Bilge Pump: January 2008
1. Commodore's Comments
How it got to be 2008 I'll never know! What will the year bring to us individually? What will it bring to our families and our club? Perhaps the more relevant question is: what will each of us contribute during the coming year?
Projects
Vice Commodore Roberts, Rear Commodore Jennerich and their committees are hard at work (what else is new) with this term's projects. The spiders have begun their demise. The galley at Winslow will no longer be the scene of singed eyebrows and near explosions. The plans for replacement of the transverse dock should at least be in the final stages. The ugly dumpsters at the mainstation should soon be corralled and preliminary plans are being considered to make the main entrance to the clubhouse take on a more nautical appearance. In addition to making your club safer and more attractive, these projects create the perfect opportunity for you to contribute your time to the club and meet new members. Remember, if you pitch in, we don't have to hire someone to do it and we can do more with the club's money. Besides, you will have fun.
Highway 520
Since the state highways funding was not passed by the voters, the exact status of the floating bridge (520) became less certain which may be a good thing or a bad thing. There are certain elements in the highway group that just want to charge ahead and build the darned thing. We believe the state needs to remember that it is being built through the heart of the Montlake and Portage Bay communities, not the middle of the Palouse. One of the state's plans would even have a nine-lane interchange at Montlake, and six lanes across Portage Bay. We think that any substantial increase in the footprint of 520 is unwise. Our 520 Committee Chairman Gary Stone devotes hundreds of man-hours to making sure our voice is heard in hopes that it will turn the state's attention to viable alternatives. Gary Stone was the unanimous choice of SYC and QCYC to sit at the mediation table to represent the position of the clubs and the boating community at large. We have hired a professional to advise us on political communication, which is not cheap, but is crucial to keeping our message out there. If you can talk to your legislators and get them to realize that the more than 500 families in our club and the several thousand members of SYC, aligned with the interests of the boating community along with the Montlake/Portage Bay neighborhoods, represent a significant constituency, maybe we can get the electeds on our side. Also, next time you see Gary Stone, thank him.
Events
Hold onto your martini glasses-----Martini Madness is upon us January 26th, put on by madcaps Traci Hamblin and Scott McPhee. With these two in charge, this should be a blast, with numerous adult concoctions from the classic shaken not stirred of James Bond fame, to Andrea Schock's favorite "the Swimming Pool. Whether you like Martinis, or just want to "settle" for Willie's fabulous heavy hors 'd oeuvres, you have got to attend this party! The fun doesn't stop there--February 8th, Bob and Stephanie Marcelynas bring you the Sweetheart's Dinner. This is the event where you guys show your gals how much you love them by taking them out for a Valentines feast. See you all there.
Thank You
A big thank you goes to Butch Scherrer (who rescued us by stepping up at the last minute) for chairing December's Chet Gibson Memorial Lighted Boat Parade. This was our 66th year with more than 30 boats participating on Friday and more than 50 parading on Saturday. Butch and his lovely wife Nancy started a new tradition with chili and hot-buttered rum after the Saturday parade. The parade was led by P/C David Krows, who managed to navigate the tricky course without incident. The turn boat captains did a fabulous job. Thanks to Special Events Chair Tom Youngs for managing the winter fuel-up, which saved members a lot of money. Fleet Captain Paul Grimm and his crazy Hawaiians put on a fantastic luau, taking a bit of the sting out of the Huskies loss. Bill Field chaired a very successful Special Peoples Cruise under exceedingly adverse conditions. Sandy Werner put on a marvelous Children's Christmas Party. While it hasn't happened as of the date I am writing this article, I know that P/C Rich and Chris McCroskey will put on a terrific New Year's party.
Bill McGillin
Commodore
2. Vice Commodore's Report
With the holidays behind us, now is the time of year that we begin to think about the upcoming boating season. Yes, I know that we still have three months of winter to slog through, but just think, Opening Day is only four months away! It is during the next four months that a lot of our maintenance or upgrades are performed at the Mainstation and the Outstation. January should see the waterline replaced on Dock 1, the dock inspection program will be in progress, as well as the upgrade of the appliances at the Winslow clubhouse. Pile cap replacements will be underway by Waterfront Construction in February. All these important efforts require a lot of manpower, and if you can lend a hand, please volunteer whenever you can. Contact me vicecommodore@queencity.org and I will make sure your email gets forwarded to the correct committee chair.
