Author: Mary Jefferson

Sponsored by the Wine Kitchen Supporting Color on the Creek

STARGAZER I was made in the back of a coleman jon boat in 2016 as the first and only boat in Sailing Through the Winter Solstice.

She also wore the name USS Hamster in honor of Jason Kremers who had deployed to Iraq that winter.

Sponsored by The Wine Kitchen and Mayer BB&T bank she served for four years in the growing arctic sailing armada. The Wine Kitchen now supports her namesake Stargazer II.

Sailing Through The Winter Solstice begins sometime in mid-November every year when the boats that have been constructed and planned are launched into Carroll Creek. The 12+ week event benefits the city of Frederick in more ways than one. Each boat supports a local charity. Sailing Through Winter Solstice endures through the weekend of Fire and Ice – the first weekend in February. Shortly after that weekend, the boats are lifted from the creek and put into storage – only to be refurbished and polished up for the next year. For 2020 there were 24 boats raising funds for charitable organizations, and one smaller boat, USS Hamster, constructed to serve as a maintenance and rescue boat for repairs, as needed during winds, snow and ice conditions.

Sponsored by The Rotary Club of Carroll CreekChosen Charity Second Chances Garage Designed to celebrate Rotary Club of Carroll Creek’s 25th anniversary year, the Carroll Creek Clipper Team started planning in March 2017. We purchased a fiberglass 12-foot one-mast sailboat in May, and spent about 400 man-hours over the following 6 months through weekly construction meetings.

The Team built a structural wooden frame inside the boat, added a second mast, used PVC for the deck, customized the railings, welded bowed aluminum sails, and stringed rope lights on sails and deck. The Rotary 25th anniversary wheel was added to commemorate the special year.

Rotary Club of Carroll Creek is proud to participate in the Sailing through the Winter Solstice festival for the 4th consecutive year, and in the process, help contribute to local charities.

Sailing Through The Winter Solstice begins sometime in mid-November every year when the boats that have been constructed and planned are launched into Carroll Creek. The 12+ week event benefits the city of Frederick in more ways than one. Each boat supports a local charity. Sailing Through Winter Solstice endures through the weekend of Fire and Ice – the first weekend in February. Shortly after that weekend, the boats are lifted from the creek and put into storage – only to be refurbished and polished up for the next year. For 2020 there were 24 boats raising funds for charitable organizations, and one smaller boat, USS Hamster, constructed to serve as a maintenance and rescue boat for repairs, as needed during winds, snow and ice conditions.

Sponsored by Morgan Keller
Supporting Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County

We put together a team of about 10 people at our company. The team met virtually throughout COVID to plan our boat. And then we met in person to do the actual work (with masks of course). I am proud that we built our first boat for its maiden voyage through COVID.

It was a fun and rewarding process with a committee of people from different groups within the company that came together to make this happen.

Sailing Through The Winter Solstice begins sometime in mid-November every year when the boats that have been constructed and planned are launched into Carroll Creek. The 12+ week event benefits the city of Frederick in more ways than one. Each boat supports a local charity. Sailing Through Winter Solstice endures through the weekend of Fire and Ice – the first weekend in February. Shortly after that weekend, the boats are lifted from the creek and put into storage – only to be refurbished and polished up for the next year. For 2020 there were 24 boats raising funds for charitable organizations, and one smaller boat, USS Hamster, constructed to serve as a maintenance and rescue boat for repairs, as needed during winds, snow and ice conditions.

Sponsored by Dynamic Automotive
Supporting United Way of Frederick County’s Path to Transportation

Chris Kline Sr, who helped us buy both our Urbana and New Market location, suggested a 25th anniversary edition this year. We wanted to raise awareness to what Maryland was doing. Which helped us pick the Maryland Flag as a design, we upped our game from last year with painted sails. We used black light to illuminate the sails along with LED rope lights. We chose the United Way of Frederick County’s, Path Road to Transportation to support. It’s a great fit for us to support a transportation program that helps lift people up with reliable transportation.

Sailing Through The Winter Solstice begins sometime in mid-November every year when the boats that have been constructed and planned are launched into Carroll Creek. The 12+ week event benefits the city of Frederick in more ways than one. Each boat supports a local charity. Sailing Through Winter Solstice endures through the weekend of Fire and Ice – the first weekend in February. Shortly after that weekend, the boats are lifted from the creek and put into storage – only to be refurbished and polished up for the next year. For 2020 there were 24 boats raising funds for charitable organizations, and one smaller boat, USS Hamster, constructed to serve as a maintenance and rescue boat for repairs, as needed during winds, snow and ice conditions.

 

Key to Freedom 2020
Sponsored by Matan
Supporting: Frederick Health Hospice Veterans Program

For the last several years Matan’s Philanthropic Committee took a pledge to “Be the Change” and has worked at increasing our community involvement to give back in Frederick County.

