W Waypoints aypoints NAPLES NAPLESYACHT YACHTCLUB CLUB
2023-2024 2021-2022
LAT LAT 26°7’48” 26°7’48” NORTH NORTH || LONG LONG 081°47’43” 081°47’43” WEST WEST
001_NYC_From Commodores_23-24.indd 1
9/25/23 11:08 AM
From the Commodore’s Bridge
W
elcome to the 2023-2024 issue of Waypoints and another exciting season at Naples Yacht Club. Over the summer, the NYC team, board, committees, and staff worked diligently to prepare for our 77th season. If you have been away for the summer, you can expect to see some important improvements upon your return. When I pause to reflect on these improvements, I am reminded that, as the last season began, I worked with my colleagues on the board to confirm and prioritize our goals for the year so these goals and priorities would guide our decisions and the allocation of the club’s resources. I am grateful for their support and for the support and engagement of our members. Working together, we have achieved many of those goals, while others remind us of our desire to enhance every member’s experience as well as our responsibility for maintaining our club as one of the premier yacht clubs in the nation. This summer, we closed our beloved Boaters’ Grille to complete the renovation of the first-floor kitchen. As with last summer’s reconstruction of the second-floor kitchen, this project will enlarge the club’s ability to serve members and guests during prime season and preferred hours—a goal that we’ve heard “loud and clear” from the members. Kudos to Executive Chef Michael Katz and his colleagues for a masterful job in managing this daunting project, which every member will now enjoy. Other improvements included: adding seating to the Yardarm Terrace; refreshing and re-inventing the Boaters’ Grille bar; remodeling restrooms for the Boaters’ Grille; and upgrading bumpers and cleats on the dock. Several projects were completed behind the scenes, including a temperaturecontrolled wine storage room and air-conditioning renovations. All these initiatives will enhance your enjoyment of the club. We tip our hats to General Manager Hallie Girardeau for her steady leadership and commitment in the management of our staffing and operational resources. This issue of Waypoints will serve as your guide to the upcoming season. You’ll see that the social calendar is full of exciting new events you won’t want to miss, like Midnight in Paris, Yacht Rock End of Season Party, and Lunar New Year. And we’ll preserve the best of our club traditions with the annual Fleet Review, Commodores’ Ball, and Welcome Aboard events. I strongly encourage you to take advantage of everything that your club has to offer you this season. I look forward to spending this season with you. Sincerely,
Rick Maxwell Commodore
Waypoints 2023-2024 | NAPLES YACHT CLUB
001_NYC_From Commodores_23-24.indd 1
1
9/11/23 12:17 PM
LAT 26°7’48” NORTH | LONG 081°47’43” WEST
Table of Contents FEATURES 6
12
14
20
Community Conversations Naples Yacht Club members make a tremendous impact in our community No Place Like Home Legacy members comprise one of the affinity groups being welcomed with intimate, themed dinners Passion Vines Meet NYC members who are also vintners with wineries and vineyards stretching from California to Côte d’Or Exclusive Ladies’ Gatherings On the water, in the clubhouse, and on the road
20
14 2
NAPLES YACHT CLUB | Waypoints 2023-2024
002_YC_TOC_23-24.indd 2
9/6/23 4:46 PM
22
1
From the Commodore’s Bridge Commodore Rick Maxwell on the new and noteworthy
4
Manager & Membership Messages Greet the new season with Hallie Girardeau and Brenda O’Connor
22
28
33
39
45
Feast Your Eyes ...on tantalizing dishes and desserts prepared by Executive Chef Michael Katz Clubs Within the Club Meet new friends who share your pastimes and passions Cruising: Departures and Ports of Call Club cruises guarantee memorable adventures. Check out this year’s scheduled cruises and highlights from recent voyages
NICOLE NIXON
DEPARTMENTS
51
58
62
Member Benefits Dining options, event spaces, and more
64
Social Calendar Calendar of events for 2023-2024
Social Scene A pictorial celebration of members and events Welcome Aboard Meet the newest members Honoring Our Past Commodores A portrait gallery of NYC’s past leaders Nautical Masterpiece Northern Light and Gleam by Tim Thompson
45 On the Cover NYC’s new daily tradition: the presentation of colors Photo by Nicole Nixon
33 Waypoints 2023-2024 | NAPLES YACHT CLUB
002_YC_TOC_23-24.indd 3
3
9/6/23 4:46 PM
MANAGER’S MESSAGE
Welcome to the
2023-2024 Season
N
aples Yacht Club’s annual Waypoints magazine provides insight into all NYC has to offer for this season, and you will quickly see that there is a lot of something for everyone. As you flip through these pages, you will learn about some of your fellow members who contribute to making our proud community vibrant, healthy, and beautiful. You will get the scoop on upcoming club cruises, social events, Ladies’ and Men’s Book Club offerings, our exclusive Dinner Speaker Series, dock services, and everything you need to know to enjoy your 2023-2024 season as a member of Naples’ oldest and most prestigious private club. We highlight our delicious dining options and introduce you to our members who know a lot about wine…as they are vintners themselves! You will also meet some of our multi-generational members who are literally part of our legacy, as they have parents and grandparents who are—or have been—members of NYC. We can offer this plethora of experiences and social opportunities (and did we mention amazing food and wine?) because of NYC’s talented and dedicated staff. Their efforts contribute to an ever-improving member experience in every aspect of the club, from the waterfront to the dining rooms, and, of course, the dance floor! We suggest having your calendars handy as you enjoy perusing the 2023-2024 edition of Waypoints! We look forward to seeing you at the club,
Hallie Girardeau, SHRM-SCP, CCM General Manager
SARAH GEROY
Brenda O’Connor Executive Director, Membership
4
NAPLES YACHT CLUB | Waypoints 2023-2024
004_YC_Manager Message_23-24.indd 4
9/7/23 9:56 AM
Waypoints 2023-2024 | NAPLES YACHT CLUB
004_YC_Manager Message_23-24.indd 5
5
9/7/23 9:56 AM
Community Conversations
MICHAEL CARONCHI
NYC members make an indelible impact in this special place
above: Rob and Cathy Funderburg at Naples Botanical Garden.
Rob and Cathy Funderburg Collier Community Foundation & Naples Botanical Garden When Rob and Cathy Funderburg moved to Naples in 2017, they reached out to the Collier Community Foundation, which matches philanthropists with local charities to discern the best way they can make a local impact. They soon found a home for funding their passions by establishing a donor-advised fund. In six years, their impact in the community has been invaluable, and Rob continued his involvement with the community foundation as co-chair of its successful “Your passion. Your Collier.” capital campaign, which raised nearly $14 million in two years. Now, as chair-elect of the Collier Community Foundation board of trustees, he is preparing to take the helm of this vital organization with $253.3 million in assets. “The foundation is a great collaborator, a great leader,” says Rob, a retired banker. “I’m looking forward to working with the foundation 6
team and board and community to help it grow in terms of size of assets and impact on the community.” Through their donor-advised fund, in 2020, the Funderburgs stepped up with a $500,000 donation to fund Collier Trees. The initiative enabled the planting of hundreds of mostly native trees at public sites in Immokalee, Naples, Everglades City, East Naples, Marco Island, and Goodland. It also provided the funding for the Naples Botanical Garden to grow and distribute 3,500 free saplings to residents with growing instructions to honor the foundation’s thirty-fifth anniversary. The sweeping initiative helped reforest Collier County after Hurricane Irma’s wrath brought down thousands of trees—in time for them to be established by the time Hurricane Ian walloped the region. At the Naples Botanical Garden, Cathy is serving her fourth year on the board as 2023-2024 vice president. An artist, she enjoyed chairing the Arts and Culture Committee, which invested more than a year in planning the popular Frida and Her Garden. It featured outdoor sculptures, a replica of Frida Kahlo’s Mexico City home, “Mexico: A Celebration of Plants” tour, and weekly after-hours events. Cathy and other planners visited San Antonio to research its onsite installation there. When the outdoor exhibit opened at Naples Botanical Garden, “it was a lot of fun seeing it put in place. We saw a lot of smiles on people’s faces,” she says. “We’ve involved a lot of people in our community. Going forward, we’ll have more fun exhibits.” She is impressed with the garden’s extensive outreach in the community and collaborations with government agencies. She says it’s gratifying to be on board as the garden grows. Cathy and Rob feel at home with the foundation and garden because it’s evident their staffs are passionate about their work. “They say enthusiasm is contagious, and at these two places, it is,” he says.
NAPLES YACHT CLUB | Waypoints 2023-2024
006_YC_Community Conversations_23-24.indd 6
9/11/23 12:21 PM
Ed and Susanne Mullen Pan-Florida Challenge Cancer Ride Research shows a causal link between childhood malnutrition with increased risks for cancer and mental health issues—a problem Ed Mullen is addressing for disadvantaged children in the region through the Pan-Florida Challenge Cancer Ride. When Mullen founded the bicycle challenge 10 years ago, four local cyclists, including Ed and his wife Susanne, rode 360 miles in a relay across Florida. Today, the Pan-Florida Challenge funds a million meals a year—and as many as 400,000 more following natural disasters. As his organization researched childhood nutrition, his team reached out to the Tampa-based Moffitt Cancer Center for its expertise and learned about the link between childhood malnutrition and cancer. Mullen became an avid supporter of Moffitt and a board member. Pan-Florida Challenge provides nutritious meals in 34 elementary schools in Collier County, Tampa Bay, and rural areas
of Palm Beach County surrounding Lake Okeechobee, working closely with administrators to identify those in need and monitoring the impacts. A focus is on providing weekend meals, which have resulted in “higher attendance rates, the kids are healthier, and their grades are improving,” he says. “That’s no surprise.” In Boston, where the Mullens lived before moving to Naples parttime 17 years ago, he served for more than a decade on the board of the Baker Center for Children and Families, a Harvard-affiliated, centuryold organization. Research also shows that elementary-aged children and younger who suffer malnutrition have a higher rate of mental health issues—and it’s 25 percent more likely their children and grandchildren will experience them, too. “It’s really serious. You’re not just helping the child, you are helping generations of kids,” says Mullen, who started out as an entrepreneur before becoming an investor and philanthropist. “My philanthropy is focused on children in two aspects: one is health and that includes both mental and physical health and the other is education. Pan-Florida Challenge cuts across all of those,” Mullen says. “We want to help people in large numbers and in a way that moves the needle.” In 2023, 173 cyclists in Naples and Tampa participated in the Pan-Florida Challenge. Ed and Susanne, who is a board member, rode 100 miles for two consecutive days in the first three years of the fundraiser. Now, they are focused on overseeing the growing two-day event. Participants can tackle a century ride—100 miles—or whatever they want. “The ride is not all or nothing,” he says. “If you want to stop, you can stop anytime you want.” The tenth anniversary ride is scheduled for March 2024.
above: Ed and Susanne Mullen in the second annual ride.
Waypoints 2023-2024 | NAPLES YACHT CLUB
006_YC_Community Conversations_23-24.indd 7
7
9/6/23 4:57 PM
Gary Personette
above: Gary Personette is congratulated by a group of students who are in the Incubator EDU Entrepreneurship program at Lorenzo Walker Technical High School with their teacher, Ted Coiné, during the 2022-2023 Heart of the Apple reception.
Champions For Learning Gary Personette’s passion for mentoring low-income youth led to the introduction of Incubator EDU Entrepreneurship curriculum eight years ago in Collier County Public Schools. Today, the program is in nine local public high schools and 10 middle schools. The handson curriculum teaches students the vital skills they need to thrive in today’s rapidly changing world through 39 lesson plans and the guidance of mentors. “It’s project-based learning in which the students do most of the work,” he explains. Bringing the entrepreneurship program to Collier County in 2015 was the result of Personette’s passion for mentoring low-income and disadvantaged youth to help them improve their future by breaking out of the cycle of poverty. The retired wealth manager has been helping young adults achieve their greatest potential as a volunteer with Champions For Learning for more than 10 years. He has been a board member, ambassador, committee member, volunteer, and financial aid coach. As a Take Stock in Children mentor, Personette worked with five high school seniors to encourage them to maintain their grades and stay out of trouble to earn a college scholarship. For his dedication, Personette was awarded the Champions For Learning 2022-2023 Heart of the Apple. “I love to ask young people, ‘What is your passion? What are you doing in life?’” says Personette. “I think it’s important from a moral standpoint, from a societal standpoint, to help young people be the
8
best of themselves, especially lower-income students with hardworking parents who don’t have the types of experiences a lot of us have had.” The high school entrepreneurship curriculum, developed and provided by a nonprofit called Unchartered Learning, was launched in 2013 in Barrington, Illinois, Personette’s hometown, by two fellow Barrington Hills Country Club members. As he met with them, “I could see in my mind where this would be really great” in certain Collier public schools, he recalls. Personette graduated from the Greater Naples Chamber’s 2017 Leadership Collier class and was recognized with its 2019 Distinguished Leadership Award for his local mentorship initiatives. He has focused much of his efforts on recruiting local business owners to be mentors and judges for pitch contests and teach specialized areas of the incubator curriculum. Last summer, Champions For Learning hired an entrepreneurship relationship manager, which “will be a game-changer,” he says. Personette serves on the boards of Champions For Learning, Naples Historical Society, and Naples United Church of Christ. He sees his community efforts “as a lift up versus a handout,” he says. “If one person mentored another person, we’d have a better society.” left: Gary Personette with the Heart of the Apple award.
NAPLES YACHT CLUB | Waypoints 2023-2024
006_YC_Community Conversations_23-24.indd 8
9/11/23 12:22 PM
left: Dr. Dinesh Sharma, cardiologist; Dr. Robert J. Cubeddu, president of the NCH Rooney Heart Institute; Jim Mahon, NCH senior vice president; Paul Hiltz, NCH president/CEO; Francis Rooney; Dr. Viviana Navas, cardiologist; Dr. Robert Pascotto, cardiovascular surgeon; Scott Lutgert, NCH board chairman; and Dr. Gaston Cudemus, cardiac anesthesiologist.
below: Francis Rooney gives a news interview following the announcement of their generous gift commitment.
