Grotons North Lake? - is the pond still there?

[jefff j]

Did the Navy fill in this site? Any chance of ever having another Subregtta there again? Jeff J.

[wheels]

Jeff....the short answer is no.

Jeff....the short answer is no. It is my understanding that they have filled in the lake and removed the pavilion. While we had the use of the Navy's base it was a great place to hold a SubRegatta, but since 911 things have changed and we need to re-think what our SubRegatta's should be and do for the organization. When you get your March SCR read the letter from Mike Dory and our response and then let's hear what you think.

Respectfully,
Jim Wheeler

[tom spettel]

Jeff last i herd the

Jeff last i herd the lake was made part of the golf course that
was right next to it.. cool place to have a regatta. but like Jim said that has all changed. I did find some pics of the
lake and the pavillion. i will send them in to be posted
Tom

[jefff j]

Thanks you guys. Is Groton

Thanks you guys. Is Groton still within driving distance of the R.I. Regatta? What was neat about the Groton location was the museum with the Nautilus out back, and of course the real subs. Anyway, a trip to R.I. with a detour to the Groton museum , and maybe even a drive down to the Hunley would still be a great vacation! Thanks Jeff Jones

[JWLaRue]

Hi Jeff,

Groton is about 50

Hi Jeff,

Groton is about 50 minute drive south and west of Johnston, RI. It's not too bad of a drive.

-Jeff

[anonymous]

Jeff....the short answer is no.

Jeff....the short answer is no. It is my understanding that they have filled in the lake and removed the pavilion. While we had the use of the Navy's base it was a great place to hold a SubRegatta, but since 911 things have changed and we need to re-think what our SubRegatta's should be and do for the organization. When you get your March SCR read the letter from Mike Dory and our response and then let's hear what you think.

Respectfully,
Jim Wheeler






We all know and respect Mike Dory. Mikes pleasant, happy, and experianced shadow in this hobby looms large! I think Mike Dory is so correct in reference to his 'Open Letter' in the SCR #56 Exchange. SC members have confided privately that they appreciate all the hard work by SubRon 4, but they said they would not likely return because of the pond selected, as much as they enjoyed meeting everyone. They are quiet, polite and respectful in this regards.

The SC National Regatta should be moved to a more central location which provides all the requirements Mike highlighted. We can only wish their was a Submarine base located nearby of Groton stature nearby. We will have to accept this is not to be! It should be a site that geographically will maximize attendance to make up for diminished attendance from overseas members. Very justifiably 9/11 security makes international attendance awkward at best.

The Carmel, Indiana site seems highly recommended with all those I have discussed it with. These include east, central, and western members located in the United States.

I believe with encouragement and organizational support from both the Executive committee and SubRon 4, SubRon 6 could be tapped on the shoulder to do a good job running a National SC Regatta in Carmel, Indiana. But only if the Exec. Com. acts boldly and IS WILLING TO LET GO! I strongly believe other SC chapter regions in the country do not organize and assist the Northeast group only because they wish a new location but do not wish to 'rock the boat' besides dealing with the geographic distances involved. Not because of lack of helping. Simply put again, in regarding the Northeast location, the Executive committee does not want to let go! Why should a local SC chapter with any sort of vision have to deal with both local city park managers AND fight with the SC Executive Committee too in trying to persuade the Exec. Com. for a change in location. The Executive committee is a fine group. 9/11 circumstances must force the EC to think boldly outside the box. I know personally those whom have worked hard to organize our local SC regatta here in San Francisco that though they have had the EC's blessing in the past, they have not given much support in promoting our local regattas. Why was last years SF regatta not promoted more? It was certainly not due to it's SC local organizers 'attempting to ring the phone (and Email)' off the hook' seeking cooperation in posting regatta advertising in the SC Report! After failing to advertise in three consecutive SC issues in timely fashion, we where told the Editor 'forgot'.

Move to Carmel. Have those who will organize such a national regatta receive the complete enthusiastic support and leadership from Executive Committee. Tap into the invaluable advice and experience from SubRon 4 (those valiant Northeasterners) for how it should be done and not done.