At our holiday lunch at the Wine Kitchen back in 2018, we admired all the amazing boats on the creek, and decided to take on the challenge of building our own boat. In May of 2019 we began the process of acquiring, designing, and building a boat that could be displayed along the creek.

We acquired a fourteen foot, 1973 O’Day Javelin sailboat from the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum.

We polled our employees to get theme ideas. Patriotic was the popular vote. The Key to Freedom’s patriotic theme aligns with Frederick’s rich history of Francis Scott Key and The Star-Spangled Banner. High Rock Studios helped us design the overall look and the six members of our Philanthropic Committee worked countless hours to bring that design to life.

This is the second year Key to Freedom has participated in STTWS. This year we chose “Frederick Health Hospice Veterans Program” as our local non-profit, ensuring that our veterans and their families continue to receive the support they need within our community.

Sailing Through The Winter Solstice begins sometime in mid-November every year when the boats that have been constructed and planned are launched into Carroll Creek. The 12+ week event benefits the city of Frederick in more ways than one. Each boat supports a local charity. Sailing Through Winter Solstice endures through the weekend of Fire and Ice – the first weekend in February. Shortly after that weekend, the boats are lifted from the creek and put into storage – only to be refurbished and polished up for the next year. For 2020 there were 24 boats raising funds for charitable organizations, and one smaller boat, USS Hamster, constructed to serve as a maintenance and rescue boat for repairs, as needed during winds, snow and ice conditions.

 

Holly Jolly Roger 2020
Sponsored by Kevin and Jeannie Hessler
Supporting: I believe in Me Inc.

The boat, now known as The Holly Jolly Roger, was originally donated by Shelia Thompson, in honor of Dr. Thompson, her husband, who was a local dentist who had worked on the boat. He passed away after it was finished.

Sailing Through the Winter Solstice was happy to adopt the land vessel to continue bringing joy to many. The first year, 2018, the vessel was transformed into Puff the Dragon and was pulled in the Kris Kringle parade by Pete the horse. She sat on land near LaPaz restaurant. In 2019 she was again transformed, this time, into a pirate ship. We chose the name of The Holly Jolly Roger. A tribute to Captain Hook’s ship along with a nod to the holiday season. She again was pulled in the Kris Kringle parade, but this time by Pete, the doctor, manually! The weather was so miserable and the horse was not available. Kudos, Pete! She found her home in front of The Wine Kitchen.

This year, 2020, she is again in front of The Wine Kitchen. It is a great boat to climb into and have a picture snapped!

Sailing Through The Winter Solstice begins sometime in mid-November every year when the boats that have been constructed and planned are launched into Carroll Creek. The 12+ week event benefits the city of Frederick in more ways than one. Each boat supports a local charity. Sailing Through Winter Solstice endures through the weekend of Fire and Ice – the first weekend in February. Shortly after that weekend, the boats are lifted from the creek and put into storage – only to be refurbished and polished up for the next year. For 2020 there were 24 boats raising funds for charitable organizations, and one smaller boat, USS Hamster, constructed to serve as a maintenance and rescue boat for repairs, as needed during winds, snow and ice conditions.

 

 

Kraken A Truth 2020
Sponsored by Flying Dog Brewery
Supporting: Color on the Creek

Downtown Frederick is the heart of our backyard and what better way to showcase our brand and love of Frederick?

We decided to join Sailing Through The Winter Solstice and this will mark year four of our journey. This year we wanted to do something unimaginable.

Enter our dream of the Kraken, a mythical sea creature thought to be menacing and terrifying by many sailors. However, tamed by the Truth!

This beautiful creature was imagined and created by Josh Diffenbaugh, Kyle Thomas, Branden McGee and Pete Kremers. Together we accomplished what no one thought was possible!

Kraken A Truth! If you can handle the Truth that is!

Sailing Through The Winter Solstice begins sometime in mid-November every year when the boats that have been constructed and planned are launched into Carroll Creek. The 12+ week event benefits the city of Frederick in more ways than one. Each boat supports a local charity. Sailing Through Winter Solstice endures through the weekend of Fire and Ice – the first weekend in February. Shortly after that weekend, the boats are lifted from the creek and put into storage – only to be refurbished and polished up for the next year. For 2020 there were 24 boats raising funds for charitable organizations, and one smaller boat, USS Hamster, constructed to serve as a maintenance and rescue boat for repairs, as needed during winds, snow and ice conditions.

Colleen’s Crew 2020

Sponsored by New Era Custom Design and Cabinet
Supporting: Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

Every story has a back story. Ours begins with the 1996 birth of Pat and Molly Crowley’s second of three daughters. Aptly named Colleen, she was, and is, the perfect embodiment of her Irish heritage – fair skin, strawberry hair, a smattering of freckles and a smile that always extends to her eyes.

