Sep 12th, 2011 by wordpress
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Aug 8th, 2011 by wordpress
My brother once said that watching a sailboat race was about as interesting as watching snails mate. I was never quite sure if this implied something dark about my sibling’s character or the apparent lackluster action likened to the proverbial painted ships on a painted sea. One thing is sure that once you step off the dock and onto the deck of a Chesapeake Bay Log Canoe any reference to a snail’s pace falls by the board. This past weekend began the Log Canoe racing season with the first races in the Fourth of July series at St. Michaels, MD. I was fortunate to be able to sail with the Log Canoe ‘Mystery’ skippered by Mitchell Grieb and the owner Francis Schauber this past weekend. The ‘Mystery’ was built in 1932 in Oxford, MD by John Sinclair, and is one of the largest of the Log Canoes, a breed of work boats unique to the Chesapeake Bay, surviving as racing craft and referred to as the ‘Sport of Kings on the Eastern Shore.
In Log Canoe sailing you don’t simply step off the dock and putt off to the starting line with coffee and doughnuts. The first major task is to step the masts, two of them. The foremast on the Mystery is 61 feet, the tallest in the fleet, and weighs 300 lbs, which is light by canoe standards. Francis, or Franny as he is called, built the mast in a week with the help of his cousin, from cypress scraps that were then veneered with pine. It takes the entire eleven man crew to raise it with the help of a cantilever in the Main Mast step and the labor of the wives and sweethearts on land pulling on the jib halyard. The main mast at about 40 feet goes up quickly and then the miles of halyards, sheets, backstays etc., must be untangled and the sails hanked on.
Once away from the dock, the order of raising the sails begins in the stern with the mainsail. The main is basically a steering sail and keeps the boat into the wind. It also gets all the attendant gear, the sprite, club, and yards and yards of sailcloth out of the skipper’s hair so that he can see what he is doing. The foresail is the largest sail, and after it is up gives the boat weigh or forward momentum which is necessary to hoist the third sail, the jib so that this forward sail doesn’t catch wind and bring the boat around and lose control of the whole process. Properly trimmed, the sails form a balancing act with the main pushing the bow into the wind, the jib away while the fore works as a fulcrum, balancing the whole on the centerboard. In heavy air some canoes opt to lower the foresail to decease sail area, but because every boat is different, some will sail better under fore and jib.
Saturday’s race started at 2:00 pm, a bow to the canoer’s need for extra time to get rigged and get the bugs out after 8 months of hibernation. Usually there are two races Saturday at 10:00 &2:00 and one Sunday. Even so there were two capsizes before the start. The first to go was the ‘Silver Heel’ who happened to be sailing on a parallel but opposite course with ‘Mystery’. We were reaching in about 8 knots of wind, and as we watched the ‘Heel,’ she slowly but ominously raised her hiking boards loaded with human ballast higher and higher and whose eyes seemed to widen with every degree of heel above the water until finally she began to ship water and the board men either slid down to the side of the boat or catapulted into the sail that was now coming swiftly down on us! The first impulse was to run forward and catch the tip of her mast before it hit our deck but before we could react, about a foot of her mast nailed us in front of our chain plates, bent backwards as it made its way around our shroud, rumbled beneath the hiking boards and finally slid off the deck by the main partners. We sailed on and left the ‘Heel’ to her tender, tacked and found John Macielag standing thigh deep in water, hands on hips as his canoe the ‘Patricia’ wallowed on her side. Two down.
At the start the wind was from the West and Mitch found he could lay the weather mark on port tack and was able to force several boats that were barging off the line and began the race as the windward boat, an auspicious beginning. Starting with clear air we were competing with the Jay Dee, the Island Blossom, and Billie P. Hall, and upon reaching the day marker at the mouth of Long Haul Creek rounded in that order. The next leg to the marker at Oak Creek was also close hauled and we reached it keeping the same positions. On the final beat to the finish we picked up the Bill P. and finished third behind the ‘Blossom’ with Jay Dee getting the gun, although the ‘Blossom corrected to first.
