THE NAUTICAL NEWS
June 2, 2005
COMMODOREMavra Kear644-1477VICE COMMODOREJohn Valich644-1122RECORDING SECRETARYPhyllis Ingraham324-2237TREASURERJack Hardy401-9883CORRESPONDING SECRETARYBecky Smith968-0338PAST COMMODOREDavid Smith968-0338DIRECTORMargaret Barrett965-7629DIRECTORRichard Keach666-2226DIRECTORLu Via967-2598WINTER HAVEN NAUTICAL CLUB meets the 1st Wednesday of every month. Potluck dinner at 6:30 PM. Bring a dish to pass. Regular membership meeting begins at 7:30 PM at the Club, 695 Avenue K SW.
Per discussion at the May meeting the July 2005 meeting will be July 13 at 7:30 pm.
Commodore Kear called the meeting to order at 7:35 pm with the Pledge to the Flag. 34 members were present. Mavra read the minutes from the May Board Meeting taken by Margaret Barrett in Phyllis Ingrahams absence. New members Martha and Ed Palmer were introduced by Mavra. Welcome Martha and ED!!
Margaret Barrett gave a presentation on the new Medicare and Medicaid benefits and prescription drug program. The Social Security offices are helping with the enrollments for these programs. The big change is with Part D, the prescription drug program, anyone on Medicare or Medicaid is eligible for this program so contact the Social Security office if you want to enroll or need more information.
ACTIVITIES – Susan Hutchinson, Chairperson
OPEN HOUSE - MAY 22 - 1 to 4 – Joanne reported as usually there was plenty of food and she can not imagine anyone at the club ever going hungry when we have a get together. She thanked the members who came over and hopes everyone had a good time. There were plenty of boats out to enjoy the Chain of Lakes. Richard Emry mailed flyers for us in the bills for Marine Supply and the only outsiders to attend came from this mailing, thank you RICHARD. No one saw any information in the papers about the open house.
FATHER’S DAY BREAKFAST and CRUISE – June 18 - Susan reported Bob Rudy will lead this event. Bob reported we should meet at the club at 9:30am and will depart the docks at 10. The event has been changed a little, instead of breakfast then cruising, we’ll cruise the lakes first with the intent of stopping to watch the ski show at Cypress Gardens then cruise to HarbourSide for lunch. After lunch everyone can cruise the lakes more or return to the club.
CASINO NIGHT is July 23 – There will be more information available at the July meeting but mark this event on your calendar as it is great fun and you will be amazed at what we will purchase for a million bucks!!!
CRUISES – Mike Hall, Cruise Master
Mike asked that anyone interested in leading a cruise this year to please contact him, 667-0921.
CALADESI CRUISE – May 14/15 – Bill Barrett reported we started out to Caladesi Island with 3 boats, meet up with 2 more boats at the ramp and finally had 6 boats once we made it to the Clearwater Marina for the evening. Yes I said Clearwater Marina. More on that later, Never on Time was running late, something about keys and Killin Time had a bad alternator but made the trip just fine. Now back to the trip, Killin Time and Never on Time ran aground in a new location but managed to get back on course. Our cruise leader, Bill Barrett took a wrong turn, which does not normally happen, and we cruised the Gulf of Mexico, a beautiful mistake, I must say. The water was good so it was perfect for looking at the beautiful colors of the water and the beaches. John Valich and Ben were meeting us at Caladesi and discovered it was closed for a private party so everyone on the cruise sprang into action, including the Burgess who did not cruise but knew the park was closed, and we finally found slips to stay for the night. The Clearwater Marina was kind enough to allow us to stay and there was a great restaurant nearby so we did not use the food brought along for dinner. However, we did manage to eat some of it on our return trip, by way of the Gulf of Mexico, on purpose this time; we stopped at Shell Island for swimming and just to spend more time on the water. Everyone had lunch on their boats and we cruised on home. This was a great weekend to be on the boats cruising and the bay was much better than it has been in earlier trips for the year.