Respectfully,

Steve Reichmuth
skipjack@earthlink.net

[wheels]

Steve....I think you are off

Steve....I think you are off base on many of your comments. First off we would like to see more SubRegattas around the country......but we lack the people to do so. As far as Camel is concerned we approached SubRon6 about a SubRegatta at Carmel this year and the opinion was that the site wasn't ready. If you want to speak about San Francisco, this is a Military Regatta and Not a SubRegatta. When you and the rest of the West Coaster decide to hold a Submarine only Regatta you will have our backing 100%. Other than advertising Tom has never officially approach us for help. Are we to pursue individuals to run Sub Regatta’s? If so, then ask Mike why after several requests from me personally to organize and run a SubRegatta is Southern California my cries went unanswered. If Mike wants other Sub Regatta’s around the country why doesn't he become the coordinator and get you people to do the work and host one? This is the same story over and over again...I want a SubRegatta in my back yard but you guys organize and run it for me. If I sound a little harsh, I'm sorry but I think the organization needs a little dose of reality and more people need to help run and organize events. If Jeff doesn't get the help he's requested for the SCR and he resigns...what are the rest of the I wanter's going to do? That's right folks if the SCR goes away then the SubCommittee will do so too. Wake up and decide if this organization is for you.....if the answer is Yes then decide what you can do to help run it.

Now comes the big question will you and Mike sit on this committee sort out the issues we suggested and add any if you find it necessary to do so?

Respectfully,
Jim Wheeler

[tom spettel]

I gota tell ya guys..

I gota tell ya guys.. the Col Crew took the challange to do a
regatta and we came up with what i think is a next to perfect
venue. it isnot an all sub regatta but is still great for one. as of January 2004 directory Colorado has 14 in the SC and only
three of us subers were in the planning of the regatta. the rest
were the surface guys. in Mikes letter the Col crew has addressed every issue exept one. more people to help. I would do an all sub regatta out here in Denver but there is not
the help to do so yeat. and as far as the regatta being held in Carmel i am all for it! so the question is... Colorado has a
regatta more than suittable for subs.... were are you?
Tom

[JWLaRue]

Steve,

With all due, I have

[color=#000000]Steve,

With all due, I have to agree with Jim...you are way off base with your comments and observations.

Let me address a couple indefensible points that you raised]stop[/b] laying the blame at the feet of the Executive Committee for their unwillingness to actually volunteer to get out and make something happen. You want a locally held SubRegatta? DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!

>>> Why was last years SF regatta not promoted more?

You tell me. According to my e-mail archive I received a total of 2 e-mails from Tom Anderson with materials for the annual Military Ship Regatta. I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but it's not my job to create the advertising and promotion materials for the many events. I especially resent this assertion since I have gone out of my way to accomodate every request everyone makes of me to include whatever promotion they wish to see included in the SCR.

>>>After failing to advertise in three consecutive SC issues in timely fashion, we where told the Editor 'forgot'.

This is a flat-out misrepresentation of the truth. There were no attempts to advertise in three consecutive issues of the SCR. The problem that you are referring to was a text layout problem in the March 2002 issue, which when pointed out to me I gladly re-ran the same (and entire) SubComMI Local Chapter column. I made no attempt to tell anyone that I 'forgot' for something that was obviously an error on my part. (btw]

[desert boat]

I've been observing the continuing

I've been observing the continuing banter of thoughts about National meets for several years now and would like to make some suggestions. These are based on past experiences as the organizer/cooridinator/worker on many model boat and airplane meets and a long memory of model competition in general. One thing that stands out in my background of some 50 years of modeling was that of the manner in which the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) held it's Nationals for many years. They were held on a rotational basis starting on the East Coast one year, followed by the Midwest and West Coast in succeeding years. Then back to the Midwest, followed by East and back again. Of course, for many years, they were held on Navy bases with free labor and those giant airship hangars for indoor events. BUT, they had up to a couple thousand entrants, each with several + models in various classes. Obviously, we're not anywhere near the size of the AMA! I never got to go to Groton; Mike Dory and Lee Upshaw kept telling me it was THE place to go, but I never had the time or money to travel there. I cannot accept the idea that we don't have enough suitable locations OR experienced workers across the country to plan and run a National meet on a rotational schedule that will allow OUR membership to participate each year. I am willing to do my part, but I can't travel to the other side of the country to do so. If Mike takes on this assignment as outlined in #56, I will do my part to serve as I'm sure, many others will. It is pointless to blame anyone on " why, why not or if?" Let's get on track and look to the future of SubCommittee and the Model Submarine Hobby.

