Commodore's Letter

Dear SYC Member:

For some reason I always take great interest in who is selected to receive the HalfVast Award. Of course the fact that I am a two time recipient has nothing to do with my interest. The fact is that the selection process and actual award ceremony always produces a great, fun time for all who are involved.

This year was no exception. Past Commodore and past recipient Don Simpson was the almost (Don’s was the only negative vote) unanimous selection with honorable mention for his lovely mate, Mary. Their adventure with Bandit involved a well marked reef, a wrapped prop, a visit from a Coast Guard helicopter and the failure to strike the burgee.

Bandit now has a HalfVast flag with two half toilet seats, one white and one pink.

As you would expect, Don and Mary have been great sports and most gracious as they received this auspicious award.

The rest of those honored at the Sailboat Awards Dinner last Friday are identified below by Fleet Captain Roger but I must make special mention of Brian Watkins and the crew of Declaration of Independence. While Boat of the Year is old hat to them it is a great achievement and worthy of the Commodore’s “Thank You and Well done”.

Please consider joining the Queen City Yacht Club sponsored Chet Gibson Memorial Lighted Boat Parade on December 7 or 8.  Unfortunately Flying Eagle can't make it as she is having a "face lift".  (No cracks about the fact that the skipper needs one too.)  QCYC Commodore tells me this event was first held in 1941 and it's a lot more fun than the "other" parade.  For all the details please see the bulletin displayed on the first floor of the Mainstation or call QCYC office at (206) 709-2000.

On behalf of all three of your Commodores and our wives I wish you and your families a most happy Thanksgiving.

Jack Sullivan, Commodore

Sailboat Awards Dinner Review

The Sailboat Awards Dinner was held Friday night in the Fireside Lounge with 84 people in attendance including some guests from other yacht clubs that won silver in some of SYC's races. After a wonderful dinner and lots of laughter Bruce Campbell hosted the awards presentation where he and Past Commodore Ben Cozadd presented 29 awards both to Sailboat Event Chairs, Race Committee Volunteers and then to the race winners and finally to our year end special awards. Boat of the Year went to Declaration of Independence, Brian Watkins. That award is earned on a point system bases on race participation and winning. The Heylman Memorial Award was presented to Chris Warner. That award is earned by a person's involvement with sailboat activities and getting more people involved in cruising, racing and/or sailboat club events. The special awards are listed below.

Sailboat Dinner Review

The Sailboat Dinner was held on Wednesday night with 66 people in attendance. The presentation was given by Larry and Maxine Bailey about their cruise to Alaska last summer. They met up with Linda and Mike Duffy. During the presentation Mike spoke about his and Linda's experience about getting back to Bailey's dinghy "around" a bear that was watching them with special interest. As usual, the Bailey's tell a marvelous story with outstanding photos. Our thanks to them as always.

Helmsmen Specials

November 20 Ropeyarn "North" Announcement

Please join us for Rope Yarn "North" at the Farmhouse Restaurant in the beautiful Skagit Valley. For those who don't know, Rope Yarn is a casual social get together with SYC friends. Enjoy libations and appetizers in our private room upstairs while visiting with old friends and making new ones, guests are always welcome. Optional dinner follows at our long table. Reservations not required. The Farmhouse is easy to find on highway 20 several miles east of Anacortes at the intersection with La Conner Whitney road, click the link for driving instructions and menu. We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday November 20.

PLACE: Farmhouse Restaurant (360) 446-4411
DATE: November 20, 2007 (Tuesday)
TIME: Rope Yarn 5:30 - 7:00 p.m., optional dinner follows.

Women's Group November Luncheon

Rhinestone Rosie, Seattle's expert on "vintage" jewelry, will present a lively and fun program.  She has been the owner of an extraordinary full-service vintage jewelry store on Crockett Street in Seattle for over twenty years.   Feel free to bring some antique, or just plain OLD jewelry to the luncheon, and have Rosie tell you more about it.  You will leave the luncheon knowing more about vintage jewelry than you did when you came in – and, she'll have a trunk show, selling some pieces as well.  Come enjoy a delicious lunch on Wednesday, November 21, and take advantage of the opportunity to wish your friends a happy Thanksgiving holiday!

Call the front desk for reservations.

Women's Group E-mail List

The SYC Women's Group is compiling an e-mail list of the spouses not listed in the yearbook.   These addresses will be listed on the SYC website in the Women's Group section.   If you have an e-mail address not listed and would like to be able to be contacted by e-mail, please contact JoAnne Jones to be included.

Annual Junior Ski Trip to Whistler, BC

It’s time to sign up for the annual Whistler Ski Trip. Spend Martin Luther King Holiday, January 18-21 with your SYC ski buddies. We leave SYC after school Friday and return Monday evening. There’s still planning to do and chaperones to find. Sign-ups open Wednesday, November 28 at 8:30 a.m. at the front desk. Prospective chaperones please e-mail svanomaly@hotmail.com.

“Ready for Takeoff!”

SYC Fleet Air Wing--A Proposed New SYC Committee/Activity

Are you a pilot? Interested in getting your license or adding a rating…An Aviation enthusiast...an aircraft owner?

Join us for our first organizational meeting on Thursday evening, November 29 at 6:00 p.m. in the Heritage Room.

Let’s discuss Aviation support to our boating activities:

Shared flying and boating adventures, mentoring of new pilots, aerial photography of our boats and sailing/log race events, urgent response to members’ boats with repair parts, flight-share to/from remote cruising grounds, Aerial recon of future cruise areas, Air “cruises,” Exchange of expertise, training, new technology, and more! For more information, contact Dan Schwartz at rotorhead@clearwire.net.

Join us with your ideas!

The Elliott Bay Clubhouse Christmas Decorating Party

Saturday, December 1
9:00 a.m. to Noon

There will be refreshments, camaraderie and a little artistic license for all participants.

Come and be introduced to the facility and how you can use it for your own parties and meetings.