Commodore’s Corner
The month of February has ended with the initiation of great events for the future of the Laguna Madre Yacht Club. We have a new board with members that are individually accomplished in their respective fields and ready to accept responsibilities ensuring the will of the members is considered and employed. Our new steward Bill Rushfield has proven his worthiness in grand style with his rendition of a Cowboy Chili Cook-off. The participation by members was great, and the chili was enjoyed by all. Those declared winners were “the best of the very best.” Look for Bill’s new ideas for water events in conjunction with the Fleet Captain, as well as special indoor events.
February marks the full end of 2009 and the beginning of new efforts and ideas for 2010. The financial books are satisfactorily reviewed, accepted and closed; the new Fleet Captain and Steward’s schedules are published with new concepts that will include ideas for new power boat members; the new membership directory is being published and an outstanding recruiting colored brochure is at the press. We have already recruited two new members for the year, with one of them being a power boater. Through conversations with eight other Yacht Club Commodores and input from our Rear Commodore, it is readily apparent that many clubs are also facing declining membership due to age, loss of interest, boats in disrepair, poor communication, and the lack of young members. In many cases memberships have increased by simply dispelling the notion that Yacht Clubs are elitists with exorbitant membership fees, catering only to yachters in blue jackets and white pants. In fact, one of our new members felt this way, but realizing how wrong the impression was, he became one of our more active sailors. Aggressive recruitment of power boaters is also recommended. Efforts are now underway to reach out to local power boaters by our recruitment committee. All members have been asked to identify outlets for our recruiting brochures and possible members. This activity has already resulted in new members and increased communications within our club.
Soon the 2010 Directory will be mailed to members. In it will be copies of our club membership applications, color recruitment brochures, and a letter offering a challenge to all members to recruit at least one new member this year. Successes will be recognized in the Light and by other means. Many are already on a roll and will be recognized soon. We expect to soon announce new boating activities in conjunction with the local Power Squadron, of which one of our members is the Commander. Also, as a result of our outstanding relationship with the Galveston Boating Clubs, we have been invited to participate in the Galveston to Vera Cruz sailing race. I will receive more information soon on the event and will get it to our Flag Captain for coordination. This is going to be a great year in which everyone will feel a part of every accomplishment. Let us work together and bring Laguna Madre Yacht Club to even higher heights.
Stay safe and God Bless you,
Colonel Bill Maples
Commodore
I found this wonderful document on-line and thought it would make a nice reference for everyone.
Racing Rules
Ahoy Everyone!
Time draws near for our February social and chili cook-off! It should be exciting to see what kind(s) of chili our best cooks can produce. Social hour is 6:00 PM and dinner is at 7:00 PM.
As for the Rules.
There are no rules! Anyone can bring whatever kind of chili they like. If they have exotic ingredients, great! Some things I have heard of are red, white, venison, turkey, beans, no beans, and variations on the themes.
As for the judging.
Everyone gets to vote for their favorite!
Alas, at this time I have no idea how many cooks will be participating. So if you plan to bring some chili please drop me an email back. RSVP from everyone would be appreciated even if you are not bringing any chili.
On a practical note. Since we have a limited number of burners at the club house, it would probably work best if folks brought their chili ready to eat. Either in a crock pot or other suitable vessel. One other note. It may be wise to also bring along a ladle or spoon for serving your favorite recipe.
As for the rest of the menu, I plan to make some cheesy salsa dip and chips for our appetizer. Dinner should include a tossed salad and chili. I plan to have some corn bread and crackers to go with it. For desert the plan is to have brownies with ice cream and chocolate sauce.
I’m looking forward to seeing you there
Bill Rushfeldt, Steward
P.S. Please remember to RSVP. ioniaguy@yahoo.com
LAGUNA MADRE YACHT CLUB
UPDATED
2010 RACE AND ON-WATER EVENT SCHEDULE
Questions contact Fleet Captain Rocky Poovey at 956 371 0662
MARCH 20, 21 GULF AND BAY RACES- START SPRING SERIES
MARCH 27 WINE TASTING ON THE WATER
APRIL 03 EASTER EGG HUNT ON THE WATER
APRIL 17, 18 GULF AND BAY RACES
MAY 1 Annual Dottie and Mac McMillan Bay Race to Port
Mansfield.
