The International One-Design Sailors at Skylands!
As you can imagine, sailing is a serious pastime in the in the vast waters near Skylands, my home in Maine. The Northeast Harbor Fleet, formed in August of 1923, is a seasonal organization that promotes boating and sailboat racing in the area. For the second time in a decade, the Northeast Harbor Fleet hosted the International One-Design (IOD) World Championship regatta this summer. IOD is a class of sailboat developed specifically for yacht racing. This classic boat is a 33-foot open cockpit day sailer and they are so beautiful to watch. The event was held from July 25th-30th and involved a series of eight races.
David Rockefeller Jr., my friend and neighbor in Seal Harbor, asked me if I’d be willing to host one of the evening gatherings. The sailors are from all over and they are entertained in the “hosting” harbor. One night they took over the Islesford Dock Restaurant on Little Cranberry Island and on another, they participated a lively square dance. I opened my home to a group of about 150 and we all had a great time feasting on a menu created by Chef Pierre Schaedelin.
1 This was the last day of racing in the Northeast Harbor IOD World Championship regatta.
2 It was the second time in a decade that the Northeast Harbor Fleet hosted this event.
3 According to the class history, legendary American yachtsman, Cornelius Shields, originally conceived the idea for the International One-Design sloop in 1935.
4 Cornelius Shields commissioned designer-builder Bjarne Aas of Fredrikstad of Norway, to draw the plans for a 33-foot one-design racing sloop.
5 His design was made out of wood and included a hollow wooden mast that was 45 feet tall and carried 426 square feet of sail!
6 Interestingly, in 1938, the cost of the yacht was about $2,670 - $40,700 in current dollars!
7 Of course, IODs made today are constructed of fiberglass.
8 I have always admired the skills and experience needed to adjust for the sea conditions and varying wind speeds.
9 It was a perfect day for sailing!
10 In preparation for the party, the outdoor steamer across from stable, was fired up. Its fuel is birch logs and natural charcoal.
11 The 11-bean salad being prepared - All the dried beans came from Caesare, the chef/owner of Salumeria Rosi. http://www.salumeriarosi.com/
12 The almost completed bean salad
13 A closeup view - you can clearly see the great variety of beans.
14 The bean salad embellished
15 Ripe red tomatoes and chopped Italian parsley added color.
16 The biscuits I baked for the fisherman's stew were flavored with dill and rosemary.
17 The food on its way to the stable for the IOD reception - that's Tom, from the TV kitchen staff.
18 Grilling the bread
19 Flavorful grilled sausages were served at this table with mustards, grilled bread, and the bean salad.
20 The sausages from Schaller & Weber http://www.schallerweber.com/ were a big hit.
21 And so were the frittatas made from my eggs!
22 This cooker is the greatest for steaming lobsters, clams, mussels and for cooking paella.
23 No one could believe the size, beauty, and flavor of this paella - so very, very good!
24 We went to the beach to collect fresh seaweed for the garnish of the fisherman's stew.
25 Posing with Pierre and Tom, who helped cook for the weekend.
26 Pierre serving the fisherman's stew
27 It's so easy to steam, cook, and grill vast amounts of food on this cooker.
28 The amazing bean salad and bratwurst on crusty grilled bread
29 Here I am with David Rockefeller Jr. and his wife, Susan.
30 The Massachusetts Institute of Technology crowd and me - they teach sailing at MIT.
31 I told my sailing stories - the Marblehead-Halifax race on 'Cascade' and other sailing disasters - I did not fit in with this crowd!
32 The presentation of gifts
33 Horseshoes were set up, although I did not see anyone toss.
34 After the feast, guests were invited onto the terrace to enjoy the view of Seal Harbor and to sip chilled wine.
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
I always love seeing you entertain and the outdoor steamer, grill and kitchen is very impressive. The chefs worked hard and their food looked amazing. The bean salad looked so good, especially using those large butter beans which you see a lot in Spain and Portugal. And who wouldn't love ending their evening sipping some wine overlooking the sea. As usual it all looks perfect but achievable with a little planning and great ideas. Well done again!
