One more member has joined the ranks of Life Members of SSSS! Thera Black was inducted at the June 2016 potluck in recognition of her long and luminous history with the Club.

Thera has held every SSSS board chair except Race Committee and Treasurer. As Program Chair/Member-at-Large she brought us some of our most high profile speakers, including Lyn and Larry Pardey. During her two years as Secretary she consolidated Erik Dahl’s innovation of printing just the changes in the Handbook, saving the Club money as well as the environment. Even when she was no longer in the office, she was generous with her time in helping new Secretaries get a handle on the Handbook.

She’s been a key supporter of the Toliva event, eventually taking over as the planner, organizer and chief of the galley. In fact, if there is a kitchen involved with SSSS, you can count on Thera to be there with her apron: she has cooked burgers for the June Meeting for years, as well as pancakes at the Cruises. She is a regular at the S-t-S foldings and hosts the December folding at her house, serving food as fingers fly.

Her talents don’t end at the galley: we would have no calendars if not for her camera and her willingness to herd the many cats to get dates nailed down and photos submitted. She’s been a fixture at the Black Star Regatta, moving marks and taking photos.

Somehow Thera manages to find time to actually sail: she’s raced consistently with Rod on Strider and Pax, helping him to many victories, and winning the Sportsmanship award in 2010. She also was on Brass Ring, the winning boat for the Benefit Race trophy, in 2003.

Whew! I’m tired just thinking about everything Thera does for the Club, and I am sure I have missed many more contributions! Let’s all raise a glass to Thera Black in acknowledgement of all she does for the Club, and the grace and good humor with which she does it.

Mary Campbell

photos by Bob Butts