Francis and Kathleen C. Rooney NCH Rooney Heart Institute Francis and Kathleen C. Rooney believe it simply made sense to provide a $20 million gift commitment in early 2023 to support NCH Healthcare’s cardiac program. “Strokes and heart attacks need immediate care and there are many in the Naples area who are of the age to be more susceptible,” explains Francis. Their visionary gift, provided through the Francis and Kathleen Rooney Foundation, will help to build a new home for premier cardiovascular and critical care services in Southwest Florida. The physical hub of the Rooney Heart Institute will be in a new five-story facility planned to open in 2025 on the NCH Baker Downtown campus. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” says Kathleen. “It’s very exciting.” The Rooneys have been longtime members of NCH’s Medical Diplomats Council and were motivated to step up their support after NCH recruited top doctors, including Dr. Robert J. Cubeddu, a world-renowned cardiologist, as president of the heart institute. “These doctors took a leap of faith” to come to NCH, says Francis. With more than two dozen active clinical research trials, the Rooney Heart Institute will expand its existing research footprint. Another important area of focus is the training of cardiac healthcare professionals through the expansion of fellowship and subspecialty training programs. Francis says he’s proud that like-minded neighbors have also supported the program with significant donations, including fellow NYC member and Past Commodore Don Wingard, Richard “Dick” Schulze, and Tom Golisano. “We’re all working together to make this the best heart and stroke facility,” he notes.
In the mid-1980s and 1990s, the Rooneys would sail their Hinckley Bermuda 40 sailboat from Pensacola, where they were yacht club members, and tie up to the Naples Yacht Club dock when they arrived. “Our three young children greatly enjoyed it—a meal off the boat in the yacht club. They had to put on a shirt and tie and look respectable. It was a slice of life in the mid-80s,” Kathleen fondly recalls. They bought a home in Naples in 2002. “As Naples residents and life-long boaters and sailors, we deeply appreciate the Naples Yacht Club and its leadership,” says Francis, a former U.S. ambassador to the Holy See in Rome, Italy and U.S. representative for Florida’s 19th congressional district from 2017 to 2021. With their long history in the community, “we feel an affinity for Naples and the surrounding area,” he says. The Rooneys are also lifetime trustees of the Naples Children & Education Foundation, which is funded through the Naples Winter Wine Festival. They also support the Naples Historical Society and Naples Botanical Garden. “I think they define our community,” Kathleen says.
left: Francis and Kathleen Rooney are avid sailors. above: A family sailing trip aboard the Rooneys’ Hinckley Bermuda 40.
Waypoints 2023-2024 | NAPLES YACHT CLUB
006_YC_Community Conversations_23-24.indd 9
9
9/11/23 12:22 PM
Chip and Lynne Shotwell Conservancy of Southwest Florida, The Everglades Foundation, and Captains for Clean Water
above: Local children learn about Florida hydrogeology at the Shotwell Wavering Family Filter Marsh. right: The Shotwells accept the 2022 Eagle Award.
10
Chip and Lynne Shotwell focus their philanthropy on the environment by supporting the Conservancy of Southwest, The Everglades Foundation, and Captains for Clean Water. “It all comes back to water,” says Lynne. The Shotwells’ history with the Conservancy dates to Lynne’s father, Elmer Wavering, who pioneered the car radio, an early supporter of the Conservancy in the 1960s. In those days, she says, people met with brown bag lunches to discuss issues and if “they needed money, they made a couple of phone calls and dollars ended up on their doorstep.” The Shotwells are legacy Naples Yacht Club members, following in her father’s footsteps, and followed by their son and daughter-in-law, Henley and Nelly. Chip and Lynne became members in 1993 and try to inform newly arriving boaters from other states about the water quality issues that are unique to Southwest Florida, such as the role of Lake Okeechobee and the Everglades, and toxic red tide and algae blooms. “We would like good information spread around the community,” she says. Lynne has served on the Conservancy’s board, twice chaired its signature fundraiser, Magic Under the Mangroves, and was a cabinet member for the $38.8 million Saving Southwest Florida campaign more than a decade ago. She and Chip support many projects, like a new Ford F-150 crew cab that can forge rugged terrain for invasive Burmese python research and eradication. They’ve been in the lab when a massive haul of wriggling pythons was brought in but when asked if they’ve gone on one of the backcountry expeditions, Chip quips, “I just buy the vehicle.” The couple also established the first endowment to support the Conservancy’s policy work. For their dedication, the Conservancy bestowed Lynne and Chip with the 2022 Eagle Award, its highest honor, which she received on two other occasions. A decade ago, they funded the Shotwell Wavering Family Filter Marsh—which transformed an urban drainage ditch into a miniature marsh that filters out stormwater pollutants, such as motor oil and fertilizer. Two months after it was finished, she recalls, “fish had come to breed and there were all kinds of wildlife they hadn’t seen before” such as snook and otters. The marsh functions like natural systems and the reservoirs being built for Everglades restoration. It’s proof that environmental conservation and restoration is key to preserving the planet’s resources, which Chip notes are “very resilient if you leave them alone.” Lynne also is a member of the Naples Botanical Garden’s all-female Sustaining Leadership Council. “We basically raise money,” she explains. “It’s a lovely group of women. They’re strong. When they want something done, they get it done—like the men [founders] at the Conservancy.”
NAPLES YACHT CLUB | Waypoints 2023-2024
006_YC_Community Conversations_23-24.indd 10
9/11/23 12:22 PM
above: Diana and Don Wingard talk with Dr. Robert J. Cubeddu, president of the Rooney Heart Institute at NCH.
Don and Diana Wingard NCH Wingard Stroke Institute Don and Diana Wingard have a long history of hands-on philanthropic support and they get involved where their money is directed. Coming from Michigan, they bought their first place in Naples in 1979 after being struck by its beauty while passing through on vacation. The Wingards are longtime Naples Yacht Club members; he served as 2017-2018 Commodore. In early 2023, the well-known philanthropists made a $20 million gift commitment to NCH Healthcare System’s stroke program—now renamed the Wingard Stroke Institute. Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in the United States and the Wingard Stroke Institute at NCH is on the path to become the only Comprehensive Stroke Center certified by the Joint Commission in Southwest Florida, the highest designation possible. “That will provide care and patient outcomes on a level with the best medical centers in the country,” says Don Wingard. “That is the goal of our involvement and our commitment.” NCH already holds the second-highest designation as a Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center. Caring for more than 800 stroke patients each year, NCH is one of the busiest receiving centers in the state, according to the hospital. Recent investments in elevating stroke care include technological and equipment upgrades and a new neurovascular intensive care unit at the NCH Baker Downtown with 16 private rooms.
The Wingard Stroke Institute will be based in the new five-story cardiac, vascular, and stroke center that will replace the Telford Building on the NCH Baker Downtown campus, but “will encompass all the outlying NCH locations,” Wingard explains. “The goal is to have an integrated system that begins with a call to 911 and proceeds seamlessly along a continuum from EMS response, emergency room care, patient treatment, recovery and rehabilitation—all without leaving Naples.” Wingard focused on stroke because it’s “a major medical emergency that must be treated in the first hours, if not minutes, to achieve the best possible outcomes. Their outcome will be largely determined in the hours immediately after the stroke occurs and will be a function of the timing and skill of their early treatment.” Dr. Mazen K. Abuawad, medical director of the Wingard Stroke Institute, says the gift “inspires our team to continue pushing the boundaries of what is possible in stroke care.” Wingard says the Naples community needs to upgrade infrastructure, public services, and health care as it continues to grow. “Without outstanding health care, Naples could not retain its position as one of the best places to live in the country,” he says. NCH President/CEO Paul Hiltz says the Wingards’ generosity “will have a tremendous impact…in our community for generations to come.”
Waypoints 2023-2024 | NAPLES YACHT CLUB
006_YC_Community Conversations_23-24.indd 11
11
9/11/23 12:22 PM
No Place Like Home The city’s oldest private club has a membership that transcends generations. Legacy members comprise one of the affinity groups of new members who are being welcomed with intimate, themed dinners
I
n recent years, Suzi Martin, Ph.D., generations of members since our founding chair of the Welcoming Committee, in 1947.” created a plan for a series of intimate Edwin “Wyn” Paulson and his wife welcome dinners grouped by members with Jean Ellen are both legacy members. Their similar interests: vintners, business owners, parents were friends in Lexington, Kentucky, legal eagles, health professionals, corporate and both families bought seasonal places executives, singles, automotive leaders, and in Naples decades ago. His parents, who parents with young children. weren’t boaters, joined the club in the midNew members are personally invited 1980s for fine dining. “Back then, there were to attend these themed dinners—there have very few places to eat,” he says. “They really been about 20 in the past two years—with wanted a nice place to go for meals.” Jean other like-minded members. What better Ellen’s parents, who joined a decade later, way to break the ice? purchased a boat so they could cut their wait Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Naples time from more than five years to two or Yacht Club has experienced a continuous three years, he says. “They got on the shorter The Camaliers: Anne (front), Lisa, Chris, and Gail wave of interest by people seeking memberlist for boat owners,” he says, “and joined for ship. “Assimilating the large number of new the same reason—dining.” members into the club without changing the culture of the club was a As a young attorney visiting his parents, Wyn vividly remembers challenge to the Memlooking forward to eating at the club to indulge in what he called its bership Committee,” “signature items”—scamp grouper, almond macaroons, and popovers. Martin explains. His family so cherished the club’s popovers that his mother bought One commonality a popover pan, which the Paulsons still have, though he still fills his that emerged while craving at NYC. planning the themed More club memories dinners: Several inwere made after Wyn and coming members have Jean Ellen married and relatives who are—or brought along their daughwere—members, such ter Mary Hood to visit her as a grandparent, pargrandparents when she ent, or child. There are was a toddler. Every Friday two- and three-genernight at the club was special ation families. As the because there was a live Welcoming Committee band. The young Mary Hood Robert Troth and Maureen O’Gorman delved into this affinity was thrilled when a balloon group, they discovered more and more legacy members. “We discovwas tied to her dining chair. ered there were about 30,” Martin says. “Naples Yacht Club is not just “She could care less about a dining club, a place to keep your yacht, or the place to be seen in the food. She loved to go on Bernadette and Henry Watkins III Naples. We are an extended family of friends that transcends three the dance floor and twirl,” he
12
NAPLES YACHT CLUB | Waypoints 2023-2024
012_YC_Legacy Family_23-24 new.indd 12
9/7/23 12:34 PM
Sofia Germain
Peggy Eacho Fechnay and Scott Fechnay
Katherine and John Buehler
Zach and Jonna Germain
recalls. Wyn and Jean Ellen bought their Naples vacation right: Tighe and Vice nest in 2002 and joined the club two years later. Like her Commodore Kathy King, father, Mary Hood “has such wonderful memories of the John and Debby Spring, yacht club,” he says. Tracy and Justin Nolan Martin’s family is legacy, too. Suzi and her husband Ben, an ophthalmologist, joined in 2009, coming from Tampa Yacht Club, where they had been members since 1976. Their son, Farrell “Toby” C. Tyson, MD, an ophthalmologist, and his wife Michele are members. Their younger son, Steven, married his welcome dinners. “There is a big difference between being friendly wife Eviana at the club; both are lawyers at Martin Law Firm. and being a friend. Our life is enriched by the quality of friendships The welcome dinners feature a cocktail reception and meal we develop,” she says. over two hours for groups of 20 or less. The legacy member dinner One new member told her: “I have enough acquaintances. I am attendance was slightly larger—planners now know that it is the just looking for a few really good friends.” club’s largest affinity group. With conversations that likely included snippets such as “I bet my grandmother knew your grandmother,” the dinner lasted into the night. “We thought it was great fun. I was grateful they did it,” Wyn enthuses. “It went on until 9:30 at night. At 8, they’re usually folding up the tents and going home.” The event has spurred the Paulsons’ interest in attending more social events, he notes. Naples Yacht Club is “our roots, our identity, our home,” Martin says. Generations of members is “something unique to the yacht club that undergirds our philosophy.” That philosophy is making lasting memories and friendships, beginning with the intimate Wyn and Jean Ellen Paulson
Welcoming Committee The Welcoming Committee is a subcommittee of the Membership Committee. Thank you to the Welcoming Committee members who organized these special, themed dinners: Matt Brainerd, David Hidy, Elise Joyce, Paula Malone, Mindy Marthens, Suzi Martin, Jinny McCoy, Carolyn Moission, Pam Nicolson, Melody Sawyer Richardson, Elaine Thurston, Kimberly Wagner, and Micheline Yaun. If you are interested in attending a dinner or organizing one, please contact Executive Director of Membership Brenda O’Connor at membership@naplesyc.com.
Waypoints 2023-2024 | NAPLES YACHT CLUB
012_YC_Legacy Family_23-24 new.indd 13
13
9/7/23 12:34 PM
Meet NYC members who are also vintners with wineries and vineyards stretching from California to Côte d’Or
T
he Naples area has been a thriving wine scene for decades. In addition to oenophiles, Naples is home to many vintners and winery owners. The two-decade-old Naples Winter Wine Festival, which raises funds for the Naples Children & Education Foundation (NCEF), is one of the most successful charity wine auctions in the country—proof that Neapolitans’ appreciation for the juice of the gods is matched only by their generosity. Get to know some of your fellow Naples Yacht Club members who have more than a passion for wine—they own award-winning wineries around the world. If you’d like to get a taste for yourself, NYC carries labels from each of them.
