1. Commodore's Report

Opening Day
Opening Day this year will be a great party and a chance for QCYC to show the boating public the kind of hospitality we are known for.  The preparation activity around the Club noticeably ramps up this time of year, culminating with our Pride of Queen City day the weekend before the festivities begin. Our Club is built on the proud tradition of Member involvement in the care and improvement of our facilities and the meaning of that concept is never more evident than at this time of year.  Way to go team!  What a great Club we have!

Special Thanks
And a sigh of relief--thanks to the fast thinking and response by Captain Walt Mauldin, supported by Captain Art Mauldin and PC Scott Grimm to the fire on Captain Orin Phillips boat Sunday evening April 13.  Orin's boat, a recent model Tiara, burst into smoke and flames at the Club's Dock 2 instation covered moorage.  Walt, who moors across the fairway, spotted the flames and immediately dinghyed over to fight the fire.  Something tells me he has special training.  Art and Scott soon joined him, and they were able to keep the wood structures wet and bought time for the Fire Department to respond.  Scott reports that the firefighters were on scene within 5 minutes of the 911 call. By the time I got there 20 minutes later, the fire was out and there was no damage to the docks.  Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Orin's boat, which sustained significant fire damage.  Preliminary investigation by the SFD was conducted at the scene and then the boat was towed to the SPD docks as a precaution in case the fire re-flared.  Thanks again for your fast thinking and your prompt action.

Thank You
To Tarette President Misti Allison, Millie Grayson and Dulci Sahlberg and crew for a great time at the Tarette's Friday night social held April 11.  A super meal and congenial company made it a great night.  Also Happy Birthday Chef Willie Williamson (April 11) organized by Linda Dishneau.

Thanks also to the many attendees at Daffodil.  We had a lot of fun, especially bribing judges at the trivia contest. Tacoma Yacht Club always puts on a whale of a party and welcomes yachties from all over.  If you missed this year's put it on your agenda for next season.  You will be glad you did.

Speaking of Opening Day, a huge thank you to P/C David Krows who does not crave praise, for Chairing Opening Day.  For Dave, Opening Day began in October right after Change-of-Watch.  Our thanks also to Butch Scherrer, Dick Geving, Gerry Dishneau, Andrea Schock, Jess Hill, the Tarettes, and Chef Willie Williamson for chairing the daily events and all of the many volunteers who amazed us with their tireless work organizing our Opening Day celebration.

Upcoming Events
Memorial Day weekend looks like a grand event with activities for adults, kids and everyone in between. Peter and Kathleen Anderson and their crew have worked hard to make this event the hit of spring.  I look forward to seeing you there.

Our Club hosts the Grand XIV Junior Officers Ball May 31.  This event is open to all Club members.  Please turn out in support of our Club, Dale and Susie, Ed and Elaine. The Rainier/Poulsbo IPBA race is May 10th.

The Tarette Dock Party comes up on June 7th and I mention it this month because I want to be sure it gets early press.  Bring your best stuff to sell and your cash to buy.  Rain or shine there is fun to be had.

On June 21, Kyle and Traci Bixby are producing Taco and Tequila night.  Kyle and Traci developed this smash hit last year and it is back for another run.

We don't yet have details on the Big Brother's Cruise at the end of June. For new members of our Club, we are referred to as the Big Brother to Bremerton Yacht Club. We have an annual combined cruise to one of the two club's outstations.  This is always a fun event.  Look for further details here and on the website. 

Sign up early for the Summer Fleet Captain's Cruise to the Gulf Islands in August.  It sounds like a fun event and even though Fleet Captain Paul Grimm is a very laid back, soft-spoken promoter, he has a certain je-ne-sais-quoi (or something) ability? knack? talent? luck?  at putting on a great party.  The distances to be cruised are compact so that fuel can be conserved.

I am looking forward to seeing you at our summer cruise events.  Make plans now and come have a whole bunch of fun.

Bill McGillin
Commodore