Bilge Pump: April 2010
1. Commodore's Report
Queen City Yacht Club is renowned for its very active social calendar and for the high level of participation in work parties. As Commodore, I am privileged to see this outstanding level of activity on a regular basis. Whether it's hosting or participating in a Friday Night Social, joining in on a docks or other work party, helping out around the Clubhouse, tending bar, participating in log racing, or taking advantage of our cruising calendar -- the spirit of QCYC is readily apparent and is one of the many reasons I'm proud to serve as your Commodore. Regardless of the high turnouts for activities, there's always room for more. If you haven't been as active as you'd like or if you are new to Queen City, now's a good time to get involved.
We have several events this month where all Club members can get involved. April 17 has two events: the outstation work party at Eagle Harbor and Daffodil at Tacoma Yacht Club. Barb and Eric have several projects lined up to get our wonderful outstation ready for spring and summer activities. Fleet Captain Larry Dubia, assisted by Gary Halverson, has what may be a record fleet of 19 vessels going to Daffodil. The following Saturday, April 24, is The Pride of Queen City, chaired by Jerry Zuvich. This is the major Club clean-up of the year and prepares the Club for Opening Day. Opening Day, with all its festivities, is the largest event we host during the year and involves a tremendous effort and many, many volunteers to make it all come together and reflect well on our Club. So, whatever your talents and skills, the opportunities abound. Take advantage of them to enhance your involvement with your Club. Like most things in life, the more you put into them the more you receive.
March had several fun activities. March 12 saw a terrific St. Patrick's Day Friday Night Social, replete with bagpiper, Chuck Gould, Irish dancers, an Irish sing-a-long, and Chef Willie in a kilt! Paul Grimm outdid himself with this event. The weekend of March 20-21 was a mystery cruise -- a mystery destination, a murder mystery to solve and even mystery ingredients to identify in the appetizers. Poulsbo may never be the same! Another great activity by our Fleet Captain Larry and First Mate, Dorothy. The Seattle Yacht Club Trio presented another fantastic program regarding Opening Day. Their eagerly anticipated visit each year is always a highlight as the excitement builds for Opening Day. Can summer be far behind?
Mark your calendars for Breakfast with the Bridge on April 10 from 0900 - 1100. We'll have reports from several of the Special Committees and from the Board and 520 Committee. The breakfast will be ollowed by an Open House for prospective members from 1100 - 1400. These are great opportunities to get involved and to show off our beautiful facilities. At the General Membership meeting on April 14, we'll have a presentation concerning the law suit against 5 area boatyards -- the issues involved should be of interest to all boaters.
Fairs Winds,
Ed Jennerich
Commodore
2. Vice Commodore's Report
Nancy and I were gone for two weeks to Hawaii and had a great time. Watching all the boats running around made me wish ours had been there.
Spring is around the corner, lots of trees with flowers, daffodils are up and it’s almost warm enough to start cleaning and waxing the boat. Remember that we will need to have your boats cleaned up before Opening Day.
We inducted 7 new members at our meeting last night. Welcome aboard, please get involved, meet your fellow members and start using our facilities.
DOCKS
If you have been to any of the recent meetings you know that we are always begging for help on dock projects. If you have few hours please contact us and we can use your help in many areas. You don’t have to have much experience, we’ll show you how. Watch The Bilge Pump for the dates of work parties.
HOUSE
Jim Damery and his crew are back in shape to keep things in the clubhouse from falling apart. Put the things you see that need repair on his clipboard in the galley. For the “Pride of Queen City” Jim usually has paint brushes and other items for cleaning and tuning up the in-station so look for him during this event.
WINSLOW OUTSTATION
Take a look at the club calendar and make plans to be at the Winslow Cleanup. If you’re new to the club it’s our spring cleaning weekend where everything gets some attention and we’re ready for the summer events. Ask me about it or contact Eric and Barb Wood (our Winslow outstation keepers). It’s a great way to meet the other volunteers.
For the new members, check The Bilge Pump and watch your e-mails for requests for help. A couple of hours on a couple of weekends and you will feel a part of the family.
George Austin
Vice Commodore
3. Rear Commodore's Report
I want to thank all of you that were concerned over my fainting act at the March 11 meeting. What a way to clear out a room. I wish to assure you that all is well. All the tests came back good and the doctors have cleared me for duty. If I ever have a serious problem I hope I am at the club. I had more medical attention than I did at the hospital. Thank you all again!
