18 minute read
CLUBS WITHIN THE CLUB
In many ways sporting clays is like golf.
• You can ride around in converted golf carts. They’ve changed the bag part of the golf cart to a second bench seat. If you have 3 friends, you can all ride together. • Or you can walk. The pull carts look more like push strollers. There’s plenty of space for two shotguns and two hundred shells. Four shotguns and 400 shells would be pushing it. • We keep score on a similar looking card. • A good shotgun costs about the same as a good set of clubs. • Some targets are easy, some are near impossible. The easy or impossible refer to a particular station, the equivalent of a hole, or it could be the whole course. • Easy stations have slow flying targets. The really easy targets fly straight at you or straight away. Think along the lines of miniature golf. It’s not unusual for the first timer to nail a couple of these. • The impossible stations can be evident or deceiving. You might concede before even attempting a shot or later proclaim it’s a lot harder than it looks. That’s the safe excuse unless the next two guys don’t miss. • There are charity shooting events too. • A smooth swing of your gun when chasing a target is a good thing. • When getting ready many shooters check their grip, shuffle their feet, and take a warm up swing. • While there’s no standard, the sporting clay courses are designated by colors. If the course is new to you, you need to ask. The blue course is not always the easy course. • A bad shotgun cost about the same as a bad set of clubs. • It’s not a good idea to make excuses. The guy who says
“I’m having trouble seeing them” will likely hear “You’re having trouble hitting them too.” • Advice is often offered even when it is not welcome. • Like golf, camaraderie is an endearing aspect of shooting sports. It’s something most shooters do with friends.
Shots both good and bad will be acknowledged. Cutting quips, snappy retorts and that painful quiet sympathy on a bad day are to be expected.
In many ways it’s not.
• On your shooting score card, a low number is not something to boast about. You count the hits not the shots. • Skills acquired on the sporting clays course have other applications. The obvious is game hunting. What’s the analogy in golf? • Handicaps are based on the type of gun you use.
There’s no handicap for being a lousy shooter. • A high quality shotgun will last more than a lifetime.
Golf clubs? I don’t think so. • You only get one shot out of a shotgun shell. Advantage golf. • Have you ever seen an old cherished driver displayed above the fireplace? • Your beloved black Labrador does not get crazy happy when you pull out the golf clubs. • Shooters never waste time looking for a bad shot that went into the woods. Advantage sporting clays. • The emphatic fore is not something a shooter worries about. • Nobody keeps their clubs in a humidity controlled safe. • When getting ready to shoot, nobody waggles their butt. • When the group ahead of you is slow, it’s okay to jump past them to the next station. • Sometimes your shot is supposed to be into the woods. • Sporting clays courses do not sell beer out on the course or at the club house. • After a really bad shot, I have never heard of a shotgun getting bent in half or landing in the pond. • When asked what was the most important aspect of designing a golf course, noted golfer and course architect Don January said “Make sure No. 18 ends up back at the club house.” The sporting clays course designers have not figured that one out yet.
By Rich Treinen
SPYC members wishing to join the Wing Shooters Society are encouraged to contact Gene Collins, our Grand Marshall. 727 385-4878 or genebcollins@hotmail.com
RV LAND CRUISERS
by Angela Kowalik, President
Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo TX.
Sunrise in Palo Duro Canyon
First year of RVing - let’s take a look back. We got our RV in February 2020, and even with COVID, once we got rolling, we managed to put on over 15,000 miles, visiting all the of the southeast states (12 of them), from Florida up to Virginia and out west to Oklahoma and Texas and all the states inbetween (FL, GA, SC, NC, VA, TN, AL, MS, AR, LA, OK, TX). With repeat trips to the Carolinas and Texas, and 4 trips back to the “mother ship” for warranty rejuvenation, we have seen some beautiful sights, and some quirky things
that make travel interesting. For us, it’s more about the journey than the destination (what will be around the next bend?) and enjoying the varying landscapes. Our favorite RV parks are those around the water, such as Core of Engineer parks, and state parks, and then resorts with cement pads when we feel like “glamping”. It’s been a whirlwind, and there’s so much more to see!
We travelled along scenic byways and highways (like Historic Route 66, Natchez Trace, and Blue Ridge Parkway), and enjoyed luscious forests, beautiful lakes, and a few wineries. We visited Palo Duro Canyon (2nd largest canyon in the US), where it was so dark we saw more stars at night than we thought were possible,
Wichita Mountain Wildlife
Refuge (in OK) with their bison and longhorns, and
Great Smokey Mountain
National Park & Forest. We even met up with friends on multiple separate occasions.