In November, the Board of Trustees passed the Marina Best Management Practices. At the urging of the Bridge, this new policy was important to implement, most of all, because it demonstrates to interested parties that we consider the stewardship of the environment around our marina facility to be extremely important. The policy applies to all members, guests, independent contractors and any vessels moored at any of our club facilities. Specifically, it deals with hazardous materials, containing debris from maintenance, disposing of waste products, discharges from vessels and what to do in case of a spill. The complete version of the new policy can be found in the 2008 Annual. Most boaters of good conscience are probably practicing these concepts already, so adaptation should be smooth.
A few bits and pieces: The first application of the spider eradication program has been completed. Phase two will happen in April, and when the exact date is known, there will be ample notice. When you renew your boat insurance, please submit a copy of your Certificate of Insurance, listing Queen City Yacht Club as “additionally insured.” When you tie up in the “U”, please register your stay by signing the book located near the hoist by Dock 2. As you approach the club on Boyer Avenue, take a look at the beautiful canvas on the railings that lead to the upper entrance. A big thank you is in order for our House Chair, Jim Damery, and others who helped. It looks great! Our Decorations Chair, Carol Soffel, and others who helped, deserve kudos for making our clubhouse look wonderful during the holiday season. Lastly, the AAC will be meeting on January 14, at 5:30 PM.
Dale Roberts
Vice Commodore
3. Rear Commodore's Report
On behalf of Elaine and myself, I'd like to extend our best wishes for a Happy and Healthy New Year.
GROUNDS
I have received the plans for the waste disposal container and mechanical system enclosures. Our plan is to begin the project in the near future with a completion date set for early Spring. Volunteers will be needed to build the enclosures so if you have an interest please contact me at jennerich@mindspring.com.
Preliminary discussions are underway with a landscape architect to develop a long-range solution for the west hillside. I'll keep you posted as details develop.
A Winter Grounds Clean-up is scheduled for Saturday February 9th. We need lots of volunteers so please mark the date on your calendar. Details to follow in the February Bilge Pump or contact Linda Roehl to volunteer at ljroehl58@hotmail.com
MEMBERSHIP
Mark LaFountaine has started the year off in grand style with 18 new members since October! But we still need approximately 35 more members to be at our full compliment. We can do it—all we need to do is ask! Let's not keep QCYC a secret. Remember—the #1 reason people don't join organizations is because nobody asks them to join.
SECURITY
We've been dealing with several security computer issues which we trust will be corrected with the purchase of a stand-alone security computer. Security Chair Dick Geving has been doing the annual update of proximity cards and deactivating those cards that are not longer valid.
Regarding Proximity Cards, the Bridge has approved the following policy which will also appear in the Annual. This policy formalizes in writing what has been the practice of the Club since the proximity card system was installed several years ago (and even prior to that when we had keys). Given the importance of member safety and the value of the Club's physical assets, it's vitally important that we maintain a proactive security program.
POLICY ON PROXIMITY CARDS
The security of the club's valuable assets and property is of prime importance to the leadership of Queen City Yacht Club. Membership in QCYC carries with it certain benefits and responsibilities. One benefit is access to the club's facilities. Thus, access to the club's grounds, buildings, docks and outstations is restricted to members and others as set forth below.
- As a benefit of membership in QCYC, all Active Members are provided with one (1) PROXIMITY CARD which allows access to the Clubhouse, grounds, docks and the Winslow outstation. Active Members are the only people entitled to PROXIMITY CARDS. The PROXIMITY CARDS are non-transferable and use by non-members is prohibited.
PROXIMITY CARD readers will be set to coincide with Clubhouse hours. Clubhouse hours are normally 0600 – 2400 seven days per week but may be altered for special events with the permission of the Commodore or his designee. Grounds and docks have unlimited access by Active Members.
- Spouses of Active Members are issued (1) PROXIMITY CARD. Significant Others of an Active Member will, upon request by that member, be issued (1) PROXIMITY CARD if their name appears in the Annual, or is otherwise approved and directed by the Commodore or his designee. Access for this category of PROXIMITY CARD will be the same as for the Active Member and is a courtesy extended to spouses and significant others.
- Upon the withdrawal, resignation, suspension or expulsion of an Active Member, the PROXIMITY CARD for the member and the spouse/significant other will be de-activated. In the event of the death of an Active Member, the surviving spouse/significant others' PROXIMITY CARD will be de-activated six months after the death of the Active Member.
- Upon the request of an Active Member made to the Commodore or his designee, other individuals (e.g., service personnel) may be issued PROXIMITY CARDS to specific areas and at the times necessary for them to fulfill their duties. These may be modified or revoked at any time by the Commodore or his designee.
