September 25, 2001

Dear Members,

Yesterday (Monday, Sept. 24), I visited the yacht club at North Cove again to pick up some papers and check on the condition of the boats.  One bow line and one spring line had broken and needed to be replaced.  Apart from that, no other changes have occurred in the past week.  Our J/24s are still covered with debris and the clubhouse is filled with dust.

As soon as it is possible, we will begin the clean up.  But we have to wait.  Yesterday, the North Cove area was still being used as a base of operation for emergency workers.  This may continue for a while.

It is my hope that we will receive limited permission to access our fleet of boats in the near future.  The permission will only be for the purposes of cleaning.  There will be no sailing.  As of today, the harbor is still closed to all recreational traffic except boats which are transiting the harbor. 

When permission to clean our boats is received, I will send an email to all members inviting you to be part of the effort.  In the meantime, there is nothing more we can do right now.  Patience is the important thing.

And compassion too.  As of now, we know that Bob Ransom's wife is missing.  Also the father of a school graduate was on one of the highjacked planes.  I have spoken to other people who have family or friends missing from the World Trade Center.

Yesterday, when departing North Cove, I paused at the corner of Liberty Street and South End Avenue and looked at the pile of debris which was the World Trade Center, a symbol of our city.  The pile was still burning.  The spirit of our city has not been extinguished.  Those of us who are still here and still have enough strength and determination will regroup and rebuild for a future that is stronger and brighter than before.  But this is a process of years.

Today, your city needs you now more than ever.  The shock of this attack stopped our economy.  Many local business have suffered and may fail.   They need your support.  If you can, please go to a show, eat in a restaurant or buy something locally.  This is how we can fight back.  We need to start by rescuing our city's economy.

Tomorrow, Wednesday, September 26, Sharon and I will be celebrating our ninth anniversary.  We will use this occasion to invite the members of the Manhattan Sailing Club to join us for dinner (no presents please, just you).

We will be meeting at 8 p.m. at La Luncheonette Restaurant on the northeast corner of 18th Street and Tenth Avenue.  This is a warm and friendly French bistro which has excellent food and wine at reasonable prices.  Many years ago, when our club was smaller, we held our first annual dinner here.  If you wish to attend, please send me a note at mike@myc.org.   Dress will be casual and cost of dinner will be split among all guests. 

In the coming weeks, in lieu of sailing, we may try to do this again.   This will be our effort to help the city. 

Thanks.  Our club has established a temporary phone line at 908-362-8069.  You can also reach me by pager at 973-612-3636.

- Michael W. Fortenbaugh - Commodore - Manhattan Sailing Club
Tel: 212-786-3323
www.myc.org
www.sailmanhattan.com