It is with great pride and pleasure that we announce Meghan Sarbanis as the 2009 Schuylkill Navy Athlete of the Year. Her Undine family already knows that she is deserving of such a title, and I am thrilled that the Schuylkill Navy is formally recognizing her accomplishments.

I clearly remember when Meghan joined the club. Tim O’Grady and I were two of the fastest runners on the squad, and Meghan asked to join us on one of our long Winter runs. We were shocked that she kept up with us to the Angels…and then the grandstands…and then Temple…and then Falls Bridge…and then all the way back to the boathouse. And to top it off, she kept a conversation going the whole time!  We knew immediately she was a special athlete.

Meghan has achieved a lot since then, including many local and National Championships and two stints on the US National Team. Her latest accomplishment was a fourth place finish in the lightweight women’s single at the 2009 World Championships. She also started and sustains the annual Schuylkill Navy Blood Drive. Meghan has been a friend to everyone on the river.

Meghan is a great friend, an exceptional athlete, and a proud Undinian. We are fortunate to have her as part of our family.

Meghan will receive the award at the annual Schuylkill Navy Banquet on Sunday, March 7.  For details about the banquet, go to:
http://www.boathouserow.org/rega10/banquet10.html.

Congratulations, Meghan!
Mike Naughton

This holiday season I decided to hold my office Christmas party at Castle Ringstetten,
a very popular venue for my guests. The Castle fascinates people and
one very fascinated person came to me and asked the question, “Who owns this
club?” I paused before answering a question I had never contemplated. Back
in the sixties, when I first joined Undine, I would have said, “Robbie
Robinhold, I guess.” But today, somewhat wiser by age and experience, I was
puzzled. And then I answered “History and his partner Goodwill.” “That’s
right,” I said, History and Goodwill are a partnership and they own this
club.” And then I said, “I am not sure who is the senior partner, although I
think it is Goodwill. But I do know one thing for sure…they have no
interest in retiring.” My fascinated guest smiled contentedly and said, “I
am not surprised…I can feel it in this building.” He then took a sip of
his wine and said as he turned to walk away, “Happy New Year to you, the
members of this club and most of all, to the owners.”

John A. Cantrill
Vice President

The Ringstetten Committee and Melissa Murray are putting together the Club cookbook,

Cooking Large: The Undine Barge Club Cookbook.

Along with many menus, recipes and photos, Joe Sweeney will also do some illustrations. We would  like to include your thoughts, recollections and impressions of the Boat House, The Row and The River during the year and as the seasons change. Please include stories about particular events or races. This could also be “…a year in the life of Undine.”

Example; I would like for someone to describe what the Boat House is like in the dead of winter.

Please submit pieces to Melissa at mmurr1812@gmail.com be sure to include your name.

Butch Parilo

Chair, Ringstetten Committee

For the second year in a row, Michael Stolper won the Men’s Grand Master Single at the Head of the Charles and Men’s Master Single (50-59) at the Head of the Schuylkill. He and fellow club members and competitors raced in less than ideal conditions both weekends, braving wintry weather in Boston and flood-like conditions in Philadelphia.

At the Head of the Schuylkill, Michael teamed up with Frank Rowe, Tim Young and Keith Robinson to race to a first place finish in the Men’s Master 4x (40-49). Meghan Sarbanis won a pair of gold medals as well, finishing first in the Women’s Light 1x and Women’s Light 2x. Second place finishes included Frank Rowe in the Men’s Master Single (40-49), Ray Boyd and Robert Baldry in the Men’s Master 2x (30-39), and Laura Altimari, Katie Brown, Heather Schofield and Jessie Lamont in the Women’s Open 4+.