December/January 1996

The president reflects on 40 years of sailing Thistles and the 50th anniversary celebration. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining the class's family-oriented spirit and discusses how volunteers and leadership drive the class's continued success.

Allan Gowans discusses the challenges of growing the Thistle Class and promoting the sport. He emphasizes the need for creative ideas and volunteer input on promoting the class, mentions successful fleets that are growing, and calls for articles and ideas from members.

The new editor Patty Lawrence shares her excitement about taking on the role and describes her journey to the Thistle Class. She discusses the Bagpipe's goals to represent all aspects of the class and encourages contributions from members.

Pat Tompkins describes the wedding celebration of Judy Tompkins and Eric Gesner (sailboat #3506) in Rochester, New York. The couple, who met and raced together in Thistles, celebrated after the 50th Anniversary and Nationals with a nautical theme and Thistle-related activities.

Chris Klotz addresses concerns about wooden Thistle boat construction, discussing specific issues like design variety, construction costs, appeal to newcomers, and the need for constructive dialogue to address class concerns.

Jack Finefrock provides a humorous list of 13 reasons why Thistlers should attend Midwinters East in St. Petersburg, Florida in March, including missed sailing, seeing friends, racing format, and the welcoming club atmosphere.

Patty Lawrence discusses the new Thistle Home Page on the internet, highlighting how it's becoming a resource for the class. She describes the page's content, its growth potential, and invites member input for future development.

Charlie Kraft provides information about the 1996 Sail Expo in Atlantic City, NJ from February 3-11. The Thistle Class will have a booth and is seeking volunteers to help staff it and talk with interested sailing enthusiasts.

Event schedule and logistical information for Midwinters East taking place March 3-8, 1996 at St. Petersburg Yacht Club with details on daily activities, housing, and regatta information.

Jan MacLean writes a tribute to Darlene Clark, the regatta chair for Midwinters East, who passed away in October 1995. The article celebrates her contributions to Thistle sailing and her legacy in the organization.

Q&A session featuring sailors discussing boat tuning, preparation for racing conditions, and tactical decisions made at the 1995 Nationals. Multiple sailors share their experiences with rig tuning, boat setup, and race strategies.

Interview-style piece featuring insights from top finishers at the 1995 Nationals about the race results, their experience, and reflections on the Thistle Class's growth and success.

Detailed technical tables showing specifications for competitive boats sailed at the 1995 Nationals, including hull materials, weights, rig data, crew data, and sail specifications.

A collection of humorous quotes and anecdotes from the 50th Anniversary celebration, along with a story about Flint O'Brien's accident and practical information on how to submit articles to the Bagpipe.

Report on the East Coast Fall Series races at Nyack Boat Club in New York on September 16-17, with race results and commentary on the sailing conditions and winners.

Report on the Atlantic Coast Championships held in July at Fleet 41 and Nyack Boat Club, featuring results from 43 boats across multiple races and commentary on wind conditions and racing.

Race results from the Oyster Roast Regatta at Severe Sailing Association in Annapolis, Maryland on October 7-8, 1995, with commentary on wind conditions and racing.

Report on the Great Pond Championship held in Kansas during September, celebrating the 40th anniversary of Cowan Lake's Thistle Fleet 65, featuring race results and social activities.

Report on the Old Salty Regatta held at Lake Norman Yacht Club on October 14-15, 1995, featuring race results and commentary on wind conditions and the Russell family's participation.

Report on the Bloody Mary Regatta held at Western Carolina Sailing Club on Lake Hartwell in Anderson, South Carolina on November 4, featuring race results and commentary on challenging weather conditions.

Classified advertisements featuring Thistle boats for sale, sailing equipment and parts, miscellaneous items, and commercial service providers for the Thistle Class.