The Nova Scotia Schooner Association has commissioned a new trophy race for this year’s annual schooner races to be held August 3 - 8 in Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia. In honour of life time member Willa Creighton, who passed away earlier this year, the NSSA has created an all female skippers race. Six to eight women will take to the helm of schooners to compete for the First Annual Willa Creighton Memorial Trophy. 

Willa, while at the helm of the schooner Airlie sailed the Tancook Island schooner to a first place finish during the inaugural Nova Scotia Schooner race in 1961. As the NSSA endeavours to focus some attention on female sailors it seemed fitting to honour a great female skipper, Willa Creighton, who not only won the first annual schooner race, but also raced equally among male skippers. She won the race, fair and square. She won because she had the skill to sail the best race. 

The Willa Creighton Memorial Trophy will take place on Thursday, August 6 in the waters of Mahone Bay. The new trophy was commissioned by Rochelle Whynott of Riverport Nova Scotia. Rochelle ,recently been bitten by the schooner bug after the NSSA visited the tiny Nova Scotia community of Riverport in 2013/14 for the schooner races. Rochelle’s enthusiasm experiencing first hand the thrill of sailing the impressive schooner rig inspired her to encourage the NSSA race committee to create the all female skippers race. As a result, the Willa Memorial Trophy was commissioned and endorsed. The trophy will be on display in Mahone Bay at the Bank of Montreal throughout the entire week of races. Designed and made by artist Jeff Morrison of Fall River the trophy took many months to create. 

As well as the Female Skippers race the NSSA will hold daily races in Mahone Bay. Spectators will have good views of the start and finish lines at many locations along the town of the Mahone Bay waterfront. Races start each day at 12:30. A dozen boats will be seen cuing up to the start line beginning around 11:45 Am each day and will offer the public a good chance to view a spectacular glimpse into the days of sail and the schooners that are the proud heritage of Nova Scotians. As well each day the public is invited to talk to the boat’s owners and view the beauty and craftsmanship of the vessels as they are tied to the docks along the waterfront. 

Join the Nova Scotia Schooner Association in Mahone Bay Nova Scotia, August 3 - 8, 2015 and join in the celebration of our maritime heritage. The NSSA is committed to preserving, maintaining and furthering interest in Nova Scotia schooners of all types, i.e. vessels built in the Province of Nova Scotia, fore and aft rigged with two or more masts, the forward mast being no taller than the rear mast(s). 

For more information:
Wendy Levo - NSSA- 902 430 3348
Rochelle Whyntt- Willa Creighton Memorial Trophy - 902 766 0177 
Kelly Wilson - Mahone Bay Community Contact - 902 624 0329 

Good Day,
 
It is with a heavy heart that I pass along the news that one of our Founding Member's - Ted Lane has passed away.  It is hard to believe that just a year ago that Ted shared the duties of Officer of the Day while we were in Riverport.  It was always good to chat with Ted, he always had a story to share.
 
Please find attached a copy of Ted's obituary which will run in the newspaper tomorrow.

Best,
Wendy
 
Commodore
Nova Scotia Schooner Association

Age 82, Died Wednesday, August 27th in Bridgewater.  Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, April 2nd, 1932, the only son of the late Abbie Jacques and Frederick A Lane. He is survived by his loving & devoted wife Frances Elizabeth, sister Jean Lane Duncan (West Chester Pa.), children, Elizabeth, Sheila, Heather, Fred and step children Wendy & Tom.  Nine grandchildren, six great Grandchildren, three nieces and a nephew. He was predeceased by his sister Margaret Lane Foster.Ted attended Queen Elizabeth High School, Dalhousie University and Saint Mary’s University. His business career began in the pharmaceutical business with Upjohn Company of Canada. In 1967 he became Marketing Manager of PaceshipYachts in Mahone Bay and later became President of North Star Yachts, (a US Steel subsidiary) and General Manager of C&C Yachts US Production plant in Middleton Rhode Island. Ted returned to Canada and established Greenwood Lane and Associates. Ted’s lifelong passion was sailing. He raced sailboats from 16 ft Snipe class to 44 ft ocean racers. Ted participated in offshore races and club races all over Canada and the US. Ted and his crews won their fair share of prizes and silverware. He was a past Member of the Armdale Yacht Club, Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron, Royal Hamilton Yacht Club, Grand Bend Yacht Club, Great Lakes Cruising Club, East Greenwich Yacht Club and The Twenty Hundred Club of Narragansett Bay. Ted was a founding and life member of the Nova Scotia Schooner Association. In his later years he took up golf and was a serving Board member and member of the Executive Committee for 14 years at the Chester Golf Club. Memorial Donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society for “The Lodge That Gives,” in Halifax and Shaid Animal Shelter in Bridgewater. Cremation under the direction of Davis Funeral Home in Chester, Nova Scotia. By Ted’s request a Celebration of life will be held in Chester at the Community Center (Chandler’s Cove Village) on Millennium Drive, from 2-5 pm, Saturday, August 30. Condolences may be made on line to [email protected]

Ahoy NSSA Members,
 
I have some amazing schooner photographs taken during the races last week at Riverport. Below is a link to my web site which will take you directly to the gallery of photos from the 2014 races. Choose "Slideshow" to view the photos in large format.  Images from 1013 are also available for viewing if you browse to that gallery.
 