- Except as restricted above, all other individuals are most welcome to enjoy the Clubhouse at the main station and at Winslow at all times when the Club is open and during all social events.
As a result of a disturbing incident involving vandalism to a member's vehicle in our parking lot, we are also investigating the feasibility of installing security cameras. Such incidents are clearly unacceptable and of great concern to the Bridge. Appropriate action will be taken to prevent future incidents.
Puget Sound Blood Center
Several months ago, we were approached by Puget Sound Blood Center to assist them in transporting blood and/or emergency personnel in the event of a catastrophic disaster rendering the bridges across Lake Washington inoperable. The Board of Trustees and the Bridge agreed that this was a project we should be involved with. Art Mauldin and Lynn Montgomery have graciously agreed to step forward and co-chair this project, assisted by Ken Klett as the Eastside contact. Thanks and gratitude to each of you – let's all pray we never need to activate the protocols.
Fair winds,
Ed Jennerich
Rear Commodore
Carver For Sale
For Sale
32 Carver Voyager 1996
Excellent Condition
Many Upgrades
$75,000
Call
Scott McPhee
HM (206) 931-4445
www.scottmtg.com
Cooky's Corner
We were lucky enough to be invited on Kent and Carol Soffels’ boat “Windi-I” for the lighted boat parade this December and I brought one of my easiest, and most popular appetizers. Several people asked me for the recipe, so here it is. It really isn’t much of a recipe, but for some reason people love this and I always get at least one request for how to make this easy dish any time I bring it to a gathering.
Cream Cheese In Pastry
1 package crescent roll dough (the kind you find next to the canned biscuits -
you can also use a pre-made piecrust)
2 – 8 oz. packages of cream cheese, room temperature
dried dill weed
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. If you’re using crescent dough, unroll it and press the triangles together with your fingers to form a sheet of dough. On a piece of plastic wrap, form the cream cheese into a disk. Cover the entire surface of the cream cheese disk with dill weed – you want to use a lot. It should be covered. Lay the dill-covered disk on the dough and pull the sides up and over to completely encase the cream cheese in the dough. Put it on a foil-covered pan, with the “pretty” side up. Bake for about 20 minutes until the dough is lightly brown and flakey. Serve with crackers – it’s better while it’s still warm.
Bon appetit,
Shirley Renfrow
Dock Inspection Project
Fleet Captains Report
We already had a great start as sun-starved club members and their friends attended the Luau at the start of December. Snow came down like a blizzard though you wouldn’t know it looking inside at all the palm trees and warm spirits. You can’t beat the coconuts in this group. Many thanks to new member Captain Tony Stempak for all the great decorations. Jess Hill and his crack team of bartenders helped serve, in addition to the usual fare, his version of Kickapoo Joy Juice – a strong resemblance to his Closing Day “Cruisers”. Willie roasted the pig and served a tremendous Polynesian cuisine. Meanwhile the University of Hawaii roasted the Huskies and made poi out of Willingham’s Dawgs.
Captain Larry Dubia and his lovely wife Dorothy led the curious through the Maritime Museum and a tour of an icebreaker. If you missed this event, contact Larry and I’m sure he can get you into see the Museum. Thanks Larry. Happy New Year, Captains and families! We’re heading to a busy season of cruises and fun get-togethers. Here is the 2008 Fleet calendar as it stands. I’m always looking for help and suggestions so if you have some input for the forthcoming events please contact me.
2008
December 15th – Over land “Cruise” to Concrete, WA and Vintage Airplanes
January 19th – Silly Chili Willie Nillie Cookoff at UW dock
February 15th – 17th Bremerton Heavy Weather Cruise
March 14th – 15th – St. Patrick’s Day Weekend & Poker Run
April 18th & 19th – Daffodil Festival Cruise
May – June Stew Crew and Poker Run?
June 27th - 29th – BYC Big Brothers Cruise
July(Mid month) – Seattle Seafair Clown Arrival? Romp with the Clowns as they harass the Seattle Seafair Pirates guns a-blazin’.
August – San Juan/Gulf Island Summer Cruise - August 8th – 17th
September - Closing Day - September 27th, 2008
Cruise well, live well.
F/C Paul Grimm
In Memoriam
Eulogy: Lucas, Al E.
1927 – 2007
Al Lucas, a very young 80 year old, slipped his moorage for the last time here on earth on November 28th, 2007 due to complications from a surgical procedure. Al was born September 11, 1927 in Portland, Oregon. He grew up in the Portland area and attended Milwaukee High School. In 1945 he joined the Navy serving in the Pacific Ocean and was honorably discharged in 1946 as Fireman First Class and was awarded the “WW II Medal of Victory”.