We are having an open house on April 10 for potential members. We are mailing over 4,000 invitations to all boat owners with boats over 21 feet in King County. The Open House will follow the Breakfast with the Bridge. The Open House will be from 11AM to 2PM. I need volunteers to help with greeting our visitors and also some tour guides to show people around the Club. This is a project that has never been tried before but we anticipate about a 1% to 2% return which means we could have between 40 and 80 possible visitors. If you can be there to help please let me know.
SECURITY:
A special thank you to Dave Svendsen for repairing the access control cable that was severed during the standpipe project trench digging. Fortunately this only affected the Cummings Hall workshop lock and Argens was able to make the final repairs.
As a general reminder, I would ask members to please remember to please remove any chair they have put in place to hold open a door temporarily. By example, after hours, members will prop open the 2nd floor dining room with a chair and then walk out and forget it. This leaves that portion of our club open and our automated computer lock system can't do anything about it.
GROUNDS:
For the Pride of Queen City, Becky needs volunteers to clean up (weed, rake, plant and spread mulch). We also need to replant shrubs and lay burlap netting on the west embankment as well as replacing the fence posts. She has 9 large blue ceramic pots to plant and would like to phase out the plastic ones. If anyone has some large pots they would like to donate please contact Becky. We will attempt to replace part of the fence to the east of the club house and paint it white.
Here is a picture of Judy and me representing the club at the Gig Harbor JO Ball. This is the reason that the Vice Commodore's report is so short.
Don Wilson
Rear Commodore
Boat Show Booth
Burger Bash
Docks Committee Report
While the green beer was flowing at Andrews Bay, the Docks Committee hosted at least 23 persons, accomplishing quite a few tasks. Among those jobs, Chuck Gould hosted a planking party, while some lighting fixtures were changed, a cleat replacement project was given new life, electrical inspection was commenced and the club’s new commercial grade oil boom was given a home in the floating moorages. It’s been a long while since we’ve seen 20 or more members enjoying each other at a productive regularly scheduled work party like this.
Please note the enthusiastic participation by both Colleen and Barry Rutten, who has yet to take the oath of membership. They both know how to be involved and to reap best reward from their investment in us. They set a high standard for the rest of us. We are, after-all, all invested in us, are we not? Welcome new friends! Here’s the list of others we all should give extra appreciation for the next month. Lloyd Betts, Jim McFadden, Larry Dubia, Bob Collier, Chuck Gould, Carl Preusser, Tim and Nadeane Rutledge, Bob Maruska, Marv Elbon, Allan Bender, Wolfgang Werner, Dick McGrew, Diede Janel and her friend, Elizabeth Petras, Al Jones, John Alving, Dan Wilshin, V/C George Austin, Dave Svendsen, and Art Mauldin.
After all the hype about draft curtains in last month’s Bilge Pump, I’m sure you all note that nothing tangible has been done. We received that promised estimate for contract work to do the job, and it is so favorable that it just might be the best option we have. Waterfront has been asked to verify the ball park estimate with a real bid on the job. Please standby. This does not mean that we have no work to do. In fact, the same team needs your help to do a lot of preparation work for the draft curtains before the job happens, whichever way it goes.
The marina is now posted “No Swimming.” I do hope you all have had the chance to read the article by Kevin Ritz. I’ve spoken with people who’ve attended his educational seminars. He presents a powerful case for saving lives at fresh water marinas. Sadly, his experience is not unique.
April should see us replacing the first of the failing safety boarding ladders. It also will host an abbreviated work party as the regularly scheduled event coincides with Breakfast with the Bridge. You are urged to attend this most valuable event and to express your ideas for the future of our yacht club. It’s about us and this event is one of the best forums for that expression and first discussion. The Docks Committee will be there and not on the docks that Saturday morning, however, you’ll begin to hear the distant whip cracking as Breakfast with the Bridge winds down. You will receive a broadcast email detailing the plans in advance of that work party. The committee will focus the most of its April efforts toward the Pride of Queen City on April 24. We’ll use the afternoon of April 10 as a time to get projects ready for Pride of QC.
You’ve heard the appeals for project leaders and even for 2 or maybe 3 assistant docks chairmen. The need really is critical. If 23 people show up to contribute, this docks chairman certainly cannot be with each of them to guide each task. We had 11 items on the list last month and there were a few people who helped lead them. I am so grateful but still exhausted from running all over. The job of assistant chairman is critical to the future of the club.
Here’s my personal thanks to those who have stepped forward to share the burden I’ve carried. It means so much.
