Oyster Roast is a .... Rick
The annual Oyster Roast was, as always, a success. Special thanks to the Grants for their help. It is a little known fact that Bob Davis is an expert hot dog griller, we are thankful for his hard work as well. The oysters were, as oysters are, delicious! We hope you will join us again next year!
Socials are only possible with your help, if you would like to volunteer for, or host a social in 2024, please contact Autumn Taylor bariautumn@gmail.com.
Of course, I’m sure what you are all asking yourselves is, who is Rick and what does he have to do with oysters? Well, here’s your history lesson for today — Colonists in 17th and 18th century Tidewater learned very quickly that while the area is rich in many resources, limestone is not one of them. Clay is easy enough to come by for brickmaking, but you need mortar to bind the bricks to make a structure and plaster to finish the walls. This is where the oyster enters the scene.
In order to produce the lime needed for mortar and plasterwork, thousands of oyster shells would be put into a great bonfire a “Rick”, and burned until the temperature reached a consistent 1600 degrees, then the fire would be left to burn completely to ash. When it was cool enough the oyster shells would be collected and water added. The resulting chemical reaction created lime which would then be turned into mortar or plaster (Do not try this at home, as it is stinky, and lime is pretty dangerous). A great surviving example of period mortar and plaster is in the original Gloucester Courthouse.
While the shells from our Oyster Roast are not destined to be turned to lime, it is fun to think that four hundred years ago, people did exactly what we do — eat oysters!
2023 Rental Recap
WRYC has a “Million Dollar View”! As a member please continue to share what a perfect rental venue WRYC is.
Socials 7 Please volunteer to Host or assist with a Social in 2024
Member Rentals 7
Non-Member Rentals 9
Non-Profit Rentals 2
FROM THE HELM
Hard to believe - 3/4 of the year has gone. So nice to have the heat and humidity pass on by. Mostly I remain very thankful that we have avoided catastrophic weather events. None of us want to deal with that - either personally or as a Club.
I was not personally able to attend the Oktoberfest event. From what I hear it was an excellent evening. Our guests from overseas were as advertised - food was superb. Attendance was very good and a fun time was had by all. Again our thanks to Harry and Autumn for their efforts at putting the whole event together.
Plans are proceeding for the annual Oyster Roast - similar to last year’s event. Last year was also a fine event - hope many of you are able to attend and the weather is good.
We are still working on the probable wine event - tentatively for Friday 12/1 - partially serving as an early Christmas event. This would be our second time working in conjunction with Nuttall’s Store. Those who attended the first one in the spring remember a fun, lively time. As we noted at that time we expected that the format would need to be tweaked and it will be. Further details to come.
Fourth of Six: I said at the beginning of this topic that I would do it 6 times. Please plan to attend the annual meeting in January. As most of you probably perceive there are issues to be addressed. The Board has been planning aggressive efforts to make information available before the meeting. Please do not hesitate to contact Board members with questions as the meeting approaches.
Quiz of the month: Who said “Sometimes the majority just means all the fools are on the same side.”
Bob Davis, Commodore 804-725-8791 cell
The Latest Fleet Scuttlebutt ...................
As I sit here on October 28th to write this scuttlebutt post for the Telltale, its 80 degrees and not a cloud in the sky. I should be sailing…. but I digress. I had hoped to have our keel boats on the hard at Mobjack by now, but we are at the mercy of the lift operator. No matter, it will happen this week at some point. Not much new to report other than we did get all our race marks back and repaired from ETP. All 6 were repaired for a bit more than a new one costs.
Speaking of racing, we had our first organizational meeting for next year’s 60th anniversary Governor’s Cup race. Scott Titus, Joe Morgan, Mike Mastracci and I sat down to develop an organizational outline including sub-committees. Be on the lookout for more info on this great event and how YOU can get involved.
Before I get to the Nautical Term of the month, I want to share with you a new sailing podcast that has hit the airwaves recently. Hosted by WRYC member Scott Titus, the “Splice the Main Brace” Podcast recently uploaded Episode 03 of Season 01. The purpose of this Podcast is to share sailing stories from local hometown sailors. Episode 03 featured WRYC Charter Member Harvey Morgan. You can find the episode at: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6cIxZ594fRLu8M3mqsaAVY?si=cca7f5353ef04b78 or just search "Splice the Main Brace" on your favorite podcast app. You can also sign up at www.stmbpodcast.com. Scott is actively seeking folks interested in sitting down for an interview for future episodes. All sailors are welcome as the purpose of this project is to tell everyday sailors' stories. Reach out to set up an interview or to provide feedback at scott@stmbpodcast.com."
And now for this month Nautical Term, “Long Shot” which we know today to mean an occurrence that would take a great deal of luck to succeed. Early ships’ guns tended to be inaccurate. If a shot made impact from a great distance, or a “long shot,” it was considered out of the ordinary. I can relate………just sayin!
Fair winds and steady seas,
Jim Garrett, Fleet
Lederhosen to Oysters
Thank you to all that came out to the Oktoberfest! There was great food, great drink, and great fun. We especially want to thank René and Marcus for coming from Germany just to host the event. They had such a good time, that they have aggressively insisted on coming back next year and make it even better than this year. If you weren’t able to come, you really missed out, so mark October 5th, 2024 in your calendars now!
You can see some photos from the Oktoberfest here: https://www.wryc.org/2023-oktoberfest (Some of the extra food was donated to the Sheriff’s Office, no one was in any trouble.)
We hope to see you at the ever popular Oyster Roast on November 11th. You might have noticed that for the Oyster Roast, there were two different prices. The member price is much lower than the guest price in order to provide a benefit of being a member of the yacht club, and to provide members priority over guests to limited capacity events. Additionally, the member/guest pricing is planned to be used for future events as well. We are a not for profit club with below-market dues, and many upcoming maintenance projects to keep our Club thriving.
Start thinking about events that you might want to host or volunteer to help with in 2024. Socials are only possible with your help!
FROM THE HELM
Well - it happened again. Good weather, great food, and then fireworks. The labor Day social was a winner. People commented that they could not remember a spaghetti dinner at the Club in the past. The presentation was attractive, choices plentiful, and tasted great. Thanks to Nick’s Spaghetti and Steakhouse for their efforts. Thanks again to the Davis/Fenstermacher/Davis team for hosting.
Jane Smith was true to her word and was able to organize the fireworks. Thank you for your efforts. Bill Fenstermacher and Jay McGlohn ran the show which was remarkable - far more extensive than expected and enjoyed by all.
Next up is Oktoberfest. Harry and Autumn have been planning this event for some time - I expect it will be a lot of fun. Great food as advertised on the menu. Plan to attend and have another fun evening.
Third out of six: Please plan to attend the Annual Meeting in January. Facility and budgetary issues need to be addressed. We will attempt to provide information before the meeting so that all are aware.
Monthly Quiz-who said - still in the sports arena: “The only place success comes before work is the dictionary.” “Defeat is worse than death, because you need to live with defeat.”
Bob Davis, Commodore