Saturday’s race was a very conservative windward leeward semi beat both ways with very little room for tactics, so the order of start fairly dictated where you finished. Sunday the wind was a little more northwesterly and allowed the race committee to set up a more competitive start with the windward mark properly set at a right angle to the starting line which allows the boats more jockeying room for a favorable start. Mystery started on a Starboard tack leaving us about mid fleet in similar wind conditions as Saturday. After rounding the weather mark we put up our staysail and after much hot debate hoisted the kite up the foremast but despite taking long reaching tacks lost two boats at the lee mark. The last leg of the race was exciting when the fleet divided, Edmee, Heel and Mystery to the east side of the river and the rest to the St. Michaels side. We were able to trade tacks with the ‘Heel’ in the westerly breeze but in the end was unable to catch either boat and finished sixth.
The second race Sunday was a blur of shouted orders, racing sheets and a header that would not let us go without a dunking before we reached the first mark. Capsizing is a given in racing Log Canoes. The Mystery has gone for two years at a time without going over but she has also had seasons where she capsized every race in the weekend. What you see from the water are floating buckets, coolers hiking boards, hats, heads and a boat that looks like a beached whale in shallow water. Mystery is one of the few, if not the only racing canoe not to have a protective fiber glass coating or epoxied wooden strips on the outside or some sort of water barrier inside. The asset to leaving the hull unprotected is that the wood has a chance to dry out after getting dunked thus preserving the logs that after 78 years are remarkably intact. The downside is after the first capsize the boat absorbs about 700 pounds of water, or about four more crew lying inert in the bilge. All canoes eventually capsize and no matter what precautions you take water always gets into the hull, making the boat progressively heavier and eventually will rot the wood. Franny takes great pride in the amount of original logs left in the boat where in some others only the shape is preserved by a fiberglass shell that has had lumber coped and glued into place.
In two weeks, July 9-10, the racing season will continue on the Chester River hosted by the Chester River Yacht and Country Club.
Jul 20th, 2011 by wordpress
As you drive the country road leading to Great Oak Manor, you can imagine what the once massive estate encompassed when it drew luminaries such as Guy Lombardo, Robert Mitchum and Jack Kennedy. The road segues from sunny to serenely tree lined and shaded as you approach, and then it suddenly comes into view. Reminiscent of European manor homes, the inn stands majestic at the top of a circular drive. We had visited the previous month and couldn’t wait to return, lured by the house and it’s lovely views of the Chesapeake from the back yard. It’s the ultimate place to sit under huge shade trees and watch boats pass by. Charly, the golden retriever and co-host of Cassandra Fedas, will welcome you with a friendly wag. The entertainment isn’t confined to the water – birds of many varieties sing and soar overhead. If you are looking for stainless steel and modern decor, this will not be your cup of tea, but if you love the elegance of days gone by, you will find that and more. In a nod to modernity, the conservatory offers a bright open room to enjoy day or evening, and a good place to observe the water on days that are less than optimal, weatherwise. The endless lap pool is also here; look at the glass windows that surround it, particularly toward evening, and you will note renderings of birds in flight etched in the glass. It’s always the weekend at Great Oak Manor where there are no traffic sounds and the service is always exemplary….even on Wednesday! Find your own little slice of heaven here on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.
Jul 8th, 2011 by wordpress
We are proud to announce several wonderful wellness retreats conducted by our new friends at the Prancing Peacock Yoga Studio. Liz Conner, studio owner and chief peacock, brought her first group here for a yoga retreat back in May. It was a wonderful group to host. Liz said it best, ”we were genuinely blessed by your warmth and cordial nature of the participants. We had some people from our studio, but quite a few were new friends that found us on the web. ” Liz also added that, “escaping for the weekend is such an uplifting thing. It allows each of us to return to our routines invigorated and happy.”