At just one week old, Colleen was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis (CF), a “progressive, genetic disease that causes persistent lung infections and limits the ability to breathe over time.” The disease affects about 30,000 people in the United States and its diagnosis carries an unenviable, although rapidly increasing, life expectancy.

Not ones to shy from a challenge, The Crowley family – immediate and extended (a veritable army) – made it their vocation to understand the disease, normalize as much of Colleen’s life as possible and be at the forefront of helping to find a cure. Pat and Molly became very involved in the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) and, over the past 15 years, with the help of friends and family, have helped to raise more than $750,000 towards research by hosting a team in the local annual “Great Strides” CFF walkathon. The team name? Colleen’s Crew.

“In July, Jean and I picnicked with the Kinley’s and Wight’s. I proposed the idea of entering a boat in downtown Frederick’s annual Sailing into the Winter Solstice event,” says Ballantyne. “The Great Strides walk was planning to go virtual because of the pandemic; we knew it would be harder to raise funds in traditional ways, so why not branch out our efforts while maintaining COVID restrictions?”

As usual, the group was all in and, as usual, it was a secret from the Crowley family.

The seed was planted and grew quickly.

The Thursday before the drop-in, Ballantyne paid a surprise visit to The Crowley Company to give Pat the heads up, sharing pictures from the production process.

It wouldn’t be right to end the story without filling you in on how Colleen, the Crowleys, and countless other families have benefited from the advancements made in research and treatments over the recent past. New protocols have been approved and life expectancy has more than doubled during Colleen’s 24 years.

Sailing Through The Winter Solstice begins sometime in mid-November every year when the boats that have been constructed and planned are launched into Carroll Creek. The 12+ week event benefits the city of Frederick in more ways than one. Each boat supports a local charity. Sailing Through Winter Solstice endures through the weekend of Fire and Ice – the first weekend in February. Shortly after that weekend, the boats are lifted from the creek and put into storage – only to be refurbished and polished up for the next year. For 2020 there were 24 boats raising funds for charitable organizations, and one smaller boat, USS Hamster, constructed to serve as a maintenance and rescue boat for repairs, as needed during winds, snow and ice conditions.

 

 

USS Fredericktowne 2020

Sponsored by High Caliber Home Inspections and One Man’s Junk
Supporting: Platoon 22

Designed by Thom Beckley who said “I have the deepest respect for those that serve and are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice so we can enjoy what all we have.” Representing all five branches of military with the 3D printed planes and helicopters on deck. Movement was added by three Air Force jets and two army helicopters and the POW/MIA emblem are wind powered.

Sailing Through The Winter Solstice begins sometime in mid-November every year when the boats that have been constructed and planned are launched into Carroll Creek. The 12+ week event benefits the city of Frederick in more ways than one. Each boat supports a local charity. Sailing Through Winter Solstice endures through the weekend of Fire and Ice – the first weekend in February. Shortly after that weekend, the boats are lifted from the creek and put into storage – only to be refurbished and polished up for the next year. For 2020 there were 24 boats raising funds for charitable organizations, and one smaller boat, USS Hamster, constructed to serve as a maintenance and rescue boat for repairs, as needed during winds, snow and ice conditions.

Snallygaster and Twins 2020
Sponsored by Landscape Services Inc.
Supporting: Sophie and Madigan’s Playground

The story behind Snallygaster and the Twins. The first year we constructed only the Snallygaster, Ed wanted to name Sophie and Madigan’s Playground but found out that it wasn’t “ready” to receive funds. So that first year we chose Glade Valley Community Services because I am heavily involved with them. They were willing to be named as our charity.

After that first year, we then were able to designate Sophie and Madigan’s Playground as the charity receiving funds from the boat. Since Sophie and Madigan’s Playground was then going to be our charity, we decided to add 2 “children” to the Snallygaster in order to honor Sophie and Madigan. We wanted them to be whimsical, fun and playful so we incorporated the balls (gender neutral toy) and included the name choice. At the time, we went through discussions of which genders to make the kids and decided that 2 girls hit too close to home – then we decided to do one boy and girl.

So that is how Snallygaster and the Twins, Sallygaster and Sullygaster came to be. We also made them glittery and sparkly, using youthful, fun colors and lots of glitter and sequins as Sophie and Madigan would have chosen!

Sailing Through The Winter Solstice begins sometime in mid-November every year when the boats that have been constructed and planned are launched into Carroll Creek. The 12+ week event benefits the city of Frederick in more ways than one. Each boat supports a local charity. Sailing Through Winter Solstice endures through the weekend of Fire and Ice – the first weekend in February. Shortly after that weekend, the boats are lifted from the creek and put into storage – only to be refurbished and polished up for the next year. For 2020 there were 24 boats raising funds for charitable organizations, and one smaller boat, USS Hamster, constructed to serve as a maintenance and rescue boat for repairs, as needed during winds, snow and ice conditions.