THE 2023 Invitational Mills Trophy Race, presented by Toledo Yacht Club and Storm Trysail Club on June 7-11, is over until next year's centennial race. But ahh, the memories and tall tales.
The race started at the Toledo Harbor Lighthouse and ended at Put-in-Bay, but many activities were held prior to the race. That included an awards banquet where last year's winners proudly posed for keepsake shots with their shining silver trophies. So of course last year’s winning skipper and crew, who sailed aboard Roadkill, were there.
There was also a Mills Masters picnic for the seasoned sailors who have sailed the Mills for 25 or more years, and the annual Mills Race Party that’s open to the public on the night before the race. The casual foods were prepared outdoors by the Toledo Yacht Club’s restaurant, Forest View on the River. Music filled the air and guests gabbed as yachts arrived in the harbor with a cannon salute.
Then Flat Stanley won the big all-night race.
Afterward sailors enjoyed a hospitality party at Put-in-Bay Yacht Club, followed by an awards presentation and breakfast.
There’s more to the race than the boats and sailors. It takes a race committee, a whole crew of volunteers, and others who spend countless hours planning and preparing for the premier historic race "designed for sailors to bring out the best in sailors," according to Ralph Becker, commodore of the Toledo Yacht Club, and Raymond Redniss, commodore of the Storm Trysail Club.
David Ryan of Monroe Boat Club and Catawba Island Club was the honorary chairman; Ron Soka was the general chairman with his first mate Kaye Soka of Toledo Yacht Club, Jolly Roger Sailing Club, and Middle Bass Island Yacht Club, and Steve Harris of Put-in-Bay Yacht Club and Buckeye Lake Yacht Club was the principal race officer. They were assisted by a vast committee: Don Wood, Michelle and John Glanville, Jim Balough, Brian Hildebrand, Marilyn Kocevar, Geri and Tom Buckley, Becky and Barry Vincent, Ralph Becker, Doug Haag, Donna Pribe, Ted Mount, Kent Beals, Mike Powers, Brooke Genson, Myron Shapiro, Chuck and Susan Stahl, Dave and Marg Garey, Denise Fulop, and historian Ron Gabel, who recently passed away but was honored before then with a Mills trophy dedicated in his name. Bravo to all for another job well done.
A shoutout also goes to the major sponsors including Sailing Inc., Frosty Bar, Mount Gay Rum, Remy USA, US Sailing, Storm Trysail Club, and CXG Content Experience Group. And to Toledo Yacht Club, the host location in Bay View Park on the Maumee River, at the western end of Lake Erie.
Founded in 1865, the club is among the oldest yacht clubs in North America and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Mills will be sailing into its centennial year in 2024, and plans are already in the works for June 5-9, when the race will again be hosted by Toledo Yacht Club.
If you want to come aboard and help or participate, just call Toledo Yacht Club.
BLACK Swamp Conservancy's So Wild a Place fund-raiser held on June 10 at West Side Montessori’s Toledo campus drew about 175 supporters who helped raise around $55,000. Those funds will help to permanently preserve and protect northwest Ohio’s natural habitats, now and for future generations.
The casual “backyard” get-together featured dinner by Jimmy G’s BBQ, an open bar, and live music by Miss Tess and her four-piece band. There was also a live auction of vacation stays, unique outdoor experiences, and flying lessons.
The Black Swamp Conservancy protects more than 175 properties spanning more than 21,500 acres across the region, including natural habitats and family farms. In addition, the conservancy works to improve water quality.
To date, its major habitat restoration projects have improved more than 700 acres of land and revitalized more than two miles of streams. In just the past three years, the organization has planted more than 75,000 trees, according to Rob Krain, executive director.
Thanks go to presenting sponsor KeyBank: The Walter E. Terhune Memorial Fund and more than 25 other sponsors.
PHILANTHROPY is not always about financial treasures. It can also be about giving time, talent, or nonmonetary donations.
That's what My Next Case Suitcase Donation Drive was all about on June 10 at My Nail Salon, which hosted and raised awareness about My Next Case, an organization that provides pre-loved or new suitcases from community members to bless individuals that need help.
The suitcases collected were filled with essential and non-essential items before they were given to new owners. This drive will be done annually to help others, according to La’Kesha Dupree, local owner of My Nail Salon.
Barbara Hendel is The Blade's society editor. Contact her at bhendel@theblade.com or call 419-724-6124.
First Published June 18, 2023, 10:30 a.m.