For the retreat, Liz developed a full agenda that was built around her vinyasa flow yoga and allowed time for walking meditations on the property, other special activities, as well as free time for trips into Chestertown. Their package included a delicious lunch and dinner menu prepared by our resident executive chef John. Full details, dates & rates are available on the Prancing Peacock website at: http://prancingpeacock.com/retreats.php
Upcoming Retreats:
Women’s Wellness Retreat @ Great Oak Manor Inn on the Chesapeake Bay
Date: Friday, Aug. 5th to Sunday, Aug. 7th
Reiki Retreat @ Great Oak Manor Inn on the Chesapeake Bay
Date: Friday, Sept. 30th-Sunday, Oct. 2nd, 2011
Fall Yoga Retreat @ Great Oak Manor Inn on the Chesapeake Bay
Date: Friday, October 21st – Sunday, October 23rd
Jun 16th, 2011 by wordpress
Women’s Wellness and Yoga Retreat, August 5th-7th
at Great Oak Manor Inn on the Chesapeake Bay
Chestertown, Maryland
Join us on an extraordinary, exclusive retreat just for women!
As women of all ages and walks of life, we need to carve out time to nurture ourselves and enjoy the support and the community of other women. Escape with us and rediscover your own heart’s wisdom and grace. Let your entire being unfold and relax. This is a time to enjoy the essence of being a woman.
We have taken care of all the details. You will be pampered and cared for; eat healthy, delicious food; enjoy gentle yoga sessions that invigorate your body; savor the sunsets over the bay; and be mesmerized by the sight of the heron, the eagle, and the osprey as they care for their young and spread their wings in the sky above you.
Create new dreams and intentions by making a vision board and string together your own custom mala to lie close to your heart. Learn techniques to nurture your mind, body, and energy system. Allow yourself to be guided through meditations and create sacred circles of connection and trust. Enjoy the mesmerizing flames of our own sacred fire ceremony and join us in our “morning pages” activity for journaling in the fresh pages of your new journal.
Cost & Details:
• Cost: $639 person, double occupancy, twin bed or shared king, private bath.
$950 person, single occupancy, queen or king bed, private bath.
$200 non-refundable deposit due as soon as possible to hold a space.
Full payment must be completed by July 5th.
• Refund Policy: Cancel by July 5th to receive full refund (less $200 deposit).
• Note: This retreat counts as a women’s wellness module for teacher training credit. To learn more, please contact Liz at The Prancing Peacock.
http://www.prancingpeacock.com/retreats.php
Jun 2nd, 2011 by wordpress
We’ve just returned from a weekend at Great Oak Manor and I can’t say enough good things about the inn or the staff. This is a magnificent home, tucked away from it all along the shore with wonderful views. You will not hear traffic at Great Oak Manor. It is elegant yet dress is decidedly casual and you feel that you can kick off your shoes. The lawn and gardens are beautifully manicured, a walk on the beach at sunset was so enjoyable after a long day, and the conservatory is the perfect place to sip a complimentary glass of port or sherry after your walk, or to read. A state-of-the-art pool is also available. Every amenity has been thought out in advance. If you enjoy music, the music room will provide you an opportunity to do so. Books and magazines abound for your enjoyment. Breakfast is in a lovely sunlit room and features a first course buffet of breakfast cake, fruits and cereals, along with every variety of tea. Coffee and juice are also self-serve. Our second course was a large serving of french toast and a plump sausage. Each guest or couple has their own table. There are so many places to get away at Great Oak Manor: a sun porch, Adirondack chairs and chaises on the lawn overlooking the water as well as a screened gazebo, the library, music room, and patios. Your hostess, Cassandra, will be happy to suggest/book local places to enjoy dinner, a local cruise or other entertainment. It is truly a world away, and we look forward to returning. Charlie, a sweet and loving golden retriever, will greet you with a wag! This is an inn that can be appreciated in any season – for any reason.
