fwyc letter log - april 2014
DESCRIPTION
Official publication of the Ft Walton Yacht ClubTRANSCRIPT
The Official Publication of the Fort Walton Yacht Club
Member:
Fort WaltonFort WaltonYacht ClubYacht Club
Est. 1951
April 2014
This stunning sunset is just one of the many viewed each evening at the Fort WaltonYacht Club. As the weather gets warmer, the patio and the point will be filled withfriends and fun as the sunset signals the end of another beautiful day in paradise.
Photo: Cece Stoldt
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~ Fort Walton Yacht Club, Established in 1951 ~
What you will find in this month’sLetter Log:Commodore’s Corner 3
In Port with the Vice Commodore 4
Welcome New Members 4
Happy Birthday to You 5
FWYC Entertainment Monthly 6 - 7
FWYC Sports News 8 - 9
A Message from Our General Manager 10
April Calendar of Events 11
FCA - Blessing of the Fleet/Sundowner Info 12
Hurricane Presentation Meeting Notice 13
ECSA News 14
Growing up at FWYC 15
Tell Me a Story. . . 16
WOW Announcements & Any Airman Project 17
Spring Fling Notice 18
Menus for General Membership and Easter Brunch 19
Jibin’ with the Juniors 19
2014 Officers and Directors 20
Letter Log StaffEditor Faye Black
[email protected] Copy Editor Linda Wright
[email protected] Columnist Pat Tye
[email protected] Ads and Distribution Sandra Henley
[email protected] Web Master Sam Grant
[email protected] Social Media Ashley Sukalski
[email protected] Photographer Dub Scroggin
[email protected] Other Photographers Dee La Garde Craig & Cece Stoldt
April Happenings . . . . . .
Tuesday, April 1 FCA Luncheon 12:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 2Wednesday Night Fun Races Begin
Thursday, April 3WOW Luncheon 11:30 a.m.
Saturday, April 5Nautical Swap Meet, 8:00 a.m.
Sunday, April 6Spring Shootout Portsmouth Regatta
Thursday, April 10Finance Committee Meeting 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 12Lawn Party 3:00 p.m.Blessing of the Fleet 3:30 p.m.Sundowner Ceremony 6:30 p.m.Night Race 6:55 p.m.
Sunday, April 13General Membership Meeting 4:00 p.m.Buffet to Follow
Tuesday, April 15Board Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, April 17WOW Cocktail Party 5:30 p.m.
Friday, April 18Family Fun Sailing 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 19Bingo in the Lounge 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 20Easter Brunch - (Call the Office for Seating Times)Easter Egg Hunt 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Sunday, April 20Summer Portsmouth Race 1
Saturday, April 26 Spring Fling Departure to Port St. Joe
Saturday, April 26Peerson Regatta
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~ Fort Walton Yacht Club, Established in 1951 ~
The Commodore’sCorner
Spring has finally sprung! I havebeen so looking forward to theSpring this year. I love watchingeverything around start to fillwith new life and color. Longerdays, cool breezes and moreboats on the water. What anexcellent time of year. I amalways surprised when Springcomes around about how much more time it seems Ihave. As a native Floridian (yes, a real native, born andbred) I am a child of the sun. The Winter is alright, butI certainly prefer later sunsets.With our “season” approaching us, the FCA hasvolunteered to host our “Opening Day” and Blessingof the Fleet again this year. We have the ceremonieson April 12th, followed by our first Lawn Party andthe Night Race. We have a lot of activities planned forthese events and it promises to be a great day for thewhole family to enjoy our Club. Make plans to attendand come with your Spring Spirit in full pride. (Socksare discouraged, flip-flops are recommended.)On April 13th we will have our General MembershipMeeting at 4 p.m. Our April General Membershipmeeting is our first opportunity to present to youthe “State of the Club.” Each of your Flag Officersalong with the Finance and Planning Committees willprovide a report. Please plan to attend this importantmeeting.March was another exciting month at the Club. It wasone of our busiest months in a while and lookingforward at our schedule, I realize that it will not be ourbusiest month this year. We have a lot of thingshappening at the club and several avenues forparticipation. If we are missing something you wouldreally like to see, please let us know and we will gladlywork it into the schedule!A big thank you to all the volunteers that helped with theWetaFest 2014. We had sailors attending from acrossthe US and as far away as New Zealand. It was a great