You all looked great out there. It was an honor to be in your midst.
 
Fair winds and following seas,
 
Peter McNaughton
LRYC Member
238 Pentz Road, Pleasantville, NS B0R 1G0
902-693-2032
 
PS I was the guy in the "tinner" trying to keep up with you ! ( and stay out of your way )
 
http://www.mcnaughtonmedia.com/Regattas/Nova-Scotia-Schooner-Assn-2014/

Sad News from our Secretary:

Long-time member Lloyd Marshall has passed away.  Gerardus sent a very kind eulogy to the Funeral Home in Scituate, MA (included below, with a copy of Lloyd's obituary).
Peter

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Gerardus Olsthoorn 
Date: Thu, May 15, 2014 at 1:05 AM
Subject: A Crew Member of Alexia Sails off to Fiddler's Green

I just got word that one of Alexia's original crew has died.  I sent the following to the funeral home. The wake was held today and the service will be tomorrow at 10 (Thursday).

For other details: Richardson-Gaffey Funeral Home on 1st parish Road in Scituate, Mass

I am at sea and have just received word via home from Jeannie, the daughter of one of the Schooner Alexia's original crew.

My friend Lloyd Marshall died on Sunday. Born on May 29th he would have been 94. Lloyd took me under his wing and showed me how to get the old girl to go where she was supposed to go. Lloyd demonstrated how to dock Alexia under sail while we were in Halifax, an undertaking I have yet to master years later. He was also the one that went up the mast at the start of one race to bring down the torn fore. A big patch and we were off again to the start line. And then there was that one race where that nameless buoy was at times behind but mostly ahead of us for hours on end. Alexia came in second.

Lloyd had me over at his place in Dover and in Scituate. While in Scituate one January he arranged a return flight from Boston to the sail show in Atlantic City for less than it would cost me in gas one way. Lloyd also got me to and from the airport.

I believe there are fond memories for many of the members of the Nova Scotia Schooner Association of post race music making and songs aboard Alexia. She was to carry a bathtub ring from floating below her lines for the rest of that season after one race week at the Lunenburg Yacht Club.

There was always a place for Lloyd’s kit on board, now that familiar thump will be heard no more.

Lloyd's friendship was precious and he had a grand heart. I am glad that he was present to share Marie's and my celebration of our marriage with our friends on the coast on board Alexia alongside in Lunenburg.

In the years since, Lloyd met the younger crew of Alexia one of which is still growing into a pair of sea boots.

These last years Lloyd had slowed down and his cards and letters became less frequent. He had been in a home but recently left to stay with a relative. This year I will not be sending Lloyd a Birthday Card nor receiving any more of his news.

You sailed a good race Lloyd. It is time to put your feet up and strum the guitar.

Your friend Gerardus

Chief Engineer
Canadian Coast Guard Ship
Martha L. Black

==========================
Lloyd J. Marshall
Obituary
Lloyd J. Marshall, 93, of Scituate, passed away peacefully, at home, surrounded by his family May 11, 2014. He was the devoted husband of the late Alice (Wesson). Lloyd was a World War II Navy veteran, avid musician, yachtsman and longtime member of the Bare Cover Power Squadron. He was the beloved father of Carol Ann Conners of Hanson, Lloyd J. Marshall Jr. and his wife Eileen of N. Hampton, N.H., Paulette Marie Harlow and her husband John of Kingston, Jean Alice Marshall of Marshfield and John K. Marshall and his wife Beth of Centerville. Visitation hours were held at the Richardson-Gaffey Funeral Home, 382 First Parish Rd., Scituate, Wednesday, May 14, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated in St. Mary of the Nativity Church, 1 Kent St., Scituate Harbor, Thursday, May 15, at 10 a.m., followed by burial in St. Josephs Cemetery, W. Roxbury. Donations in Lloyds name may be made to Daughters of Mary Mother of Nazareth, 509 Hammond St., Chestnut Hill, MA 02467. For online directions and condolences, please visit www.richardsongaffeyfuneralhome.com. Richardson-Gaffey Funeral Home 781-545-0196

Published in The Scituate Mariner from May 13 to May 20, 2014