Goat Tower at Hampton Roads Winer, Virginia
Angela & Brian Kowalik visit the “mother ship” at Red Bay, Alabama
As part of our new RV adventure, we purchased many “accessories”, got a fuel card and Lifetime National Park Pass, and joined FMCA and Harvest Hosts (which allows you to “boondock” at various wineries, breweries, farms, attractions, and golf courses). We are looking
RV Essential: a table for your beverages
forward to continuing our journey, and hearing about trips from other RVers when we get together.
To join the group and keep up with our events where we will be making adventures happen, please contact Angela Kowalik at koalafam@tampabay.rr.com ~ Looking forward to seeing you around the next bend!
CLUB ‘ Womans
by JoAnn Wood, President
Ladies, REMINDER: due to Covid-19, we will require firm RSVP’s for all meetings, to properly plan out the meeting space.
March 10th ANNUAL BINGO BLAST:
Cash prizes no guests, Woman’s Club members only. This year will be extra fun with Dave calling Bingo!
March 25th ANNUAL MAH JONG TOURNAMENT:
This will be the last games for the 2020 card. Cash prizes for various Mah Jong. Registration required, contact Marleen
Collins.
On April 14th, the Woman’s Club will host Carol Barkalow, Lt Colonel, retired. She is a dedicated army officer who was proud to serve her country for 22 years and was a member of the first West Point class that admitted women in 1976. Carol has written a book, “In the Men’s House” about her experience at West Point. Join us to find out what it’s like for women in the military and how that training molded her life. She also founded Heaven on Earth for Veteransa nonprofit that provides quality living for vets in need. This is a luncheon meeting open to all members and guests. Be sure to make your reservations with catering if you plan to attend.
The BOOK GROUP continues on ZOOM, if anyone would like to meet at the Yacht Club, please email JoAnn Wood (jafwood@hotmail.com) and appropriate arrangements will be made for in person and ZOOM. March discussion of The Nightingale will be led by Linda Santoro.
WOMAN’S CLUB INTEREST GROUPS
Book Group
Facilitator: Ilene Robeck
irrobeck@gmail.com
Meets 4th Wed unless noted Social 5 pm | Discussion 5:30-6:30 pm | Currently on Zoom
Bridge Group
Facilitator: Joyce Sterrett
727-822-5878 (hiatus) Mah Jongg
Facilitator: Marleen Collins
marleencollins@yahoo.com
727-864-0781 • Thursday @ 1pm Lunch @ Noon
Fun Seekers
Facilitator: Deborah Giaquinto Event dates and times vary
deborahgia@icloud.com Sunshine Contact: Debbie Hopper dhhopper@aol.com Membership: Julie Shields jshieldsbuckner@gmail.com
or visit our club website page for the form to join or renew. [Please note-full calendar in Woman’s Club directory)
[Monthly events are subject to change] Membership in the Woman’s Club is required to participate in the Interest Group activities.
The Mission of the Woman’s Club is to embrace new friendships, promote social activities and increase women’s involvement in the SPYC.
GOLF GROUP
by Connie Smith
Two dozen Golfers bundled up with layers of warmth until the sunny skies arrived for a perfect golf day in Florida at Countryside Country Club on January 19th. The day was peppered by lots of water holes, challenging hole placements, but all players were awarded a delicious Clubhouse lunch.
January tournament results are as follows; since February’s newsletter deadline had already passed when we had our outing.
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• 1st Place with a score of -1 Tom Ritschel, Joe Hartman, Susan Arsenault, Gina Bowden- Pierce • 2nd Place with a score of Even - John Arsenault, Joe
Mansir, Denise Auger, John Rogers. • 3rd Place with a score of -4 Martin Morris, Becky Crossons, John Deermont, Jack Howard • Closest to the Pin: Jay Marshall, John Rogers, Tom
Ritschel, Martin Morris • Closest to the Line: Eric McShane
Our next outing, following January, was at the Bardmoor Golf Club on February 25th where the golfers enjoyed a pizza party afterwards.
We have a challenge to all Golf Group members to “talk us up” and invite a fellow golfing SPYC member to join us at our next event and see what the Golf Group is all about!
We welcome all levels of players for our monthly scramble outings. Contact Susan Arsenault at sueatcp@aol.com to sign up or obtain more information.
AMATEUR RADIOCLUB
by Jack Satterfield, ARC President, W4GRJ
Amateur Radio Club (ARC) meetings are starting back up in April. Mark your calendar for ARC meetings on: Tuesday, April 20th and Tuesday, May 18th (meeting time for both days - 6:00 pm). Continue to join us on our weekly “On the Air Net” every Monday at 17:30 hrs on WD4SCD.