kick-off event for all the National and Regional Regattaswe will host this year.This month we will begin a new section of our LetterLog dedicated to growing up at Fort Walton Yacht Club.I am excited about this new feature and was warmed bythe sneak peak I got to see of the first article. I enjoyedreading about the fond memories that Molly, Becky andAllison Black (3rd Generation FWYC) shared aboutgrowing up in the club. In the coming months I knowwe will have many more memories shared by others thathave grown up here. What a great reminder of theimprint that we all leave on each other and our familiesby being members and participating in our Club.As always, I look forward to seeing each of you at theClub this month. I appreciate all that each of you aredoing to make our club F.U.N. A positiveattitude generates positivity and creates newpossibilities. What an excellent road to be traveling!Commodore Bobby [email protected]
In Memory of
Bud Reed
1917 - 2014
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~ Fort Walton Yacht Club, Established in 1951 ~
In Port
Another month has gone by, it’sApril already, and Spring ismoving right along! I hope you’reall looking forward to the manyactivities to come in Spring andSummer. I’d like to thank themany folks who have beenworking to help make the FWYCproperty ready for this upcomingbusy season and especially for our first big events ofthe year. The Landscape Committee has beenworking hard, and we’ve had great help decoratingthe Club for events. A hearty “Thank You” to youall!We had to fix a couple of things in the clubhouse inMarch. The water heater that serves the kitchen hadto be replaced. Also, many of you are aware that anelectrical problem in the kitchen precipitated anevacuation of the Club last month. Member JamesBallard, along with help from several others, spenta number of hours checking out the problem. It wastracked down and fixed that night. I’m alwayshopeful that we don’t have issues like these, but theysometimes occur. We’ll remain vigilantto avoid them in the future. I ask that allof you be observant and if you spotsomething that seems to have thepotential to become a problem, please letus know. Report it on a maintenanceform or let Eric, David, or me know sowe can take care of it. Another item ofinterest is the Club’s roof. While wedon’t think the roof is in need ofimmediate replacement, we will probablyhave to do some maintenance on it soon,so we’re looking at our options in thatregard.As we move through Spring and intoSummer, I do hope you’ll come out andenjoy your Club. Whether it’s on yourown or part of a planned activity, we all
benefit when we all participate. By the time you readthis, we may have already held our first Self-Help Dayof the year, on 29 March, but that’s not the only thinggoing on. There will be regattas and other activities, oryou can just watch the sunset from the clubhouse or outon the point. We’re here for fellowship and enjoymentamong all of us, together. I hope to see you here!Vice Commodore Jerry [email protected]
Welcome Aboard
New Members
Tom and Cathy Dewrell
William Ishmael
Remember to join us forSelf-help Day, Saturday,
29 March starting at 9 a.m.
Page 5
~ Fort Walton Yacht Club, Established in 1951 ~
Each month, Commodore Bobby Dewrell will wish a HAPPYBIRTHDAY to our members who have birthdays in that
month.
Happy Birthday to our members who have April Birthdaysand to those members we missed!
