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LOOR Presents an Award to Olcott Yacht Club for their assistance to one of our racers.
Thanks To Olcott Community
Brian Mitchell – “Areion”
Saturday October 14th, the LOOR Race committee made a special presentation to the Olcott Yacht Club in appreciation for their assistance to me after my boat was struck by lightning near the end of a biennial race called the Lake Ontario 600 Challenge. It cannot remain unsaid, however, that it wasn’t just the yacht club that was so helpful, but everyone I met in Olcott.
Special mention must be given to Nike Smith, manager of Olcott Harbor Resort. Cold, wet and tired, I had asked the group of Officers around me that first night if there was a hotel nearby where I could find a room. (There were several inches of water sloshing around the cabin floor of my boat and a decent night’s sleep wouldn’t be found there.) Someone from Fire Rescue made a call, said he found a place for me at a motel just up the street, and then drove me there. This all seemed a bit of a miracle because it was around 2 in the morning by this point.
Nike met me when I arrived, gave me his best room—no charge—and arranged both breakfast and dinner for me the next day—again, no charge. On top of that, he had learned, or knew, that my phone wasn’t working (an older old 3G model) and gave me a cell phone to use as long as I was there. All of this was done on the spot. And that phone proved indispensable to me over the three days I remained in Olcott. Two of his staff also deserve mention: Joyce in the kitchen who kept me fed with delicious breakfast sandwiches every morning, and Jess, manager of the store, who was even prepared to do any shopping for me if I needed.
On day two, I was still trying to clean up my boat in the yard and met a woman named Bonnie who had biked in and chatted with me. She expressed great concern and gratitude for my safety, and assured me they were a town that helps. I was to let her know if there was anything I needed, and then told me she would be starting a shift at 5:30 at the Maxwell Station Restaurant, “just over the bridge,” that I should come down and “I’ll take care of your meal and drinks.” I took her up on the offer and had a wonderful time.
Last but not least, for helping with the situation of the boat itself, I have to expressly thank Tom Oldham. It’s a tricky business dealing with a disabled boat and insurance issues across a boarder (I’m from Canada), and Tom was constantly available providing invaluable contacts, personal support, and steadfast advice that has served me well. He was remarkably helpful I can’t thank him enough.
I honestly cannot say enough about all the help I received in Olcott. I felt in extremely good hands the whole time I was there.
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