Repeater frequency 147.030. Repeater information www.qsl.net/wd4scd/
If you are interested in becoming a licensed Amateur Radio Operator, ARC members can help you prepare for the written exam (no morse code required). Be prepared for this year’s hurricane season by getting your Ham License now! Study help online at www.hamtestonline.com.
RIDERS CLUB
by Bob Frazee
The weather finally has cooperated and warmed up for our weekly rides. It happened just in time for me to get back in the saddle after missing the past 12 weeks while I was recovering from rotator cuff surgery. I joined up with a couple riders who wanted to do a ride North and East that included a circumnavigation of the Green Swamp Wilderness area. We started at our usual spot for rides going North, at the Cracker Barrel parking lot on 54th Ave North. We headed north on I-275 to I-4 East to Lakeland, where we picked up US RT 98 N. From there we took Rock Ridge Road to Greenpond Rd, which took us to FL RT 33 (Commonwealth Ave). From Commonwealth, our route included Lake Erie Rd, Bay Lake Rd to Bay Lake Loop and then back on Bay Lake Road. Eventually we made it to FL RT 50 E; which took us into Groveland. Once in Groveland we continued to James Barbeque, where we planned for lunch; upon arriving we found the place permanently closed and the building for lease. We wound up eating at Krispy’s Fried Chicken, outside in the shade under a row of trees. After lunch we made a quick fuel stop then started our journey back toward St. Petersburg.
After getting on FL RT 50, we turned onto FL RT 471, which we rode until we reached US RT 98. US RT 98 took us to CR RT 54, where a L turn led us to Chaucey Road. Another L on Chaucey Road quickly brought us to Morris Bridge Road. Here we made a 3rd straight L turn and stayed on Morris Bridge until we arrived at Fletcher Road. We then took Fletcher Road to I-275 South back to St. Petersburg. The round trip from the Cracker Barrel on 54th Ave N was about 210 miles and is one of the nicest rides I have participated in while in Florida.
Any members wishing to join the Riders Club or get additional information about the club can contact me as follows: Bob Frazee: Email: rfrazee@cazequip.com
or via cell: (315) 420-7114
MARCH 2021 ADULT SAILING CLASSES
ADULT LEARN TO SAIL- March 6/7 (Saturday/Sunday)
ADULT SPINNAKER CLASS - March 20 (Saturday)
INTRODUCTION TO SONAR SAILING - March 21 (Sunday)
by Dr. Patsy Warmack, President
MJ Tournament Participants
Dr. Ann Weaver, author of Secrets Behind the Dolphin Smile – 25 Amazing Things Dolphins Do, will dazzle us with her love of the area dolphins and intimate knowledge of their habits and way of life. Even if you’ve had an opportunity to hear her speak before, she always has new and intriguing stories to tell. It is no wonder she is referred to locally as the “Dolphin Lady.”
Plan to join us March 15th – sign-in is from 10:30 – 11:00 am. We will start promptly at 11:00 am with lunch to follow. Members can attend virtually or face-to-face. No one needs to miss out! Everyone who wants to attend (at the club or via Zoom) MUST
MAKE A RESERVATION! For in-house reservations contact PAG at (727) 360-1646, email kerrie@spyc.org, or use the online reservations at www.spyc.org.
For Zoom reservations email patsywarmack@tampabay.rr.com. Members who reserve a Zoom seat will be sent a link to click for meeting entry. “Zoomee’s” will even have a chance to win that bottle of wine if they wear their LBC name tag! If attending this program at the clubhouse you may choose to stay for lunch or not. Remember though, you must make a reservation for Zooming in, attending at the clubhouse for program only, or for the program and lunch. Inhouse seating is limited so reserve early! If you aren’t a member yet, now is the time. Contact Cheryl Lanfear (mclanfear@yahoo.com) Membership Chair - she will send you a copy of the member enrollment form. Dues are just $30.00 and worth every penny!!
PAG Club ONLY members are eligible to join the Ladies Beach Club!!
Passport CLUB
Both events take place at the Downtown Clubhouse Social Time: 5:00 pm | Presentation: 5:30 pm Attend in Person - Reservations Required RSVP online at www.spyc.org or at (727) 892-6882 *Plated Hors d’ Oeuvres will be available*
Thursday, March 4th - “SKY is the Limit!”
Presented by SPYC Member - Jopie Helsen. Perhaps you saw his article in the January issue of Smooth Sailing? Now you’ll see the photos and get the inside scoop of the first 13,399 nautical miles of the stalled circumnavigation on SKY, a 57 foot sailing vessel.