Grace Evenstad
Domaine Serene, Château de la Crée, and Domaine Evenstad Trailblazing vintner—it’s a heady title, no doubt, but one that Grace Evenstad has earned. When she settled with her late husband Ken in the Dundee Hills in Oregon’s Willamette Valley in 1989, they set forth launching a national market for domestic pinot noir. By then, the couple had spent more than 20 years together in Minnesota building a successful business, raising their daughter Serene (for whom the winery is named), and son Mark, and developing their abiding appreciation for the wines of Burgundy. The Evenstads had faith in Oregon early on, fueled by the belief that “if France can do it, America can do it, and it was our mission to make that happen,” Grace says. When the time came to pursue their longtime dream of growing and producing world-class pinot noir, they invested in a 42-acre, recently logged-out Dundee Hills property. Like modern-day pioneers, they cleared rocks and transformed the expanse to nurture a fickle grape variety. Domaine Serene released it first vintage in 1990 with others’ grapes and created the first batch from the fruits of their own 14
vineyards in 1995. Domaine Serene, which has expanded to include 1,000 acres, with 320 planted to vines, effectively created Oregon’s luxury pinot noir, chardonnay, and sparkling wine industry. Back then, there were only 20 wineries in the Willamette Valley area; there are now more than 1,000 in Oregon. The Evenstads earned Wine Spectator’s highest honor, the 2018 Distinguished Service Award, recognizing the couple for “playing a key role in the region’s rise from a sleepy wine community to one of America’s most dynamic and respected growing regions.” Domaine Serene Evenstad Reserve Chardonnay is offered at the prestigious The French Laundry in Yountville, California. Their transatlantic expansion came in 2015 with the acquisition of the restored Château de la Crée in the renowned Côte d’Or, with origins dating to 1431, and vineyards throughout Cote d’Beaune. It was a committed return to Burgundy. In 2021, Grace purchased vineyards in the Cote d’Nuits, including several premier crus and two grand cru vineyards, creating Domaine Evenstad. In its inaugural year, the couple naturally got involved with the Naples Winter Wine Festival to support NCEF’s life-changing work for underserved, at-risk children throughout Collier County. A lifetime NCEF trustee, she has been a featured wine festival vintner every year since 2003 and chaired the event in 2006. (domaineserene.com, la-cree.com)
CASI YOST
arden
Passion Vines
NAPLES YACHT CLUB | Waypoints 2023-2024
014_YC_Member Vitners_23-24.indd 14
9/11/23 12:25 PM
David and Jerrilyn Hoffmann
Montelle Winery, Augusta Winery, Mount Pleasant Estates, and Balducci Vineyards Well-known Naples business leaders David and Jerrilyn “Jerri” Hoffmann are investing in the rural Missouri region where they both grew up with the vision of making it a new national wine destination recognized as the “Napa Valley of the Midwest.” He is the founder and chairman of Hoffmann Family of Companies—encompassing 120 brands with 240 locations in 30 countries. It is the largest privately held commercial property owner in Naples and one of the largest employers in the region. The Hoffmanns are trustees of NCEF, and he also is a current board member. Three years ago, the company began buying wineries in Missouri’s Augusta Appellation with a planned $150 million investment in the region. There are now four wineries in the portfolio, 1,500 acres of vineyards, and more than a dozen establishments. The fertile Missouri River Valley was nationally known for its wine during the 1800s; an influx of German immigrants in the 1830s planted vines in their new “Rhine Valley.” Prohibition halted wine production, which resurged In the late 1960s and early 1970s by a new wave of vintners. Due to its historical significance, rich alluvial soil, climate, and the quality of wines produced, the 15-square-mile Augusta region became the first designated American Viticultural Area (AVA) in the United States in 1980. The AVA is planted with various grapes, including cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir, merlot, and the Norton grape, the state’s
official grape, which was the original variety planted. Each of the Hoffmanns’ wineries are unique and hold its own label, as well as offering wines under the Hoffmann Family and Hoffmann Estate labels. Montelle Winery also makes four flavors of brandy. The Hoffmanns are natives of the small country town of Washington—an hour west of St. Louis near Augusta—where they were high school sweethearts, and his family did not have running water until he was a sophomore. Plans include building a luxury hotel and spa, corporate center, and golf course. Other amenities are already up and running, including a wine trolley system, river yacht, overnight guest accommodations, and boutiques. (hoffmannfamilyofcompanies.com)
Waypoints 2023-2024 | NAPLES YACHT CLUB
014_YC_Member Vitners_23-24.indd 15
15
9/11/23 12:25 PM
ALEXANDER RUBIN
Greg and Heather Melanson
Melanson Vineyard California native Greg Melanson began visiting California wine country at age 18 and owned his first 10-acre vineyard in Napa Valley’s town of Calistoga by the time he was 25. After graduating from the University of Southern California in 1975, he launched a legal document management company in San Francisco, which he later took public. Greg also learned to fly and skydive at the former Pope Valley Parachute Ranch in Napa County and bought his Calistoga vineyard in 1978 as a weekend getaway and base for glider flying. In 1988, he sold that vineyard and purchased a 42-acre estate on Pritchard Hill, where 10.5 acres are planted to cabernet sauvignon, which are well-suited to the rocky slope on the eastern ridge of Napa Valley. The vineyards sit at the fog line at an average elevation of 1,200 feet, which the Melansons call “an enchanted slope.” It is surrounded by well-known and revered cabernet sauvignon vineyards, such as Colgin Cellars Wine, Ovid Napa Valley, and many others. For more than a decade, the Melansons have sold their fruit to award-winning winemakers, including Tor, Thomas Rivers Brown, and Philippe Melka. Greg and his wife Heather, an attorney at a Washington, D.C. firm and inventor with two patents, share their time between Napa and Naples and are involved in both communities. In Naples, he is actively involved with the Naples Airport, and they attend the Naples Winter Wine Festival whenever they have the opportunity.
16
Both are sailing racers; they met in the 1990s racing sailboats against each other in the San Francisco Bay. Greg maintains commercial ratings in various types of aircraft and enjoys flying helicopters and jets. Their Matthew’s Block Cabernet Sauvignon, named for his son, has joined the wine list at Thomas Keller’s world-famous The French Laundry restaurant in Yountville, California. (melansonvineyard.com)
NAPLES YACHT CLUB | Waypoints 2023-2024
014_YC_Member Vitners_23-24.indd 16
9/11/23 12:25 PM
Cal and Pam Nicholson
Nicholson Jones and Covert Estate Cal and Pam Nicholson own two Napa Valley wine brands: Nicholson Jones, founded in 2000, and Covert Estate in Coombsville, which they cofounded in 2012. Both are small-production properties (1,200 and 700 cases, respectively) and the handmade wines are crafted in the oldschool, classic French tradition. The couple combined their family surnames to create the name of their limited-production wines made with grapes from more than 10 vineyards throughout Napa and Sonoma valleys. The first vintage of Nicholson Jones was its 2003 Napa Valley Cuvée. Nicholson Jones now offers different vintages of cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, cuvée, chardonnay, and sauvignon blanc. Julien Fayard, who has been called “one of Napa Valley’s most respected winemakers” by the trade association Napa Valley Vintners, has been Nicholson Jones’ winemaker since 2006. “He’s a surfer like I used to be, so we hit it off,” Cal says. Fayard, the Nicholsons, and another couple established Covert’s 12.5-acre estate with five acres of vineyards comprised mostly of Bordeaux varietals producing cabernet, petit verdot, and Syrah. They also built a state-of-the-art, 11,000-square-foot underground winemaking cave. From the farms to the winery, the team focuses on sustainability. It has been classified as “Napa Green” for its comprehensive environmental
and organic approach. The fruits of their efforts have not gone unnoticed. A barrel of the Covert Estate Cabernet Sauvignon was one of the top lots at Auction Napa Valley 2018. After starting Nicholson Jones, Cal founded Trademark Wines, a Missouri-based, medium-sized wine and spirits distributor to move his first cases of cuvée. “Instead of going through a distributor, I created my own distributorship,” he says. He sold the thriving operation in 2020. It’s now owned by Anheuser-Busch Companies. Winemaker Fayard was born in Saint Etienne in France, where his family was involved in the wine business and he made his first wine at age 16. Fayard continued his education by working in Provence, the Loire Valley, and Bordeaux with experiences gleaned at the sides of the wine masters of Chateau Lafite Rothschild and Smith Haut Laffite and earning academic degrees. What drew the Nicholsons into the wine industry? “I don’t know,” he laughs. “I think because of my love of wine, and we were collectors for a long time.” He takes special pride that his product is based on the terroir—the natural environment, including soil, topography, and climate, where wine grapes are grown. “I keep my head down and make good wine. We’ve been able to do this consistently for many, many years.” (nicholsonjones.com, covertestate.com)
Waypoints 2023-2024 | NAPLES YACHT CLUB
014_YC_Member Vitners_23-24.indd 17
17
9/7/23 10:14 AM
Francis and Kathleen C. Rooney
Bodega 202 Founded in 2014 by Francis and Kathleen C. Rooney, Bodega 202 crafts small batches of wine from 50 acres of high-altitude vineyards located in Spain’s Rioja Valley. Francis has had a distinguished career in public service as a former ambassador to the Holy See in Rome, Italy and as a former U.S. representative for Florida’s 19th congressional district. Kathleen is the long-time president of Rooney Holdings, a private holding company that owns, operates, and invests in projects and businesses in six countries. She also is the president/director of the Francis and Kathleen Rooney Foundation. The Rooneys are lifetime trustees of NCEF. The Rooneys met while attending Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., where they discovered their mutual interest in Spain’s history, culture, food, and wine. Years later, as they walked the Ebro River Valley on the Camino de Santiago, they experienced firsthand the richness of the Rioja Alavesa region. Following an exhaustive search for old vines and high-altitude vineyards, Francis and Kathleen purchased the small vineyard, which is located outside of the medieval, fortified town of Laguardia. The construction of a small winery began in 2015 and a year later the estate vineyards was expanded, and it now spreads across five heritage sites. Winemaking at Bodega 202 blends the unique terroir of Rioja Alavesa and the elegant aromas and vibrant fruit of the tempranillo grape, Spain’s No. 1 red grape. A white blend harvested in 2022 will be released in the spring. In 2024, Bodega 202 also will release a single vineyard tempranillo from its highest vineyard. The boutique winery is a personal and family endeavor. Their son, Michael, oversees the operation with a focus on quality not quantity. (bodega202.com) 18
NAPLES YACHT CLUB | Waypoints 2023-2024
014_YC_Member Vitners_23-24.indd 18
9/7/23 10:14 AM
NYC Wine Club Benefits If you are an oenophile, consider joining the club’s Wine Club. Here’s why: 1. REDUCED CORKAGE FEE: Members enjoy the privilege of a reduced corkage fee of $20 when bringing their personal bottle of wine to be consumed on the premises. 2. EXCLUSIVE LIMITED-EDITION WINES: Gain access to a carefully curated selection of limited-edition wines, providing members with unique and sought-after tasting experiences. 3. PRIORITY WINE EVENT REGISTRATION:
Clarke and Elizabeth Swanson
Swanson Vineyards After 33 years, Clarke Jr. and Elizabeth Swanson retired from winemaking but their legacy lives on through their brand—Swanson Vineyards. Elizabeth says Clarke was a handson Napa Valley winemaker who worked diligently through the decades. “You have to stand by what your label stands for,” she says, and they were ready to sit back and relax. The couple began their wine journey after buying their Oakville property in 1985, introducing their first vintage in 1987. Their seasoned winemaker steered them away from planting popular cabernet sauvignon and toward merlot. In addition to producing limited-production, small-batch varietals, Swanson Vineyards went on to nationally distribute pinot grigio, merlot, and Alexis Cabernet Sauvignon. They sold the 86-acre vineyard in 2018 but retained their residence and a few acres. Their winery was located in Rutherford, a few minutes north of their Oakville property. Their luxurious Swanson Vineyards Salon was modeled after a mid-1800s Parisian salon. They sold the winery and tasting rooms in 2015; the owner, Vintage Wine Estates, retains the Swanson wine brand and label. Getting into this competitive, often challenging but rewarding industry was years in the making. While studying journalism at Stanford University, Clarke enjoyed wine-tasting weekends in Napa Valley and was inspired to one day own a vineyard. He earned a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University but became a serial entrepreneur. Clarke is the grandson of Swanson food company founder Carl Swanson, with roots dating back to 1899. His father, W. Clarke, helped propel Swanson & Sons to national fame with the rise of frozen dinners and commercial broth during World War II. Elizabeth (nee Pipes) is a seventh-generation New Orleanian; her mother is Cuban. They met on a blind date in Palm Beach arranged by Lilly Pulitzer and married in 1969. The Swansons raised their three daughters in Napa Valley and Naples, where they were cofounders of the Community School of Naples and are founding members and lifetime trustees of NCEF. (swansonvineyards.com)
Members receive advanced notice and priority registration for exclusive wine gatherings and tastings. 4. ENHANCED WINE APPRECIATION: Members benefit from comprehensive tasting notes, expert pairing suggestions, and educational materials accompanying each wine shipment, enriching their overall wine appreciation journey. 5. ENGAGING WINE ENTHUSIAST COMMUNITY: As part of the Wine Club, members join a vibrant community of wine enthusiasts, fostering opportunities to share their experiences, knowledge, and passion for wines.
PERSONAL WINE LOCKERS 1. CLIMATE-CONTROLLED STORAGE: Personal wine lockers offer a meticulously controlled environment, safeguarding wine bottles and preserving their optimal aging conditions. 2. EXCLUSIVE WINE PURCHASE PRICING: Wine locker holders can purchase wines to fill their locker at an advantageous cost. 3. WAIVED CORKAGE FEE: Enjoy the privilege of having the corkage fee waived when bringing personal wine bottles to be savored on the premises, saving on additional charges. 4. SECURE STORAGE: Rest assured of the utmost security as only management retains access to the wine lockers, and members must sign out their wine bottles.
Waypoints 2023-2024 | NAPLES YACHT CLUB
014_YC_Member Vitners_23-24.indd 19
19
9/11/23 12:25 PM
Exclusive Ladies’ Gatherings Join the Fun! On the water, in the club, and on the road
A
lthough the gentlemen are sometimes allowed to join in on special ladies’ programming, there is no lack of events, activities, or games that are exclusive to female NYC members. Each year, the opportunities for ladies to enjoy the club and each other’s company grows— and the community of women grows stronger. All NYC ladies are welcome to the women-only “clubs within the club”—Women on Water (WOW) and the Ladies’ Book Club. You don’t have to “join” these groups to enjoy the programs. Simply register for the events when you see them on the NYC website. Also, newcomers are always welcome to join play for bridge or mahjong. Beginner or expert, all levels are welcome for these favorite pastimes.