The
Commodore
wishes you a
Tara Pakiz April 14Paul Beaudry April 16Anna Morris April 16Elise Ready April 16Stephany Peters April 17Marsha Calhoun April 19Chip Cook April 19Angie Bowen April 23Arthur Bethea April 24Bonnie Dezzutto April 26Theresa Sampson April 29Jim Coulter April 30Kimberly Roy April 30
Charley Brown April 1Bill Keeler April 1Susan Peters April 1Craig Stoldt April 1Phil Pritchett April 2Margaret Smith April 5David Lauderbaugh April 6Harold Fielding April 7Lou Richard April 7Hal Pruett April 9Sherry Johnson April 10Don Waterhouse April 10Robert Berry April 11Sid Rosenbaum April 12
Happy Belated Birthday to:
Grace Pritchard February 26Betty Burkett March 11If your name was omitted fromeither list, please call or email
Sandra in the Office -850-243-7102
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~ Fort Walton Yacht Club, Established in 1951 ~
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~ Fort Walton Yacht Club, Established in 1951 ~
Page 8
~ Fort Walton Yacht Club, Established in 1951 ~
Fleet Captain Ashley [email protected]
Well, 25% of 2014 is complete! Spring is definitely in the air as the cruisers areshaking out their cushions and checking out their sails to prepare for their first bigcruise in April to Port St. Joe. The cruisers aren't the only ones getting ready totravel. Our intrepid Capdevielle team represented by Jeff Brown and Seth Cookevoyaged to New Orleans for the Mardi Gras Regatta, and are organizing a teamto represent FWYC at the Gilliland Regatta in Jackson (April 12-13). I personallyhave been doing some sailing in Pensacola and will be traveling to New Orleans toparticipate in their Fleur de Lis Regatta at the end of March.Craig and Deborah Wilusz are still recovering from a week of Viper 640 sailing.Randy Smyth set a new record in the 300 mile Everglades Challenge for thesingle-handed multihull class by sailing his home-built trimaran from St. Petersburg
to Key Largo non-stop (except for the three required checkpoints) in 35 hours and 18 minutes. The next boatto finish, of any class, was more than 22 hours behind! Mark Hunter took three juniors to race Laser Radialsat the Alfonso Sutter Regatta - David Beaudry, Ian Hunter and George Hambleton had some interestingcamping experiences and all had a great regatta. David Beaudry is currently 2nd in the circuit scores on theGYA Laser Radial Circuit. A little closer to home, David Vaughan and the crew on Two Two Pot Screamerfinished second in spin fleet at this year's Eglin Yacht Club (EYC) Kickoff Regatta, held on Saturday, 1 March.It was a beautiful day with an easterly breeze for the ten mile course to the Mid-Bay Bridge and back. FWYCprovided race management, BBSC contributed the trophies and EYC provided the race committee boat, tastytreats featuring 'Maggie Burgers' and plenty of satisfying refreshments. Two Pot Screamer also participated inthe most recent Bluewater Bay Sailing Club Regatta, winning First Place in two windward-leeward races.
Our first regional event of 2014 went very well. The WetaFest was attended by 22 sailors from all over theUnited States and a manufacturer's representative from New Zealand. This four-day event took nearly 30 clubvolunteers to run successfully, and I want to thank all of them.On 30 March, along with the Zevin Memorial Regatta awardsand Mongolian BBQ, we will also be giving out the FrostyNipple awards, and recognizing our volunteers. All of this willbe followed by the Barn Dance! The fleet then has a couple ofweeks to test out their running lights in preparation for the 12April Night Race, followed by the beginning of small boat racingfor the Summer Series and then the Peerson Regatta on 26 April.A few housekeeping notes: if you have not signed up for textupdates, please do so by texting @fwycupdates to 850-460-9003.If you have not checked out fwyc.org lately, stop reading this anddo so. Sam Grant has done a great job freshening up the face,and I am taking suggestions for content on the racing/cruising part of the website. As always, thank you to thegeneral membership of the club for being so supportive of the events and initiatives that we hold.Ashley Sukalski
FWYC Sports News
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~ Fort Walton Yacht Club, Established in 1951 ~
FWYC Sports News
Save the DatesMarch 30 - Final Zevin Race,
Mongolian BBQ & Barn DanceApril 2 - Wednesday Night Fun
Races BeginApril 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 - WNFR Series
# 1April 4 to 8 - GYA Sanctioned PHRF
Event, GORC @ Biloxi YCApril 6 - Spring Shootout, Open
Portsmouth & CapdeviellePractice
April 12 - Blessing of the Fleet,Lawn Party, SundownerCeremony & Night Race # 1
April 12 & 13 - GYA Capdevielle,Gilliland Regatta @ Jackson YC
April 20 - Summer PortsmouthSeries, Race 1
April 26 to May 3 - Spring FlingCruise to Port St. Joe
April 26 - Peerson RegattaApril 26 - Dauphin Island Race @
Mobile YCMay 10 - Summer Portsmouth
Series, Race 2May 24 - Mid-bay Bridge RaceMay 25 - Summer Portsmouth
Series, Race 3
Adult SailingLessons Coming
in May!
