Fleet Captain's Summary Report

As some of you have probably noticed, I am not great about writing reports. I will try to give you an update on what has happened at the Fleet Captain’s events so far this year. I would like to take a minute to thank all of you that have assisted me so far you have all helped make these events so much fun! A vote of thanks to all who attended the events, without you there would be no events. Thank you all again!

Apple Cup Nov. 21 & 22: Kingston Cove Yacht Club was a great host. We had a fine spread of gourmet burgers, sides and a wonderful bar. The game could have turned out better but by the time it was over no one much cared. QCYC had 8 boats and three people that drove over. Kingston seemed to have a lock on the raffle prizes. It seems we bought them and they won them. A nice young lady from Kingston had a majority of the winning tickets. Lots of money and prizes were won by all. The weather was quite nice for November. I took over 200 photos to share with the clubs… alas, after returning home I went to download them into the computer and realized that someone (me) had neglected to put a photo card in the camera! All in all a great time was had.

Westlake Center’s 20th Annual Tree Lighting Nov. 28: Sixteen Queen City members and friends met for some terrific award winning Martinis and snacks as well as a warm atmosphere of companionship at Oliver’s at The Mayflower Hotel. At 4:30 we took our burgee and attended the pre-show and tree lighting celebration at Westlake Plaza. The wind whipped up and unfortunately the fireworks were cancelled for safety reasons. It was an exciting fun way to kick off the Holiday Season and many thought it should be an annual event.

Christmas Jazz Cruise with Deems Tsutakawa Dec. 22: This was an outstanding event! I think it was one of the best. The weather was cold and clear. We had 60 people signed up and even with the surprise snowstorm, 48 were able to make their way to Kirkland for a memorable evening. Argosy cruises has given us rain checks for those who could not make it that evening. I will get them to those folks shortly.

Bowling Party Jan 18: Great Fun!! 39 bowlers and about 10 watchers showed up. The Garage had never experienced people lining up for entry at 3 PM before. They apparently don’t know how boaters react when there is alcohol involved. There were six bowling lanes dedicated to Queen City for 3 hours plus good food, cheap drinks, bowling and pool. All of this made for a fantastic afternoon of fun. The next day a number of people were feeling muscles they didn’t know they had. I was sore for days. The big winner was Jim Van Wagenen with the top score and Judy Wilson with the lowest score. Thank you, Willie, for all the snacks.

Murder Among the Mateys Jan. 14-16: Thirty-two (32) players, special drinks (“Dead Man Walking”), wonderful food and a great mystery made an exciting fun weekend. Jess Hill, our resident mixologist, took my recipe for “Dead Man Walking “and used two cases of Red Rum in it. We actually ran out Saturday night. Willie’s pork dinner Saturday evening was one of his best and there were 54 dinners served. Nancy & George Austin did justice to Sunday breakfast (48 served) while the chicken & shrimp jambalaya Sunday night prepared by Tracy McPhee, Nadeane Rutledge & crew was perfect pirate fare. Forty-eight people were served jambalaya and the excess was sold out by the bag in just a few minutes. I (Merciless Morgan) was viciously murdered by Sea-legs Sam (Paul Grimm). He was found out by Tammie & Michael Hogan and sent to the gallows where he was hanged by Dirty Wiggins (Jess Hill). Tammie & Michael Hogan were the only ones to figure the mystery out and they received the “Smoking Gun Award.” Chris Castrow was awarded the “Dressed to Kill Award.” The “Drama Queen Award” was awarded to Dorothy Dubia and “Ruthless & Rich Award” went to the Madera Girls. There was a perfect amount of free time to enjoy Bainbridge and the company of friends without feeling rushed. Sunday afternoon there were three movies shown, the main feature being “The Perfect Storm.” We had 20 people for breakfast Monday morning. Those who left on Monday encountered rough water and high waves, which created a perfect storm of their own. Paul Frodesen, while experiencing some damage to his dinghy and boat, made it home safely. Tuesday the water was perfect. We came back leaving at 8:30 AM Tuesday and were through the locks by 9:30 AM.

Coming up at this writing is the St Patrick’s Adventure to Portland on March 14 & 15. Thirty-one lucky members are going to have an Irish experience at Kell’s Pub and a night at the Benson Hotel. This event has been sold out since the first of the year.

April 17-19: The Daffodil Festival in Tacoma is taking place. I would like to see Queen City Yacht Club make a real presence at this event. Contact Gary Halverson or Don Wilson for more information. You can sign up on-line by logging on to: www.tacomayachtclub.org Please let Gary or myself know if you are going as there are going to be some QCYC activities planned. We need help with decorating the Flag Ship and trivia quiz participation.

Up coming events are:

June 13 &14: Overnight Poker Rally & Picnic. Details to follow later. This will be a fun unique event.
July 17 & 19: Andrews Bay Raft-up
July 29: Tentative – Cruise on a U.S. Navy Ship
August: Summer Cruise – Exact dates to follow.
Aug 29: Mariner’s Game /w Kansas City

Recipes:
‘Dead Man Walking”
Red Rum Tropical rum - 2oz
Squeeze of lemon
Sweet &Sour Mix – 1oz
Cranberry Juice – 1oz
Sprite – 1oz
Add ice and shake in cocktail shaker

Chicken & Shrimp Jambalaya - serves 4 to 6
1 - medium onion, peeled, ends trimmed and chopped fine
1 – medium celery rib cut crosswise, chopped fine
1 – medium red bell pepper, stem removed, seeded and chopped fine
5 – medium garlic cloves, peeled
2 – tablespoons vegetable oil
4 – bone-in chicken thighs
8oz – Andouille sausage, halved lengthwise and cut into ¼ inch pieces we used Louisiana Hots in ours)
1½ - cups (10oz) long-grain white rice
1 - teaspoon salt
½ - teaspoon minced fresh thyme
¼ - teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 - 14½ oz can diced tomatoes, drained, ¼ cup juice reserved.
1 – cup bottled clam juice
1½ - cups canned low sodium chicken broth
2 - large bay leaves
1lb – medium / large shrimp (31-35 shrimp), shelled
2 – tablespoons minced fresh parsley leaves

Heat oil in large heavy-bottomed Dutch oven over medium–high heat until simmering but not smoking, about 2 minutes. Add chicken skin side down, cook until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Using tongs turn chicken and cook until golden brown on second side about 3 minutes longer. Transfer chicken to plate and set aside. Reduce heat to medium and add sausage; cook, stirring frequently, until browned, about 3 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer sausage to paper towel and set aside.

Reduce heat to medium–low, add vegetables and cook stirring occasionally and scraping bottom of pot with wooden spoon, until vegetables have softened, about 4 minutes. Add rice, salt, thyme, and cayenne; cook, stirring frequently, until rice is coated with fat, about 1 minute. Add tomatoes, reserved tomato juice, clam juice, chicken broth, bay leaves and browned sausage to pot; stir to combine. Remove and discard skin from chicken; place chicken skinned-side down, on rice. Bring to boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Stir once, keeping the chicken on top skinned-side down. Replace cover and continue to simmer until chicken is no longer pink when cut into with a paring knife, about 10 minutes more; transfer chicken to clean plate and set aside. Scatter shrimp over rice, cover and continue to cook until rice is fully tender and shrimp are opaque and cooked through, about 5 minutes more.

While shrimp are cooking, shred chicken. When shrimp are cooked, discard bay leaves turn heat off, stir in parsley and shredded chicken and serve immediately.

Don Wilson