MEMORIAL DAY CRUISE to Hutchinson Island – May 28 – 30 Dick Littrell reported this event was a group effort with Bill Barrett and Becky Smith as his assistant planning the event and Dick being cruise leader by default. The Barretts were unable to attend at the last minute so it was decided Dick would lead the cruise. 3 boats and 7 people went over on Friday to Titusville and 3 more boats trailed over Saturday, now we have 13 people and 6 boats. We actually left a little early as everyone was in the water and ready to go. We ate lunch at the Lobster Shanty and met up with Jim Aldal in the waters around Ft Pierce bringing us up to 7 boats cruising to Hutchinson Island. When we arrived at the Marriott Hutchinson Island resort the Hutchinsons were there to greet us and the Emrys arrived later in the day bringing us to a total of 8 boats and 19 people. Once docked everyone enjoyed the pool before dinner. Some ate dinner at the Tiki Grill but the majority grilled burgers, hotdogs and steaks on the dock with the help of a couple of Que Grills provided by the Smiths and Vias. On Sunday the Emry’s went fishing and the rest of us decided we needed more sun so we took the tram over to the beach for swimming, shelling, walking and watching. The resort provides chairs and umbrellas so we all enjoyed the morning at the beach. The Hutchinsons departed for home late Sunday moring and more sun was needed by others so it was decided it was time to go to the pool for the afternoon. It was a laid back day with rest and relaxation the order of business. The Smiths spent much of the day figuring out how to get the air cooler on Awe$um Duck. For dinner some ate on their boats, some at the Tiki grill and some borrowed the Emry’s vehicle to go to a restaurant. Monday morning we got an early start and most captains decided it would be best to gas up before departing, I say most because our Cruise Leader thought he might make it back without getting any, well, we had to make a late stop around Vero Beach to gas up Our Baby Too, the rest of us took the time to eat lunch on the boats. By 3pm all were trailered and ready to return home. This was by far the best weekend we have had for cruising this year; the waters were smooth and the weather great.
SUNSPREE CRUISE – June 11 & 12 – Bill Barrett will be our cruise leader. We will leave Love’s Truck stop at 8am trailering to Williams Park for launch. If you are not going to meet at Love’s be at the ramp by 9am. If the weather is good we may go to Egmont Key before going over to Sunspree and to Shell Island before the return home on Sunday. The phone number for the motel is: 1 800 227 8045. Please call Melissa for room reservations. Please contact Bill - 965-7629, ASAP if you are going on the cruise and need a slip.
JULY 4TH WEEKEND is the beginning of the summer week cruise. We will be launching from Halifax Marina in Daytona and cruising to Beach Marina in Jacksonville on Saturday. Sunday we will leave and head to St Simon Island, we will be staying at the Golden Isle Marina and you need to call for your slip. Ask for Rose Wilson and let her know you are with the Winter Haven Nautical Club, 912-634-1128. Slips are $1.50 per foot and $4 for electricity. There is a pool and Riverwatch Condos for those needing a room, 888-638-0328. There is a transit company on the island if you would like to sightsee in the area and an observation desk the club can use if we want. From St Simon we will travel Monday to Thunderbolt Marine in Savannah for July 4th. Departing Wednesday we will travel to Hilton Head’s HarbourTown Yacht Club. Departing Friday for the return trip with a stay Saturday in St Augustine. Some members may meet the group in St Augustine the weekend of July 11. If you are interested in going with the group for one of the weekends or taking the entire trip, please give Mike Hall or John Valich a call.
JULY 4th WEEKEND CRUISE - Mike Hall will lead a cruise on the Manatee River to Regatta Point so if you are interested in joining them, give Mike a call 667-0921. This can be a 1, 2, or 3 day cruise and you need to contact Ed Burgess if you need a slip, 727-786-6796.
A cruise to Hutchinson Island is being planned for New Year’s weekend, if you are interested please let me know, Becky – 863-968-0338. I have 10 slips reserved but no rooms at this time.
Remember if you do not have a boat, but would like to ride along on a cruise, contact the cruise leader and we will see what we can do to get you a ride.
