Karen and I thank all of you for your friendship and good will. We send our wish that you have a beautiful holiday wrapped in warmth, touched with wonder and filled with love. May the happiness and good cheer of the season be yours throughout the New Year!

Fred Roed, Vice Commodore

Joyce and I wish everyone a Happy and Healthy Christmas and a Joyous New Year!

Larry McCarthy, Rear Commodore

Message from Compass NEWS Editors

Since both Christmas Day and New Years Day fall on a Tuesday, we will not be sending our normal Compass NEWS on those days.  Please look for our next edition on Friday, December 28.  We will be back to the normal Tuesday schedule on Tuesday, January 8.  We wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. 

Pam Lowry and Len Rothe, Compass NEWS Editors

History of Men's Christmas Lunch

On three occasions during the year, there are special events at the Thursday Noon Lunch. Two of these, the Christmas and Candidates lunch, have been held for almost as long as the Men’s Lunch has been in existence, while the Opening Day Canadian lunch dates to the mid-1980s. All three completely fill the Ward Room and the Fireside Lounge.

THE MEN’S CHRISTMAS LUNCH has evolved and matured since 1933. However, the general format hasn’t changed, possibly because the role of MC has been filled by either Charlie Schaak or Lon Davidson for somewhere between 50 and 65 of the past 73 years. The menu seldom changes, and Christmas cookies always are served for dessert.

Until the early eighties, the lunch began at 1100-1130 in the Marine Room, moved to the Ward Room, and ended in the mid-afternoon. Christmas Cheer flowed freely during the entire affair. As was traditional, most people brought bottles to be raffled and delivered to winners by scantily clad but friendly and playful Santa’s Elves (some of whom had very interesting tattoos). By the mid ‘80’s, an ad-hoc committee began working with the MC to put on the party. Their effort to insure everyone brought a bottle and everyone received a gift was rather short lived, as the lunches went on so long that many attendees got bored and either took a nap or engaged in boisterous side discussions. One year Commodore Romano’s wife, Bev, wrapped almost 200 gifts. Clearly, there had to be a better way.

In the mid-90’s, the Christmas party committee intensified efforts to obtain donated gifts by soliciting members’ companies and nautical businesses. Next came the practice of collecting money to buy gifts in addition to those donated. This led to the idea that no one could draw for a gift unless he had contributed in advance; but, member acceptance was unenthusiastic and the practice didn’t take hold. The practice of contributing money in advance to buy boating related gifts continues to the present time.

Seventy- three years after the Christmas Lunch tradition began, drawing of raffle tickets for gifts continues to be the high point of the day, Each year the gifts tend to become more useful things related to boating. Santa’s Elves, hired to deliver presents at the drawing, long ago were replaced by far less attractive, and less expensive, Board Members. (One year several most attractive spouses did a first rate job in performing this function). Liquor consumption has become quite modest. But Lon Davidson continues to serve both as perpetual MC and Charlie’s designated guardian of a wonderful tradition.

Power/Sail Gift Exchange Review

December 17, 2007

Nearly 70 people enjoyed the frivolity of the Sail/Power Gift Exchange Party. The evening began with the awarding of the best of: Women’s Christmas Sweater won by Marlene Foster; Christmas Pin was won by Gwen Ellison; and the Christmas Tie award was won by Rob Rothe. Then we were all awarded a song by Scott Strandjord entitled: “If I Had A Powerboat” which really set the mood for the evening.

Even we sailors enjoyed his turn of phrase. In the beginning it looked like the party should have been called the Fred Roed Power/Sail Gift Exchange. It seemed every present he picked was stolen. There was a fair amount of stealing going on which of course is the whole point of the exchange. Wine was the ever popular theft of choice, then a fine bottle of scotch, and a Lennox Christmas Divided Dish. No doubt, some people went home with a good present. But if our memories can last until next year, there is equally no doubt that we will see some of the “gifts” returning for a reprise appearance. It was clear that laughter was the theme of the event. Merry Christmas to all.