15 minute read
CLUBS WITHIN THE CLUB
20 SPYC Entertainment Committee Update
by Jeannie O'Grady, Committee Chair
We had 130 people who enjoyed a delicious dinner and dancing at last month’s event with the South Shore Cruisers band. Get your calendar out and be ready to join in on some fun! Make your reservations soon to the following events as they will sell out fast:
• May 7th (Saturday) Derby Party; Drink specials, Prizes & Fun! Dress to impress. Located in the Lounge and Regatta room (1st floor)
• May 21st (Saturday) Friends & Family Feud; Come play or watch! Either way this will be a fun time. RSVP early and join us in the Ballroom.
• June 18th (Saturday) Murder Mystery Dinner; Taking place in the Waterfront/Harborview rooms... Who will solve the mystery?
• July 23rd (Saturday) Dueling Piano’s with a twist; Join us for an Italian dinner buffet, cash bar, and promised fun! This will likely sell out so be sure to RSVP early.
Enjoy the variety of NEW musical talents in the Lounge and have fun dancing! 4th Friday of each month | 7:30 - 10:30 pm LOTS more events coming your way!
Power BOAT Competition
by Alex Deininger
The Power Boat Competition hosted a "Suddenly in Charge" boating safety seminar, on Saturday, March 26th. There were about 35 participants who enjoyed an hour presentation covering various topics, followed by 5 breakout sessions. The presentation was given by new member, Bob Arrington, who brings an immense amount of knowledge to the club. He covered topics including radio communication, docking, and safety devices. We were fortunate to have several other volunteers, including a group from Eckerd’s student volunteer maritime search and rescue team, EC-SAR. The Eckerd students introduced the members to their free water rescue service, and also ran an interactive knot tying station.
Joe Frohock covered rules of the road, Bob Arrington had a vast display of safety devices, and Chuck Goes shared his expertise in reading charts. A huge thank you to all of the volunteers that made this event a great success. Keep an eye out for future boating education courses in the future.
RV LAND CRUISERS
To join the group and keep up with our events, where we will be making adventures happen, please contact Angela Kowalik: SPYCRVLandCruisers@gmail.com LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AROUND THE NEXT BEND...
by Angela Kowalik, Wagon Master
It’s coming on summer time, and everyone is planning big trips. The fuel situation isn’t stopping us! Some are going out west, some to the northeast, and some…as far north & west we can go. RV travel provides for a flexible vacation, not worrying about a hotel each night, and gives complete freedom and spontaneity. Many people have told us they’ve thought about it, dreamt about it, and wished they would have traveled around our great nation in an RV. Is today your someday? If you’ve thought about it, you should do it! So that’s why, at our next face-to-face meeting on May 3rd at 11:30 am for lunch where we’ll be talking about all of our summer plans before everyone heads out on their great summer adventure. After that, our next meeting will be sometime in the fall. Enjoy!
CAR CLUB
by Andy Evans
Following on from our Vintage Classic Car Show in February we have finally reconciled all our accounts, paid our bills and now we were ready to disburse funds to our two chosen charities.
For those who missed this the charities are The Kind Mouse and the Louise Graham Regeneration Center. This was a great result not just for the charities but for the entire Club. Thanks to some very generous members we hope that this year members will continue to help these wonderful local efforts, and that SPYC can reinforce itself as a foundation of giving back. For the record we donated over $10,000 this year! Should any member wish to make further donations you can contact me at (727) 310-5981. For more information you can check the link on our Car Show page at: http://www.stpetecarshow.
com/charities.html
Top Photo: The Kind Mouse (L-R) GM Rhett J. Robicheaux, Andy Evans, Cindi Crisci, Gina Wilkins, & Commodore Bill Waters
Bottom Photo: Louise Graham Regeneration Center (L-R) Debra Ballinger, Andy Evans & Amy Shore
22
CRUISING FLEET
by Kevin Cross, Fleet Captain
Iam writing this as our 2022 Commodore’s Cruise is nearing the end. What a fabulous time! Thirty-three boats participated with over 70 cruisers, 11 dogs, 3 cats, and one bird! We visited 8 ports, 15 marinas, and traveled some 300 nautical miles. Thanks to the planning and creativity of our 10 Port Directors, each day was unique and fun. Friendships were strengthened, knowledge of SW Florida’s waterways, clubs and marinas were gained, and memories made.
Highlights included the Bradenton market; dining and shopping on St. Armand’s Circle in Sarasota; paddleboarding, kayaking, and bicycling in Venice; the Fleet’s Annual Croquet tournament and golf carting at South Seas; nature walk, kayak, and banana boat trip with Ranger Rob at Pink Shell; peace and quiet at lovely St Charles YC; walking history, distillery, and Ford/Edison tours in Fort Myers; pickleball, pool, and shopping in Punta Gorda; and, boat trips to Cabbage Key and Cayo Costa with long walks and sunsets on beautiful Useppa Island.
