What a Fish!
In my research, I stumbled across this fun article that was published in the Portsmouth Gazette in Portsmouth, New Hampshire on June 10, 1768. It seems to be a reprint of an article originally published in the Virginia Gazette in Williamsburg, Virginia sometime after May 5th of the same year, about an incident that happened in the Mobjack. It seems to me that even in the 18th century, fishermen told tall tales. Enjoy!
WILLIAMSBURG, Virginia, May 5. The following account, says the person who sent it, can be well attested. In February 1767, a sloop was sank in Mobjack bay, near New Point Comfort, by a squall of wind; and thro’ the negligence, or inability of the owners, lay near twelve months under water.— Upon her being raised, a fish was found confined in her hold, so large, that her decks were obliged to be broke up to get it out, and upon being measured, was found to be full half as long as the vessel. It is something surprizing, how a fish of that size could remain so long in such a confined situation.
FROM THE HELM
The annual meeting was held on a day when a few snowflakes were seen in Ware Neck. Business proceeded without difficulty - starting with the approval of a budget for 2023. Hopefully there will be no new surprises in this area this year.
Nominations for the Board were approved: Harry Taylor- Vice Commodore; Autumn Taylor- Social; Jim Garrett - Fleet; Steve Humphreys - Treasurer; Mark Holthaus - Membership; Jim Woodward - Buildings and Grounds; Allysa Adams - Secretary; Bill Brown - at large; Sharon McGlohn - at large; and Bob Davis - Commodore. Thanks were expressed to those Board members who have ended their terms of service - Jane Wilson, Beve Hermanson, and gary Hermanson. Layne was recognized for her immense contributions - couldn’t do it without her!
Annual awards were given.Junior Sailor of the Year - Paul Williams. Sailor of the Year - Allysa Adams. Booster of the Year - Mike Mastracci. Wesley C. Morck Award - contributions to sailing on the Chesapeake Bay - Barney Harris. A gracious letter of thanks from Barney was read. James V. Morgan Award - citizenship in the community - Neal Steele - morning host on local radio. This award was announced at the annual meeting and then presented to him in person live on the radio the following Tuesday. He expressed great appreciation for it.
Harvey and Joe Morgan entertained with background information on Jimmy Morgan’s many contributions to the Gloucester community.
We look forward to a great year - hopefully with some new events in addition to the usual ones. Stay tuned.
Quiz of the month - What well known beverage is named for a blind monk who died in 1715?
Bob Davis, Commodore
The Latest Fleet Scuttlebutt ...................
This month, for a change, I wanted to share with you some of the resources we as Club members of WRYC have access to. Besides the great clubhouse and facilities, a few dinghies and our 2 keelboats, we are members of both US Sailing Association and CBRYA (Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing Association)
Through the clubs US Sailing Assoc. membership, you have access to resources such as Sail flow @ SailFlow which is a great source for live wind and weather info. You can also access their extensive library of Resources and Tools for everything from Jr Sailing training thru their Skillup app, to sailing instruction or becoming a certified Race Committee Officer, and much more. To learn more, go to www.ussailing.org, Organizations - US Sailing.
CBYRA is another more regional association that really caters to sailing/racing on the Chesapeake Bay. They break the Chesapeake down by regions and we are in region 4S (Southern Bay). Again, here you can access videos, get a list of other member clubs, or download a calendar of events. They also have areas where you can sign up as crew for racing keel boats on the bay or for educational training. If you're interested in learning more about sailing in and around the Chesapeake, you can probably find what you're looking for here.
For more information about this group and the resources available go to CBYRA – Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing Association
Fair winds and flat seas,
Jim Garrett, Fleet Capt.
Love is in the Air!
Our first social of the 2023 season is upon us—a Valentines Brunch Potluck on Saturday, February 11!
Join us for a lowkey and romantic brunch to spend time together with games (and prizes!), a craft, and fellowship before the big game the following day!