Women on Water (WOW)
Each season, WOW hosts several educational and exciting events to help the NYC ladies get out on the water and enjoy Naples’ natural amenities. Events include full adventures, tours, and educational and artistic experiences. WOW Committee Co-chairs Sue Mullen and Johanna Harrison have put together an exciting lineup of activities— with some new excursions and some repeat events to refresh your boating skills. Be on the lookout for more information on WOW events, including a Boating Safety Class, a sunset tour of Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Conservancy of Southwest Florida tour, tiki cruise, and more!
above and right: Having fun and finding treasures in Palm Beach.
20
NAPLES YACHT CLUB | Waypoints 2023-2024
020_Womens Clubs_NYC 2023-24 new.indd 20
9/7/23 12:37 PM
Ladies’ Night Out
RIGHT: NYC ladies
learn about orchids at Naples Botanical Garden.
Bridge
At Naples Yacht Club, bridge has been a popular “club within the club” for more than 25 years! Members participate in duplicate bridge, in which players at a table are dealt hands that are subsequently passed on to another table, and then to another one, and so on. The main goal of bridge is accumulating points to eventually achieve Life Master status. Players at NYC track their points as a part of the American Contract Bridge League. Both ladies and gentlemen are welcome to play bridge at NYC. The group meets each Tuesday for weekly play. Several players are also known to enjoy lunch beforehand in the Boaters’ Grille. The group also meets on the first and third Sunday of each month for a game of bridge followed by a delicious dinner. The bridge players encourage anyone interested to join in on the fun and give bridge a try. The schedule is updated via the NYC website and emails throughout the season.
BELOW AND LEFT: A relaxing and informational Conservancy of Southwest Florida eco-cruise.
Mahjong
Mahjong is a tile-based game that’s been played in Asia for more than 300 years and has gained in global popularity. Although the game is hard to master, it’s easy to learn the basics. Like the Western card game rummy, Mahjong is a game of skill, strategy, and luck. A single mahjong game is governed more by luck than skill. Mahjong is played at the NYC every Monday and Thursday during season following an optional lunch. Mahjong is not played with a partner, so you never feel like you must meet someone else’s expectations. New players of any skill level are always welcome. Lessons are available at the club. Local instructors are available in the community, or you can learn and play online. Mahjong play continues into the summers for year-round members.
Annual Events Mark your calendars for these annual events coordinated by the NYC Entertainment Committee: Ladies’ Trip to Palm Beach – January 9-10 Everything is Coming Up Rosé (Ladies’ Night Out) – February 1 Saks Fifth Avenue Fashion Show – March 28
Ladies’ Book Club Visit page 30 for the dates and titles planned for the Ladies’ Book Club.
Waypoints 2023-2024 | NAPLES YACHT CLUB
020_Womens Clubs_NYC 2023-24 new.indd 21
21
9/7/23 12:37 PM
Feast
Your Eyes …on these tantalizing dishes and desserts prepared by Executive Chef Michael Katz Photos by Nicole Nixon
Roasted beet salad 22
NAPLES YACHT CLUB | Waypoints 2023-2024
022_YC_Food Pictorial_23-24_6 pgs new.indd 22
9/7/23 10:18 AM
Summer yellow tomato gazpacho
Herb-grilled Pacific halibut
Waypoints 2023-2024 | NAPLES YACHT CLUB
022_YC_Food Pictorial_23-24_6 pgs new.indd 23
23
9/7/23 10:18 AM
Spiced lamb carpaccio
Harissa roasted cabbage
24
NAPLES YACHT CLUB | Waypoints 2023-2024
022_YC_Food Pictorial_23-24_6 pgs new.indd 24
9/7/23 10:18 AM
Sesame-seared tuna tataki
Waypoints 2023-2024 | NAPLES YACHT CLUB
022_YC_Food Pictorial_23-24_6 pgs new.indd 25
25
9/7/23 10:18 AM
Molten chocolate fondue
26
NAPLES YACHT CLUB | Waypoints 2023-2024
022_YC_Food Pictorial_23-24_6 pgs new.indd 26
9/7/23 10:18 AM
NYC Key lime pie
Dark chocolate and pistachio terrine
Waypoints 2023-2024 | NAPLES YACHT CLUB
022_YC_Food Pictorial_23-24_6 pgs new.indd 27
27
9/7/23 10:18 AM
Clubs Within the Club Whether you’re an expert or a novice, newcomer or old salt, meet new friends who share your interests
A
t the Naples Yacht Club, you’re sure to meet people who share your pastimes and passions through our “clubs within the club.” Learn fresh tricks and tips to expand your expertise, discover unexpected locales in the region, and share in new experiences. When you join a social club, you are sure to make new friends and create more indelible club memories.
Car Club Revvin’ it up In 2018, a small group of members with an interest in cars thought it would be fun to arrange activities to bring together members with similar interests. It led to visits to car collections, driving trips to local points of interest, discussion meetings, visits to car events and, of course, our very own car show at the club. Last season, NYC and Port Royal Club car enthusiasts came together to host the first car show at NYC since 2019. A large variety of classic, sports, and collector vehicles filled the NYC parking lot for a fun afternoon. We are looking for more members to join the NYC Car Club now that things are getting back to normal. It is a very informal group. You do not need to be a collector or own cars to participate. All you need
28
is an interest in things automotive, making friends, and having fun with your fellow members. All NYC members are welcome to participate. If you have an interest in joining the group, call Don Wingard or contact the club. We look forward to hearing from you.
Bocce A timeless tradition Bocce is more popular than ever in Southwest Florida, with many clubs and communities offering league and social play. The beauty of bocce
NAPLES YACHT CLUB | Waypoints 2023-2024
028_YC_Clubs_23-24.indd 28
9/7/23 10:21 AM
is that anyone can play, no matter their athletic skill level or age. Bocce is a great way to socialize and to meet club members. Games can be played as singles or doubles. One reason this ancient game of skill and strategy has been passed through the ages is due to its simplicity. All you need is a court to play on, something to sip and nibble, and yes, a bocce ball. Bocce is not just a great game to play with friends, it is a tradition—one that will likely continue to thrive at Naples Yacht Club.
Sailing (Catalina Racing) Seasonal competition During the winter, NYC’s fleet of Catalina sailboats take to Naples Bay for an annual race. Held every Monday following the Boaters’ Lunch, typically 12 to 14 members sail out for some serious—but friendly—competition. There is always room for more ladies and gentlemen to join the fun.
Cruising By land or sea Club cruises are an integral part of our social life at NYC. Cruise Leaders put together an extensive itinerary of activities, excursions, and dining events at each
destination. Don’t own a boat? Cruisers often host members on their vessels, and many local destinations can be reached overland. Sign-up is easy. Visit the Naples Yacht Club website, log in and click on the “Cruising” tab. This is the main hub of information for cruisers where you will sign up, view itineraries, and make meal and activity selections—all in one convenient location. See page 36 for the Cruising Calendar and Ports of Call.
Types of Cruises Lunch Cruises: Spend a morning on the water, followed by lunch at a yacht club or restaurant with slip availability. Or join by car. Cruise Lite: Take a quick jaunt to a nearby club or marina. Cruise Lites offer a one-night stay at your destination, often accompanied by a group dinner and daytime group activities. Overnight Cruises: Pack your bags for a short getaway to a regional destination, such as Boca Grande or Key Largo. Enjoy time to explore landmarks and attractions, dine, and shop. On the Hook Cruises: Usually preceding or following another cruise, these cruises give boaters an opportunity to enjoy a tranquil night at an anchorage spot chosen by the Cruise Leader—no dockage or marina reservations needed.
Stay in the Know There are many ways to get the latest information on clubs and events:
The Rudder Weekly email blasts Online calendar at naplesyc.com Naples Yacht Club App
Register and Save Your Spot! Register online for some events or contact (239) 262-6647 or reservations@naplesyc.com.
Waypoints 2023-2024 | NAPLES YACHT CLUB
028_YC_Clubs_23-24.indd 29
29
9/7/23 10:21 AM
Ladies’ Book Club Join us for our 14th season
T
he Ladies’ Book Club is a special time for NYC ladies to gather in an informal setting and enjoy the company of fellow booklovers. We are treated to a unique, chef-prepared luncheon along with a thoughtful, lively discussion of the selected book.
November 17, 2023
March 15, 2024
Hello Beautiful By Ann Napolitano William Waters grew up in a house silenced by tragedy. So, when he meets the spirited and ambitious Julia Padavano in college, his world lights up. Julia and her three sisters are inseparable. Waters is experiencing a newfound contentment when darkness from his past surfaces, jeopardizing Julia’s plans for their future—and the sisters’ unshakable devotion to one another. Will the loyalty that once rooted them be strong enough to draw them back together when it matters most?
Foster By Claire Keegan Foster An international bestseller listed in “Top 50 Novels Published in the 21st Century,” Claire Keegan’s piercing contemporary classic is a heartbreaking story of childhood, loss, and love. This winner of the prestigious Davy Byrnes Award was published in an abridged version in The New Yorker but Foster is now available for the first time in the U.S. in a standalone edition.
January 19, 2024 The World Played Chess By Robert Dugoni In 1979, high school graduate Vincent Bianco lands a summer job as a laborer on a construction crew before college. Working alongside two Vietnam vets, one suffering from PTSD, Bianco gets the education of a lifetime. Forty years later, with his own son leaving for college, the lessons of that summer dramatically unfold in a novel about breaking away, shaping a life, and seeking one’s own destiny. Gentlemen are welcome to this book club discussion.
February 16, 2024 Untold Power: The Fascinating Rise and Complex Legacy of First Lady Edith Wilson By Rebecca Boggs Roberts While this nation has yet to elect its first woman president, over a century ago a woman became the nation’s first acting president. Edith Bolling Galt Wilson climbed her way out of poverty—and in 1919 effectively acted as the first woman president of the U.S. when her husband, Woodrow Wilson, was incapacitated. Beautiful, brilliant, charismatic, and calculating, she was a complicated figure whose personal quest for influence reshaped the position of First Lady.
30
Small Things Like These By Claire Keegan Foster Small Things Like These is another Keegan international bestseller and the winner of the Orwell Prize. This deeply affecting story of hope, quiet heroism, and empathy is set in a small Irish town in 1985.
April 19, 2024 Tom Lake By Ann Patchett In the spring of 2020, Lara’s three daughters return to the family’s orchard in Northern Michigan. While picking cherries, they beg their mother to tell them about Peter Duke, a famous actor with whom she shared both a stage and a romance years before at a theater company called Tom Lake. Tom Lake is a meditation on youthful love, married love, and the lives parents have led before their children were born.
May 10, 2024 Bestseller TBA
?
NAPLES YACHT CLUB | Waypoints 2023-2024
030_YC_Book Club & Speaker Series_23-24.indd 30
9/11/23 12:27 PM
Men’s Book Club Join us for our 3rd season
G
rab a book or e-reader and join the Men’s Book Club for a chef-prepared lunch and an engaging discussion of the selected book. This season’s books will take you behind the scenes of military operations, Vladimir Putin’s dark orbit, and the making of the FBI.
November 14, 2023
February 6, 2024
Saved: A War Reporter’s Mission to Make It Home By Benjamin Hall Veteran war reporter Benjamin Hall shares the story of how he survived a grave injury he sustained in a Russian bombing while covering the war in Ukraine in March 2022. Hall shares his experience in full—from his ground-level view of the war to his dramatic rescue to his ongoing recovery. This No. 1 New York Times bestseller features nail-biting accounts from people across multiple countries who banded together to get him to safety.
Chip War: The Fight for the World’s Most Critical Technology By Chris Miller Microchips are the new oil—the scarce resource on which the modern world depends. Military, economic, and geopolitical power are built on a foundation of computer chips. In this New York Times bestseller, historian Chris Miller explains how the semiconductor came to play a major role in modern life and the decades-long battle to control this critical resource—with the United States and China increasingly in conflict.
December 5, 2023
March 5, 2024
Freezing Order: A True Story of Money Laundering, Murder, and Surviving Vladimir Putin’s Wrath By Bill Browder Following his explosive New York Times bestseller Red Notice, Bill Browder returns with another gripping thriller chronicling how he became Vladimir Putin’s No. 1 enemy by exposing Putin’s campaign to steal and launder hundreds of billions of dollars and kill anyone who stands in his way. As Freezing Order reveals, Browder’s campaign to expose Putin’s corruption prompted Russia’s intervention in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
The Mosquito Bowl: A Game of Life and Death in World War II By Buzz Bisinger When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, college football was at the height of its popularity and the United States Marine Corps dominated the aspirations of college football stars. On Christmas Eve of 1944—when the 4th and 29th Marine regiments were in the middle of the Pacific Ocean training for the harrowing invasion of Okinawa—their ranks included one of the greatest pools of football talent ever assembled. The two regiments would play a bruising game in the dirt and coral of Guadalcanal that became known as “The Mosquito Bowl.”
January 9, 2024 On Full Automatic: Surviving 13 Months in Vietnam By William V. Taylor, Jr. Eighteen-year-old Marine recruit William V. Taylor, Jr. served in a new reaction force in Vietnam in 1967 that was immediately tested in the bloody conflict known as Operation Beaver Cage. After more than 50 years, Taylor shares his experience in explicit detail and with a reverent honor for those Marines who did not return. Taylor reveals what it means to walk the path of a warrior, to sacrifice, and to live with the memories of a war—seeking answers to the question, “Was it worth it?”
Gentlemen are welcome to join the Ladies’ Book Club discussion of The World Played Chess by Robert Dugoni on January 19!
April 2, 2024 Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI By David Grann In the 1920s, the richest people in the world were members of the Osage Nation in Oklahoma after the discovery of the oil beneath their land. One by one, the Osage began to be killed off, and the newly created FBI, led by the young J. Edgar Hoover, took up the case. Hoover turned to former Texas Ranger Tom White to unravel the mystery. White created an undercover team that exposed one of the most chilling conspiracies in American history. Martin Scorsese directed the new film based on this New York Times bestseller; it is slated for the silver screen in October 2023. Waypoints 2023-2024 | NAPLES YACHT CLUB
030_YC_Book Club & Speaker Series_23-24.indd 31
31
9/7/23 10:23 AM
2024 Speaker Dinner Series Cocktails, dinner, and conversation Mark your calendars for Naples Yacht Club’s stimulating Speaker Dinner Series. For each event, a cocktail reception with the speaker begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Ballroom. Dinner is served at 6 p.m., after which the speaker takes the podium. We look forward to seeing you at one—or all—of these special speaking events.
