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This weekend – for the first time in decades – BLYC will be represented in the annual Mills Trophy Race from Toledo to Put-in-Bay. It was first raced in 1907 and has long-been a “must-do” for Lake Erie sailors. The overnight, distance race is a test of skill, seamanship, and endurance as western Lake Erie is known for its unpredictable and wildly-varying conditions. Through the years, a number of BLYC sailors have participated in the event, but it has been decades since our last entry. That all changes in 2021! BLYC member Jeffrey Robb, along with crew Bill Collinson & David Paligo, will sail Robb’s 46′ Hunter, Ariel, to Toledo later this week, to make ready for the start near the Toledo light on Friday. From the official Mills Race site: The Mills Trophy Race is held each year on the second weekend following Memorial Day. The race is open to the following classes: PHRF, JAM, Double-Handed, Multi-Hull and Classics. The three courses offered, depending on class and boat rating, all begin near the Toledo Harbor Light and end at a finish line off of South Bass Island (Put-in-Bay). In accordance with the deed of gift for the Mills Trophy that the race be a test of navigational skill, starts begin in the late afternoon and sailing continues through the evening and night. Upon finishing, the boats proceed to the reserved public docks in downtown Put-in-Bay. Regardless of the time of arrival, the gathering at the docks is festive occasion for all with both the winners and the not so fortunate trading tales of their night on the lake. Although the race is the centerpiece, Mills Week includes a number of other events. On the Friday evening preceding the race, the Mills Masters are invited to a special picnic in their honor. On Wednesday, the winners of the previous year’s race are feted at a banquet and awards presentation. Thursday evening is the famous Mills Party held on the lawn of the Toledo Yacht Club. This party is open to the public and offers an opportunity to see many of the boats which will race the next evening. Boats arriving on Thursday are welcomed with a cannon salute. A post-race party, held on Saturday afternoon at the Put-in-Bay Yacht Club, includes music, refreshments and the posting of the race results. Before heading home on Sunday, flags are presented to the winning skippers. BLYC History with the Mills Race… The crew also report that they spent some time at the wineries on the island. There are two – Heineman’s Winery and the Put-in-Bay Winery. Knowing this particular group of sailors, I think we can safely assume that they spent most of the afternoon at Heineman’s – after all, what better way to spend a rainy afternoon than drinking Lake Erie Wine at one of Ohio’s oldest Wineries? One has to wonder… did they do the Crystal Cave Tour? Yes, if you visit the island, be sure to take this tour through the world’s largest geode located under the winery. Sounds like they enjoyed quite a bit of what Put-in-Bay has to offer. I’m sure that the Ancient Mariners would agree that, should you have the opportunity, you should really plan a visit to Put-in-Bay this summer. The island is far more than the bars & drinking for which its often known on the mainland. Perhaps during the week of July 18-22 when BLYC will be represented by a phenomenal group of young sailors at I-LYA Junior Bay Week? This morning, Thursday, plans were to sail back to Huron, return the boat, and make the journey back to their home lake – Buckeye Lake. Forecast is for a wicked northeaster (yes, on Lake Erie, it’s northeaster, not nor’easter like in New England) to blow in later tonight and continuing well into Saturday night – A good time to be headed back, for sure! As Commodore Gus Schell (’51) used to say anytime after returning from a journey, This week is National Safe Boating Week. Each day, we will post a video on a safe boating topic. After they have been live for a day on the front page, they will be archived in the SLOG. Click Here The breeze was 11-15 knots out of the southeast making for great daysail around the islands – hitting 7.5 knots of boatspeed with the rail in the water – SPORTY! Watch the video below… http://buckeyelakeyc.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/20210525_135743.mp4 Another night at Put-in-Bay and today, the crew plans to sail over to Kelleys Island to enjoy all that it has to offer ashore, stay the night, and then sail back to Huron on Thursday. Before leaving PIB, however, they made a stop by the docks in Squaw Harbor. Your editor received the following photo this morning with the caption… “Boarding Party” Well, it’s good to know that SummerzCool is still safe at her moorings. Hopefully, they didn’t find the stash of rum! LOL BLYC Competing in the Mills Race
Ancient Mariners Cruise – Day #3
Day 3 – Wednesday, May 26 – brought rain to South Bass Island and the crew elected to stay in port and do some sightseeing at Put-in-Bay. They visited the Perry’s Victory & International Peace Memorial and spent some time chatting with the re-enactors learning about the Battle of Lake Erie and Commodore Perry’s amazing victory. 
Based on photos sent in by Jerry, they must have also stopped by the Lake Erie Islands Historical Society Museum (no doubt after enjoying a few brews at Hooligan’s Irish Pub next door.) One piece of island history he reported that he found particularly interesting was that of the Hotel Victory. First opened in 1882, and at the time the largest hotel in North America, it was completely destroyed by fire in 1919. Today, the South Bass Island State Park occupies the former hotel grounds. Ruins of the hotel are visible there today. A must-see when you’re at Put-in-Bay!
Jerry also reports the crew visiting with Mother Mary, Priest-in-Charge at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on the island. Whether they were in dire need of a blessing, or perhaps maybe she joined them for 4 o’clock club at Heineman’s is not known. But, Mother Mary is a staple of island life and, as Jerry put it, “a phenomenally interesting person.” Don Harris is a regular parishioner at St. Paul’s while on the island during the summer months.
“It’s always good to be back at BLYC.”
National Safe Boating Week – Thunderstorms
to visit the SLOG for previous postsAncient Mariners Cruise – Day #2
After a walleye dinner at Mossback’s and a night on the boat at PIBYC, the Ancient Mariners enjoyed a beautiful Lake Erie sunrise on Tuesday morning which brought stiff breeze and a great day sail out and around Ballast Island and over to Kelleys. As Jerry reported, “We sailed out and back – It was too nice of a day to go in.”
