Commodore's Comments - Stay Healthy
I hope this message finds all members and extended family in good health. We have recently had to adjust and cancel events on our Club calendar to accommodate new government mandated restrictions around the gathering of groups. This includes Club rentals and scheduled events like our Club Work Day. The Board recently voted to approve a hold on all WRYC activities to ensure we are not in violation of mandated quarantine restrictions. Please use this time to recharge and be with loved ones.
Many in our communities have been hit hard by the COVID-19 virus. Some have lost their jobs or the ability to work and do not know where their next meal will come from or how they will provide for their families. Frontline medical workers and first responders are risking their lives and the lives of their loved ones to provide critical services. It is through service and selflessness that we will see this through to the other side. It is my hope that during this time our members will reach out to one another and those in our communities to find ways to help. In times like these it becomes evident that nothing in this life is guaranteed and we should live accordingly.
My family and I look forward to seeing you all again soon at the Ware River Yacht Club. Stay healthy my friends!
Off-Season Fleet Activity Still Taking Place
Greetings fellow sailors. All three keel boats remain in the yard undergoing off season repairs and maintenance. Work effort has been relatively light, but will continue through the opening of the season. A note of consequence from recent maintenance efforts, the engine and gearbox on Gabi are not in good shape. There’s potential that we will remove the inboard gas engine and move to an outboard on a bracket. More to come as the fleet committee members explore options. We are actively looking at procuring a more suitable skiff to serve as race committee/mark boat for regattas, including both the Sunday Series, Junior Sailing, and the Governor’s Cup. There may be adequate funding from a generous donation. More to follow on that. WRYC is also looking to add a stand-up paddle board and wind surfer to the fleet, thanks again to generous donations. The hope is to provide club members a multitude of options for getting out on the water.
If you have any input, suggestions, questions, or comments, please feel free to reach out to me.
See you out on the water (hopefully soon),
Scott Titus, Fleet Captain
St. Patrick's Day Social - Rolling with the Punches
March 14th was a very interesting social. We had just gotten word of the problem with the Corona virus coming to the United States. The day before, Alice Bredin-Karny and myself met at the Club to get it all spruced up in green and white. After that, I proceeded to head home and cook the corned beef and prep the other items. We originally had RSVP’s from 42 people and on Friday, I had 2 couples cancel.
Saturday morning dawned and there was more concern with regard to the gathering. I had another couple cancel, but they were going to send a check to honor their Res. At this point, I thought there has to be a way that we can give people their meal if they choose to not directly socialize with other members. Light bulb turned on in my head and off to WalMart I went…procured take-out containers and then had Beve Hermanson send out an e-Blast to the members of the option for take out. What a great club we have…we officially had 36 RSVP’s…18 people opted for take-out and the other 18 of us came to the club; ate, socialized and had a good time.
Special thanks go out to Judy Doyel(our kitchen help), Bill Brown, Gary Hermanson, and Kirby Smith for the wonderful help in dishing up and coordinating the take-outs. Also a big Thank you to Mary Helen Birdsall who handled the door in a rather unconventional process.
It is nice to know that we have a club that can “roll with the punches”…Please continue to be safe and well during these unusual times. As to further functions, we have to continue to follow the guide lines set by the CDC…
Respectfully submitted,
Jane Smith/Social co-chr.
Welcome Chris and Yolanda!
We would like to welcome new members Chris and Yolanda of Purcellville and their four daughters; Maia, Naomi, Mattea and Noelle to WRYC. All four girls are enrolled in summer sailing camp and we are looking forward to meeting and getting to know all of you!
Beve Hermanson
Membership Chair
Commodore's Comments
Hopefully everyone got to enjoy the snow we had last week. For me it was the best kind; beautiful and gone the next day. Having said that, we will soon flip our calendars to March and will be one month closer to Summer. I am looking forward to Sunday racing on the Ware, leisurely cruises on the Mobjack, grilling with friends and family, and enjoying the beautiful sunsets our Club has to offer.
Our annual Club workday is scheduled for March 28th. Please mark your calendars and plan to lend a hand. These workdays ensure that our Clubhouse and grounds are in tip top shape for the upcoming season. Whether landscaping and outdoor work or housekeeping and indoor work, we have a job for you! As the saying goes, “many hands make light work”. I hope to see you there.
Preparation for the “Next 50” is underway. This planning committee is open to all members and I would encourage all who are interested in the future of the Club to consider attending a meeting.
With sailing season right around the corner, do not forget that our Club offers Adult Sailing Lessons every Saturday, Memorial Day through Labor Day. Contact Steve Hanson or Scott Titus for more information. This is a fantastic opportunity to introduce your friends and family to WRYC.
The Junior Sailing program will return this Summer with three sessions. For those parents and grandparents of children 8 and up. Sign them up for what is sure to be an opportunity to create lifelong memories .
Commodore
Jonathan Matthews
Off Season Activities Abound
Gabi arrives at Severn Yachting Center for the off season.
All three keel boats are safely tucked away for the off season. However, being tucked away doesn’t mean they are being left alone during the cold winter months. The fleet committee is actively working on tasks identified by the club’s sailors. Wagtail and Snagglepuss are on the hard at Holiday Marina. Wags is undergoing some rig work as well as electronics and cosmetic repair. Snagglepuss is resting comfortably with a clean bottom. More work is needed on Snags, but that is being scheduled for later in the year. Gabi is across the river from her sisters at Severn Yachting Center. Crews there are working on her propulsion issues. The goal is to have Wags and Gabi back to the Club for flag raising. As always, there is more work to do than there are hands to do the work. Please contact me if you are willing and able to help out.
Thanks to Joe Morgan and Jim Garrett for their preparation and coordination for the 3rd Annual Sunday Series kickoff meeting earlier this month. The meeting was well attended and interest continues to grow. The fleet currently consists of ten Albacores, three of which are club owned. If you missed the meeting, don’t fret, you can still get in on the fun. Sailing begins April 19th, with racing scheduled to start the first Sunday in May. We have launched the WRYC Albacore Fleet Facebook page this year, which can be found at https://www.facebook.com/groups/593952764790640/?ref=bookmarks. Please join in the conversation and fellowship. The WRYC Albacore Fleet page is intended to help communicate goings-on and news in a timely and effective manner. We’re stepping up from random text messages, join the page to find the latest Albacore Fleet and Sunday Series news.
See you on the water (very soon),
Scott Titus
Fleet Captain
WELCOME!
We would like to welcome our newest members to WRYC.
Harry Taylor & Autumn Pittman
Harry was in the Jr. sailing program as a child, during the time his grandfather, Robert Farrell, was a member.
Chris Smith, Ryan Babarsky and their daughter, Linnea
Chris is a contributing host for Bonnie Boat Sailing Podcast. He looks forward to the Sunday Racing Series and is excited to share his passion for sailing with friends and family.
Johnathan West and Karla Oliver
Johnathan and Karla are avid sailors and both are actively involved with the York River Yacht Club Racing Program.
Lastly, we would like to thank Jonathan and Erin Matthews, Joe Morgan and Mike Mastracci for sponsoring our newest members AND ushering in the next generation of sailors to the WRYC.
Beve Hermanson
Membership Chair