Tack: change courseby turning a boat’s
head into andthrough the wind.
Page 10
~ Fort Walton Yacht Club, Established in 1951 ~
A Message from ourGeneral Manager
Hello club members!
We have a very busy and eventfulApril ahead. This month, we haveevery Saturday booked with eithera private party or club event. OnSunday, 13 April, we will have theGeneral Membership meetingfollowed by a Buffet, and onSunday, 20 April, we will have theEaster Brunch. Menus for both events are on page 19 ofthe Letter Log. The menus will also be on posters in thelobby and emailed to all members.
Friday Lunches start back on Friday, 4 April, so grab afriend and come on down for lunch. The new menus arereceiving good reviews, so if you have not had lunch atthe club lately I encourage you to come and enjoy!
I look forward to seeing you all at the club!
Eric Mattiza, General [email protected]
In Memory of
Nita Estergren
1921 - 2014
Page 11
April 2014Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday SaturdayMar 30
(No Breakfast/Brunch)
Zevin 5 FINAL
Mongolian BBQ
Barn Dance
Mar 31
CLUB CLOSED
1Lunch
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
FCA Luncheon12:00 p.m.
Taco Tuesday5 - 7 p.m.
2Lunch
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
WNFR - 5 p.m.
Casual Dining5:30 p.m.
3WOW Luncheon
11:30 a.m.
Bridge 7 p.m.
Cook Your Own4 - 8:30 p.m.
4Lunch
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.Dinner 6 - 8 PM
EntréeSwordfish
PicattaFriday Lounge
Menu8 - 10 p.m.
5Lunch
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Nautical SwapMeet 8 a.m. -
Noonish
Cook Your Own2 - 8:30 p.m.
6Breakfast/
Brunch9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Spring ShootoutRegatta
Cook Your Own2 - 8:30 p.m.
7CLUB CLOSED
8Lunch
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Taco Tuesday5 - 7 p.m.
9Lunch
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
WNFR - 5 p.m.
Casual Dining5:30 p.m.
10Bridge 7 p.m.
Cook Your Own4 - 8:30 p.m.
FinanceCommittee
Meeting5:30 p.m.
11Lunch
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.Dinner
6 - 8 p.m.Entrée
Dave’s FamousRibs
Friday LoungeMenu
8 - 10 p.m.
12Lunch
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.The FUN starts
at 3:00 p.m.Lawn Party
Blessing of theFleet
SundownerCeremony
Night Race
13Breakfast/
Brunch9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
GeneralMembership
Meeting4 p.m.
Buffet to Follow
14
CLUB CLOSED
15Lunch
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Taco Tuesday5 - 7 p.m.
Board Meeting7:00 p.m.
16Lunch
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
WNFR - 5 p.m.
Casual Dining5:30 p.m.
17Bridge 7 p.m.
Cook Your Own4 - 8:30 p.m.
WOW CocktailParty
5:30 p.m.
18Lunch
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.Dinner
6 - 8 p.m.Entrée
Filet MignonBordelaise
Family FunSailing 5 p.m.Friday Lounge
Menu8 - 10 p.m.
19Lunch
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Cook Your Own2 - 8:30 p.m.
Bingo in theLounge6 p.m.
20Easter Sunday
Easter Brunch
(Call Office forSeating Times)
Egg Hunts11 a.m. & 2 p.m.
SummerPortsmouth
Series Race 1
21
CLUB CLOSED
22Lunch
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Earth Day
Taco Tuesday5 - 7 p.m.
23Lunch
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
WNFR - 5 p.m.
Casual Dining5:30 p.m.
24Bridge 7 p.m.
Cook Your Own4 - 8:30 p.m.
25Lunch
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.Dinner
6 - 8 p.m.Entrée
Veal CordonBleu
Friday LoungeMenu
8 - 10 p.m.
26Lunch
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.Cook Your Own
2 - 8:30 p.m.Spring FlingCruise EastDeparturePeersonRegatta
27Breakfast/
Brunch9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Cook Your Own2 - 8:30 p.m.