And, of course, there was no end of “docktails” and delicious meals. Special treats included Joe and Camille’s latte bar, Heber and Barbara’s mimosa and Bloody Mary bar, docktails aboard Mac n’ Rice III, cookouts and potluck dinners at Legacy and Useppa complete with adult s’mores (ask Chris Roddey) and the very best sunsets. Musicians at Mattison’s Grille and King’s Kitchen and the old-time juke box at Charlotte Harbor YC entertained us. What fun!!!
None of this would be possible without our dedicated Port Directors. Huge thanks to Bob & Juli Frazee, Kevin &
Debbie Hopper, Joe Petrella & Camille Iurillo, Heber & Barbara Weller, Jack Rice & Kelly Lee McFrederick, Mike
& Debbi Young, Bob & Geri Russell, Ben & Chris Roddey, Garry & Pam Haas, and Keith & Laura Gibson. Thanks for the memories! Join our monthly meeting on May 5th (sign up online or through catering) for more Commodore’s Cruise highlights and information on upcoming cruises.
Legacy Cookout
Mike & Debbi Young Pam & Garry
Cycling in Venice The Rice's & Ranger Rob
UPCOMING EVENTS FOR THE CRUISING FLEET!
· Monthly Meeting (dinner) - Thurs., May 5th · Cruise to Marina Jacks/Sarasota - May 20th - 22nd · Monthly Meeting (lunch) - Thurs., June 2nd · Cruise to Clearwater YC - June 9th - 12th
Bob & Geri Russell
Keith & Laura Gibson Ben & Chris Roddey
Heber & Barbara Weller
Kevin & Debbie Hopper
South Seas Trolley Joe Petrella & Camille Iurillo
Bob & Juli Frazee
Useppa Walking Group
South Seas Croquet
Mattison's Grille Pink Shell Boat Trip
24
FWSA
REGATTA 2022
by Carol Hansen
The Salty Sisters dominated the winners’ stage in the Clearwater Pram class at the annual
Florida Women’s Sailing
Association Rainbow Judy Clapp, Nancy Kadau, Sue Davidson, Regatta, hosted by the Els Wiemken Dinghy Dames on April 5th at the Davis Island Yacht Club. The Salty Team of Nancy Kadau, Els Wiemken, Judy Clapp and Sue Davidson walked away with the Perpetual Team Trophy, with Nancy Kadau winning first place and Els Wiemken taking Fourth Place. Rookie Sailor Winner - Bijie Ding
The Broad Reacher team of Katie Rodgers, K.T. Trudeau, Bijie Ding, Audry Orgo, and Juliette Clark also competed in the Pram class, and Bijie, the youngest and one of the newest sailors in the fleet, won the award for Top Rookie in the class.
Salty Sister Volunteers
Salties Dee Gill, Marti Cochran and Lisa Avila also competed in a fleet of over 60 competitors in the Sunfish class, the largest Sunfish fleet in the history of the Rainbow Regatta.
Sunfish Team - Marti Cochran, Dee Gill, Lisa Avila
1st Place Pram Team.
The Salty and Broad Reacher Bijie Ding, KT Trudeau, Audry Orgo, teams worked hard under the Juliette Clarke, Katie Rodgers coaching of J.P. Creignou and Charlie LaLanne and practiced thorough February and March out at the St. Pete Sailing Center on Wednesdays, and the Club at Pass-a-Grille on Saturdays. Dozens of volunteers supported the teams: loading and unloading boats; repairing equipment — including the full restoration of all four wooden Clearwater Prams by Briny Brother Paul Goodman; and gathering as a launch and retrieval crew on the beach at Davis Island.
Opti Team - Sandy Merrifield, Carol Hansen, Joanne Simmons, Vanessa Beckman, Gina Bowden-Pierce, Iris Mastry
The Salties also won the Perpetual Trophy in the I.O.D/ Opti Class, with team members Vanessa Beckman, Joanne Simmons, Sandy Merrifield, Gina Bowden-Pierce, and Carol Hansen scoring first through fifth in the class. Iris Mastry won top I.O.D/Opti Master.
Volunteers Helping Load the Boats
The Salty team was led by Rainbow Chair Marti Cochran and Vice Chair Barbara Goodman. The Broad Reacher team was led by Suzanne Boohar.
Woman's Club
by Janna Ranney, President
The month of May brings an end to our Woman's Club 20212022 year. Our final Program Meeting will be our:
Installation Luncheon Wednesday, May 18th 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Live music and Summer farewells to those who travel North Seated and Served Lunch Guests of Members are welcome Reservations Required - Contact Catering at:
(727) 8962-6882 | catering@spyc.org Or - RSVP online at www.spyc.org
If you're staying here in town, Land and Sea Gals will be active, we'll have Summer Dine-Arounds (one each month), Book Group, and all games will continue on. Our Annual Tea and Fashion Show had a Valentine's theme, professional models and styles for eveyone.
