Dear Pleon Families,

What a week it's been at Pleon!  For the beginning of the week, while most of our racers were competing up in Rockport, the rest of our sailors kept sailing in Marblehead, despite some bouts with less that ideal weather.  On Thursday, with everyone back in Marblehead, the racing continued with the Venture and Man Trophies contested in the afternoon.  And on Friday, the weather stayed clear for the Great Day, and the final round of the Carleton Trophy was sailed during lunch. 

On the racing front, our sailors were exceptionally productive up at Massachusetts Bay Junior Olympics.  In the Opti class, Brian Drumm, Ian Barrows, and Michael Drumm swept the Opti Blue fleet, finishing first, second and third, while their younger counterparts Sophie Naughton, Lydia Grassberger, and Peter Lynn did the same thing in Red Fleet.  Sailors were equally successful in the White and Green, where they also had a lot of fun.  In the 420 fleet, Kristin Altreuter/Ashley Noble took home silver, while Hunter/Alex Whitmore finished 6^th among many other strong finishes from their teammates.  And finally, sailing Laser Radials, Andrew Reiley finished 2^nd, Albert Nichols finished 3^rd, Dan Carney finished 4^th, and Page McManus took home 5^th in extremely close racing.  Please visit http://www.sandybay.org/massbay2008/results.shtml to see not only how well everyone did, but also the number of sailors that wend for Pleon.  Given the challenging conditions they experienced, everyone who sailed should be extremely proud of how they ended the season.

In other racing news, Graham Slattery and Connor Bair-Cucchiaro finished 24^th out of 83 boats at Club 420 North Americans, and on the Olympic front, Pleon alum Thomas Barrows is currently sitting in 26^th out of 43 at the Olympics competing in the Laser class.

Highlights of the week:

1) On Monday night, our Adventure class sailors braved the weather to go sailing on Seamus Hourihan's J120 Ruffian.  Thank you to Mr. Hourihan, Ward Blodgett and Peter Frisch for helping out with that event!

2) On Wednesday, the fun continued for the Adventure classes, as the competed in the Captain Jack Sparrow Race, which was ultimately won, after a tie-breaker, by Elliot Gregory, Westy McCarthy and Gwyn Higgins.

3)  On Thursday, Kristin Altreuter/Ashley Noble continued their winning ways, taking home the Venture Trophy, and Ian Barrows won the Man Trophy. 

4)  Finally, Friday marked the annual Great Day to Pleon, were the Egg Toss, Slip-n-Slide and Greasy watermelon ruled the day.

Just a few announcements:

* It is sad to say that the last day of Pleon is fast approaching- August 22nd. As you are well aware, Pleon will be doing some remodeling starting directly after Pleon ends. This year, it is IMPERATIVE that ALL BOATS ARE PICKED UP AND TAKEN HOME ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 22nd! NO BOATS ARE ALLOWED TO STAY AT PLEON OR THE EASTERN YACHT CLUB! No exceptions. Please start making plans and arrangements now to take all boats, equipment, and gear home Friday, August 22nd. Pleon is not responsible for equipment or gear that is left here after Friday, August 22^nd. Thank you for your understanding.

*  All day next Tuesday is a scavenger hunt for all sailors in Pleon.  While a full announcement regarding the details will be sent out later, plan on bringing a lunch and shoes at 9, and staying through the day. 

* The Commodore's Ball is Tuesday, August 19^th, for sailors 12 and older.  The Hannah Glover will be departing the dock at 7 PM, so please try to arrive by 6:45; parents should plan on picking their kids up at 10 PM.  The cost is $10, with a semi-formal dress code.

*  Reminder Regarding Banquet Food - If you have already volunteered to prepare food for the Banquet, don't forget to pick up a metal tin at Pleon at the beginning of next week.  If you haven't volunteered already, but want to help out, please contact Rose Carney by emailing rosecarney39@netscape.net, or (617) 846-8570.

*Do you have any extra or used boating supplies in good condition sitting around? Why not donate the supplies, instead of throwing them out. You will be helping kids who can't otherwise afford to learn to sail. Ben Rotner is doing a charity project that will support Courageous Sailing Center in Boston, Mass. This nonprofit community sailing center offers free sailing lessons to children of Boston from all economic and ethnic backgrounds. In addition to learning to sail, Courageous teachers team-building, leadership and communication skills to all its students. Examples of items to donate: lifejackets, sails, sail bags, rigging equipment, blades (centerboard, tiller) sailing boots, lightly used sailing clothing. Donations of small boats (opti, lasers, 420) can also be made to Courageous Sailing Center. A box will be put near the entrance to Pleon if you want to donate, or you can drop off your donation at 44 Lincoln Circle, Swampscott. Any questions, please contact Ben Rotner at (781) 592-3157.

Upcoming Events:
Sunday, August 17^th - Free Sail from 9-12.  Come on down and sail with your kids.

Monday, August 18^th - Regular day of Pleon.

Tuesday, August 19^th - Full Day Scavenger Hunt.  Commodores Ball in the evening.

Wednesday, August 20^th - Club Championships, skippers meeting at 1 P.M.

Thursday, August 21^st - Annual Meeting (Club Elections) at Noon.  All Sailors should plan on attending, and be picked up at 1.  The Pleon Banquet is at 6:30 at the Marblehead High School.

Friday, August 22^nd- Final Day of Pleon.  Don't forget that all boats must be removed from Pleon grounds and dock by this date, NO EXEPTIONS.  With construction getting underway on the new clubhouse, there is no room for any boats to remain around after the end of the program.

Emlie Barkow will return to Pleon on Wednesday, after watching her sister, Sally, who currently is in 4^th in the Yngling class, sail at the Olympics.  As always, if you have any further questions please feel free to call Andrew, Emlie or Ryan at Pleon, (781) 631-1076 Monday-Friday from 8-5 or email info@pleon.org