After the Navy he attended Oregon State University where along with his studies he enjoyed wrestling on the University wrestling team. Al graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1951. While attending OSU, Al married Marilyn Johnson on August 18, 1948. Al and Marilyn had 4 wonderful children; Marcia, Nancy, Eric and Steven. After fifty years of marriage, Marilyn passed away in 1998 after battling a long illness.
After graduating, Al began his career at Honeywell in Portland, OR in 1951 as a District Representative. He then worked his way up the Honeywell corporate ladder opening the first District office in Anchorage, AK in 1956. During the next 24 years he held various management positions within Honeywell including Regional Manager of the Western U.S. During this time with Honeywell, he lived in Anchorage, Bellevue, Sacramento, San Francisco and Laguna Beach, CA. In 1975 Al moved to Seattle and co-founded a Commercial Mechanical Equipment and Controls Company in Seattle called ASCO, later changing the name to Control Contractors, Inc. In 1981 he also co-founded Alerton Technologies. In 1982 he became the sole owner of Control Contractors, Inc. (CCI). CCI presently has offices in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Seattle, Portland & San Diego with over 200 employees. Al was an icon in the industry and is nationally known and respected.
He was a member of Queen City Yacht Club, Hidden Harbor Yacht Club, Wing Point Golf & Country Club, Indian Ridge Golf & Country Club, The Columbia Tower Club, ASHRAE, MCA, and other industry organizations.
On June 18, 1999 Al married his sweetheart Diane Rambo. Everyone could see how much they loved, respected and cherished one another. They were immensely happy and always had a good time. Diane took excellent care of Al, always watching what he ate and taking him to the doctor when he didn’t think he needed to go.
Together they were avid boaters. He and Diane enjoyed many years cruising the waters of Puget Sound, Canada and South East Alaska on his boat, the beautiful "Carrera", a 50’ Ocean Alexander. Al & Diane also traveled a lot. While the majority of it was for business, they usually added on a few days for pleasure. They made so many friends on these business trips, that Diane remembers that it didn’t seem like business travel as they were with some of their best friends from the industry that had become close personal friends. They also traveled to Al’s branch offices up and down the west coast. The employees were friends and he loved spending time with them. Some months they would only be home 3 or 4 days. She remembers that it was incredibly fun and exciting.
Al thought of his employees as family. He felt a deep responsibility and commitment to each of them. He enjoyed spending time with them and getting to know them on a personal level. He always said that if you surround yourself with good people and treat them well and with respect, you will be successful. A philosophy that obviously was correct. He thoroughly enjoyed traveling to their Christmas parties, summer picnics, snow-machining outings, baseball games, car races and anything else that came up.
He was a frugal man yet incredibly generous. He would straighten nails to use them again, change his own oil in his boat and do his own repairs. He was very handy and could fix anything. He did not like to spend money on himself but did not hesitate to spend it on others.
The past couple years of his life, Al finally began to treat himself a bit. After renting a home in Palm Desert for a month the past 2 winters with Terry & Susan Wambaugh, also QCYC members, Al & Diane bought the house two doors down. By the way, the house was purchased sight unseen by Al – what great confidence in Diane!
Al also loved vegetable gardening and working in his yard, and was especially proud of his garlic and corn. He also loved traveling, both domestically and internationally having recently celebrated his 80th birthday in Greece & Turkey with some of his dear friends. He even went waterskiing on his 80th birthday!
Al loved his family, his friends and his employees very much. He was always putting other people & employee’s needs first and was a loyal friend and husband.
Al joined QCYC in 1998 and enjoyed the Deer Harbor outstation and sharing it with fellow QCYC members, friends and family and he particularly enjoyed crabbing there. Diane remembers that he could eat more crab in one sitting than anyone she knew. Al also really enjoyed the outstation at Ganges. Whenever a fellow club member was there, Al was always inviting them over to the “Carrera” for drinks and appetizers or dinner. He loved people and loved to socialize. The Lucas’ did participate in the spring clean-up at Winslow a couple of times which he always enjoyed. He particularly liked trimming the bushes & trees and cleaning up the flower beds. He liked things neat and orderly and not overgrown. Two years in a row Al & Diane hosted the local police and fire departments along with neighbors at the Winslow outstation for the Christmas ships when they came to Eagle Harbor.