Posted by: Christian / @vfbr2001 | August 10th, 2010 at 1:13 am
Well Martha, you've done it, again!! All the guests seem to be having a great time.
And, I love that blue, blue water.
Gloria!!
Posted by: Gloria | August 10th, 2010 at 1:15 am
What a beautiful set-up!
Posted by: Isle Dance | August 10th, 2010 at 2:26 am
Beautiful pictures. I would love to see more pictures of your home in Maine. No matter where you are, you make every place seem like it is paradise through your pictures.
Posted by: Karen Tracy | August 10th, 2010 at 7:02 am
Martha, You can go from a small dinner party of 6 to a gathering of 150 you are the best. What a beautiful day for such an outting. Looks like everybody had a great time in Maine.
Posted by: Bernadette | August 10th, 2010 at 7:34 am
Martha,
wonderful pictures again, you truly are a most generous person to host so many.
Would love the recipe of the bean salad, looks full of protein.
Posted by: Aussie gal | August 10th, 2010 at 8:52 am
Such a lovely event to host. I agree...the bean salad looks amazing and the sausages a very wonderful accompaniment. I'll bet the sailing crowd really enjoyed it all.
Posted by: sherey | August 10th, 2010 at 9:33 am
Hi Martha,
Both you and Chef Pierre are something else – gems for sure! 150 people – no problem and you used real plates too, not paper plates. I mean, who has that many plates in one pattern except you. What a feast and btw, you’re driving me nuts with that scrumptious looking paella - I want some!
~
Could you by any chance let us know where we can get the striped tablecloths; I really like the colors. If it’s one of yours sold at Macy’s, I haven’t seen it.
~
Skylands is just so beautiful and I imagine the best place to spend your summer days. The sailboat racing looks like a lot of fun and I agree the water is a beautiful blue. Thanks for sharing another one of your days with us! Trish
Posted by: Trish | August 10th, 2010 at 10:01 am
Martha, thanks for sharing this blog.
Posted by: KLBrown | August 10th, 2010 at 10:49 am
Martha, I loved this blog. The pictures of the sailboats and sea are worthy of framing and hanging on a wall. You look so relaxed and content sitting (or standing) at the bowl of beans. Yes it looked like everyone laughed and had a great time.
Posted by: Margie | August 10th, 2010 at 10:53 am
.
Sunset Dreams
.
Watch the sun in its decline,
Think of love, drink the wine.
Wonder what might have been,
Remember when the Earth was green?
When humpbacks roamed the pristine seas;
And working hard, like busy bees
Produced results and freed the soul,
Kept your ass off the dole.
Meaningful intermingling eased the strife
Brought a dolphin in to your life,
And of the journey's endgame
Make you proud, protect your name.
Sail away, amd bye bye blues,
Life is truly what you choose.
.
.
What a scrumptious looking bean salad. Yummy!
Posted by: celia stock | August 10th, 2010 at 10:55 am
Martha,
I very much enjoyed this blog - I love your travels to Maine, when do I get to come up and visit?
Joe
Posted by: Joe Macduffy | August 10th, 2010 at 1:10 pm
What a beautiful outdoor kitchen!
Posted by: Wendy | August 10th, 2010 at 1:32 pm
Wow, lucky sailors! Usually they get day old sandwiches or hot dogs. I saw the show on Skylands; incredible. If you want to sail on SF Bay some day, let me know. Late Sept/early Oct is usually the best.
Posted by: Rebecca | August 10th, 2010 at 1:38 pm
Miss martha, you are soooooo blessed, I must say I look very forward to reading your blog and the best part the pictures are beautiful!
I love love reading and seeing the pics of your poochie dogs.
Thank you for sharing all your adventures, memories and all.