28CLUB CLOSED
29Lunch
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Taco Tuesday5 - 7 p.m.
.
30Lunch
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
WNFR - 5 p.m.
Casual Dining5:30 p.m.
31Bridge 7 p.m.
Cook Your Own4 - 8:30 p.m.
May 1Lunch
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.Dinner
6: - 8 p.m.Friday Lounge
Menu8 - 10 p.m.
May 2Lunch
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.Cook Your Own
2 - 8:30 p.m.Spring Flingers
Return
Reminder - Friday Lunch is Back!Call the office (243-7102) for Friday Night Dinner and Easter Brunch Reservations!
Page 12
~ Fort Walton Yacht Club, Established in 1951 ~
The FWYC Chapter of the Florida CommodoresAssociation
On 12 April, the FCA is proud to be a major participant in the
Fort Walton Yacht Club Opening Day and Blessing of the Fleet
The Rear Commodore is also planning an afternoon Lawn Party from 1500 hrs (3 p.m. -until.) - see the Rear Commodore column for more detailed information..FCA will be there for the Blessing of the Fleet and will conduct a Sundowner Ceremony
Blessing of the Fleet 1530 hrs (3:30 p.m.) Skippers meeting (a number of us will be on board again this
year)1600 hrs - 1700 hrs (4 - 5 p.m.) Members of our fleet and guests will pass A -Dock
Sundowner Ceremony 1830 hrs (6:30) Although sundown is not until 1912 hrs, we wanted to have our
ceremony early enough so that it would not interfere with the Night Race
AND there will be a Night Race, First Warning at 1855 hrs (6:55 p.m.)
It looks like it will be a full day of fun for all....
REMEMBER – Clean up your Boat , Dress Ship with flags.... if you don't have them, comeanyway ...all Boats are welcome – we want to have a big turnout this year. Let's get 2014off to a great start.
We finish one meeting and move on to plan the next one which is scheduled for 25-26 Aprilat the Sarasota Yacht Club. This will be a really great meeting. Take a look at their club website...http://www.sarasotayachtclub.org/. Remember, our current Flag Officer members are invited to attend. It will a greatopportunity to see a great club.
The FCA is in the process of creating the FCA Foundation, Inc. It is slated to be a 501 c(3), not-for- profit corporation,which will allow our members to make tax deductible contributions to the education and support of yachting... especiallyby the young people of our state. In the past, we have given support to Olympicqualifying hopefuls and others. It is our hope that this will be a vehicle through whichwe can grow and strengthen our sport.
By the Way – does anyone know which of Florida's lighthouses this is?
The FCA will buy a drink for the first person that emails me the correct answer. (TomReynolds: [email protected])
Don't miss the next luncheon on 01 April , beginning at noon in the CommodoresRoom
P/C Tom Reynolds, President
Join the Thursday Night BridgeGroup or sign up to substitute!For more information, contact Karl
Stevenson at 850-862-5473.
Don’t miss the SWAPMEET on Saturday, 5
April at 8 a.m.
Page 13
~ Fort Walton Yacht Club, Established in 1951 ~
HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS/INFORMATION SEMINARFORT WALTON YACHT CLUB
Thursday, MAY 15, 2014 6:00 p.m. in the Dining Room
PRESENTATION BY: Boatswain’s Mate First Class (BM1) Nathan Davis
Training Petty Officer Station Destin, USCG
PREPARATION THE USCG EXPECTS RECREATIONAL AND COMMERCIALBOATERS TO EXECUTE
ANDUSCG’S RESPONSIBILITIES PRE-STORM, DURING STORM, AND POST
STORM
Please plan to attend, as this will be very helpful to the membership.
● Pizza available in the lounge prior to seminar
● Owners/alternates information check
● Updates on dock slip leases
Questions or Information:Phyllis SeatonHome: 850-651-0105Cell: 850-621-3186Email: [email protected]
VOLUNTEERS ARE ALSO INVITED!
Requesting serious volunteers, who plan on staying in the area in case of a storm, to attendthis meeting.
