LYNX Testimonials 2007-2008
Following are selected letters and testimonials received during 2007 and 2008. Some were regarding
School/Educational experiences and others were from
Sail experiences along the western US coast and during the inter-island
2007 Hawaii trip.
Below is a submittal in May 2008 with a photo as Lynx passed by on her way north:
Good morning,
I live near the Pt. Cabrillo Light Station and had the stunning pleasure to look out my window yesterday afternoon and see the Lynx sail into view. I'm a volunteer for the Light Station and want to express my individual appreciation for all the time and patience you took posing for our Centennial poster photo.
This morning, the ocean in front of me seems empty without you. I keep hoping your bow will glide into view beyond the edge of the nearby pines. While I'm no sailor, my 8th great grandfather, John Perry (of Vinalhaven, since North Haven, Maine), operated his privateer, Fly, during the Revolutionary War, running interference against loyalists supplying food and aid to the British. The Brits hunted him down on his little island home several times and once in Rockland, but he always managed to escape. They burned his house down and his wife and children had to flee. His story, like that of many other heroes of the era, is retold along those Penobscot shores.
So, my utmost thanks for giving us all such beauty yesterday and me a breath of family history. Do come again.
All good cheer and fair winds. -- Katy Pye
Photo above by Lisa D. Walker
School/Educational Experiences:
May 19, 2008
Thank you so much for such a wonderful program and experience! It was a hot and windless day,
but we still had a great time! I hope we can do it again.
-- Sincerely, Elizabeth Costello, Annunciation School, Stockton, CA
Dear Cindy, We had a wonderful time today! We really appreciated the crew coming up with a new plan after us
getting lost and arriving late. (Tomorrow's group is set.) I also wanted to mention how attentive crew members were in making this an
educational and memorable experience for the kids! We would certainly like to sign up for the sailing experience next year!
Please let me know when schedules are available.
-- Sincerely, Andrea Ackmann, Lang Ranch Elementary 2450 Whitechapel Place, Thousand Oaks, CA
Hello, My name is Lois Moss and I had the pleasure of being a passenger aboard The Lynx on Jan. 13, 2008.
I can't begin to tell you what an awesome day it was. First, the dedication of the crew members was wonderful, each and every one of
them did their jobs well. The Gunner, Jimmy ran around that ship did everything and then some.
The Capt was great, and I loved his outfit, especially the pants. Ha ha ha, I am ordering a pair just like them, for me. The battles were great, just
some of the private boats were rude and in the way. This educational program is wonderful for children.
What a great way to learn the history of the War of 1812.
I Thank everyone involved. Also, a special thank you to Cindy. She went out of her way to be kind to me.
We hit it off immediately. I am looking forward in coming aboard again soon. We need more dedicated people like yourselves to help and teach all of our
children about the United States. Thank you again.
-- Sincerely, Lois Moss
Wow, my children and I stopped by the ship yesterday in Morro Bay harbor and took a dockside tour totally spur of the moment. We had such a fun and educational experience in the
little time we were there it was completely amazing!!! Our school 5th and 8th grades will tour today and I
can't wait to get their feedback.
The crew and everyone on board were so helpful, friendly and willing to interact with my children.
Thank you so much, my son is counting on going next year because he will be in 5th grade.
Thank you again for all your help in arranging this for us I really appreciate it.
-- Cari Thomas, Cayucos Elementary School District
My class had a wonderful experience and learned a lot on the Privateer Lynx. Thank you for sharing the materials.
-- Sincerely, V. McGuire
I was thrilled to have my favorite privateer come to Moss Landing. Thanks to the crew who did a great job Friday evening while a
few of my students visited. The kids had a good time exploring and getting their questions answered by REAL sailors.
They talked about it a lot when we got back to school on Monday. Even such a short experience had a BIG impact on their understanding.
I know that everyone on the ship was tired and looking forward for the tour to be over, but we appreciated the time they gave us.
I would especially like to thank Matt. He was gentle, funny and kind to all the people he interacted with.
He made an effort to say "just the right thing in the right way" to young children, a young adult with special needs, and enthusiastic adults.
Thank you all. Please keep me in mind for future adventures ;)
-- Sandie McCafferty, New Republic School, Salinas
Dear Cindy, We had a wonderful time, and the crew did an excellent job of explaining everything. The 8th graders learned a great deal
and had a wonderful time doing it. I appreciated the crew's positive attitude and the way they encouraged all of the students to participate.
I will send pictures tomorrow. Thank you for a unique hands on learning experience.
-- Sue Noble, Crossroads Junior High
Dear Privateer LYNX Crew,
Thank you for sharing your vessel and time with us last week during our field trip to visit you at
Oxnard Harbor. In the words of my students, "This was the best field trip...Ever!!!"
We couldn't have asked for better weather and teachers. Your kindness and understanding made
the experience a positive one for many of the students who had never been near the ocean or on ship
before. They left feeling very safe and hoping to have this kind of experience again. I appreciated
the patience demonstrated by the ship's mates/instructors. The students certainly learned a lot
by having such an exciting, hands-on learning field trip in your classroom.
I appreciated something the captain told me during the trip that I passed on to many colleagues
and parents. While talking to students who were at the ship's wheel, he kindly asked me to refrain
from talking to them. He explained to me that it was important for the students to have time
to reflect and think about the day and all the experiences they were having. I agree. It is rare
that students have time to quietly think and reflect about life experiences and lessons learned from
others. I now plan on doing this with my students in class on a regular basis as we work together.
