with his golden retriever Nikki. You see the combination in their Sunfish on the screen. Sometimes the dog would have to pee during the race. Gus would sail to shallow water and stop the boat, Nikki would jump off and pee in the lake. Then Gus would hoist him back into the boat and off they went trying to win the race. Gus was crushed when Nikki died. It was his best friend. The sailing club dedicated a plaque to the dog: the Nikki Award.
Gus and Jan were also instrumental for the start and first years of the sailing school classes. Gus together with Bob Fewkes and Paul Kirst worked hard getting them organized with material and videos. A lot of dedication went into the classes. The sailing school was held for about 6 years at the Gustafson’s residence.
In the last several years Gus's health declined. The last formal event of the Sailing Club he attended was the Lobster fest last year. A picture of him and his lobster plate is on the screen. Gus Gustafson passed away on February 2nd at the age of almost 88 years old. He will be remembered by the Sailing Club as its founding father.
The Sailing Club of Seven Lakes - 25th Anniversary
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Published: 22 January 2018
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Last Updated: 21 March 2018
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Created: 22 January 2018
A Limerick by Clark Trivett
The Sailing Club of Seven Lakes
Is successful because of many breaks
The leaders govern with ease
And always try to please
And leave all competitors in their wake
We’ll start with Bert van Domselaar
He comes to us from afar
I know you can see
How nice he can be
He definitely deserves a gold star
(Gus Gustafson)
Our first commodore was Gus
He flew the world by plane, not by bus
We all thought he was quiet
But he was really a riot
I wish he could be here with us
(Ruth vanLehn)
We all remember our leader named Ruth
Believe me, I’m telling the truth
She had more skill at the helm
Than most sailors in our realm
Could muster in dreams of their youth
(Clark Trivett)
Then Clark came along as you know it
Who portrayed himself as a poet
He wrote accommodating rhymes
Of commodores good times
And all here are invited to enjoy it
(Barclay Robertson)
Then Barclay took over the reins
He showed us he had lots of brains
In his races he led
And it should not be said
That his boat was any slower than trains
Bob Skau took over in ninety eight
He really could carry his weight
He ran a tight ship
With never a slip
But he left us on too early a date
Blaine Roland was next to volunteer
To lead us with very good cheer
He also trained dogs
And kept excellent logs
His kindness was never in arrears
Bill Mamel then stepped up to lead
His aim was to make all succeed
His innovative plans
Made it take fewer hands
To give race reports that we need
Bob Fewkes served us for three terms
Then again for two and then one
He has served so much time
His work is sublime
And we thank him for all he has done
Paul Kirst then came in with his boat
That looked like it just wouldn’t float
But he stayed with the pace
That would win the race
And he served us well, we must note
Mary Ann Fewkes was next at the helm
Her service was not on a whim
She always will be
As busy as a bee
Her work continues to overwhelm
(Ron Shepard, Ray Taylor and Nancy Workman)
Ron Shepard had his sidekick Ray
And Nancy had quite a long stay
Together as mates
I’d say they were greats
At running the club in their day
Bruce Keyser then served us so well
He decided to serve quite a spell
Then Bob Fewkes came back in
And we all seemed to win
As such leaders who gave us their all
(John Noland, Bill Kirkpatrick, Nancy Kling)
To John, Bill and Nancy Kling
Your names surely have quite a ring
We appreciate you work
That you would never shirk
Your praises we continue to sing
(Roger Brooke, Ed Silberhorn, Deb Temple, Jim Haggard)
Roger, Ed, Deb and Jim
We don’t dismiss this group on a whim
We look up to you
With much appreciation due
Cause sailboats are more fun than a swim
(Barb McElroy, Bruce Macdonald, Mercedes Herdrich)
Our secretaries since two thousand eight
Needless to say they were great
They recorded our actions
And reported infractions
So efficiently they never were late
(Yvonne Short)
