BLISS 1998

August 5-7th, Dodsons Shipyard, Stonington, CT.

Newsletter Summary

During the winter of 1998 several Island Packet owners communicating on the internet lamented the fact that there was not a rendezvous in the Southern New England / Long Island area.     A few decided to do something about it and began organizing the first rendezvous.   Bruce and Loretta Gregory,  Charlie and Sue Purdham and Rick and Bonnie Fricchione became the BLISS Rendezvous Committee.  Visits were made to several locations, and in the end Dodson's shipyard in Stonington, CT was selected as the location.  .   

On Friday the boats began to arrive, and the harbor and slips began to fill up with Island Packets.   The friday night pot-luck supper was a resounding success and surprised everyone with its variety and volume of food.  A speech by Bill Bolin from the Island Packet factory gave attendees an idea of what the future of the line held as well as the industry.   

On Saturday,  an open-boat was held where each Packeteer showed their boat to others.  Boats on moorings pulled up to those on the docks and rafted up to allow easier access.  After the open-boat, the group picture was taken (see below) and everyone prepared for dinner.  The dinner was held with a lobster/clambake format and Bruce Gregory was the head-chef.   He did an excellent job with the feast.

On Sunday morning a "dingy scavenger hunt" was held.   This was done by packeteers taking their boats dingy and following a series of clues to find 9 island packet stars hidden in various places in the harbor.  The stars were on boats, buoys and docks.   The Betancourt family won the contest, and were given a West Marine clock for their prize. 

On Sunday afternoon, the crowd departed with hopes of an even better BLISS 99.  BLISS 98 had over 25 boats and 90 people!

Many thanks to those who attended, and many thanks to our sponsors for making this possible. 

BLISS 1998 Group Pictures

BLISS98 Group Picture.jpg (140089 bytes)

BLISS 1998 Dock Pictures

BLISS98 Docks 1.jpg (42970 bytes)    BLISS98 Docks 2.jpg (51415 bytes)    BLISS98 Moorings 1.jpg (20135 bytes)

BLISS 1998 Rendezvous Dinner Pictures

BLISS98 Dinner 1.jpg (37782 bytes)   BLISS98 Dinner 2.jpg (52589 bytes)   BLISS98 Dinner 3.jpg (32358 bytes)   BLISS98 Dinner 5.jpg (34726 bytes)   BLISS98 Dinner 4.jpg (77381 bytes)

BLISS 1998 Event Pictures

BLISS98 Event 1.jpg (26225 bytes)   BLISS98 Event 2.JPG (65239 bytes)   BLISS98 Event 3.jpg (45308 bytes)   BLISS98 Event 4.jpg (29448 bytes)   BLISS98 Events 5.jpg (29720 bytes)   BLISS98 Events 6.jpg (38989 bytes)

BLISS 1998 Publications

BLISS98InvitationRev1.gif (41115 bytes)   BLISS98ScheduleRevA.gif (19134 bytes)

BLISS 1998 Attendees

Boat Name Model / Hull Owner
ONIEROS IP32-195 Archie & Allison Cochrane
MORNINGSTAR IP32-084 Bruce & Loretta Gregory
TIME BANDIT IP45-029 Rick & Bonnie Fricchione
ARIA SERENA IP32-025 Don & Verena Holtman
LADY BARBARA IP27-163 Jack & Barbara Lavitsky
SNARK IP26-065 Hampton Smith
ODYSSEY IP31-025 Ronald Yates
DESTINY IP40-064 Hal Seidel
LAFALOT IP35-004 Dave & Barbara Frost
SWIFTSURE IP40-127 Mike & Kate Parker
DAWNGREETER IP380-008 Joe & Karen Laczko
TIMBAL IP350-033 Joe Robillard
SUNKIST IP37-023 Howard & Diane Johnson
TUSITALIA IP31-174 Robert & Bernice Cleveland
CLAIRE SAILIN' IP40-084 Dean & Anita Kimball
GAIL WINDS IP380-015 Mike & Gail Fortier
SANDERLING IP45-111 Roger & Cris Jones
MISSY ANNE IP31-110 Dave & Anne Hill
DIVIDEND IP31-074 Frank & Marianne Flores
SPEAKEASY IP27-035 Joe & Kathy Gormley
HIGH CIRRUS IP37-057 Bernie & Peggy Kiernan
VALHALLA IP31-059 Charlie & Sue Purdham
CELTIC CLIPPER IP40-024 Don Ringsmuth
AL LINS DREAM II IP35-063 Alan & Linda Sandman
CARESS IP40-110 Arnold & Leslie Sucher
WINGSPAN IP35-150 Dick & Sue Wing
SUN DANCER IP29-012 Peter & Merry Braun
FASCINATING RHYTHM IP38-038 Herb & Jackie Kuschner
ANNE MARIE IP40-111 Joe & Ann Trotta
KANDY KAT PC-027 Dexter and Kay Brooks

 

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