New Members Abound!
We are very excited to welcome three new families to WRYC this month and are so grateful our membership is growing, despite this pandemic.
First we have Jim and Carol of Gloucester. Currently boat-less, Jim is interested in helping out with fleet maintenance and is looking forward to his four year old grandson learning how to sail.
Next we have Gary and Beth from Charlottesville, VA. They have recently purchased a Topaz Uno and are interested in hooking up with other sailors and helping out on fleet and club sponsored work days. Gary also rides horses.
Finally, we’d like to welcome Leah and Lee of Gloucester and their family; daughter Mckinsey, and sons; Avery, Aden and Logan. They are interested in Adult and Junior Sailing, kayaking and socials. Lee is a contractor and I’m sure Building and Grounds will appreciate another “guy who can fix things”. Leah is a real estate agent and is looking forward to meeting new people. She is hoping her kids will grow to love sailing as much as she does.
We look forward to giving our new members a big welcome, face mask and all!!!
Commodore's Comments - New Normal
Well we made it through another month in quarantine! I hope this message finds you all well and coping with our new “normal”. As you all know, Club activities have been put on indefinite hold, at least until the Governor eases the current restrictions. However, the Club grounds and boat ramp are available to members. Spending time on the water is a great way to enjoy Nature while still social distancing! Keep an eye for news about fully reopening the Club as it is my sincere desire to do so as soon as possible. In conclusion, I hope that restrictions are eased soon so we can all gather at the Club and enjoy each others company and the beauty of the Ware.
Take care,
Jonathan Matthews
Fleet Committee is Making Ready for the Season
Greetings all. I hope this month’s article finds you well. As we continue to work our way through what has become the new normal for 2020, we anxiously await the return of some semblance of normal and a return to our activities on the River and the Bay. Since last month, the fleet committee has undertaken a healthy discussion on the future of Gabi, our Irwin 25. The overwhelming response was to look in to repowering Gabi with an inboard diesel engine. The search is on for an engine that will serve her well. Abandoning the inboard gasoline engine will be a HUGE safety improvement. The addition of an inboard diesel powered boat will give club members the option of a boat that is more well suited for longer trips with adequate power to undertake some more serious cruising. The Board also unanimously approved the sale of the donated power boat. Funds from this sale will be used to purchase a small skiff to be used as a mark boat/safety boat for adult sailing, junior sailing, and our regattas. Again, your fleet committee is staying busy during the off season, and we look forward to the lifting of restrictions so we can get moorings and boats in the water.
See you on the water (soon I hope),
Scott Titus
Fleet Captain
Rental Updates - Unusual Days
These have indeed been unusual days! It will be disappointing to miss our Flag Raising to open the summer season. But we will gather again soon and a celebration it will be indeed!
The mandated crowd restrictions forced WRYC to cancel all events through June 14, 2020. We have only had one request to cancel outside of those restriction dates. WRYC still has a full summer and fall rental calendar.
Looking forward to seeing everyone on the beautiful Ware River soon!
Stay safe,
Layne Brown, WRYC Rental Manager
Welcome West !
This month we would like to introduce our newest JR member, West. West lives in Richmond and loves being on the water. He is interested in helping out with fleet repair and maintenance. I’m sure Scott will be very happy to have another pair of helping hands!
Lastly, I just wanted to say we are all looking forward to meeting our new members. Hopefully that will be soon!
Beve Hermanson
Membership Chair
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.