To attend our events virtually on Zoom, please contact
Patsy Warmack at: patsywarmack@tampabay.rr.com.
Thursday, April 1st
Can you imagine a happily married, rather conservative, not known for irrational behavior, and frankly a rather ordinary boring couple - selling their home, quitting both of their jobs, buying a 70 foot Hatteras motor yacht, setting out on an 8,000 mile journey without a map, and not coming back for eight months?? Join us on the adventure of a lifetime as we do The Great Circle aboard “Interlude.” This is no April Fools’ joke!!
Interlude
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BROAD
REACHERS
by Marti Cochran
Alack of race committee and race marks never stops friendly competitors from racing around whatever is available in the water. The Broad Reachers kicked off February sailing with a fun race around crab pots and floating sea grass. Some things never change: Barbara Arnold, as usual, smoked the fleet. The day also featured something new. Our newest member, Valarie Nussbaum-Harris, jumped into an Opti for the first time and, with some coaching, kept up with the others. Joanne Simmons, Charl Hadfield, Katie Rodgers and Suzanne Boohar joined the sail.
Sailing at Pass-a-Grille is always fun, and it’s even better with a longer, improved dock for launching. Thank you, Marc Reydams, for all you have done to improve our sailing experience and thank you, Kerrie Paquette, for always accommodating our hungry sailors. We continue to practice COVID safety, wearing masks for all of our on-shore prep. Come join us for Saturday morning fun sailing and racing.
Suzanne Boohar, Joanne Simmons, Barbara Arnold, Valerie Nussbaum-Harris, Charl Hadfield, & Katie Rodgers
Barbara Arnold Valerie Nussbaum-Harris
You can participate as a sailor, race committee, or safety ashore. For more information about becoming a Broad Reacher, contact Carol Hansen at Carol@dband1.com.
SALTY SISTERS
by Carol Hansen
The Maggie Mug Trophy race was completed over the last two weeks of January. The weather was perfect and spinnakers were flying on the six Ideal teams. The results:
• First: Nancy Kadau, Marti Cochran, and Judy Clapp • Second: Janet Walker, Terri McGough and Lisa Avila & Kate Clardy • Third: Els Wiemken, Jennifer Anderson, and Gina Bowden-Pierce.
On Saturday January 30th, operating out of Pass-a-Grille, SPYC ran the Winter Kitefoil Regatta, near the Sunshine Skyway on Saturday and out on the Gulf on Sunday. Of the crew of 23 Race Committee members, 10 were Salties (including brand-new Saltines.)
Maggie Mug Winners: Marti Cochran, Skipper Nancy Kadau & Judy Clapp Sonar Training
The volunteers: Helle Getz, Gina Bowden-Pierce, Jennifer Parramore, Terri McGough, Janet Walker, Selga Sakss, Barbara Goodman, Beth Pennington, Kathy Ahern, and Barbara Mehaffey.
February 3rd was a chilly day, but Co-Captain Jennifer Parramore reported that 28 Salty Sisters enjoyed several sailing activities. We started our Sonar training for this year, and many reported having a good experience with their Skippers Hat coaches. One Ideal joined the fleet, practicing boat handling. We had a pleasant 7-9 knots from the north/ NNW. Captain Els Wiemken said February is here and Salty Sisters are sailing! She is encouraged at the participation, and that we’re observing social distancing, and wearing masks, even on the boats.
FCYC RECIPROCITY UPDATE
Please call the yacht club before visiting.
Wednesday Nights | 5:00-8:00 pm
Parents....sign-up your kids for the new SPYC Kids Club so they can earn rewards and cool kids stuff! Kids who visit 8 times, on Kids & Parent Night, will receive a FREE adult entrée for their parent on their 9th visit! Kids Menu:
•Fettucine Alfredo with Broccoli •Hot Dog & French Fries •Spaghetti & Meatballs •Chicken Fingers & French Fries •Kids Size Pizza (Pepperoni or Cheese) (Served with Apple Sauce or Mandarin Oranges & choice of Milk, Juice or Lemonade) How Do I Sign-Up? The Kids Club, in conjunction with the ”SPYC Kids & Parent Night”, will begin on Wednesday, April 7th. Sign-in to your member portal at www.spyc.org and visit - Member Central - to register early!
*Kids ages10 & under eat FREE! (members only, with each paying adult entrée) *Parents & Grandparents can enroll kids ages 12 & under; meals for kids 11 & 12 years of age will also count *One adult entrée per Kids Club registration *Offer good for kids & grand-kids of members only