G LF GROUP
by Connie Smith
Our golf outing on March 22nd was marked by another fun shotgun start scramble followed by a pizza and beer party at the Bardmoor Golf Club.
On May 17th we have plans to go across the Skyway Bridge to a beautiful riverside course, Waterlefe Golf Club. The fee is $45+ with tee times starting at 10:04 a.m. Susan and John Arsenault have been our tournament chairs for the last 8 years. I think it's about time that we spread the wealth and recruit others to help our growing and active Golf Group. Please reach out to them if you can assist in any way for next season.
We already have plans for a Top Golf outing this summer but are planning for the Fall. If you want more information or want to sign up for an outing, contact Susan at sueatcp@aol.com.
Lovely Ladies! Susan Arsenault, Barbara Deininger, Karen Lieberman
Guy Anderson, Jack Howard, John Arsenault, Dennis Augur,Steve Hamblin, John Ovink
• First Place: -2 Steve Hamblin, Chuck Mudd, Bud Ogle, Isabel
Shoenberg
• Second Place: Even - Guy Anderson, Patrick Kaufman, Barbara
Deininger
• Third Place: +2 Tom Ritschel, John Ovink, Jack Howard, Karen
Brine
• Closest to the Straight Line: John Deermont
• Closest to the Par 3’s: Joop Vander Krabben, John Rogers
26
by Dr. Patsy Warmack, President
What a wonderful Ladies Beach Club year! We gained new members and made new friends while having a lot of fun. A huge thank you goes out to the outgoing Board members and their assistants – they all stood up to the challenges presented by COVID-19; if anything, the challenges made us stronger and more determined to promote and grow the Ladies Beach Club. Hats off to you all! A special thanks goes to Eva Hefner; not only was she President from 2015 to 2017 but she served a Immediate Past-president for five years. It’s safe to say Eva is truly part of the backbone of the LBC.
With the new Board of Directors in place led by Angela Kowalik as President, I’m betting next year will be even more exciting! Dues are going to $32.00 per year but renewing members who pay before June 1st will skate in at the $30.00 rate so if you haven’t already, get those 2022 – 2023 dues paid now. September 2022 will bring a new round of inspiring and entertaining programs but we will be active over the summer playing Mah Jongg and, I hear there is a possibility of some planned outings – stay tuned!
If you aren’t yet a member of the LBC but want to join us for Mah Jongg and other exciting events and worth every penny!! Contact Helle Getz our new membership chair or email me for the details. The form for new members can be found online www.spyc.org under "Clubs Within the Club."
For more information send me an email: (patsywarmack@tampabay.rr.com) Hope to see you at the beach!!
AMATEUR RADIOCLUB
by Jack Satterfield, ARC President, W4GRJ
Amateur Radio Club (ARC) meetings, which are normally held on the third Monday of each month at the PAG Clubhouse. However, meetings are temporarily on hold until further notice.
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
Passport CLUB
by Dr. Patsy Warmack, President
The mission of the Passport Club is to share travel experiences, plans, and bucket lists for travel domestic or international; by land, sea or air; selfdrive or sit back and let others do the work.
June 2nd – Chernobyl November 2007 with Jeff Francis. Join the timely presentation on an adventure into the "Exclusion Zone"; a vast and empty land surrounding the Chernobyl nuclear plant and the abandoned town of Pripyat, Ukraine.
July 7, August 4, & September 1 - Summer Vacation
October 6th - Argentina to New Zealand via Antarctica with Bill Haueisen
by Rich Treinen
While not exactly Golden Pond, Boggy Pond Plantation in Moultrie, GA is still a pretty nice place as long as you can handle rustic accommodations. Thirteen Wing Shooters enjoyed two days of quail hunting, target shooting, good hearty food, and camaraderie.
Our guides and their well trained dogs found plenty of birds for us to bring home. Our shots were on target thanks to the weekly Friday morning target shoots which have honed that skill. The great folks at Boggy Pond took good care of us. We didn’t suffer too much. On Boggy Pond there is a wide dock equipped with a wobble trap and big spot lights.
That area plus a five stand shooting venue provided ample opportunity to practice and showcase skills and offer sharp yet good natured criticism of your buddies skills. That part of the trip was a hoot. Six old houses provide a rustic experience for overnight guests and the main lodge provided space for group dining, as well as spirited socializing.
June 2022 - J. Francis
•Meet-ups: 1st Thursday of the month - Downtown Club •Social time at 5:00 pm; Presentation at 5:30 pm •Reservations Required: www.spyc.org or (727) 892-6882 (You and your guests will receive Chef’s choice plated food at $10++/pp and bar service is available.)
The Passport Club invites all SPYC Members & their guests who are frequent or frequently-aspiring travelers who share our mission to join the club. There are no dues - just sign-up!
If you have a travel program you would like to share, contact: patsywarmack@tampabay.rr.com
