Spirit of South Carolina Shines with hosting another Evening Social Event.

Earlier, Tuesday, Laura Johnson and Bryan
 tag-teaming with a canvas needle
 stitching a patch onto the foresail.

 The social event this time was Saturday evening's  Annual Volunteer Appreciation Night sharing the deck with the Judges of the Charleston Harbor Christmas Parade of Lights. It's been a tradition since 2019, interrupted by COVID for two years. I'm guessing there were 40 or more souls aboard.

Alex Lya just down-rigged from
 his trip up the mainmast to receive
 his 50 Volunteer Hour Award.

 

From my perspective, as a loosy-goosy, unimaginative party planner, these always have the feel of being thrown together. Saturday morning, Laura, Tony, Alex, and Dave, were still  aloft oiling the mainmast, then, we were trying to kluge together a coherent string of Christmas lights and hang the star that would illuminate only on a NE knot breeze.
The beauty in  the technique always coming from the talent of people doing the throwing of things in; volunteers and families mostly, seemingly haphazardly feeding in all the makings, of, and setting up the deck and saloon below, mostly on their own, to make things work. And it does. I swear we must be "cool boat of the Maritime Center." I know this because no one seems to have been sufficiently disengaged to take any photos'. So you have only my story-telling. 

Thanks to Walter Barton set the baseline with selection of appetizers and hot Apple Cider Punch.  I will myself modestly accept credit for the Smoking Bishop.  Ken Fonville's wife, Anne brought a nice counter point.  Others filled in the empty spots, such that the forecastle hatch cover and saloon  butterfly were lined with array of hot  and cold goodies.  Capt Davis provided some sophistication, settng up a bar. More beverages showed up in the Yeti Cooler, along with additional ice, midway thru the party.

Of course, the main attraction was the view. Somewhat overcast, warm with a haze that made for that trademark surreal view surrounding the illuminated Ravenel bridge. And the twenty-some odd boats, each their own wildly illuminated party, passing in review in front of us.  

Bryan introduces Kim, guest
of Josh, to a tiny tot of Hot Buttered Rum.

Many more volunteers than I'd mentioned brought along something to share, or stacked and stowed, and  moved around dock boxes to make the deck ready. 

I only got to talk to about a quarter of the total people aboard, but the vibe I felt was another triumph for Spirit of South Carolina, and her pretty good crew.  

The remainder of days running up to the holidays will be spent dueling with weather temps to complete our mast maintenance, and get in a training sail or two. Volunteers, look for a SignUP notice in your email. I'll post it as soon as I learn of it myself.

  There are no limits to crew, and no drug testing prerequisites. so, Sign up.