RICK HERRICK

508-693-8065

(herricklr@verizon.net)

Three weeks ago the Edgartown Yacht Club hosted a regatta for 12 metre boats, and our own Wally Ross was the senior judge for the event. Wally has been refereeing races at the EYC for more than 30 years. The race committee sets the course and monitors the start and finish of a race. The judges see that the rules are enforced.

An alleged infraction of the rules by one participant can lead to a protest by an opposing participant. At the end of the race, the protest is handled in the protest room where opposing racers present their claims to a panel of judges. The issues can be complex. According to Wally, the rules covering a boat rounding a buoy span three pages in the racers’ handbook.

Wally’s love of sailing began as a young boy. He learned to sail in Great South Bay, L.I., when he became the proud owner of a rowboat with sail. After serving in the legendary Tenth Mountain Division in World War 11, he became president of two marine companies — one that made sails and the other hardware for a wide variety of boats. Part of his job was to test newly manufactured sails and the hardware related to sailboats.

As a member of U.S. Sailing, Wally has judged races throughout the United States and Canada. He loves the job because there is no better place to see a race than from the judges’ boat. He also enjoys the camaraderie of fellow judges, and that hosting yacht clubs treat their judges like royalty. He is married to Jean Ross, and the two live in a beautiful home across from the East Chop Lighthouse.

The peaceful home of Bob and Liz Huss, overlooking the Oak Bluffs harbor, was wonderfully disturbed last week with the arrival of Cally Elizabeth Young. Cally was born on August 10 in Randolph, Vt., weighing in at 8 pounds, 11 ounces. She was joined by her mother, Beth Young, and her brothers Amos, 14, and Brendan, 9. Beth’s sister, Barb Rush of Sisterdale Tex., and her son Ben, 13, were also on hand to welcome Cally to the Chop.

You cannot travel along East Chop Drive without noticing an interesting flag flying at the Schott house. Jack and Sally purchased their home in 1981 and immediately installed a flagpole. Old Glory flew that first year.

This tradition soon changed when house guests presented Jack and Sally with the Betsy Ross flag. You will always see the Betsy Ross flag flying on the Schott’s pole on the Fourth of July because it was the first official flag of the country. Due to a keen interest in American history, Jack began purchasing historical flags not long after that.

Of the 29 American historical flags, Jack now has 22. Each flag has an interesting story. On the day I spoke with him, the Taunton Minuteman flag was on display. This flag was flown in Taunton in 1775, and makes one of the earliest revolutionary war statements of liberty and union.

Jack displays a different flag daily. If you walk past and Jack is sitting on the porch, ask him about the flag that is flying. You won’t be disappointed. Jack knows his stuff, and tells a great story.

Finally, several people have brought to my attention an East Chop poop problem alongside many of our roads. Please clean up after your dog.