Arthur Mauldin
Docks Chairman
Fleet Captain's Report
It's (Almost) Summer, and the Cruisin' is Easy
DAFFODIL
If you hurry, you may be still able to sign up for the Daffodil Regatta at Tacoma Yacht Club on April 16,17 and 18. Gary Halverson is chairing this event and advises it is necessary to sign up in advance, if you are coming -- no matter how: car, bus, RV, boat. You may obtain an application from Gary or from Crystal in the office or go online to the Tacoma Yacht Club. Just be sure to confirm with Gary, too.
EDMONDS AND THE ARTS
Our June cruise will be June 19-20 to Edmonds for the Edmonds Art Festival, an outstanding display of painting, sculpture, and crafts, not to mention food court, wine garden, and live entertainment. Edmonds is close, so you can scurry home on Father's Day for that special celebration. For those who don't leave early, we'll enjoy a brunch at nearby Anthony's. Due to the popularity of this event, slip reservations must be made with the Port of Edmonds waaaay in advance. So sign up no later than June 1 for this cruise, and the earlier the better!
PLANNING YOUR SUMMER?
Summer will be here before you know it, and we've got some ideas for your summer boat travel if you aren't heading north or across the ocean.
- Port Ludlow, July 24 and 25. Again, you need to reserve your slip early. We'll enjoy a barbecue and a "field trip" to Port Townsend.
- Long Cruise, August 15-29. Our tentative itinerary for this cruise includes Blake Island, Bremerton, Gig Harbor, Fair Harbor, Long Branch, Tacoma, Jarrell Cove, and Olympia. You can opt in an out of any of these stops, but we need to know if you're joining us by July 15 at the latest so we can reserve slips. This is especially critical if you plan to go to Fair Harbor or Olympia. We're planning group dinners on Blake Island and Olympia. We hope to find an avid golfer to plan a golf outing at Fair Harbor. Is that you?
QUESTIONS?
Got questions? Want to make reservations? Want to volunteer to be "cruise captain" for a day of the long cruise? Contact me at 206.300.2933 or fleetcaptain@queencity.org.
Larry Dubia
Fleet Captain
Junior Officers Ball
Membership Report
I want to thank all of our members that helped with the Boat Show this year. We had approximately 60 members including their spouses and friends who helped with this event.
Our open house was held on Saturday, February 20st at the QCYC Main Station from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. We had approximately 30 guests that came and our members showed them our Club amenities. Thanks to all who helped out. We will have one more open house on April 10th after the Breakfast with the Bridge. Thanks to Andy Gerde who manned the bar and Willie and Peg for putting the food together for this event. We had 7 initiations for following the new members with the help of their sponsors at the March 10th General Meeting: Capt. Douglas Wadden, his sponsor Capt. Chuck Gould; Capt. Greg Bolin, his sponsor Capt. John Rogers; Capt. Joel Gunderson, his sponsor P/C Dave Krows; Capt. Dave Berett, his sponsor P/C Dave Krows; Capt. Gayle Frisch, her sponsor P/C Dale Roberts; Capt Pete Moe, his sponsor Rear Comodore Don Wilson; Capt. Kyler Buck, his sponsor Rear Comodore Don Wilson. . Welcome aboard to our new members and thanks to their sponsors.
Our membership count is currently at 353 active members and 121 life members. Our goal is to attain 400 members for a full membership status,
I encourage all members to help with our open house in April. Use our brochures and invite your boating friends and acquaintances to any of our general meetings, weekend socials, breakfast on the weekend, lunches on Friday including our upcoming Opening Day Events. We also can invite them to attend one of our cruises. Talk with Fleet Captain Larry Dubia regarding upcoming events.
We have great web site to see our club and its activities. We just added the membership application, the club brochure and the current moorage rate form that is all in a PDF format that can be downloaded to your email address then sent to someone who may be interested in membership with Queen City Yacht Club.
What a terrific value we offer prospective boaters, with our full slate of activities, cruises, first class facilities and moorage. Recruiting boating friends is one of the best ways to help your club attain full membership.
Reminder!
The 2009-2010 Membership Recruiting Lottery drawing will be coming up this fall. There is a $1,000.00 cash prize to the lucky sponsor whose name is drawn! So, get a candidate in mind, and become part of the action! The participants in this drawing will be enjoying very good odds to win. Each person you sponsor counts for a drawing ticket.
So keep recruiting!
Chris Benson
Membership Chairman
Memorial Day Cruise: Eagle Harbor Patriot Games
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