Nereid News, 4/27/07

In this edition:
- Rowing resumes after flood
- Bulkhead permit application filed
- Boathouse needs mugs
- Muskrat loves Nereid
- Final results of Nereid merchandise poll
- Club dues and fees were due by April 25
- How to register for the Passaic River Paddle Relay
- Join the Nereid paddle team
- Welcome to new members
- Welcome back!

Upcoming events schedule
- Passaic River Paddle Relay May 12
- National Learn to Row Day June 9

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Rowing resumes after flood

Nereids have been rowing again since the Passaic fell below flood stage earlier this week. The flood did fairly minimal damage to the house, although there were some damaged boats, but damage to the bulkhead is substantial. This makes it imperative that we move ahead with bulkhead construction.

A lot of club members volunteered at the boathouse cleanup last weekend. Thanks everyone for all your help!!

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Bulkhead permit application filed

Langan Engineering, the project engineers Nereid has retained to assist with bulkhead construction, filed our bulkhead permit application with the New Jersey DEP on April 20. Officially a decision on the permit must be made in 90 days, but extensions are the norm, so we don’t expect a decision until mid-September. If the permit is approved, bulkhead construction is expected to take 90 days.

Replacing Nereid’s bulkhead will be a major milestone for the club. More announcements will be made as the start of construction approaches. Thank you for your support.

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Boathouse needs mugs

We could use a lot more coffee mugs at the boathouse. They keep coffee warm for longer, hold more coffee, and are better for the environment than disposable plastic cups. If you have a mug you don’t use, please consider donating it to the club.

And if you’re interested in supporting Nereid, we still have Nereid mugs available. They are $7 each.

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Muskrat loves Nereid

On two evenings following the recent deluge, a muskrat was spotted swimming against the strong current in and around the Nereid docks. Some tiny footprints were also noted around the steps leading to the bays. Muskrats look similar to beavers but are smaller, rounder, and have a thin, long, scaly tail. Usually found in marshes and ponds, they also live in brackish rivers (like ours!), where they eat vegetation and the occasional frog or turtle. Muskrats can stay submerged for up to 15 minutes. This guy and some of his family are likely nesting nearby in the river banks. Muskrats are harmless, but they may stand their ground if confronted, particularly now, during mating season.

Erin Martin

(Editorial comment: we advise everyone not to confront our muskrat during its mating season. It’s not nice.)

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Final results from Nereid merchandise survey

We have had 31 responses to the Nereid merchandise survey. The survey is now closed. Thanks everyone for voting!

The top choice for a new Nereid merchandise item was the short-sleeved T-shirt, with 18 votes, followed by the long-sleeved T-shirt (14) and the baseball cap (11). Other popular items were the sleeveless fleece and long-sleeved fleece (8 each). Some suggestions were polo-style shirts, unisuits, and shirts not made out of cotton.

Following up on the poll results, we have started work on the design for a new Nereid short-sleeved T-shirt. We’ll try to make that available by National LTR Day on June 9.

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Club dues and fees were due on April 25

The deadline for receipt of the 2007 club dues, storage fees, and locker fees was April 25. If we didn’t receive your membership form and payment, you will not be considered an active member. This means that you will not have rowing privileges.

Please remember to return with your payment:
- a signed 2007 liability waiver
- a signed boat storage agreement, if you are storing your boat(s) at Nereid

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Register by May 1 for the 3rd Annual Passaic River Paddle Relay

Please click here for the registration packet for the 3rd Annual Passaic River Paddle Relay.

If you have trouble with the link, the packet can be found on the home page of our website, which is www.wma4.org. Please return the completed registration form along with the check by May 1, 2007. Late registrations will be accepted based upon the availability of canoes.

The registration packet will provide paddlers with all of the information needed for the event. One detail I will point out is that the Alliance will be hosting a Paddle Practice Session for less experienced paddlers on Saturday, April 28, 2007 from 12:00-2:00pm at the Essex County Environmental Center. Interested paddlers should contact me ASAP.

I look forward to seeing you all on May 12th!!

Tom Pietrykoski
Chairman, Lower Passaic & Saddle River Alliance

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Joining the Nereid Paddle Relay Team

If you would like to try paddling for a change, consider supporting this event and the Lower Passaic & Saddle River Alliance by joining the Nereid team for the Paddle Relay.

We still need more paddlers to fill out Nereid’s team of 6. Please send an email to nereidsec@hotmail.com to sign up. The organizers provide the canoes and we'll teach you how to paddle.

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Welcome to new members

Andrew Melitz - graduate of the Learn to Row Program

Danny Sager - former member of Peter J. Sharpe

We also welcome Natalie Dowd who is joining with David as a family member.

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Welcome back!

Something you might want to consider adding to your next newsletter is that Jeremy Barnaskas has returned safely from his recent tour in Iraq with the Marines! He arrived at the Marine reserve center in Philadelphia this weekend.

Mike Lyons

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Previous newsletters

2007
Nereid News, 4/20/07
Nereid News, 4/13/07
Nereid News, 4/6/07
Nereid News, 3/30/07
Nereid News, 3/23/07
Nereid News, 3/16/07
Nereid News, 3/9/07
Nereid News, 3/2/07
Nereid News, 2/23/07
Nereid News, 2/17/07
Nereid News, 2/9/07
Nereid News, 2/2/07
Nereid News, 1/26/07
Nereid News, 1/18/07
Nereid News, 1/12/07
Nereid News, 1/5/07
 

2006
Nereid News, 12/22/06
Nereid News, 12/15/06
Nereid News, 12/8/06
Nereid News, 12/1/06
Nereid News, 11/17/06
Nereid News, 11/11/06
Nereid News, 11/2/06
Nereid News, 10/27/06
Nereid News, 10/20/06
Nereid News, 10/13/06
Nereid News, 10/6/06
Nereid News, 9/29/06
Nereid News, 9/22/06
Nereid News, 9/15/06
Nereid News, 9/8/06
Nereid News, 9/1/06
Nereid News, 8/11/06