Again, thank you for sharing your beautiful ship and experiences with us.
-- Sincerely, Kevin J. McGroary, National Board Certified Teacher
Los Angeles County Teacher of the Year
Saugus Union School District Teacher of the Year
Rosedell Elementary School, Saugus, California
Lynx Educational Foundation,
I wanted to take a moment to thank you and your crew for the opportunity to take our students
out on the Privateer Lynx on January 9, 2007. The children were all thrilled when they found out
they were going and enjoyed the experience tremendously. It was a lesson in history and seamanship
they'll never forget.
As a teacher and sailor I was very impressed by the professionalism of your crew, not only in their
seamanship but in their ability to interact and relate to children. Furthermore, the children were
able to see how your crew interacted with each other to make the ship go! Jimmy, Ryan, Katie, Chris
are a tremendously talented lot and will serve you well! I only hope that our other fifth grade
classes can enjoy the same opportunity in the future.
Trips like this although costly are extremely important for our students for several reasons.
Our students live very sheltered lives within their community and have limited opportunities for
experiences that enrich and complement their education outside of the school environment.
Sail traiing provides them an opportunity to experience something totally foreign in our high tech
world and teaches many important social skills in team work, problem solving, and leadership.
It promotes positive healthy values and helps them learn to set goals for themselves. To look
beyond the horizon and see what is possible for them when they try new things. They learn to
think outside of their own comfort zone and realize anything is possible if they put their minds to
it and chart a course to achieve their goals.
It's not just a day sail on a tall ship to these kids. It's helping them realize their own worth
and sense of accomplishment. Your crew took a group of students out on a ship for a few hours and
began to turn them into sailors! They got to follow directions of the crew and learned to work
together as a team. They also learned about the War of 1812 and what it must have been like to be a
sailor on a warship.
Once again, thank you for the opportunity you provided for our students. I hope that the
Privateer Lynx can continue to take students like ours to sea so that all children can benefit from
sail training.
-- Sincerely, Kirk Felmar, Teacher, Normont Elementary School
Sail Experiences:
Some of the entries below are in text, and some include links to Blogs written by interns, visitors, etc.,
during Lynx's sail up to and through the 2008 Tall Ships Challenge.
Pirates Battle in Puget Sound and a Crew BBQ in Tacoma, by
astakaren, July 9
Welcome Aboard, by Joannatheintern, July 5
July 5, 2008
To the Captain and Crew of LYNX -
Many thanks for the super ride across the Straits of Juan de Fuca on 30 June. You had LYNX fairly flying, and it was a thrill to be on board and feel her
power. Intriguing sail selection, seemingly one for every open space between masts, sails, and deck. We were impressed with the professionalism
of every one of you. You knew what you had to do and did it, weaving politly through us lumps on your decks. And, you were very generous in sharing
your knowledge. We admired your confidence and competence and the way you worked together. Good Crew! Thank you.
-- Regards, John & Marie-Paule Crutcher
Hi again, Cindy,
I just wanted to tell you what an amazing experience we had on the Lynx. I'm ready to go again. Everyone was friendly, helpful, and informative.
It was fascinating to watch the crew work. Everything was so coordinated and expertly done. I can't say enough good things about our experience
on the Lynx.I am so glad that we had the opportunity to take the cruise.
-- Joanne
Folks, I had the pleasure of sailing the leg from Moss Landing to Morro Bay. The ship, captain & crew were great and it was a
wonderful learning experience for me. As a "first time" sailor I was a bit apprehensive about the trip.
Everyone in the crew were very informative and professional. I look forward to seeing next years sailing schedule so that I might book
passage for my son and I on one, or more, legs. My thanks to everyone for one of the best adventures I've had in many years.
-- Ken Petznick, Moss Landing Power Plant
We cannot thank you or your Captain enough, for "The Lynx" surprise appearance. It made this occasion even more special.
The timing was exceptional, and could not have been better if it had been coordinated with the Warbirds and Marines. Thank you again.
-- Sincerely, Nancy Spitzer
I just wanted to drop you a note to say Thank You for choosing EYC to host Lynx. We at EYC have enjoyed their stay on our docks. Your crews have been friendly,
courteous and most pleasureable to be around. I want you to know that Lynx is welcome at EYC anytime and we would look forward to
her visit in the future. You have a great group. You should be proud of them all.
-- Best Regards, Chuck Wetteroth, Staff Commodore/Port Captain, Encinal Yacht Club
I wanted to take a moment and tell you what an awesome time we had sailing on the Lynx this past Saturday in Kona! Actually awesome isn't a strong enough word.
Your crew was fabulous! Every single one of them was very friendly, polite and educational. They all took time to talk with all the passengers.
It was obvious they all loved what they did.
We were highly disappointed that you will not be returning next year [2008], but have hopes that you will return in 2009.
It truly was an awesome day on your sailing ship! Please let the "powers that be" know what an incredible service they offer and how
much we loved it.
Mahalo Nui Loa (Thank you very much)
-- Rick and Kandis Chadwick
Just wanted to let you know the journey from Kawaihae to Lahaina was fantastic!!! It's the best adventure I've ever had (and I'm 56). Exceeded my
expectations, with the high winds and huge waves. And the crew was great. Thank you so much for the opportunity to get to go on the Privateer Lynx,
I feel very privileged that I got to go.
Hope to sail on her again!
Aloha,
-- Karen Repan
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