MAY 15, 16 GULF AND BAY RACES
JUNE 19 CRUISE TO THE ARROYO COLORADO
JULY 17 BEACH PARTY
AUGUST 7 RACE TO PORT ARANSAS- OCEAN SERIES #2
AUGUST 28 STRANGE BREW ON THE WATER
SEPTEMBER 18, 19 GULF AND BAY RACES- START FALL SERIES
OCTOBER 16, 17 GULF AND BAY RACES
NOVEMBER 20, 21 GULF AND BAY RACES
January 16th is the day for the first in the wonderful Ocean Race Series! The race is to the mouth of the Rio Grande then around a gas platform and back to home. It should be wonderful. Don your cool weather gear and get out for a wonderful series! The race instructions are posted in the folder. Please call any board member for information if you have questions.
The official Flag Officers board of the Laguna Madre Yacht Club will be held on October 10, 2009 at 4:30 PM (16:30 hrs)…Followed by social activities at 6:00 PM (18:00 hrs) and Dinner at 7:00 PM (19:00 hrs). The Godfrey’s and Maples’ are preparing the meal that includes entree, sides and dessert. Members “Just bring yourselves,” no food…There are new members in our midst and all are encouraged to attend.
Nominating Committee Information:
A meeting of the nominating committee was held on 14 September 2009 to nominate from an open field, nominees for all board positions as prescribed in the LMYC by-laws. Instructions to the committee as to their duties, included procedures and proper disposition of the results. Additionally the committee was made aware that all positions of the board were to be considered .
The slate of nominees. chosen and recommended, will be openly presented to the LMYC serving board on October 10, 2009 by the Secretary Mr. Jim Godfrey. If there are no oral or written objections from the serving board, as to why the nominating committee’s slate of nominees should not be placed in unanimous nomination to the general membership in November, the slate shall be offered in consideration to the membership, for election by the serving Secretary, Mr. Godfrey , at the November Social event as prescribed in the LMYC by-laws.
Colonel Bill Maples
Vice Commodore
Fall Racing Series Begins This Weekend
Remember fall; sunshine not too intense, cooler evenings, pleasant winds (well some of the time anyway); a perfect time for sailing! I know it’s hard to remember after this brutal summer but with Labor Day behind us it’s time to start thinking about fall gulf and bay racing again. The Fall Gulf and Bay Racing Series begins on Saturday, September 19th with the first Gulf race and Sunday, September 20th for the first Bay race. As always each race is preceded by a Skippers Meeting at 10 AM at the club house. During this meeting each skipper will contribute $10 as a racing entry fee for the opportunity to enjoy a great day of racing. He will also receive a briefing on the race course, winds, communication protocols, and a general good razzing by his fellow skippers. Racing starts at 1330 at a starting line described at the skippers meeting.
Are you new to racing? You don’t want to race your own boat? How about crewing on someone else’s boat? Those desiring to crew should also attend the skippers meeting. We usually match up crew members with boats needing crew at that meeting and everyone has a great time.
The Fall Series calendar is:
Sep 19 Fall Series Gulf Race #1
Sep 20 Fall Series Bay Race #1
Oct 17 Fall Series Gulf Race #2
Oct 18 Fall Series Bay Race #2
Nov 21 Fall Series Gulf Race #3
Nov 22 Fall Series Bay Race #3
As always, we are looking for committee boats. Committee boats don’t have to be a large power boat; sailboats, bay boats; even dinghy’s all do just fine. If you are interested rendering a great service to your fellow club members, please volunteer for committee boat duties. Contact Rocky Poovey
Jim and John Godfrey WIN!
20-30 knot winds in a following sea made this a great race for everyone. Finishing times were close and everyone had a great time afterwards at local restaurants. More soon….
McMillan Memorial
Bay Race August 1
The McMillan Memorial Bay Race has been scheduled for August 1st. The race will be up the ICW from a buoy near the causeway to the Port Mansfield Junction day marker running the full length of the Laguna Madre, an area that Mac & Dotty loved to sail. All boats will start at different times, depending on their handicap. The slower boats (higher handicap) will start first followed by the faster boats. Starts will be by GPS time – You will be assigned a start time at the skippers meeting. In a perfect race all boats should finish at the same time at the Port Mansfield Junction. It’s simple — the first boat to cross the finish line is the winner on corrected time! Rocky and Jim are working out the start times and these will be communicated to participants at the skippers meeting before the race. After the finish, boats are free to go where they like. Some may anchor in the Port Mansfield channel, others to El Jefe’s. Please see the RACE INSTRUCTIONS page for the full information. Or Select this Link
To better serve our members, we have reworked the old site to provide more access to members, greater shared content and a new look representative of our continued growth and concentration on important boating and community activities in the Lower Laguna Madre, South Padre Island and Port Isabel. We welcome members and visitors and hope you find the site helpful. Come Sail With Us!
New Features
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- …And Many More!
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