September 2014 – stephenlirakis.com

NEWPORT, MY TOWN

I have been working in I movie. I will post tomorrow the finished version of Looking For America; which I had started almost a month ago. Meanwhile here is the Newport and the waterfront I knew.

FINAL DAY 12 METER NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

A fine south west breeze greeted the fleet on the final day of racing. Three races completed before the prize awarding at Ida Lewis Yacht Club.

COMANCHE 100′ VPLP

these images are courtesy of “Sailing Anarchy”

First Look : VPLP 100 Comanche – Sailing Anarchy from Penalty Box Productions on Vimeo.

12 METER NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS DAY 1

At the end of day one; “Intrepid” is in first place after three races.

1964 / 1974 CUP DEFENDERS, TALES OF THE PAST

A reunion of the crews from 1964 and 1974 America’s Cup defenders was a wonderful event filled with tales of the past. All made possible by Jimmy Gubelmann, as I like to call him the glue that binds. I heard stories that I had not heard before and a few I knew.

Mariner, Courageous, Intrepid, Valiant were represented from 1974 and Constellation and American Eagle from 1964.

BOB BAVIER, TED HOOD, JACK SUTPHEN, COURAGEOUS 1974

THE MAN WHO MADE IT POSSIBLE, JIM GUBELMANN

LANCASTER COUNTY

I found my self reluctant to leave Lancaster county and the Amish. For me, they exude a calm that was very pleasant to experience.

I am reminded of my years in school where reading those poets who rue the loss of the pastoral life. I understood intellectually the discussion that ensued, however I never felt their words; that is until today.

AMISH COUNTRY

I cannot even express the charm I see in the life the Amish live. I realize that it requires sacrifice on their part. Every choice comes with consequences. Equally, part of me felt that I had crossed a border to another country. I was now the stranger, not understanding the customs or language. It was me that stood out by the way I dressed, acted and spoke.

I had met last year, while in California, Mennonites who had moved to Modesto at the beginning of the 19th century and are still working the same farms.