Al had looked at new boats for several years but he loved his 50’ Ocean Alexander “Carrera” too much to change. He owned the Carrera for 18 years. He was very comfortable on that boat. But, he finally decided that he was getting tired of fixing things and decided that it would be nice to have something new.
About 3 or 4 weeks after buying the Palm Desert home, he found the boat of his dreams; a 58’ Ocean Alexander built in 2005. It is like brand new, with only 150 hours on the engines. He loved that it had a hard top as he had been a sun worshipper all of his life and had finally realized that it was not good for him. It also has bow and stern thrusters which he always said was cheating.
Al is survived by Diane, his loving wife of 8 years, children, Marcia (Peter) Putnam, Portland, Oregon, Nancy (Clair) Jenkins, Redmond, WA, Eric (Cathy) Lucas, Kirkland, WA and Steven (Sheri) Lucas, Chandler, AZ. Al is also survived by his two sisters, Jean Roake of Portland, Oregon, Carol Schneider of West Jordan, Utah, 14 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.
Laughlin 2008
MARCH 25-27
It’s that time again to begin planning our annual trip to Laughlin, NV! Mark your calendars…we’ll arrive on March 25 and depart on the 27th. For those of you who have attended this annual party you know what fun it is! For those of you that have never been you’re missing a terrific time! Laughlin isn’t just about gambling. It’s a chance to visit with our “snowbird” friends from California and Arizona and take in the sights! Laughlin offers boat rides,(both jet boats and paddle wheelers) ghost towns, tours to local dams and walks along the river. They also have a several golf courses and even a bowling alley! And gals, there’s an outlet mall right across the street from our hotel! Plus if you’re really adventuresome jet skis are available!
The only planned activity is a cocktail party each night at 5 PM in the Montgomery/Cooper’s room where we offer goodies to consume and spend our time talking about where we been, what we’ve seen and who the latest big winner (or loser?) is. There is a slight charge for the two nights of parties to cover the cost of the food. We have a raffle on the last night and wait til you see what we have for prizes!
This year we will be at the Aquarius Hotel again because they offer us the best party accommodations in the area! The cost per room this year is $27/night. Slightly higher than last year because the following weekend the rodeo is in town. (So if you want, you can stay around for that, too!)
To make reservations call the Aquarius Casino Resort
1-800 662 5825 and ask for Group Code C-QCY08
In order to receive the group rate all reservations must be booked by March 11, 2008.
For questions call Lynn & Kathy Montgomery at
206 276 7185
Or 206 437 3979 & Chuck & Dorothy Cooper
425 204 8828
HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!
Lighted Boat Parade
This year's lighted boat parade was a great success. The weather was clear, cool and crisp with winds less than 5mph for both nights. Many thanks go out to all who participated in the parade on either or both of the evenings. You certainly helped to make a statement for QCYC in its never ending quest to keep giving back to the community. This year marked the 66nd consecutive year for this event.
I would like to acknowledge the captains and crew that acted as turn boats for either or both of the nights. They are Marv Elbon, P/C Ron Rolstad, Kent Soffel, P/C Russ Oberg, Jess Hill, P/C Lynn Montgomery, George Austin, Jerry Dishneau, Denny Roehl and Tom Wilson. All of these boats were highly decorated, making them easy to spot at their designated locations. Even though there are no awards given out for best decorated boat, special mention must be made to Kent and Carol Soffel for the job they did on the "Windy-I." You were the talk of the lake.
Additional thanks are in order for Dave Padgett for all of the advance work he did before turning over the files to me. You really made life easy for me.
A very special thank you to P/C Dave Krows and his lovely mate, Margaret for donating their time and effort and yacht as the lead boat. Dave also managed to assume most of the role as communicator to the rest of the fleet. You really saved my bacon and I won't forget you.
Last, but certainly not least in the thank you department, Larry and Dorothy Dubia did a great job in keeping the media and various publications informed of this year's event. And finally, a thank you to Commodore McGillin for having the confidence to offer me the job of taking on this very special event.
This year we might have started another tradition that hopefully will carry on for as many years as the lighted boat parade. Hot buttered rums and a bowl of chili were offered on Saturday evening after the parade for all those participating members and their guests. We gave away around 40 hot rums and served approximately 7 gallons of homemade chili. In addition the bar was open for those wishing to purchase something other than what we were offering at no charge. This little get-together cost the club under $300 and judging from all the smiling faces, I would say it was well worth it.
Thanks again to everybody and if by some mistake I left out a name, I apologize.
Respectfully Submitted,
Butch Scherrer
