Blessings, Condolences, and Thanksgiving
Crystal shows off the smile under her mask
Crystal inspires us with their stoke and smile. Peace upon you this holiday!
It has been a year.

A year full of promise.
A year full of struggle.
A year full of hope.
A year full of challenges.
A year full of successes, in spite of trials.
A year full of pain, for so many of us.

My heart goes out to you during these challenging times.
The Summer 2020 Siebel Sailors Crew
The Siebel Sailors Team, Summer 2020. Photo courtesy of US Sailing
I am honored to be part of a community that donned masks, pitched in and made this year a success. We will celebrate our successes and we have much to be thankful for. But this year also continues to be marked with loss and suffering for many in our community.

To those who were unable to join us because of the global pandemic, I look forward to seeing you again in the "after-times" when we are all able to resume normal life. We miss you and hope you are remaining safe and well. To those who are in a tough spot right now, you are loved by your DSC community.
A Siebel Sailor Blasts off
A Siebel Sailor sheets in after a day of camp. Summer 2020. Photo courtesy of US Sailing
For so many of us, it is going to be a Blue Christmas. Many among us are isolated from our loved ones this holiday season. We have sailors who have lost family members due to COVID-19. We have sailors who lost their jobs. We have sailors who have passed on beyond the veil, not to be seen again in this lifetime. Yes, we have had many joys to celebrate, but we have experienced much suffering, too.

For many of us, it does not feel like it will get easier any time soon, either. But we are lucky to have The DSC as a space and as a community. It is a quirky, diverse crew of scamps and salts... but The DSC abounds with great people with big hearts. Thank you.
the wild ones get a cruiser
Campers set sail beyond Fort McHenry with David and Graham at the helm. It was a crazy year but we all remained flexible and used creative approaches to make it through the challenging times. Photo courtesy of David Stude
As we move toward a new year amidst the worldwide Coronavirus pandemic, we cannot forget that racism continues to result in the senseless killings of Black people throughout our country.

We, The DSC community, continue to work toward a more just and equitable world by creating a more just and equitable sport. Breonna Taylor & George Floyd & Ahmaud Arbery & Daniel Prude's deaths may seem like they occurred so long ago, but we have not moved the needle very far from where we were in February, March, or May. In affirming the need for equal respect and opportunity for all people, The DSC continues to affirm that Black Lives Matter.

Even though we are in trying times, we cannot forget that some of our DSC sailors continue to struggle because of the color of their skin. We have much hard work ahead of us, and we take on the work with sincerity. To all of the DSC members and supporters, thank you for working with our sailing community to build a better Baltimore.
A sailor and his son sail on an Access Dinghy - not wheelchair bound anymore!
Mike and his son go for a practice spin in preparation to the relaunch of the Adaptive-Accessible Program
The DSC is a place for all people and we celebrate all faith backgrounds just as we celebrate each individual's unique gifts. In the celebration of all people, and in the dénouement of Hanukkah and the advent of Christmas, please accept my prayers of peace, and comfort, and blessings to you. My heart goes out to all who are suffering and to all who have lost loved ones.
camp staff show off at the end of staff training week
Some of our 2020 Camp staff show off on the last day of staff training (and practice emergency action with flare operation practice)
In spite of all our trials, we have so much to be thankful for. I am thankful for you. In the next few days, I'll be sending out a few more emails encouraging members to renew and to ask for your continued support. But on this Monday, the shortest day of the year, I want to take pause.

From our Community Sailing Center to you, I wish you Hope, Comfort, and Joy. You make our community a special, unique, and vibrant place. Thank you.

Sincerely,


-Stuart and The DSC Staff team: John, Graham, & Rena
Hansa-Access Schooners tow in a line up to the inner harbor
The Parade of Sail, organized in support of the GCBSR with major thanks to Duncan Hood and the schooner ADVENTURER. Fall 2020. Photo Courtesy of Clara Dawson