Commodore Words
May 20, 2008 Congratulations to all the successful STYC racers this 2008 spring season. From the Sloop's Blakely Rock Benefit, Race to the Straits and Spring Regatta's, Ballard Cup, NOODS, PSSR, and Tri Island Series, Sloop racers are everywhere. Good tides, fair wind and following seas to all Swiftsure racers!
Long time Sloop Tavern Yacht Club member and active sailing community influence, Tom Rutten passed away early last Friday morning. Long time sailing partner, business partner, and STYC member Bruce Hedrick sends this message:
"Tom's final wishes were for no memorial service so we'll comply with that. Instead, we decided that we would have 'Tom's Retirement Party', so let the chaos begin. This will take place this Friday night, May 9th, 5:30-8:30pm at the SYC Outstation at Elliott Bay Marina. If you need directions, just let me know. There will be beer, wine, and light hor's doeuvres.
So help us out and drop me a quick line to let us know how many of you there will be. Please respond to bruce@nwyachting.com.
We're also looking for pictures of Tom, stories of Tom and Greg Moore had a great idea, let's try and compile a list of the boats Tom sailed on. We'll post that list and when you arrive, just sign in under whatever boat name(s) you sailed on with Tom."
Past Commodore Laurie Turay is in the planning process for the STYC's contributions to this event, so stay tuned for more news.
At the 'mid point' awards of the Race to the Straits, Laurie and I hoisted a toast to Tom, just to make sure he knew he was missed and remembered during a sailing regatta.
Neil Bennett, Commodore
Ahoy, Sloopers!! We raised just over $7,200.00 for the Ballard Food Bank last Saturday. This is no easy feat, so thank you!!!. To reach this level of donation is really a 'crew' effort: loyal volunteers who spend countless hours staring at spreadsheets trying to keep track of everything (me), members calling businesses to solicit and pick up donations, organizing tee shirt/hat design and production, planning and producing a breakfast that includes making blinztes on Friday night and starting to cook sausage at 4:00 AM; people to cook and serve, at which the Food Bank volunteers were awesome, plus it takes the generosity and tolerance of Charlie and his crew of bartenders at the Sloop who donate all the breakfast supplies (which allows us to donate all the proceeds) ; it takes a volunteer committee boat or two, a race committee capable of starting 13 classes and scoring at least half of the entries in less than 15 minutes - new Race Chair and PRO Tom Barrigan really rose to the challenge with help from the Bellingham Yacht Club Race Committee. And, these folks work hard, so its important to keep them happy, so we have a volunteer Ace Jambalaya'er who whipped up a batch for everyone, then hoisted class flags. It takes generous businesses to donate great raffle items; and finally it takes wind and racers. Last year we sponsored the Ballard Senior Center, a great organization, but the wind didn't blow and half the fleets abandoned, so no one came to the awards party and we didn't have anyone to 'convince' to buy raffle tickets. So, this year the wind cooperated, and so did the sailors. We had some great prizes and 5 silent auction items.
It’s a great event, and a lot of fun to produce. It’s the biggest thing I do as Commodore every year and there is very little time to practice.
And well worth the effort. THANKS
Neil
Commodore
Ahoy again Sloopers,
I am writing because I heard from another Slooper that there was a rumor that the Sloop had fallen out of favor with the Sloop. Huh? Yep, what I heard was a concern that the Yacht Club was drifting from the Tavern. Well, the last time I checked the mooring lines were still firmly cleated and all was good.
The Blakely Rock Benefit Race for the Ballard Food Bank is going great. Check out the website. We have over 70 donated items and a bunch of boats registered. The weather report looks good (I didn’t see the word snow anywhere) and the Race Committee is all ready.
Don’t forget, breakfast is open at 0700 – we have the usual collection of cooks, some great tee shirts, posters and hats…oh yeah, and be sure to buy your raffle tickets.
See you Saturday.
Neil, Commodore
Ahoy Sloopers…
Two important announcements to kick off the New Year. First, the annual, very informal membership renewal and hobnob with Board members will occur again on January 29, 2008, at the Sloop, starting somewhere around 6:00 PM. Bring your checkbook, your completed renewal form (yes, we will have some there) and we will give you your membership card…and maybe even your race book, but don’t count on it.
Second, as you all know the first regatta of the 2008 Commodore’s Cup will occur February 2, 2008. We have the permits, we have the scoring software, we have the RC and Committee boat - all we need is you! We are also doing something new – at the request of Board member Dave Marod, we will be running a Flying Sails division.
PLEASE NOTE! RESULTS OF THIS DIVISION WILL NOT BE INCLUDED AS PART OF THE COMMODORE’S CUP.
Everything else is the same – except it is entirely discretionary on the part of the RC.
This is going to be a fun year…See you on the water