May 26th, 2011 by wordpress
Date of review: May 11, 2011 Trip Advisor
My husband and I were in need of a quiet and peaceful weekend after recently relocating to Washington DC. We found exactly what we needed at the Great Oak Manor Inn! The rooms are beautiful and comfortable, the entire Inn is classy and beautifully decorated. The breakfast and freshly baked goodies were delicious! The innkeepers were wonderful: Cassandra was so helpful in providing us directions and restaurant reservations; John provided entertainment at breakfast with his great sense of humor; and Charlie, their golden retriever is adorable!
May 24th, 2011 by wordpress
Get away with the Prancing Peacock Yoga Studio for a weekend long retreat on the banks of the beautiful Chesapeake Bay at the gorgeous 18th century Oak Manor Inn. Great Oak Manor is a luxury waterfront bed and breakfast on the eastern shore, that we will have all to ourselves!
We will enjoy lots of yoga, meditation, yoga nidra, joyful trance dance and good company. Immerse yourself in a weekend of nurturing and playful activities. The food is fabulous, using fresh local ingredients.
Experience the Chesapeake Bay aglow in warm sunsets. You can let your body rest and your mind wander. A bald eagle makes a daily appearance in the sky above the inn’s back lawn. The inn keeps a fleet of bikes and kayaks for guests, and optional massage sessions are available. You can be as busy or as chilled out as you like!
May 19th, 2011 by wordpress
Clean the World Foundation, Inc. was founded in February 2009 by Shawn Seipler and Paul Till. Clean the World is a Florida not-for-profit corporation under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Mission:
Clean the World has a two-part mission:
1. Reduce the waste created by discarded soap and shampoo products.
2. Prevent the millions of deaths caused by hygiene-related illnesses every year.
Tagline:
Recycling Soap. Saving Lives.
Process:
Clean the World implements its mission through
1. Collecting, sorting and sanitizing discarded soap, shampoo, conditioner and lotion
products donated from participating hospitality partners
2. Collecting donated hygiene products from manufacturers
3. Recycling these product donations at its facilities in Orlando, Florida
4. Delivering these recycled product donations to domestic homeless shelters and impoverished countries suffering from high death rates due to acute respiratory infection and diarrheal disease.
Since its inception, Clean the World has been steadily increasing its services and operations to accommodate rapidly expanding community needs, awareness and donations, and has accepted in-kind donations of more than $2 million. In the process, Clean the World has put over 6 million soap bars and 200,000 pounds of shampoo and conditioner back into human use, simultaneously eliminating nearly 340 tons of waste.
Support:
Clean the World is supported by the generous contributions of individuals and organizations worldwide, through Hospitality Recycling Program fees, in-kind donations, and fundraising events. Over 95% of our cash donations and program fees go directly into program operations.
Team:
As of August 2010, Clean the World had 28 total employees. Clean the World’s volunteers have donated over 17,000 cumulative hours of service to our cause, the majority of them enhancing employment marketability through on-the-job experience and extensive training.
May 3rd, 2011 by wordpress
Hello Everyone,
I attended Bethanne Cople’s Plein air workshop held in April 2009. She is having her third workshop at Great Oak Manor Inn on May 2, 2011. I procrastinated and registered just in time for the one remaining spot. I was apprehensive because I had never attended a workshop before.
I just wanted to let you know my expectations were far exceeded. The workshop was an exhilarating experience. The Inn and the grounds were beautiful. Any direction you looked there was a good painting waiting to happen. Everyone in the group was so supportive…even though we had a wide range of experiences and educational backgrounds: everyone had the same focus and drive. So much creative energy.
And topping it all off was Bethanne. What a wonderful and sincerely nice teacher (and person). It was such a pleasure to have her guidance and encouragement. Much was learned. I saw an improvement in my paintings while I attended and I have continued to experiment and push myself in new directions since I returned home. Lastly, to be able to paint for 5 days straight , for as long as I wanted…with no other obligations…was such a gift.
The experience was pure joy.
Thank you,
Ann Crostic