January 11 Eric Eikenberg, CEO, The Everglades Foundation Eric Eikenberg is a political strategist and environmental policy expert who leads this respected nonprofit that is working to restore America’s Everglades—roughly three million acres of endangered habitat that is vital to Florida’s economic and environmental viability.
January 25 Dr. Mazen K. Abuawad, Interventional radiologist, Neurointerventional Associates, PA Mazen Abuawad, MD, provides advanced, minimally invasive endovascular neurosurgical techniques for serious issues such as cerebral artery thrombosis, venous insufficiency, and acute venous embolism thrombosis. Neurointerventional Associates, PA, has four offices, including one in Naples. Paul Hiltz, President/CEO, NCH Healthcare Systems With more than 30 years of experience innovating and improving organizations, Paul Hiltz is leading NCH into the future as a top-tier medical institution.
February 6 Reinhold Schmieding, Founder/CEO, Arthrex Reinhold Schmieding started Arthrex in 1981. Headquartered in Naples, Arthrex develops more than 1,000 arthroscopic products and procedures each year and has an estimated annual revenue of $3.1 billion. Arthrex ranks among the top 200 largest private companies in the United States.
March 5 Mollie Ziegler Hemingway, Editor-in-Chief, The Federalist Mollie Ziegler Hemingway is editor-in-chief of the conservative online magazine of the Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies and the author of Rigged: How the Media, Big Tech, and the Democrats Seized Our Elections.
32
February 22 Dr. Dean J. Kereiakes, Cardiologist and president, The Christ Hospital Heart & Vascular Institute Dean J. Kereiakes, MD, is a renowned cardiologist and member of NYC who has been an original investigator for most of the interventional technologies introduced in the last two decades and has performed more than 30,000 catheterization laboratory procedures. He is a Master Interventionalist of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Intervention.
April 4 Chip Miller, Retired U.S. Navy vice admiral DeWolfe H. “Chip” Miller III retired as the Commander of all the U.S. Naval Air Forces. Miller holds a master’s degree from the National Defense University and is a Syracuse University national security management fellow and graduate of the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program.
Lunch & Learn: Conversations on the Future of Naples Join us this season for informative luncheons to consider a range of topics impacting Naples today and into the future.
January 11 Eileen Connolly-Keesler President/CEO, Collier Community Foundation
February 13 Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk
March 19 Panel discussion: Local arts leaders
NAPLES YACHT CLUB | Waypoints 2023-2024
030_YC_Book Club & Speaker Series_23-24.indd 32
9/7/23 10:23 AM
CRUISING
Departures Club cruises guarantee memorable adventures November 15, 2022 & January 19, 2023
Cruises to Nowhere
1
2
3
H
urricane Ian left its mark on Naples and so many of our neighbors, leaving us unable to visit Boca Grande and Useppa Island. November’s Cruise to Nowhere collected school supplies for local students and teachers left in need following the hurricane. January’s Cruise to Nowhere had a surprise appearance by the “cast” of Gilligan’s Island for a trivia night and island buffet.
4
1.
7
Bill and Barbara Meek
2. Mimi and Doug Traina, Linda Koehn 3. Craig Stone and Mat Brainerd compete at a sunset cornhole match 4. Robin McClanathan, Jill Miller, Rusty McKee, Ed Mullen, Craig Stone, Charlie and Elise Brown 5. Jane Gaillard, Harriet Toadvine 6. Elise Klein, Barbara Carson
5
6
7.
Martha McCune, Tom Fox
8. Cal Nicholson, Rick Balaz
8 Waypoints 2023-2024 | NAPLES YACHT CLUB
033_YC_Cruising Calendar_Departures_23-24.indd 33
33
9/11/23 12:30 PM
CRUISING
St. Petersburg Overnight Cruise
March 13-16, 2023
1
2
N
3 4
YC cruisers had a “magical” time in St. Petersburg during the 2023 Overnight Cruise. Even though the weather wasn’t always sunny in “The Sunshine City,” members enjoyed local art museums, restaurants, and shops, as well as a scavenger hunt around the St. Petersburg Yacht Club. The cruise ended with a fabulous dinner at the historic Vinoy Resort & Golf Club. 1.
NYC cruisers
2. Robin McClanathan, Carolyn Moisson 3. Allison and Preston Bradford, Doug and Lenore Cameron
5
6
4. Michael and Elise Joyce, Johanna and Richard Harrison 5. Libby McKee, Charlie and Elise Brown, PC Joe McClanathan 6. Laurence Francis “The Mind Magician” dazzles Anne Stone 7.
Mary and Tony Balsamo
8. Commodore Rick and Kathryn Maxwell, Joyce Fitzgerald, Rear Commodore John and Debbie Tisdel
7 8 34
NAPLES YACHT CLUB | Waypoints 2023-2024
033_YC_Cruising Calendar_Departures_23-24.indd 34
9/11/23 12:30 PM
CRUISING
Ocean Reef Overnight Cruise
April 16-20, 2023
1
2
3
5
N
YC cruisers returned to Ocean Reef Club for another exciting adventure. One of NYC’s most well-attended cruises in history, our members took over this luxurious club for a few days of fun. Glow-in-the-dark golf, finding their inner Picasso, rounds of golf, and a golf cart scavenger hunt were just a few of the exciting activities on the agenda. 1.
4
Doug and Mary Perks, Tom Koehn
2. Paint & Sip class 3. Tighe King, Paula Malone, Susan Stielow,
7
Jay Wheeler 4. Bocce players 5. Tom Fitzgerald, Terry Smith, PC Don and Diana Wingard 6. Margaret Cowgill, Nancye Mowr
6
Sarah Johnson, Claire Fox 7.
Rear Commodore John Tisdel, Bob O’Brien, Tom Fox, Brad Cowgill, John Walter
8. Paul Yeoham, Nancy Cooper, Donna Yeoham, Tony and Mary Balsamo, Tom Cooper
8 Waypoints 2023-2024 | NAPLES YACHT CLUB
033_YC_Cruising Calendar_Departures_23-24.indd 35
35
9/11/23 12:30 PM
CRUISING
Ports of Call 2023-2024 Cruise Season
T
he Naples Yacht Club Cruising Program has become a cornerstone of the club’s operation. The fun and exciting excursions that take place during the season are opportune moments for members to develop friendships that easily translate from South Florida destinations to inside the clubhouse walls. Join your fellow members for an Overnight, Lunch, or Lite Cruise. There is a cruise to suit every lifestyle and schedule. No boat? No worries. Take the land yacht out for a drive and “cruise” to the destination of your choice. Find more information on upcoming cruises, cruise itineraries, and how to register on the NYC website under the “Cruising” tab. OVERNIGHT CRUISES
Boca Grande
December 4-6 and December 6-8, 2023 Cruise Leaders: John and Susan Howell, Franklin and Barbara Carson The quaint fishing village of Boca Grande on Gasparilla Island is a member-favorite destination. Because of its popularity, NYC will be visiting Boca Grande twice to fill the demand. Register for only one set of dates to visit the island for a stroll under the banyan trees, bike ride through the shipping district, or golf cart jaunt to the island’s two lighthouses. You will be charmed by the old Florida charm of Boca Grande and the Gasparilla Inn & Club.
‘Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa
January 16-18, 2024 Cruise Leaders: Preston and Allison Bradford Nestled ‘tween the Gulf of Mexico and Pine Island Sound, ‘Tween Waters Island Resort is the perfect place to enjoy the cerulean waters surrounding Sanibel and Captiva islands. This modernized 1920’s fishing lodge has multiple restaurants, a spa, two pools, and a marina. Take in one of the most spectacular sunsets in Southwest Florida while combing the beach for unique seashells among the plethora that have washed ashore.
Sarasota
February 20-22, 2024* Cruise Leaders: Brett and Gail Pheffer There is no lack of excitement for the return to Sarasota for NYC cruisers. Sarasota is a hot spot for art galleries, museums, shopping, dining, and night life. From the white sands of Lido Key to the famous St. Armands Circle, there is something exciting to see around every corner. *On your way home from Sarasota, consider extending your trip with an evening On the Hook Cruise in the Cayo Costa area, near Cabbage Key, Useppa Island Club, and Pine Island on February 2223 led by Paul and Donna Yeoham. 36
‘Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa on Captiva Island
NAPLES YACHT CLUB | Waypoints 2023-2024
033_YC_Cruising Calendar_Departures_23-24.indd 36
9/7/23 10:27 AM
CRAIG STONE
CRUISING
Waypoints 2023-2024 | NAPLES YACHT CLUB
033_YC_Cruising Calendar_Departures_23-24.indd 37
37
9/7/23 10:27 AM
CRUISING
Marina Jack Yacht Basin in Sarasota
Key West
March 11-14, 2024* Cruise Leaders: Rick and Cindy Balaz An Overnight Cruise to the Conch Republic is one you just can’t miss. Join your NYC friends for an escape to reset your clocks to island time. Explore the history of the southernmost city and unwind in true Key West fashion. *Interested in more adventure? Join fellow boaters for an On the Hook Cruise extension to the Dry Tortugas overnight March 14-15 before returning to Naples.
Fisher Island Club
April 15-18, 2024 Cruise Leaders: John and Karen Melk, John and Kris Palmer Full of history and once home to the Vanderbilt family, Fisher Island is a 216-acre island in Biscayne Bay and home to the spectacular, private Fisher Island Club. This new destination for NYC cruisers hosts incredible dining, amenities, golf, and racquet sport opportunities. Be sure to be part of this exciting end to the cruising season. CRUISE LITES
St. Charles Yacht Club
November 16-17, 2023 Cruise Leaders: Bill and Jenny Chope Enjoy a scenic cruise up the coast on your way to the St. Charles Yacht Club in Fort Myers for a relaxing evening on the Caloosahatchee River.
Isles Yacht Club
March 26-27, 2024 Cruise Leaders: Doug and Mary Perks Isles Yacht Club in Punta Gorda is a new destination for NYC cruisers. Cycle along the Charlotte Harbor waterfront, enjoy one of the many local shops and restaurants, or take a cruise to the nearby areas of Bokeelia or Boca Grande.
38
LUNCH CRUISES
Esplanade
October 11, 2023 Cruise Leaders: Mat and Kathy Brainerd Take a quick ride down to Marco Island to the Esplanade Shoppes for lunch with your NYC friends. Count how many dolphins you see on your way!
Marco Island Yacht Club
January 25, 2024* Cruise Leaders: Steve and Julie Smith Come by boat or car to enjoy lunch at the Marco Island Yacht Club, one of our most popular lunch cruise destinations. *Before joining the group for lunch, boaters can enjoy an On the Hook Cruise in Smokehouse Bay on January 24-25 led by Tony and Mary Balsamo.
Naples Princess
February 7, 2024 Cruise Leaders: NYC Past Commodores Join the NYC Past Commodores for a leisurely lunch cruise aboard the Naples Princess. Enjoy the company and conversation accompanied by the views of Naples Bay.
NYC Dock Seminars Join Dockmaster Capt. Ed King for a series of educational seminars to sharpen your skills on the water. Dock Safety and Season Kick-Off
December 1
Docking and Anchoring
January 19
Navigation and Basic GPS Use
February 9
Weather and Trip Planning
March 8
End of Season Wrap-Up
April 12
NAPLES YACHT CLUB | Waypoints 2023-2024
033_YC_Cruising Calendar_Departures_23-24.indd 38
9/7/23 10:27 AM
MEMBER BENEFITS
Platinum
Prestige
Naples Yacht Club is proud to be recognized as the No. 1 yacht club in Florida by Platinum Clubs of America. How did we get here?
Universal Recognition Naples Yacht Club is an anchor in the City of Naples and its club community. It is a founding member of the Florida Council of Yacht Clubs and engages in reciprocity with similarly recognized yacht clubs and other clubs across the globe.
Excellence in Amenities and Facilities In 2019, NYC completed a $10.4 million renovation, which added nearly 7,000 square feet to the original footprint. The clubhouse is now an elegant 35,000-square-foot, old Florida-style waterfront land-
mark with sweeping views of Naples Bay. More than 80 dock slips offer room for yachts from 40 feet to over 90 feet.
Caliber of Staff and Professional Service Levels NYC prides itself on recruiting, hiring, and retaining upstanding citizens from our community. After joining the team, development plans are created for each team member. They also are supported by a scholarship program to pursue higher education and are encouraged to continue to advance their skills in the hospitality industry. After all, it is part of our mission: To enrich the lives of members and fellow team members at Naples Yacht Club. Waypoints 2023-2024 | NAPLES YACHT CLUB
039_YC_Member Benefits_2023-24.indd 39
39
9/7/23 10:32 AM
MEMBER BENEFITS
increases for operations. Our facilities have been upgraded three times in 10 years, using a blend of debt, assessments, and initiation fees, all of which are used for capital replacement. NYC has a facility master plan for the docks and clubhouse. Our members believe they are more than simply members—that they also are owners and stakeholders of the club who are willing to continuously build upon the value of NYC.
Adapting to Changing Times
Quality and Commitment of Membership Since our founding, our membership has consisted of highly respected, successful, and philanthropic residents who have led some of the most impactful initiatives in Collier County. Two years ago, the mayor of Naples noted that “the history of Naples is not fully understood without recognizing the contributions of Naples Yacht Club and its members.” NYC has an array of clubs, a robust cruising program and social calendar, and members who tap into their personal and professional networks to recruit fascinating guests for our annual Speaker Dinner Series.
Governance and Prudent Fiscal Management
Fostering a pleasant and friendly environment is the backbone of effective club programming. Our goal is to have our members use the club in a mix of ways: to connect, host, celebrate, work, and play. Our efforts include encouraging the use of technology to enhance members’ club experience, adding a coffee bar to encourage casual socialization, and offering new and unique dining opportunities. In addition to our annual Speaker Dinner Series, we invite local leaders to speak at the club to provide updates on issues in the community.
