This is kind of neat! We’ve been asked to feature in the Garrett County 150th year anniversary, in McHenry, Maryland. Garrett County is rich in history. The town of McHenry, is named after James McHenry, a prisoner of the revolutionary war, captured by Sir William Howe, and released on Parol. He later served as secretary of war to George Washington. Don’t let us fool you though. He actually founded Fayetteville, PA, named after his friend Marquis De Lafayette. The point is that the town is rich in history.

Albert Einstein sailed here, and president Lincoln vacationed here, but none of that has anything to do with Flying Scot. Our history is nowhere near that deep, but we’ve been digging. We fortunately have tons of old letters which are fun to go back and read, and will be on display at the 150th.

Flying Scot has helped shape sailing culture in America. Before US Sailing the North American Yacht Racing Union was in charge of sailing rules. They turned to the Flying Scot Class for advice on rule changes in 1971 when the 720 penalty was first being discussed. You can see the documents attached.

FSSA Rules Advice

Another article found in our rummaging, and my personal favorite, is the Vermillion Years article, also attached. I did much growing up in Vermillion Ohio. Sandy talks about getting help from Jack Berk, moving into the first Gordon Douglass Boat Company. I grew up sailing with Lauren Berk in Vermillion Ohio. I bet that she’s related. More importantly, that factory is still standing. It’s now the infamous La Chez restaurant. It’s ironic considering Sandy’s infatuation with France. Regardless, next time you’re driving by Vermillion Ohio on route 80 you have to stop. You need a black tie or dress to eat downstairs, but the upstairs is a better ambiance anyway. I personally love the thistle hanging over the bar. That being said, the balcony over the Vermillion River is the place to be.

The Vermillion Years

While our history does not go so far back as President Lincoln, and Einstein was unfortunately not sailing a Scot when he sailed on Deep Creek, there was one mystery in the old documents that we’ve been rooting through in preparation for this event. For some reason, in Eric Armann’s folder we found several articles from the Times about a 1911 speech given by Theodore Roosevelt in France. Of course Eric was not born then, but Sandy was. We’ll let you know when we solve that mystery. We plan to ask Mary next time we see her.