1. Commodore's Report
Bilge Pump Issue:
July 2009
As I sit down to write this article, it dawns on me that this is the 32nd article I’ve composed during the three years I’ve progressed through the chairs at Queen City Yacht Club. If you have read my articles, I thank you. The articles written by the Bridge, Board and Committee Chairs are the chief way we have to communicate to the members the business of the club. The articles are also the main way we have to acknowledge the fine things that that our members have done for the club. Bill Field’s efforts as editor of The Bilge Pump have ensured that our club distributes a quality publication that is not only read by our members, but other Yacht Clubs and our advertisers.
If you weren’t able to attend “Survivor Winslow” at the Outstation over Memorial Day Weekend, you missed quite an event! Mark and Lynn Vanderwall, with Chris and Barb Castrow chaired the event. Their creativity and hard work turned it into an affair that nearly everyone there participated in one way or another, with a very multifaceted set of games that culminated with Karin Grimm winning the grand finale on Sunday. On Memorial Day morning, our Fleet Chaplain, Ken Klett, produced another moving ceremony honoring those who have sacrificed for our country. I would like to thank all of those who had a hand in making it such a memorable event.
Two other social events occurred in May: Scotch, Steak and Cigar Night, was scaled back but still provided a wonderful evening of fun for those who attended. Jess Hill, Kyle Bixby and our caterer, Willie, made it all happen. The next event was the “Return of the Snowbirds” Friday Night Social, hosted by Diane and Bob Prestebak. Their crew put on a delicious spaghetti dinner that was enjoyed by all.
In June, the annual “Old Timer’s Night” was hosted by Steve Swingler with P/C Lynn Montgomery providing Likely Lady for a cruise around the ship canal. Thirty-four “old timers” went on the cruise, ate dinner and then attended the meeting. As near as I could tell, they all had a great time. As a Bridge Officer, I’ve attended the last three years and have really enjoyed myself. But now I will have to wait eighteen years before I become an “old timer” and can participate again! Also in June was the third annual “Tequila and Tacos Night,” hosted by Kyle and Traci Bixby and other family members. As usual, this was another excellent event and we should all thank them for continuing such a fine tradition.
As usual, the mainstation clubhouse will be fairly quiet this summer, but many other opportunities, mostly waterborne, are available for members and their guests. These include the 4th of July Celebration Cruise to the Outstation, numerous Fleet Captain’s events, the Fleet Captain’s Cruise in mid August and the Labor Day Cruise to the Outstation on September 5th-7th. I hope you will consider attending as many of these as possible.
Finally, I’d like to end by noting a milestone that Susie and I have reached as your Commodore and First Lady. Last night was our fourteenth and final Commodore’s Ball.
It has been a delight to represent Queen City Yacht Club at the Commodore’s Balls of the Grand XIV Yacht Clubs of Puget Sound. Our goal was to attend all of them, and we achieved that goal. We enjoyed every ball, and over the last three years have made some great friendships amongst our Grand XIV counterparts. That alone makes it all worthwhile.
Dale Roberts
Commodore