Overall Experience Since its inception, the Naples Yacht Club has been a special place to celebrate the traditions of the water and to build camaraderie among members who share a passion for sailing, yachting, and cruising. Today, our members enjoy time-honored traditions, as well as entertainment, educational events, and world-class dining. Our members have a plethora of opportunities to establish new friendships and enjoy camaraderie with like-minded people in our special membership. Bringing people together is our passion!
The nation’s finest clubs are venerable institutions that are governed by goal-driven leaders who allow management to manage, are not influenced by personal agendas, and possess the wisdom to plan and invest well. NYC is governed by a nine-person board of directors. The commodore serves a two-year term and is succeeded by a vice commodore who serves a two-year term and is succeeded by a rear commodore who also serves a two-year term. Succession planning is indeed part of our culture. Strategic planning is maintained by the board and spearheaded by the rear commodore, so the plan is reaffirmed or adjusted every two years and continually refreshed for the board and management. A board policy manual is in place and updated each year as policies are adjusted or positions and/or committees are modified. Each year, the board performs a self-evaluation and surveys member satisfaction. The club has adopted a capital dues program along with regular dues
40
NAPLES YACHT CLUB | Waypoints 2023-2024
039_YC_Member Benefits_2023-24.indd 40
9/7/23 10:32 AM
MEMBER BENEFITS
Rise & Dine From hosting events to gathering for a morning cup of espresso, Naples Yacht Club’s dining options are designed with members in mind
Boaters’ Lunch We know Mondays are fun, busy days at NYC, especially during season, and a traditional part of the buzz is the Boaters’ Lunch. These gatherings always include a delicious meal and a good laugh with fellow members—for boaters and non-boaters alike. The men gather in the Briggs Room, where they get updates on upcoming cruises and other water activities. The ladies are in the Ballroom, enjoying the camaraderie of old and new friends. Come to NYC around 11:30 a.m. (no reservation required), find your name tag on the big board, and have a great time. We look forward to seeing you every Monday, even in the summer!
MICHAEL CARONCHI
The Helm Coffee and Smoothie Bar in the Boaters’ Grille
Steering Your Day in the Right Direction Open daily, The Helm Coffee and Smoothie Bar is Naples Yacht Club’s favorite gathering place. Located in the Boaters’ Grille Lounge, The Waypoints 2023-2024 | NAPLES YACHT CLUB
039_YC_Member Benefits_2023-24.indd 41
41
9/7/23 10:32 AM
MEMBER BENEFITS
MICHAEL CARONCHI
Helm features coffee and espresso drinks, house-made pastries, fresh-squeezed juices, smoothies, and a light breakfast menu. Members can use The Helm for much more than just enjoying a delicious cup of coffee and fresh bagel. The Helm is the perfect place to host a quiet business meeting overlooking Naples Bay. For the espresso escapists, visiting The Helm is a great way to get out of the house and unwind with your favorite latte and NYC friends. Need a pick-me-up? Stop by The Helm for your caffeine fix on the go.
Anchors Aweigh Menu
Private Spaces
Dockside Catering NYC is offering a new and improved dockside catering menu. The Anchors Aweigh menu features curated meals and platters for every boating occasion. NYC helps you create and enjoy exceptional experiences on the water for your family and friends with the Anchors Aweigh menu. Check out the Anchors Aweigh menu at naplesyc.com. To place an order, email catering@naplesyc.com.
For Meetings, Meals, and Mingling NYC offers members the use of our private spaces to host meetings, parties, or private meals for any group size. Our Catering & Events team can help make your event a success by connecting you with local vendors or crafting specialized menus. We will help bring your vision to life. Interested in hosting a private event or meeting at NYC? Contact Special Events Manager Sally Schweitzer at sally@naplesyc.com.
Founders Room
The Founders Room is located on the north side of the clubhouse, adjacent to the Ballroom. This room has audio-visual capabilities and can hold up to 20 guests for meetings or dining. The Founders Room is also home to a segment of Paul Arsenault’s mural depicting the 1960’s NYC waterfront.
Main Brace
The Main Brace is the bar located off the Ballroom. Typically used as a venue for private cocktail parties and dinners, this room can be fully closed from the rest of the clubhouse and offers a terrace area overlooking Naples Bay. The Main Brace can accommodate a cocktail party for approximately 75 guests or 50 guests for dining.
Briggs Room
The Briggs Room is home to the largest segment of Paul Arsenault’s mural and adjoins the Ballroom. This room has presentation capabilities with a screen and projector and is typically used for lectures and dining events. The Briggs Room can comfortably seat 60 guests in a dining format.
SARAH GEROY
Commodores Room
42
The Commodores Room is located upstairs near the Yardarm. Typically used as a board room, it features full audio-visual capabilities. The Commodores Room can transform into a space for a cocktail party or dining room, with a full bar located inside. Approximately 25 guests can dine comfortably in the Commodores Room, depending on the layout. For a board meeting, a maximum group size of 15 is recommended.
NAPLES YACHT CLUB | Waypoints 2023-2024
039_YC_Member Benefits_2023-24.indd 42
9/11/23 12:34 PM
MEMBER BENEFITS
Boating for Everyone Head to the docks for educational and social programs and expert marina services
W
hether you own a boat, are thinking about buying one, or just like the opportunity to get on the water, the Naples Yacht Club Dockmaster’s Office has plenty of opportunities for you to experience life on the water. Dockmaster Capt. Ed King, Assistant Dockmaster Capt. Chris Morrison, and their staff have worked diligently during the offseason to develop, implement, and deliver great programs and opportunities for all members to enjoy.
Cocktail Cruises We are proud to announce that the Naples Yacht Club will be offering Cocktail Cruises for the 2023-2024 season. The cruises will be three hours in duration aboard a 43-foot Pardo Yacht. Routes will vary according to weather, tides, and time of day. Enjoy a Naples Bay cruise, sunset cruise, and other options. Choose from a variety of food and beverage offerings for your excursion. Please contact the Dockmaster’s Office for pricing and availability: 239-2627301.
Personal Provisions Speaking of food and beverage, you can order from the Cocktail Cruises menu for provisioning your own voyage. Order ahead and pick it up on the way to your boat. The Dockmaster’s Office also houses a beverage cooler filled with several forms of libations for your outing. If you need an extra mixer, bottle of wine, water, or sports drink, chances are we have something that will fit the bill.
Seminars & Classes With two licensed captains on staff, additional classes and training are augmenting NYC’s lineup of services this season. Novices and old salts alike can benefit from brushing up on their skills. Topics will include docking, basic boat handling, anchoring, mooring, and more.
We are continuing the monthly seminars that we implemented last season. These are the topics for this season’s classroom setting: •
Dock Safety and Season Kick-Off—December 1
•
Docking and Anchoring—January 19
•
Navigation and GPS Basics—February 9
•
Weather and Trip Planning—March 8
•
Dock Safety and End of Season Wrap-Up—April 12
One-on-One and Couples Training This season, training will be offered in four-hour blocks on a one-onone or couples basis. Please contact the Dockmaster’s Office for pricing and availability: 239-262-7301.
Women on Water (WOW) – Safety at Sea We are excited to work with Women on Water (WOW) to provide Safety at Sea. We will cover basic safety information such as radio operation for emergencies, handling man overboard procedures, and basic vessel operation. This class is scheduled for January 12. Ladies: Keep an eye on your emails to register.
Summer Boat Watch Service The Dockmaster’s Office is now offering a Summer Boat Watch service to members who have their vessels in the marina year-round. Please contact the Dockmaster’s Office for pricing and scheduling: 239-2627301.
Dock Upgrades and Maintenance The dock team worked all summer to make several improvements, including installing new cleats and uniform dock bumpers, to enhance the boating experience at the club. Waypoints 2023-2024 | NAPLES YACHT CLUB
039_YC_Member Benefits_2023-24.indd 43
43
9/7/23 10:32 AM
MEMBER BENEFITS
Remembering Hurricane Ian Hurricane Ian left a mark on our community and many of our Southwest Florida neighbors are still feeling the effects. Fortunately, the NYC clubhouse did not have any water intrusion and no member boats that were moored in the marina were harmed. However, the docks suffered significant damage in the September 28, 2022 storm.
A “Surprise” Visitor During the record-breaking storm surge of Hurricane Ian, an abandoned vessel named Surprise that was anchored in Naples Bay found its way to the NYC Fuel Dock. The vessel slammed into the slip and sank, causing damage to the dock. The surprise visitor was the first derelict vessel to be removed in Collier County on December 16—79 days after the storm.
44
NAPLES YACHT CLUB | Waypoints 2023-2024
039_YC_Member Benefits_2023-24.indd 44
9/7/23 10:32 AM
SOCIAL CALENDAR
2023-2024 Social Calendar November 2023 Men’s Book Club Tuesday, November 14
11:15 a.m., Briggs Room Dress: Club casual Saved by Benjamin Hall
Welcome Back – Casino Night Saturday, November 18
6 p.m., Ballroom Dress: Cocktail attire, jackets recommended Members are welcomed back to an immersive casino experience. As you hunt down “Lady Luck,” enjoy a dazzling selection of hors d’oeuvres and food stations. From seasoned players to newcomers, there will be something for everyone: entertainment, thrills, and surprises!
Ladies’ Book Club Friday, November 17
11:15 a.m., Ballroom Dress: Club casual Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano
Welcome Aboard
Thanksgiving Dinner Thursday, November 23
4–7:30 p.m., Ballroom Dress: Jackets required
A lavish dinner buffet featuring all your classic Thanksgiving favorites.
Annual Meeting Wednesday, November 29
11 a.m., Ballroom Dress: Jackets recommended Lunch to follow. Please look for your proxy in the mail and return it at your earliest convenience. This is a members-only event.
Waypoints 2023-2024 | NAPLES YACHT CLUB
045_YC_Calendar_23-24.indd 45
45
9/7/23 10:36 AM
SOCIAL CALENDAR
NYC Winter Snow Ball Friday, December 15 Reception: 6 p.m. Dinner: 7 p.m., dancing to
follow Ballroom Dress: Jackets recommended, cocktail attire Step into a winter wonderland and celebrate the holiday season. Enjoy an inspired seasonal dinner followed by dancing.
Christmas Eve Dinner Sunday, December 24
4–7:30 p.m., Ballroom Dress: Jackets required Celebrate Christmas with family and friends at Naples Yacht Club. A showstopping dinner buffet and festive holiday treats adorn the Ballroom. Take your own family photos with Santa Claus during his visit to NYC.
Susanna Bella, 2021 Fleet Review
Men’s Book Club Tuesday, December 5
11:15 a.m., Founders Room Dress: Club casual Freezing Order by Bill Browder
December 2023 77th Annual Fleet Review & Commissioning Ceremony Saturday, December 2 Reception: 4 p.m. First Boats Arrive: 4:30 p.m. Program: 5:15 p.m. Dinner: 6 p.m.
South Lawn & Ballroom Dress: Club uniform Watch the “Fleet of Yachts” parade through Naples Bay at this time-honored club tradition. After the blessing of the fleet, join us in the clubhouse for dinner.
Annual Tree Lighting Tuesday, December 12 Reception: 5 p.m. Tree Lighting Ceremony:
5:45 p.m. Dinner: 6 p.m., Ballroom Dress: Club casual Entertainment: Traditional carolers Count down to the lighting of Naples Yacht Club’s tree and sing along with the carolers while enjoying a delightful holidayinspired dinner.
Annual Tree Lighting
46
NAPLES YACHT CLUB | Waypoints 2023-2024
045_YC_Calendar_23-24.indd 46
9/7/23 10:36 AM
SOCIAL CALENDAR
Winter Snow Ball Friday, December 15
Christmas Eve Dinner Sunday, December 24
January 2024 Men’s Book Club Tuesday, January 9
Ladies’ Book Club Friday, January 19
11:15 a.m., Commodores Room Dress: Club casual On Full Automatic by William Taylor
11:15 a.m., Ballroom Dress: Club casual The World Played Chess by Robert Dugoni
Speaker Dinner Series with Dr. Mazen K. Abuawad & Paul Hiltz Thursday, January 25 Reception: 5:30 p.m. Dinner: 6 p.m.
Ballroom Dress: Jackets recommended Guest Speakers: Mazen K. Abuawad, MD, radiologist, Neurointerventional Associates, PA, and Paul Hiltz, president/ CEO, NCH Healthcare System
Seafood Buffet Saturday, January 27 5–7:30 p.m., Ballroom Dress: Jackets recommended The classic NYC seafood buffet is back! Enjoy the freshest seafood in town and an extensive selection of accompaniments.
Gentlemen welcome!
Lunch & Learn with Eileen Connolly-Keesler Tuesday, January 9
11 a.m., Briggs Room Dress: Club casual Guest speaker: Eileen Connolly-Keesler, CEO/president, Collier Community Foundation
Speaker Dinner Series with Eric Eikenberg Thursday, January 11 Reception: 5:30 p.m. Dinner: 6 p.m., Ballroom Dress: Jackets recommended Guest speaker: Eric Eikenberg,
CEO, The Everglades Foundation
Midnight in Paris Saturday, January 20
6 p.m., Ballroom Dress: Formal attire, jackets required Entertainment: Naples Big Band A magical evening filled with romance and mystery. Travel back to the Golden Age of Paris, where Prohibition-style cocktails were poured freely and the Parisienne cuisine was decadent. An event fit for Hemingway, Picasso, Matisse, and F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Midnight in Paris Saturday, January 20
Trivia Night Tuesday, January 23
6 p.m., Ballroom Dress: Club casual Brush up on your facts and figures in this fun evening filled with a rousing, competitive spirit. Waypoints 2023-2024 | NAPLES YACHT CLUB
045_YC_Calendar_23-24.indd 47
47
9/7/23 10:36 AM
SOCIAL CALENDAR
Ladies’ Night Out
February 2024 Everything is Coming Up Rosé: Ladies’ Night Out Thursday, February 1
Lunch & Learn with Sheriff Kevin Rambosk Tuesday, February 13
6 p.m., Yardarm Dress: Think pink The “little black dress” goes pink for Everything is Coming Up Rosé. Join with the NYC ladies for a rosé-sipping evening. This ladies-only dinner pairs luscious wines with lively conversation.