No experience necessary!
Page 14
~ Fort Walton Yacht Club, Established in 1951 ~
ECSA News
THANK YOU everyone who responded toour fund raising request.
We had the University of Minnesota sailingteam here again on their Spring Break during the week of 17-21March. They brought four guys and eight girls. They arrived overthe weekend and practiced Monday thru Friday from 9 - 5 every daywith the exception of Thursday afternoon, when they went to thebeach. The three local high schools had from 6-10 students here everyday except Thursday. Mostly, we sailed with one high school andone college student in each boat, except for Friday, when we sailedthe high schoolers against the collegiate team. The weatherman wasvery kind to us. We had 3-10 knots with the usual lulls whenswitching from land breeze to sea breeze and there was lots ofsunshine after Monday.
I would like to thank John Sullivan, David Shepherd and DennisMayhew for help with boat repairs before we started. Tom Garner,Dan Gross, and Heather and Greg Anders all contributed food.Tom served lunch on Wednesday, Danny provided snacks all week,and Greg and Heather did a Low-Country Shrimp Boil on Thursdayevening. Otherwise, the collegiates lived on PB& J.
Our kids got serious instruction on roll-tacking, boat speed anddownwind tactics. College and High School races are very short, sostarting techniques are all important. Needless to say, we did a tonof starting drills. The collegiates don't expect their practice lake inMinnesota to be thawed until late April, so they got a ton of seriousfundamental drills in.
George [email protected] or 850-862-7276
CONGRATULATIONSto members who have
recently exchangedmarriage vows!
Katy Folsom andRic Shepherd
February 28, 2014Ditty Petermann and
Richard WilliamsFebruary 1, 2014
Five boats, both motorand sail, with elevenmembers enjoyed abeautiful evening onRocky Bayou for the
March Cruise!
Check out all of theMarch Cruise photos at
www.facebook.com/fortwaltonyachtclub
Page 15
~ Fort Walton Yacht Club, Established in 1951 ~
This column came about as a result of the WOW Ladies Event in January. Maggie Loar asked me totell about my three daughters growing up at the Club. I asked each daughter to tell me her favoritememory about growing up at FWYC, and all three responded. I shared some of their memories withCommodore Dewrell and he decided that stories about growing up at the Club would make a goodcolumn in the Letter Log. In the months to come, look for stories of members who grew up here.
So, here are some memories from the redheaded Black girls who were third generation FWYC members!Molly’s favorite memories -The yacht club was our life. It was where we felt comfortable and included in everything we did there. Themembers were our second family. We followed in Dad’s footsteps and fell in love with sailing. We got to travelall over the Gulf Coast racing in the GYA Capdevielle races and meeting all sorts of interesting people fromother yacht clubs. When it came time for the Cotillion Dance held at the yacht club, we welcomed the kids fromall over the county to our yacht club. It feels weird not living in Fort Walton Beach, not being a member ofFWYC, not raising my son there. It was the best life a kid could have growing up.
Molly, her husband, Mitch, and son, Elliott, live in Asheville, NC.
Becky’s favorite memories -As a young child I remember FWYC being filled with kids. Whenever we were there it was a fun place to run,play, swim and sail. Most of my fondest memories are the bigger activities such as sailing camp and the holidaycelebrations. I remember every year Easter, 4th of July, and Billy Bowlegs crews (whose boat parade left fromFWYC’s docks). FWYC was the place to be. I remember feverishly stuffing my face in the watermelon eatingcontest, watching the older kids chase down the buttered watermelons bobbing in the swim area, and laying onthe bow of my parent's boat, rafted up with other members, as we watched the fireworks on the bay celebratingthe 4th of July.
I remember Sandy Zevin hollering and chasing us kids around the lawn. We acted afraid of the big, burly sailor,but with every visit we sought him out as well as the other adults that encouraged us to be kids, to play, to growwith a love of sailing, and to feel the warmth of a yacht club family. I can't imagine my life, or my futurechildren's lives without knowing the love of a yacht club.
Becky and her husband, Kevin, live in Slidell, Louisiana, and are members of Tammany Yacht Club.
