By Joan DeMeo Lager
Visitors to the Spring Fling at the historic Thomas Dodge Homestead got an extra treat this year. The Mill Pond Model Yacht Club joined forces with the Cow Neck Peninsula Historical Society, opening their doors and getting their boats sailing on the Pond on a beautiful day with a nice breeze.
Charles Dodge was one of seven generations of the Dodge Family that lived at the c. 1721 Homestead. He was a founding father of the Mill Pond Yacht Club in 1898.
Over 125 years later, participants and onlookers continued to enjoy model boat sailing on the pond.
Bobby Black, the current Commodore of the Club, who built and refitted many of the model yachts, made several Class Model Yachts and a smaller model available for the festivities.
The boats were rigged, had their keels put on, the masts and sails and rigging were installed, the batteries were charged, and the motors were checked. They were moved from the Clubhouse on rolling cradles down to the Pond’s launching area.
People from all over joined in the fun, from model yacht racers in New Jersey to those sailing in Eisenhower Park, Schreiber alumni from Manhattan, people who used to race in the prestigious model yacht races in the past, and local residents who were delighted to see the boats sailing again.
Many tried their hand at handling the boats, and with some practice, the novices were able to get the hang of steering the yachts. One past member even adopted an unfinished yacht to complete to get more boats out sailing.
All the traditional Spring Fling activities were also taking place across the street at the Homestead on this active day.
There was a tour of the Dodge House itself, another given by the beekeeper at the hives, and a walking tour around the Mill Pond, telling tales of time gone by.
Visitors sang along to the Front Porch Players’ folk music while they enjoyed homemade cookies and shopped for jewelry and attic treasures. Good old-fashioned fun was certainly had by all.
And it’s continuing! People, young and old, have been gathering at the Mill Pond Model Yacht Club to sail on Sundays after 11 am.
This will continue into early summer when the Pond gets choked by weeds, with a plan to resume sailing in late summer. Boats are available to use, and Bobby Black and crew will be available to give lessons.
As a point of interest, Black has been licensed as a USCG 200-ton master, captain – all oceans, Red Cross instructor trainer, and founder of windsurfing schools.