Men’s Book Club Tuesday, February 6
11:15 a.m., Founders Room Dress: Club casual Chip War by Chris Miller
Speaker Dinner Series with Reinhold Schmieding Tuesday, February 6 Reception: 5:30 p.m. Dinner: 6 p.m., Ballroom Dress: Jackets recommended Guest speaker: Reinhold Schmieding,
11 a.m., Briggs Room Dress: Club casual Guest speaker: Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk
Valentine’s Day Wednesday, February 14
6 p.m., Ballroom Rumours of Fleetwood Mac Thursday, February 8
6 p.m., Ballroom Dress: Seventies chic or club casual, blue denim allowed Entertainment: Rumours of Fleetwood Mac Fans say that Rumours, formed in 2014, is the band to see if you are looking for an authentic stage-scorching recreation of live Fleetwood Mac shows. So, don’t stop thinking about tomorrow. Don’t stop—it’ll soon be here!
Dress: Jackets recommended Entertainment: Good & Co.
Treat your sweetheart to a romantic and intimate evening.
Ladies’ Book Club Friday, February 16
11:15 a.m., Ballroom Dress: Club casual Untold Power: The Fascinating Rise and Complex Legacy of First Lady Edith Wilson by Rebecca Boggs Roberts
founder and CEO, Arthrex
48
NAPLES YACHT CLUB | Waypoints 2023-2024
045_YC_Calendar_23-24.indd 48
9/11/23 12:35 PM
SOCIAL CALENDAR
Speaker Dinner Series with Dr. Dean J. Keriakes Thursday, February 22 Reception: 5:30 p.m. Dinner: 6 p.m., Ballroom Dress: Jackets recommended Guest speaker: Dean J. Kereiakes, MD,
FACC, MSCAI, cardiologist and president, The Christ Hospital Heart & Vascular Institute
Lunar New Year Saturday, February 24
6 p.m., Ballroom Dress: Club casual Celebrate the arrival of spring with this Lunar New Year dinner featuring a variety of symbolic dishes representing abundance, good luck, and fortune. Enjoy traditional entertainment while you feast and reconnect with fellow members.
Speaker Dinner Series with Mollie Hemingway Tuesday, March 5 Reception: 5:30 p.m. Dinner: 6 p.m., Ballroom Dress: Jackets recommended Guest speaker: Mollie Hemingway,
editor-in-chief, The Federalist
Commodores’ Ball Saturday, March 9
6 p.m., Ballroom Dress: Black tie or dress whites Entertainment: Phase 5 Spend an elegant evening honoring past commodores in this Naples Yacht Club tradition. Dinner will be followed by dancing. Single members may invite one guest.
Ladies’ Book Club Friday, March 15
11:15 a.m., Ballroom Dress: Club casual Foster and Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
Lunch & Learn – Local Arts Panel Tuesday, March 19
11 a.m., Briggs Room Dress: Club casual Speaker panel: Local arts leaders TBA
Seafood Buffet Saturday, March 23
5–7:30 p.m., Ballroom Dress: Jackets recommended Enjoy the freshest seafood in town and an extensive selection of accompaniments.
March 2024 Welcome Aboard: BBQ, Boats, & Blues Friday, March 1 Dockside Yacht Tours: 4 p.m. Buffet Dinner: 5:30 p.m.
South Lawn & Ballroom Dress: Club casual, shorts permitted for this evening outdoor event Entertainment: Rusty Wright Band Tour members’ yachts while sipping on wine and snacking on hors d’oeuvres at this member-favorite event. Followed by a BBQ buffet dinner and dancing.
Men’s Book Club Tuesday, March 5
11:15 a.m., Founders Room Dress: Club casual Mosquito Bowl by Buzz Bissinger Past Commodores at the Commodores’ Ball
Waypoints 2023-2024 | NAPLES YACHT CLUB
045_YC_Calendar_23-24.indd 49
49
9/7/23 10:36 AM
SOCIAL CALENDAR
Yacht Rock End-of-Season Party Friday, April 5
Saks Fifth Avenue Fashion Show Thursday, March 28 Sip & Shop: 11 a.m. Fashion Show & Lunch: Noon
6 p.m., South Lawn Dress: Eighties-inspired nautical or club casual Entertainment: Nautilus Travel the FM radio waves back to the early 1980s, when breezy vocals and bouncy rhythms set a relaxing, coastal atmosphere. Enjoy an array of your favorite soft-rock classics including The Doobie Brothers, The Eagles, Christopher Cross, Robbie Dupree, Daryl Hall & John Oates, Fleetwood Mac, Michael McDonald, Rupert Holmes, Toto, and Steely Dan.
Ballroom Dress: Club casual
Join the ladies of NYC for the annual fashion show brought to you by Saks Fifth Avenue. Sip and shop a curated selection of accessories before the runway show begins. Followed by a fabulous lunch.
Breakfast with the Bunny Saturday, March 30 Easter Egg Hunt: 9:30 a.m. Breakfast: 10 a.m.–noon
South Lawn & The Yardarm Dress: Club casual The Easter Bunny is hopping over to NYC to lead a special Easter egg hunt on the South Lawn followed by a festive breakfast in the Yardarm. Special memories are sure to be made for “kids” of all ages.
Easter Brunch & Dinner Sunday, March 31 Brunch: 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Dinner: 4–7 p.m.
Ballroom Dress: Jackets required Celebrate this special holiday with NYC’s traditional Easter buffet brunch or dinner.
April 2024 Men’s Book Club Tuesday, April 2
11:15 a.m., Founders Room Dress: Club casual Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann
Speaker Dinner Series with Chip Miller Thursday, April 4 Reception: 5:30 p.m. Dinner: 6 p.m., Ballroom Dress: Jackets preferred Guest speaker: DeWolfe H. “Chip”
Miller III, a former vice admiral in the United States Navy who retired as the Commander of the Naval Air Forces and Pacific Naval Air Force
Event Reservations Online
Reserve your spot for club events, holiday celebrations, Ladies’ Book Club, and entertainment nights. Log on to naplesyc.com and click on “Event Reservations” on the homepage. Upcoming events will appear in a list. Click on the name of the event and enter additional members or guests in your party. Click “Create Reservation.” Or use the Naples Yacht Club mobile app.
50
Ladies’ Book Club Friday, April 19
11:15 a.m., Ballroom Dress: Club casual Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
May 2024 Ladies’ Book Club Friday, May 10 11:15 a.m., Ballroom Dress: Club casual Bestseller TBA
Clubhouse
Contact our reservationist at (239) 262-6647 or reservations@naplesyc.com.
Change of Plans?
Please note that cancellations for club events must be made at least 72 hours in advance in order to avoid being billed for that event.
NAPLES YACHT CLUB | Waypoints 2023-2024
045_YC_Calendar_23-24.indd 50
9/11/23 12:36 PM
SOCIAL SCENE
Welcome Back Rio Friday, November 11, 2022
2
1
3
4
7
6
5
8
9 10
11
12
1 Marnette and Paul Perry 2 Henry and Carol Dinardo 3 Jane and Wayne Bromley 4 Carnival performer with Tighe King 5 Cindy and Rick Balaz 6 John Cummins, Leslie Connell 7 Jill and Steve Miller 8 Heather and Greg Melanson 9 Jim Guidera and Melanie Sabelhaus 10 Steve and Julie Smith 11 Tom and Nancy Cooper 12 Ed and Libby Harshfield 13 Cal and Pam Nicholson
13
Waypoints 2023-2024 | NAPLES YACHT CLUB
051_Social Scene_YC_23-24_new.indd 51
51
9/7/23 10:51 AM
SOCIAL SCENE
76th Annual Fleet Review and Commissioning Ceremony Saturday, December 3, 2022
2
1
4
5
3
7 6
8
1 Raising the colors 2 PC Lindsey and Lindy Thomas, PC John and Linda Flatley, Gayle Miller, Mary Lane, Sandi and PC Gary Yates aboard Treasure 3 Janette and Fran Engelhardt, Sherry Brooks, Richard Rand 4 Past Commodores salute the Parade of Yachts 5 Top: PC Peter Sulick,
10
9
PC Joe McClanathan, PC John Flatley, PC Lindsey Thomas, PC Bob Cornog, PC Stephen Smith Bottom: PC Jim Lozelle, PC Don Wingard, PC Jim Miller, PC Gary Yates, PC Phil Francoeur, PC Bill Mowry 6 Robin and and PC Joe McClanathan 7 Tom and Linda Koehn, Julie and Steve Smith,
11
Sue and Ed Mullen, Heather and Greg Melanson, Mary and Doug Perks, Johanna and Richard Harrison aboard New Horizons 8 Debbie Tisdel, Carole and John Benning, Rear Commodore John Tisdel, Brad Cowgill, Bernadine Lakefield aboard Last Dance 9 Jeffery and Teresa Heitmann
10 Golden Gate Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7211 11 PC Joe and Robin McClanathan, Barbara and Franklin Carson, Karen and Marc Peperzak, Kathryn and Commodore Rick Maxwell, Allison and Preston Bradford, Anne and Craig Stone aboard Keeps Going 12 Murfee Cook, Zach Gavin, Franklin Ellis, Janet Huestler 13 Zach, Sofia, and Jonna Germain
52
12 13
NAPLES YACHT CLUB | Waypoints 2023-2024
051_Social Scene_YC_23-24_new.indd 52
9/7/23 11:46 AM
SOCIAL SCENE
Nashville Nights Friday, January 20, 2023
2
3
4
5
1
6
7
8
10
9
1 Allison and Preston Bradford 2 Doug and and Mimi Traina 3 Mary Lockton and Michael Murphy 4 Kristine and John Palmer 5 Wynn and Sara Elliott 6 Charlie and Elise Brown 7 Katrina and Rick Kash 8 Deirdre Karle and John Hanlon 9 Art Chesterton and Janice Sher 10 Betsey and Tom Bulleit 11 Lynne and Chip Shotwell 12 Toni and Charlie Mueller
11
12
Waypoints 2023-2024 | NAPLES YACHT CLUB
051_Social Scene_YC_23-24_new.indd 53
53
9/7/23 10:51 AM
SOCIAL SCENE
Motown Magic Saturday, February 11, 2023
1
4
3
2
6
9 7
54
10
8
1 Tony and and Mary Balsamo 2 Bruce and Kathryn Evans, Carol and John Walter 3 Diane and Scott McCuaig 4 Manisha and Roy Kapani 5 Kathy and Mat Brainerd 6 David and and Carole Gaunt 7 Diane and Craig McElheny 8 Eliizabeth Star, Robin Stranahan, Jackie Cronacher, Nancy Slater 9 Suzanne and Irl Engelhardt10 Joy and Terry Smith 11 Fran O’Sullivan and Mike Shaw, Robin and Rick Lee 12 Melissa and Paul Keiswetter
5
12 11
NAPLES YACHT CLUB | Waypoints 2023-2024
051_Social Scene_YC_23-24_new.indd 54
9/7/23 10:51 AM
SOCIAL SCENE
Commodores’ Ball Saturday, March 11, 2023
2
3
4
1
9 6
10
7
5 8 11
1 NYC Past Commodores 2 Rita and Bob O’Brien 3 Pat and Dick Del Bello 4 Courtney and Chad Ott 5 Jane and Foy Devine 6 Sharon and Kris Kaltenborn 7 Commodore Rick and Kathryn Maxwell 8 NYC Board of Directors and spouses 9 U.S. Senator Rick and Ann Scott 10 Dee and P.C. Peter Sulick 11 Celine and Chris Wells 12 Craig and Anne Stone 13 Claire and Tom Fox 14 PC Rusty and Sandy Overton 15 Jackie and Peter McKenna 16 Executive Chef Michael Katz, Robin and PC Joe McClanathan, Hallie Girardeau
14
12
15
13 16
Waypoints 2023-2024 | NAPLES YACHT CLUB
051_Social Scene_YC_23-24_new.indd 55
55
9/11/23 12:37 PM
SOCIAL SCENE
Welcome Aboard Thursday, March 3, 2023
1
3
2
7 4
6
5
1 Ed Mullen, Martha and Tom McCune aboard Allegretta 2 Andrew and Cullen Daane 3 John Walter, Kathy Parks King, Carol Walter, Tighe King
4 Jack and Ann Anderson 5 Mary Lockton, Michael Murphy, Bruce and Bernadine Lakefield aboard Last Dance 6 John and Susan Howell
7 Rob Funderburg, Tom Sween, John Palmer, Commodore Rick and
9
8
10
Kathryn Maxwell, Debbie Tisdel, Cathy Funderburg, Michael and Michele Lenhard, John Tisdel, Kris Palmer and guests aboard Ciao
8 Emiliana Vegas, David Lawson 9 Sandy and PC Rusty Overton 10 Annette and John Mullaney 11 Diana and PC Don Wingard, Paula Malone, Barbara Weyand, Mat Brainerd
11 56
NAPLES YACHT CLUB | Waypoints 2023-2024
051_Social Scene_YC_23-24_new.indd 56
9/7/23 10:52 AM
SOCIAL SCENE
Farewell to Season Party Meet Me In Margaritaville Friday, April 14, 2023
2
1
4
3
8
9
5 6
7 11
1 Barbara Ledinsky, Gary and Lauree Personette 2 Sean and Peggy Mayo 3 Executive Chef Michael Katz 4 Charles Stewart and Margaret Lafley-Stewart, Dotty and Jerry Lawrence 5 Linda LaRue Brown and
10
Jerry Brown 6 Donna Kane and Kevin Bowen 7 Jim and Marsha Klinke
8 Paula Malone, Susan Stielow 9 PC Jim and Gail Lozelle 10 David and Philippa Fogg 11 Tes and Brian Manley 12 Frank Sajtar and Greg Hunt 13 Franklin Ellis and Janet Huestler
12
13
Waypoints 2023-2024 | NAPLES YACHT CLUB
051_Social Scene_YC_23-24_new.indd 57
57
9/7/23 10:52 AM
NEW MEMBERS
Welcome Aboard Naples Yacht Club continues to attract world-class members with record-breaking interest
I
nterest in membership continues to be strong. Many wonderful members have inquired about how they can help friends or family join NYC, which speaks volumes about how special this club is. On that note, we have a waitlist! A waitlist is a positive sign because it indicates vibrancy and a satisfied membership, as well as the fact that clubs with a waitlist are in a great financial position. Because NYC maintains a waitlist, it demonstrates that we are dedicated to our members, as our board has determined a maximum capacity to ensure accessibility and enjoyment of our dining, cruising, and social activities. Your terrific Admissions Committee is working hard. With that in mind, thank you for your patience as we work with you to bring your like-minded friends into the NYC fold in as timely a manner as possible! We truly appreciate our new members who joined from October 2022 through May 2023—and are introduced here. Their names are followed by their sponsor.