Allison’s favorite memories -1. Easter egg hunts2. Wednesday Night Fun Races and the post-race BBQs on the patio3. Learning how to sail and be in charge of a boat by myself at such a young age. I still remember the final raceat the end of sailing camp when I was around 8 years old. I won the race, but someone protested. Yes, anotherparent went to the "race committee" and protested saying that their kid had won. Luckily, someone videotapedthe race and discovered that the team who claimed to be winners, actually didn't sail the course correctly. It wasa good day for me. Not only did I win, but I learned a lot about the rules of racing. And the fact that people takesailboat races very seriously.
Allison lives in Manhattan.
Growing up at FWYC!
If you would like to share your experience about growing up at FWYC, let us know. Email Faye Black [email protected] or Pat Tye - [email protected]
Page 16
~ Fort Walton Yacht Club, Established in 1951 ~
Catalina 22s Rendezvous at FWYCEach May over 20 Catalina 22s converge at Fort Walton Yacht Club to participate in their annualNorthern Gulf Coast Cruise (NGCC). For 2014 they embark on May 10. Ever wonder who theseboaters are, where they are coming from, and where they are going?
In 1969 engineer and entrepreneur Frank Butler formed a privately held company, Catalina Yachts, to build recreationalsailboats beginning with a small sloop designed as a family sailor. He needed an expert for the design, testing anddemonstration marketing of his first sailboat and found FWYC’s Beattie Purcell, a champion sailor from NorthernIreland, fit the bill. They embarked on the design of the C22, known as the rugged little Volkswagen of the sailing world.The C22 launched Catalina Yachts and Beattie’s career as the plant manager building the boats. With nearly 16,000hulls built; it has a long pedigree and worldwide fan base.
In 1996, two C22s owners (Dee and I participated) decided to test the possibilityof a week-long cruise sailing from Fort Walton Beach to the head of Wolf Bay,AL to visit Wolf Bay Lodge and back, a voyage of about 160 miles. From thatexperience the NGCC has grown to two dozen boats visiting the FWYC each year.Participating sailors have come from as far away as California, Germany, andCanada. SAIL Magazine’s executive editor accompanied the cruise in 2005 andpublished a story of his adventure in its August issue. Pictures and articles on theNGCC have been featured in West Marine’s annual calendar and other local,regional and national publications.
The Fort Walton Yacht Club and local C22 Fleet 77, still host the NGCC and thesailors still follow the same course except that Wolf Bay Lodge (burned down)has been replaced by Bear Point Marina as the western destination. Pre-cruisepicnics and post-cruise banquets at FWYC are always a highlight of the visit.Many stories of the NGCC and the hospitality of FWYC are published to the C22worldwide community online following every cruise making this a great publicityevent for the Club in addition to sales from dock fees, the dining room and the lounge. Publicity also prompted the firstC22 National Championship Regatta hosted by FWYC in 2001 with two more since.
So, next time you see these sailors give them a big welcome for keeping traditions alive while promoting recreationalboating and our FWYC.
Mickey La Garde
Catalina 22s in formation beforepassing under the Navarre Bridge on
a cruise in May 2005.
The Fort Walton Yacht Club is sponsoring a
Saturday, April 5, from 8:00 a.m. toNoonish
Tables are FREE -Donations Accepted!
All Donations will go toward theSouth Parking Lot Paver Project.
To Reserve a FREE Table - Contact:One of the following-
Theresa Sampson at [email protected] Suz Weston at [email protected]
Pat Tye at [email protected]
T�l� M� � St�ry . . .
If you are willing to share an on-or-about the water adventure, please let me know at [email protected]’s tell a story! - Pat Tye
Page 17
~ Fort Walton Yacht Club, Established in 1951 ~
Please join hostess Jackie Chapman and theLadies of WOW in April.
Dates to remember:
WOW - Any Female Airman ProjectFor more than half of our Airmen, this is their very firstdeployment and they will be under constant treat ofattack. The conditions vary, but often the ladies don'thave running water or electricity. There is usually a“chow hall,” but snacks are few! Many notes indicatethat peanut butter, Ramen Noodles, Tuna in foil packs,nuts and anything that requires little preparation wouldbe most welcome. It is getting hot now and they will beworking in the sun.Female hygiene items are treasures to our Lady Warriorsin Afghanistan. They frequently comment that it isespecially nice to open a box releasing some feminine,sweet smell.