Yvonne Short is serving us now
We appreciate her service at the bow
She now is Berts Vice
You better think twice
She gives the club all it will allow
We applaud all the leaders we’ve had
Overall Not too bad I would say “Not too bad”
To meet, eat, and savor
The friendships we favor
To salute all our members, we’re glad
SLSC Leadership
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Published: 11 October 2017
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Last Updated: 08 May 2021
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Created: 11 October 2017
Dates | Past Commodores | Vice Commodores | Treasurers | |||
1992 | Gus Gustafson | John Noland | Bill Kirkpatrick | |||
1993 | Gus Gustafson | John Noland | Bill Kirkpatrick | |||
1994 | Ruth van Lehn | |||||
1995 | Barclay Robertson | |||||
1996 | Barclay Robertson | |||||
1997 | Clark Trivett | Ruth van Lehn | Nancy King | |||
1998 | Bob Skau | |||||
1999 | Blaine Rowland | Jan Gustafson | Roger Brooke | |||
2000 | Blaine Rowland | Jan Gustafson | Roger Brooke | |||
2001-3/02 | Bill Mamel | Jan Gustafson | Roger Brooke | |||
3/02-2004 | Bob Fewkes | Jan Gustafson | Roger Brooke | |||
2003 | Bob Fewkes | Jan Gustafson | Nancy Kling | |||
2004 | Bob Fewkes | Paul Kirst | Nancy Kling | |||
2005 | Paul Kirst | Mary Anne Fewkes | Ed Silberhorn | |||
2006 | Paul Kirst | Mary Anne Fewkes | Ed Silberhorn | |||
2007 | Mary Anne Fewkes | Ron Shepard | Ed Silberhorn | |||
2008 | Mary Anne Fewkes | Ron Shepard | Ed Silberhorn | |||
2009 | Ron Shepard | Ray Taylor | Nancy Workman | |||
2010 | Paul Kirst | Bruce Keyser | Nancy Workman | |||
2011 | Bruce Keyser | Paul Kirst | Nancy Workman | |||
2012 | Bruce Keyser | Paul Kirst | Nancy Workman | |||
2013 | Bob Fewkes | Paul Kirst | Nancy Workman | |||
2014 | Bob Fewkes | Paul Kirst | Nancy Workman | |||
2015 | Bert van Domselaar | Bob Fewkes | Nancy Workman | |||
2016 | Bert van Domselaar | Bob Fewkes | Nancy Workman | |||
2017 | Bert van Domselaar | Yvonne Short | Nancy Workman | |||
2018 | Yvonne Short | Bert van Domselaar | Nancy Workman | |||
2019 | Paul Kirst | Bert van Domselaar | Nancy Workman | |||
2020 | Bob Fewkes | Bert van Domselaar | Nancy Workman | |||
2021 | Bob Fewkes | Bert van Domselaar | Nancy Workman |
Date | Secretaries | Social | Mainsheet EIC | |||
2003 | Jan Gustafson | |||||
2004 | Deb Temple | Gloria Williams | ||||
2005 | Deb Temple | Kathy Kirst | ||||
2006 | Jim Haggard | Kathy Kirst | ||||
2007 | Barb McElroy | Sandi Keyser | Kathy Kirst | |||
2008 | Barb McElroy | Sandi Keyser | Kathy Kirst | |||
2009 | Barb McElroy | |||||
2010 | Bruce MacDonald | |||||
2011 | Ray taylor | |||||
2012 | Ray Taylor | |||||
2013 | Mercedes Herdrich | |||||
2014 | Bert van Domselaar | Mary Anne Fewkes | ||||
2015 | Paul Kirst | Mary Anne Fewkes | ||||
2016 | Paul Kirst | Mary Anne Fewkes | ||||
2017 | Bob Fewkes | Mary Anne Fewkes | ||||
2018 | Bob Fewkes | Sandi Keyser | ||||
2019 | Bob Fewkes | Gail Deal | ||||
2020 | Greg Downer | Gail Deal | ||||
2021 | Greg Downer | Mary Anne Fewkes |
Charter Members
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Published: 11 October 2017
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Last Updated: 11 October 2017
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Created: 11 October 2017
Baetzhold, Bob & Dot | Lawrence, Jerry, Brenda, & Phillip | |
Barnes, Ray & Barbara | Lewis, Ed & Barbara | |
Campbell, Norman, Ann, & Linda | McKenzie, Norman & Susan | |
Dick, Richard & Dee | Noland, John & Lily | |
Dodd, Jack & Marilyn | Nutter, Pete & Peg | |
Eggert, Lew & June | Passman, Arthur & Rosemary | |
Evans, William & Marilyn | Reed, Alston & Beatrice | |
Gorman, Bill & Carole | Robertson, Barclay & Joyce | |
Gustafson, Gus & Jan | Strauss, Robert & Dodie | |
Habicht, George, Dolores, & Cindy | Streit, Phillip & Judy | |
Hannon, John & Vivian | Stein, Ned & Nancy | |
Hendricks, Bill & Maria | Thomas, John & Lucille | |
Hessels, Lloyd & Emily | Thompson, Charles , Suzanne, & Meyer | |
Ihrig, Norman & Nancy | Thomson, Bill & Dee | |
Johnson, Harrell, Spence, & Julie | Tondreau, David & Jackie | |
Killpatrick, Jim & Ellie | Van Lehn, Bob & Ruth | |
Kirkpatrick, Bill & Grace | Watts, Fred & Jane | |
Krohn, Frank & Mary Ellen | Wetsel, Tom, Jane, Mike, & Mandy |