WAYS & MEANS – Joanne Cook, Chairperson
There will be a Ways & Means meeting at the Cooks at 6:30pm on June 13. The group will be meeting to discuss how we are going to be able to continue to operate WHNC going forward with the drop in membership for 2005. Our 2005 budget was determined on 70 members; with only 55 paid members we are going to be short of operating funds at the end of the year and will probably have to pull monies from the reserved funds.
Ships Store – Bob and Debby Rudy, Chairpersons
Bob and Debby reported they have shirts in stock if you need one or two. If you want something they don’t have, please contact the Ruddys to place an order, 421-7463. I have cup holders, Liquid Caddys if you would like to purchase one or two. The cost is $10 with about $2.40 per caddy being given to the club toward operating expense. The caddy actually includes 3 different, removal attachments for just about anywhere you need a cup holder. Colors available are black or white and the white ones have Winter Haven Nautical Club and the flags on the holders. Please contact Becky Smith if you are interest in purchasing a Liquid Caddy. 968-0338.
HOUSEKEEPING & GROUNDS – Frankie Via & Dennis Butler, Chairpersons
Bill Barrett advised he will do some grading where the grounds were torn-up from heavy equipment brought in by the city to work on the ditch. David Smith said he would get some grass seed.
MEMBERSHIP – Bill Stevens, Chairperson
To date, we have 55 paid members for 2005.
RENTAL COMMITTEE – David Smith, Chairperson
The Bass Club meets the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of every month. Reservations: Pat and Bob Wells, July 30; Kidwells, January 6, 2006. Rental: June 11, July 16, September 3, September 14, November 24, December 24 and February 4, 2006 .
RECYCLING COMMITTEE – Richard Keach, Chairperson
Richard reported we need more aluminum brought in for recycling.
SUNSHINE COMMITTEE – Gloria Wynne, Chairperson
Joanne Cook reported for Gloria that Phyllis Ingraham is home and doing better but still has one more surgery date scheduled; she will let us know if there is a need for blood donors. Lucille Trimblay reported past member Shirley Hage has been diagnosed with lympnoma. Since the meeting Richard Keach was admitted to the VA hospital with pneumonia and Patty broke her foot.
OLD BUSINESS: Don’t forget to get all your pictures to Nancy Hall for the albums. David Smith has the bids in for the additional air conditioning system and electrical work and the work will start soon.
NEW BUSINESS: Mavra asked that all members remember you need approval from a board member before removing anything from the club. A member removed tables and chairs from the storage room which may have ended up being a problem if the items had been needed by the rental at the club the same weekend. John Valich is offering to hold a GPS class for WHNC members.
Mike Hall, cruise chairman, established a Cruise Committee consisting of the following members: Mike Hall, Jack Hardy, Frank Via, Ralph Kear, Ed Burgess, Bill Barrett, Dick Littrell, Richard Emry, Phyllis Walker, Joanne Cook and John Valich. This committee will meet in the next few months to draft list of cruises for the 2006 season. If you have any ideas for cruises please contact one of these committee members. The group was put together to find new locations for cruising and to be sure all size boats have the opportunity for cruising with club members. Remember, some members of big boats also have smaller boats to cruise in as well.
If any club members are interested in going on a cruise to Alaska in 2006 please contact me, Becky Smith. I am working a cruise for July or August flying into either Seattle or Vancouver, cruising to Alaska. There are several options out there and I’m working with a Cruise Planner through Marriott to see what I can put together for the club.
50/50 for $25.50 won by MAVRA KEAR.
CLASSIFIED AD $5.00. SEE BECKY SMITH.
Riding Lawn Mower – Murray 42 inch 16.5hp
Briggs & Stratton OHV – excellent condition
$600 – contact Bob Wells, 299-1319
HP Pavilion 8662C AMD Athlon 550 MH Processor – 30 gig hard drive
15” monitor and HP PhotoSmart 715 Printer
128 SDRAM memory, 8X DVD ROM and CDWriter
$300 – contact Pat Wells, 299-1319