[wheels]

Ray....I hear what you said

Ray....I hear what you said but I must take exception to it.
It isn't that we lack suitable locations or talented enough people...It's that we lack people willing to volunteer their time and make that committment.

So I guess I should ask this question]http://www.subcommittee.com/forum/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

[skip asay]

The subject of another SubRegatta

The subject of another SubRegatta or another location for the SubRegatta is one that comes up on this message board on a very cyclic basis. It’s always the same old story which is essentially “Why not have a/the SubRegatta closer to me?” Truth be known, I wish it was closer to me although at 4 hours drive time, it could be considered in my back yard compared to what it is for others. The sad fact is that SubRon 4 is the only group who has come to the plate ready to swing the bat. That Providence is not the location that Groton was is a given. But let’s face it. For a lot of reasons, besides being completely off the table, Groton can never be duplicated. Are there any other locations out there that could be considered suitable? Certainly! But just having a nice body of water is only one of many requirements. The single most important requirement is A DEDICATED GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE WILLING TO GET DOWN AND DIRTY AND DO IT! Secure what ever permits are needed, advertise it, put together the paperwork, delegate jobs, etc., etc. This is not the Executive Committee’s job, it’s the local SubRon’s job. It just doesn’t work any other way. The EC will sponsor it - read that as front some money for tents, tables, etc. - but they aren’t the ones who run it.

On another note, my personal feeling is that having one SubRegatta and changing its location annually leaves much to be desired. What’s wrong with having a SubRegatta on the East Coast, another in the Midwest, and and a third on the West Coast? There will never be a SubRegatta which is reachable by all of us. The East Coast is too far for those in much of the country as the West Coast is too far for just as much of the country. The Midwest sounds good but it’s still to far for all but the most hardy on each coast. And let’s not forget that SubRegatta can also be a good recruiting tool. How many spectators/potential members do we see with only one event?
Anybody else willing to step up to the plate?

Skip Asay
SubTech

[jshag]

SubRon6 would like to host

SubRon6 would like to host the 2005 Regatta. We looked closely at doing one in 2004 but had great concern about the readiness of the new site. Carmel IN is currently in the process of building their site. While the pool is ready and looks great there is no public parking or restrooms. We had a FunRun in Carmel on Saturday, Febuary 28th and went to the site to check on its progress. What we saw was what we where concerned with, they are no where close to ready. As many might have noticed in the new issue of the Report there was an ad for an event that the Indianapolis Admirals will be holding there this summer. They expressed “great” concern that they may have to cancel unless they can resolve the parking issue, they have none…… The public parking is located in the new government buildings that run on both sides of the pool and they are still under construction. The city does not know when they will be ready to use. We, as SubRon6 could not nor would not take the risk to plan a major Regatta only to have everyone that attended be turned off by the hardship that they might encounter. I have watched many comments that have suggested that SubRon6 as unwilling or not dedicated to step up. To set the record straight, the finial decision is mine and mine along. I hope that our officers will better understand why I decided not to have it in 2004, if not I would be happy to explain this offline in much greater detail. Do understand that SubRon6 really wants to do the Regatta, not just for ourselves but for the SubCommitte membership. The Carmel site when ready will be one of the best sites outside of Groton to host the Regatta. For those that have yet to see pictures of the site we have some on our website ( SubRon6.com ) and will also be adding new pictures that show all of the construction that is going on.
I would like to invite anyone that can come out this May to join us and view the site for themselves.
If anyone has any questions, concerns, “flames” or anything else they can contact me at anytime. For those that know me know my commitment to the hobby and the SubCommittee.

John