At our March luncheon, we were surprised by a visit froma Lady Airman to whomwe have been sendingpackages during herdeployment from Eglin.You can imagine what athrill that was!!
In spite of preparations towithdraw our troops, thewar atmosphere pervades.Please remember thesebrave young women whoare constantly in harm'sway for us. Drop your donations at the office (see AnyAirman donation box or give your monetary donation toSandra). We will be happy to purchase items fromdonations to complete filling a box, and the cost ofmailing has increased to $15.45 per box sent, sodonations are certainly appreciated.
Many, many thanks to you all for your unwaveringsupport and for continuing to keep our Female Airmenin your prayers with your generous donations.Remember, unlike what we hear about some “charities,”EVERYTHING YOU DONATE GOES DIRECTLY TOOUR LADY WARRIORS!
Lynne W. Reynolds, Project Chairman
“Egg-sellent” EveningCocktail Party
Thursday, April 175:30 p.m.
In the Lounge
LuncheonThursday, April 3
11:30 a.m. - Social Time12:00 p.m. - LunchIn the Dining Room
WOW - Women on the Water
Start making plans now!
Bring your Mothers, Daughters,Granddaughters, Friends, Neighbors, anyoneyou want to bring! It will be a FUN event for
everyone!
Look What’s Happening in May!
Lt. Cassandra Andrea withFaye Black, Gethyn
Giordano, and BarbaraMacPike at the March WOW
Luncheon
Letter Log Advertising RatesPer Month Per Year
Business Card $ 5.00 $ 60.00¼ Page $12.00 $130.00½ Page $24.00 $260.00Full Page $48.00 $560.00
Page 18
~ Fort Walton Yacht Club, Established in 1951 ~
April 26 to May 3
FWYC 2014 Spring Fling
Cruising EAST to Port St. Joe
All members and guests are welcome - sailboat or powerboat!
Meet in the Castaway Room at 9:00 a.m. on the 26th for Skipper’s Meeting
For More Information, Contact:Paul Yergens - [email protected] or 404-668-4887
Go for
all or
part of
the trip!
If you have aboat, youneed to jointhis group!
Page 19
~ Fort Walton Yacht Club, Established in 1951 ~
Jibin’ with the Juniors!
Congratulations to our Junior sailors whosailed in the Laser RadialChampionship at the Gulfport YachtClub recently. David Beaudry placedsecond, George Hambleton placed fifth,and Ian Hunter tied for seventh.
We also had two teams of 420 Juniorsailors compete in the 420 Mid-Wintersat the US Sailing Center of Martin CountyIn Jensen Beach , FL in February.
Junior sailors enjoyed a week with theUniversity of Minnesota sailing team.The high schoolers learned a lot from thecollegiates.
Kelly Stukbauer increased her racingawareness by participating on the RaceCommittee for the WetaFest.
Watch emails and the website for aJunior Sailing Fund Raiser in April!
Letter LogFort Walton Yacht Club180 Ferry Road, NEFort Walton Beach, FL 32548(850) 243-7102http://www.fwyc.org
FWYC 2014 Officers and DirectorsFlag Officers
Commodore Bobby Dewrell, [email protected] Vice Commodore Jerry Vaughan, [email protected]
Rear Commodore Sam Grant, [email protected] Fleet Captain Ashley Sukalski, [email protected]
Board of Directors
Nunzio “Cappy” [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Cathy [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]/C David [email protected]
Other Officers
Secretary and Recording Secretary - June Scroggin, [email protected] - John Farris, [email protected]
Dock Master - P/C David Vaughan, [email protected]
February and March were busy and FUN at FWYC. Check out thePHOTOS that were taken at these events! (Click on the link.)
www.facebook.com/fortwaltonyachtclub/albums/Photo Contributors: Dub and June Scroggin, Faye Black, Wini Jimmerson, and Craig and Cece Stoldt