Get those RSVPs in at wareriveryc@gmail.com by Wednesday, February 8. You can also sign up your dish at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4DADAB2BAAFDC07-valentines
From the Helm
And then Christmas made it to Ware Neck in a most graceful fashion. Decoration of the Club was accomplished in a most wonderful way. Ceci had arranged for this party and arranged the decoration which was most exquisite. A moderate number of attendees were there - limited I think by competing events. Food was brought by the attendees and provided a festive and ample meal.Everyone there seemed to have a great time. Thank you to all who planned, worked, and attended. Well done!
Please make plans to attend the annual dinner meeting in January. Information about 2022, 2023, financials, Board composition, annual awards and anything else anyone wants to discuss. Plan to start the meeting promptly with the goal of getting to a fine meal by Dave Brown. See you there.
Who said it quiz of the month. Who said “there’s gravy in the end zone Big Daddy - there’s gravy in the end zone”.
Extra Credit: What team did he play for - what team were they playing?
Bob Davis
Commodore
The Latest Fleet Scuttlebutt ...................
This is the time of year when there’s not much happening with the Fleet group and sailing, at least in this hemisphere! And if we continue with the incredibly cold weather we’ve had we won’t thaw out until April. That said, we do have things to do but will wait until some warmer weather arrives. I’ll use the time inside to put together a detailed list of tasks!
I do expect to have our annual organizational meeting sometime in January to prepare for our upcoming sailing season. Please be on the lookout for an announcement in an email!
Otherwise, have a terrific New Years!
Jim Garrett Fleet Captain
There’s still time!!!
This was originally prepared by Jane Wilson during the US Open tennis tournament but it has been modified for the new season!
While it may be too chilly for the various water activities that the Club offers, it is not too late to enjoy some rigorous outdoor activities and we are proud to re-introduce racket and, now, paddle sports back into the club’s offerings. A long-overdue refurbishing of our two tennis courts, with new Har-Tru surfacing and painted pickle ball lines, was completed this past summer and we have seen a number of weekends where both courts were used on each day. It brought back memories of the very competitive tennis ladders and tennis tournaments from years past!
We have managed to restore the courts with a re-surfacing instead of a complete rebuild but that has, still, come at a significant cost. Like the purchase of the new keelboat, we are hoping to offset all or most of the cost with generous donations from tennis and pickleball players and enthusiasts alike. While any donation would be appreciated, I’d like to encourage anyone who can to join our family and several others who have already pledged and donated amounts ranging from $500-$1000 to help us meet our goal of raising $25,000. In addition to the courts, the tennis shelter is in need of repair and we expect added cost to the grounds maintenance contract to add leaf blowing and vine cutting into the regimen. Our hope is that, as enthusiasm builds, we can organize some junior and senior matches and, perhaps, offer some lessons down the road. One of the many reasons why our Club is such a bargain is the low dues its members pay for the amenities we all enjoy. Please consider supporting this effort.
If you do decide to contribute, please send a check to the WRYC address (noting the intent of the contribution), drop off a check at Southern Realty at Flat Iron or contribute by eCheck. (See below for the eCHeck link and instructions.)
Please note that the Club is designated a Not for Profit organization by the IRS, meaning we are Tax exempt and operate as a break even private organization 501(c)(7), not charitable. Thanks for being part of our great organization and we hope you'll consider supporting this effort.
Jane O. Wilson
wilsopp@cox.net
757-869-1888
WRYC Board Secretary
Directions to use eCheck:
· Chesapeake Bank eCheck link for donations: https://collectcheckout.com/r/o9gz6
· Enter an amount and use the drop-down box to select Tennis/Pickleball Court renovation.
· To help with confirmation, please email a copy of the receipt you receive to the warereiveyc@gmail.com.
A Scrumptious Soirée
Many thanks to all who helped with the potluck-style Holiday Soirée earlier this month, especially to Ceci! She and her group of elves did a remarkable job on transforming the Clubhouse space into a wonderland. Dips, desserts, soups, Chick-fil-A nuggies, and a beef tenderloin graced the tables, and made the event into one I will not soon forget!
Consider lending a helping hand at a social for 2023–it is a great opportunity to meet friends and learn more about your Club. I know we will need it! Let’s see if we can top 2022– we already have an exciting Oktoberfest in the works which is graciously being put together by guest hosts coming in from Germany to bring a little “gemütlichkeit” to the Ware!