Posted by: Jeanne | August 10th, 2010 at 3:49 pm
Hi Martha, This was an incredible blog! Your photos were outstanding and the weather looked fabulous! It's easy to tell how much fun everyone was having at this fantastic event there at Skylands. Having all of the delicious food prepared by you, Tom and Pierre made it look incredible and extreemly edible! I would love to taste it all! According to your calendar in the August issue of MSL Magazine, you are on your way or already in Maine, again! Have another wonderful time! Love, Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | August 10th, 2010 at 3:50 pm
Martha,
I've been saying it for years...you are stunningly photogenic!! I recently entered my forties, and I covet having "older" women to look towards as icons of beauty. Another favorite example of aging gracefully is Barbara Walters. Like you, she is always stylish and inspiring!
Posted by: Rose | August 10th, 2010 at 4:05 pm
Oh this brings back memories of working for North Sails and watching the races. That was a lifetime ago, but there are still good memories.
Posted by: Peggy Gaffney | August 10th, 2010 at 7:20 pm
Hi Martha and crew! I always wondered about your eggs and now I know you do share the bounty. Wow, everything looks so wonderful. And the best part I guess is that the eggs are probably considered organic. You should have a contest for one lucky the martha blog fan to win a trip to attend one of your famous parties! I'd put the info up on my Word Press contest bling blog. Thanks again for continuing to make our time spent with you fascinating and so tasty, too...as Lucy put it.
Posted by: http://twitter.com/Geotravel | August 10th, 2010 at 7:42 pm
What a lovely time. First, the sky looked like it was ordered specifically for those photos...and the food looked perfect for the occasion. Pleasure to find your blog.
Posted by: Monica | August 10th, 2010 at 7:46 pm
Dear Martha, How lovely. I wish I could borrow Pierre. The meals look wonderful. Please arrange a regular show here in the UK as you would be very much appreciated. I think your blog is excellent.
Posted by: Joan Chadwick | August 11th, 2010 at 6:33 am
I recently watched your repeat Season 5 Premirer episode with a tour of your Skylands home in Maine. What an amazing estate! You are the ideal person to have purchased such an incredible piece of property and your dediction to perserving its splendor. I DVR your show each day and want to thank you for allowing your fans to view your wonderful home as well as a monumental piece of American history. You are amazing!
Posted by: Jana Stephens | August 11th, 2010 at 2:24 pm
What a wonderful event you held. The food looked scrumptious. You look great! Skylands is awesome. I just recently saw the replay of the episode when you give your viewers a tour of Skylands. Stunning home, even more breathtaking than my imagination of it. I loved that you restored the pools.
Your Chefs prepared some really great food. Awesome bean salad and paella. When can I come and visit? Oh well, not likely, but I can wish can't I? Its so lovely.
Linda
Phila., PA
Posted by: linda | August 11th, 2010 at 6:02 pm
Hi Martha, you give me so much pleasure with both your T.V.program and the internet,I absolutely love interior design,and anything to do with decor. If you would like to invite me to your studio to see your show I would be deeply indebted. I've had leukaemia twice, so an other trip to New York would be ideal.....everything you and your team do is very precise and classy.looking forward to a single return ticket to the U.S.A. Patricia from AUSTRALIA.
Posted by: patricia | August 11th, 2010 at 7:57 pm
Hi Martha, could you possibly share your wonderful bean salad with us?? it looks amazing.
Posted by: maisie hughes | August 16th, 2010 at 8:17 pm
Being the granddaughter of Bjarne Aas, the designer of the IOD and an avid fan of Martha Stewart I am delighted that the two intertwined for atleast a moment in time. Boothbay Harbor, Maine is my childhood home; I now live in Iceland and the essence I get from Martha´s Magazine does always hit home and she never ceases to amaze me.
Helga Nina Aas
Posted by: Helga Nina Aas | January 31st, 2012 at 8:25 am
The original owner of the Skyland, Edsel Ford the son of Henry was also an owner a boat from my grandfather, Bjarne Aas, probably a IOD. This is an addition to my prior letter from today.
Best regards,
Helga Nina Aas
Posted by: Helga Nina Aas | January 31st, 2012 at 4:53 pm
Can somebody tell me where i Can buy THE drawings of THE drawings of THE IOD from Bjarne Aas?.
Jan Westerik
Posted by: Jan westerik | January 26th, 2013 at 4:43 pm