Brenda O’Connor Executive Director, Membership
58
NAPLES YACHT CLUB | Waypoints 2023-2024
058_YC_Welcome Aboard_23-24_new.indd 58
9/11/23 12:46 PM
NEW MEMBERS
Bill and Sharon Schoen
Bob and Mary Lou Maier
Connie and Tony Staffieri
Bill and Patty Babcox
Cynthia and Jon Strohmeyer
David Wiley and Justine Deluce-Wiley
Denise and Greg Scurto
Cortney and Kevin Beebe
Doug and Kristin Londal
Ed and Kathy Ludwig
Jaqueline and Nick Gravante
Don Dion and Cathy Morton
Jennifer and John Eaves
Jim and CeCe Koons
James and Kerry Nulf
Waypoints 2023-2024 | NAPLES YACHT CLUB
058_YC_Welcome Aboard_23-24_new.indd 59
59
9/13/23 11:23 AM
NEW MEMBERS
Lew and Dawn Allyn • Bill Allyn Rick and Pam Llewellyn • Jack Anderson Bill Mayer, Peggy Culver • John Benning Doug and Kristin Londal • Frank Bergonzi Bill and Sharon Schoen • Dick Botthof Kevin and Cortney Beebe, Don Dion, Cathy Morton, Susan Stielow • Charlie Brown James and Kerry Nulf • James Corts Karen and John Melk
Justine Deluce-Wiley, David Wiley • Bob Deluce
Jim and Kim Hummer
Nick and Jaqueline Gravante • Sandy Denny John and Karen Melk • Dan Doerr Ron and Karin Ciesla • Bob Fisher Bob and Mary Lou Maier • Joe Fogg Bill and Tricia Kassling • Ron Glah John and Laurie Toptetzes • Dudley Godfrey John and Stacey Pitzaferro • Paul Greig Matt and Jenna Heiderman • Tommy and MJ Heiderman Steve and Sarah Jackson • Paul Hills Melody Sawyer Richardson • Sarah Johnson
Matt and Jenna Heiderman
Melody Sawyer Richardson
Larry and Kate Kennedy • Dr. Alfred Kahn Len and Wanda Zaiser • Kathleen Kapnick Ralph and Patty Miesel • Jim Keller Dr. Michael and Lavinia Spirito • Robert Langley John and Jennifer Eaves • Robin McClanathan Greg and Denise Scurto • Jim Martell Jim and CeCe Koons, Jim and Kim Hummer • Dick Maslow Bill and Patty Babcox • Commodore Rick Maxwell Tracy and Justin Nolan • Past Commodore Bill Mowry Dr. Jon and Dr. Cynthia Strohmeyer • John Mullaney
Pam and Rick Llewellyn
Ed and Kathy Ludwig • Jim Orr
Peggy Culver and Bill Mayer
Tony and Connie Staffieri • Frank Sajtar Chris and Wendy Leines • U.S. Senator Rick Scott Henley and Nelly Shotwell • Chip and Lynne Shotwell Neil and Jeanne Braverman, Richard and Brie Garnett • Past Commodore Peter Sulick Sam and Oksana Fuller • Michael Tarrasch Roger and Pam Weston • John Walter
60
Stacey and John Pitzaferro
}
Sarah and Steve Jackson
WOULD YOU LIKE TO INTRODUCE YOUR FRIENDS TO THE NAPLES YACHT CLUB? PLEASE CONTACT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP BRENDA O’CONNOR AT (239) 262-6648 OR BRENDA@NAPLESYC.COM.
}
NAPLES YACHT CLUB | Waypoints 2023-2024
058_YC_Welcome Aboard_23-24_new.indd 60
9/11/23 12:46 PM
NEW MEMBERS
Larry and Kate Kennedy
Laurie and John Toptetzes
Len and Wanda Zaiser
Lew and Dawn Allyn
Michael and Lavinia Spirito
Neil and Jeanne Braverman
Nelly and Henley Shotwell
Oksana and Sam Fuller
Ralph and Patty Miesel
Richard and Brie Garnett
Roger and Pam Weston
Ron and Karin Ciesla
Susan Stielow
Tracy and Justin Nolan
Tricia and Bill Kassling
Wendy and Chris Leines
Waypoints 2023-2024 | NAPLES YACHT CLUB
058_YC_Welcome Aboard_23-24_new.indd 61
61
9/11/23 12:46 PM
Past Commodores *Stephen F. Briggs 1947-1956
*J.G. Sample
*B.W. Morris Jr.
*John A. Luse
*Col. C.C. Carter
*Herman Teetor
1956-1959
1959-1961
1961-1963
1963-1965
1965-1966
*Louis A. McLean
*Paul G. Benedum
*Paul E. Schramm
*T. Chalmers Curtis
*Truman B. Brown
1966-1968
1968-1970
1970-1971
1971-1972
1972-1974
*Col. James H. Brewster Jr.
*Ralph G. Beckett
*Frank M. Ridley
*Willard V. Merrihue
*Lee Potter Smith
1974-1975
1975-1976
1976-1978
1979
1980
*Jay V. Strong
*Frederick A. Schultz
*John F. Forsyth
*Raymond L. Pfister, M.D.
*John N. Briggs, M.D.
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
*Melvin D. LaFrenz
*Donald B. Clark
*Louis L. Banks
*William G. Pace III, M.D.
*John B. Bean
1986-1987
1988-1989
1990
1991
1992
62
NAPLES YACHT CLUB | Waypoints 2023-2024
062_YC_Commodores Gallery_23-24.indd 62
9/13/23 11:27 AM
G. Burtt Holmes
*James Y. Deupree
*Wells Martin Jr.
*William V. Hartman
*Sheridan P. Harris
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
John P. Debbink
*William J. Williams
*Joseph F. Schoendorf Jr.
*Donald J. Scott
*James R. Hartzell
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
Stephen B. Smith
Gary L. Yates
*William W. Wemple
James Miller Jr.
Philip M. Francoeur Jr.
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
*Charles W. Gaillard
William S. Mowry Jr.
John E. Flatley
Lindsey J. Thomas
Robert A. Cornog
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
Peter Sulick
Russell G. Overton
Donald P. Wingard
James R. Lozelle
Joseph W. McClanathan
2013-2014
2015-2016
2017-2018
2019-2020
2021-2022
*DECEASED Waypoints 2023-2024 | NAPLES YACHT CLUB
062_YC_Commodores Gallery_23-24.indd 63
63
9/7/23 10:54 AM
FAIR WINDS
Nautical Masterpiece
NICK SHIRGHIO
Northern Light and Gleam by Tim Thompson
T
he Naples Yacht Club’s collection of fine art has expanded with the recently acquired Northern Light and Gleam by Tim Thompson—showcased in the hallway leading to the revitalized Yardarm. The prestigious piece of work, purchased from Sheldon Fine Art Gallery in Naples, depicts two sailboats, built in 1937 and 1938, which were sailed as trial horses in cup races in the 1950s and 1960s. Thompson paints using oil on linen canvas, taking great pains to make sure his technique is as historical as possible. He works in the style of seventeenth-century Dutch maritime painters; layer upon layer of thin oil paint is built up over time in a process called glazing, creating depth of color and clarity. Before beginning a painting, Thompson often spends months poring over historical accounts of the subjects he depicts and tracks down details such as weather and tidal patterns. Thompson’s intense attention to minute details and
64
focus on accuracy have made him a sought-after maritime artist. Thompson’s works are widely collected and lauded as modern classics. He has been commissioned by the Royal Navy and European royalty and his paintings illustrate the books The Winning Moment: Paintings of the America’s Cup, 1851-1987 and The Story of Yachting. “It’s a big deal for us,” says Naples Yacht Club Executive Director of Membership Brenda O’Connor. “Apparently the prestigious New York Yacht Club has a Tim Thompson, too.” –Gaylene Salomons
NAPLES YACHT CLUB | Waypoints 2023-2024
064_YC_Fair Winds_23-24.indd 64
9/11/23 12:38 PM
Essential Club Information SEASON HOURS
DRESS CODE
November 1 through April 30
Club Casual Club casual attire is always permitted throughout the clubhouse. Definition: tucked-in collared shirt and slacks, with jackets optional.
The Helm Coffee & Smoothie Bar Monday through Saturday 8 to 11 a.m., Boaters’ Grille Lounge Sunday 8 to 10 a.m., The Yardarm Sunday Brunch Every Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., The Yardarm Lunch Daily 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Boaters’ Grille Excluding Sunday Dinner Daily 5 to 9 p.m., Boaters’ Grille 5 to 8 p.m., The Yardarm (Opening December 15) Dinner specials posted on the website Closed on Wednesday
SUMMER HOURS May 1 through October 31 Friday through Monday The Helm Coffee & Smoothie Bar Daily, 8 to 11 a.m. Sunday Brunch Every Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Blue denim is not permitted. • Hats and caps are to be removed by gentlemen upon entering the clubhouse. • For ladies, appropriate dress length is required. Crop tops, tank tops, and inappropriate length shorts, skirts, or dresses are not permitted. • Jackets are not required except during a club function or special event for which a special dress code is provided. • Dress code guidelines apply to children ages 14 and older. Daytime Attire Before 5 p.m.: Shorts, untucked collared shirts, collarless shirts, appropriate boating attire and athletic attire are permitted before 5 p.m. in the Boaters’ Grille, Yardarm, and the southwest area of the outdoor terraces. However, after 5 p.m., athletic attire, shorts, untucked shirts, and collarless shirts are not permitted in any area of the clubhouse. Evening Attire Tucked-in collared shirts and slacks are required after 5 p.m. throughout the clubhouse. Summer Attire Between May 1 and October 31, no jacket or tie is required, and shorts are permitted throughout the clubhouse at all times. Collared shirts are required after 5 p.m. and may be worn untucked.
Lunch Daily 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Excluding Sunday Dinner Daily, 5 to 8 p.m. Dinner specials posted on the website
C2_spine_C3_YC_23-24 spread_no spine (sep for printer).indd 2
Reservations: (239) 262-6647 Naplesyc.com Naples Yacht Club App
9/7/23 11:15 AM
2023-2024
At a Glance November 2023
February 2024 (continued)
Events open September 1
Men’s Book Club........................................ Tuesday, February 6
Men’s Book Club....................................Tuesday, November 14
Speaker Dinner Series with
Ladies’ Book Club......................................Friday, November 17
Reinhold Schmieding................................ Tuesday, February 6
Welcome Back – Casino Night........... Saturday, November 18
Rumours of Fleetwood Mac.................... Thursday, February 8
Thanksgiving Dinner........................... Thursday, November 23
Lunch & Learn with
Annual Meeting................................Wednesday, November 29
Sheriff Kevin Rambosk.......................... Tuesday, February 13 Valentine’s Day....................................Wednesday, February 14
December 2023
Ladies’ Book Club........................................Friday, February 16 Speaker Dinner Series with
Events open October 2 Fleet Review & Commissioning
Dr. Dean Keriakes................................Thursday, February 22
Ceremony............................................... Saturday, December 2
Lunar New Year...................................... Saturday, February 24
Men’s Book Club......................................Tuesday, December 5 Tree Lighting........................................... Tuesday, December 12
March 2024
Winter Snow Ball........................................Friday, December 15
Events open January 2
Christmas Eve Dinner............................ Sunday, December 24
Welcome Aboard: BBQ, Boats, & Blues............. Friday, March 1 Men’s Book Club.............................................Tuesday, March 5
January 2024
Speaker Dinner Series with
Events open November 1
Mollie Hemingway........................................Tuesday, March 5
Men’s Book Club..........................................Tuesday, January 9
Commodores’ Ball........................................ Saturday, March 9
Lunch & Learn with Eileen
Ladies’ Book Club.............................................Friday, March 15
Connolly-Keesler.......................................Tuesday, January 9
Lunch & Learn – Local Arts Panel................ Tuesday, March 19
Ladies’ Trip to Palm Beach
Seafood Buffet............................................ Saturday, March 23
(Overnight)............................................. Tuesday, January 9-10
Saks Fifth Avenue Fashion Show.............. Thursday, March 28
Speaker Dinner Series
Breakfast with the Bunny...........................Saturday, March 30
with Eric Eikenberg............................... Thursday, January 11
Easter Brunch & Dinner................................ Sunday, March 31
Ladies’ Book Club......................................... Friday, January 19 Midnight in Paris......................................Saturday, January 20
April 2024
Trivia Night................................................ Tuesday, January 23
Events open February 1
Speaker Dinner Series with
Men’s Book Club................................................Tuesday, April 2
Dr. Mazen Abuawad & Paul Hiltz ........ Thursday, January 25
Speaker Dinner Series with Chip Miller......... Thursday, April 4
Seafood Buffet......................................... Saturday, January 27
Yacht Rock End of Season Party.......................... Friday, April 5 Ladies’ Book Club............................................... Friday, April 19
February 2024 Events open December 1
May 2024
Everything is Coming Up Rosé: Ladies’
Events open March 1
Night Out...................................................Thursday, February 1
Ladies’ Book Club................................................ Friday, May 10 Mother’s Day...................................................... Sunday, May 12
Visit pages 36-38 for the 2023-2024 Cruising Calendar
C2_spine_C3_YC_23-24 spread_no spine (sep for printer).indd 3
9/11/23 12:20 PM
W WAYPOINTS AYPOINTS NAPLES NAPLESYACHT YACHTCLUB CLUB
2023-2024 2021-2022
WAYPOINTS 2023-2024 • NAPLES YACHT CLUB
LAT LAT 26°7’48” 26°7’48” NORTH NORTH || LONG LONG 081°47’43” 081°47’43” WEST WEST
C1_spine_C4_YC_23-24.indd 2
9/7/23 11:13 AM