November, 1947

Nine hardy skippers from Cleveland are competing for the Jones Trophy offered by Edgewater Yacht Club in a series of ice races. Harvey Busch's NAN TOO leads with four wins, followed by Commodore Sandy Douglass' FAUKIE and John Lovett's WEE LOVETT TOO. The competition will continue when thick ice forms off Edgewater Harbor.

The Bagpipe editor laments being scooped by other publications on Thistle achievements and accomplishments, including races at South Boston, Baltimore, Buffalo, and Miami. Editors encourage Thistle sailors to send news directly to the publication.

Association bylaws require annual dues payments ($3.00 for members, $1.00 for associates) by January each year. Fleet Secretaries must collect dues and submit reports. Chartered fleets must hold meetings before December 1st and elect officers. The article encourages fleets to include news with their dues payments.

The Thistle Clan's traditional winter gathering will be held in January in Cleveland. Chairman Ken Glor will send notices with full details to all Thistle association members.

The Watkins Lake Yachting Association's first season with new Thistle fleet in 1947 began with seven boats. Ben Farnsworth won the championship in SEA WEED, No. 127. The fleet had notable success in inter-club regattas, winning five of seven trophies at Oakland and sweeping the West End Civic Trophy at Pontiac.

The Mentor Harbor Yacht Club fleet's season was divided into summer and fall series, with points combined for overall championship. Larry Valdrip won overall and the summer series in CORONET (No. 103) with 85 points, while Ray McLeod won the fall series and garnered the most first-place finishes.

Thistle No. 181 has been sold by boat builder Ralph Wiley to Colonel Winthrop W. Harrington of Gibson Island, Maryland. Harrington is well-known as Board Chairman of the Marmon-Harrington Company and a former President of the Society of Automotive Engineers, bringing his engineering expertise to sailing.

The Mohican Sailing Club at Mifflin Lake near Mansfield, Ohio will have five new Douglass and McLeod boats ready for next season, thanks to Frank Bisemann's sponsorship. Frank Jansson demonstrated promise in testing BETTY J TOO (No. 188) at the Edgewater Frostbite competition.

An appeal to readers to contribute news, gossip, suggestions, and other content to help with publication of the newsletter.