Calendar Events:

RYC Annual Budget Meeting at ACF, Sunday January 19 at 3:00 pm
RYC Meeting at ACF, Saturday February 15 at 4:00 pm
RYC Meeting at ACF, Sunday March 16 at 3:00 pm
RYC Spring banquet or "picnic", Saturday May 3:00. Details to follow

January 19 meeting at the ACF: Special guest speakers Moira and Dick Bentzel. Come and enjoy a very warm and wonderful arm-chair cruise of their adventure routing Rockland - New York - Hudson River - Lake Champlain - St Lawrence - Gulf of Maine - Rockland.

A Message from the Commodore:

Dear RYC Members,

Just think, only few days until spring (OK - that New Year's resolution about telling the truth didn't work so well either). During the 'snow months' club meetings and club functions may conflict with Mother Nature. If inclement weather such as snow, sleet, freezing rain (the fun stuff to drive on) is predicted and you plan to attend but are not sure if the event has been cancelled, please call me at 236-2617. I will also post a cancellation via email by 10am the day of the meeting but it should be noted that I went to email the club about the November meeting cancellation and the power went out just as I started typing.

I'm contacting all members who had a dinghy at the ACF last season this January to find out if they still want a space at the float. The cost this year is $200. Last year's fee was introductory (dinghy dock income is less than the annual cost to the club). A notice will be posted in the February and/or March newsletter stating if space is available on a first come first serve process.

The Holiday Party at the Samoset was festive to say the least. Forty-four members were able to attend (illness kept some members from going). The party started with a wonderful social hour followed by dinner. The club let me MC (they may not let do it again) the after dinner events. Highlights included Gerritt Vander Veer accepting the Past Commodore Flag for Toni (absent due to illness), Virginia and Geoff Torney receiving life membership for over twenty five years of dedicated service to the RYC, certificates of effort, and fun gifts presented to various members. Al Hodsdon gave members Gerritt Vander Veer and Gary Cran photographs taken last summer (note: I'll bring Al's photo journal to the January 19thmeeting). The Jerry Donovan Cruising/Seamanship Award was presented to Dick & Moira Bentzel from Mike Sodano. Mike used overhead projection photographs and read information sent to Toni from a couple that happened to cruise part of the way with the Bentzel's.

On a sad note, Argene (Genie) Hopkins passed away on December 17. I can remember Genie and her husband Alan scrubbing HEYGENE to a fine polish always smiling while getting their Sabre ready for the boating season. Alan can be reached at RR 2 Box 3230, Waterville, ME 04901. Donations may be made in her memory to the American Cancer Society, 1 Main St., Topsham, ME 04086

Sincerely,
Bruce Stedman

Additional Information on meetings:
Sunday, January 19th: Budget meeting plus ... BRING a munchie or hors d'oeuvre to share during the meeting. The club will supply coffee / soda / juice etc. (would two members help set up coffee / soda / juice during the executive meeting - call Bruce Stedman - thanks). This is also a BYOB if you want.

Saturday, February 15th:
Business meeting ...This meeting will start a bit later at 4:00 and will be followed by a POT - LUCK - SUPPER. Bruce likes lobster, scallops, Indian pudding, and apple pie. (We'll see what he gets after giving those 'gifts' at the holiday party.)

Sunday, March 16th:
Regular business meeting ... BRING a munchie or hors d'oeuvre to share during the meeting. The club will supply coffee / soda / juice etc. This is also a BYOB if you want. It is also important to have your RYC membership renewal form in by March 15 so that your address/ boating information makes it to the printed club roster.

Saturday, May 3:
(note: a meeting has not been scheduled in April) - the club is going to a try a different approach to the spring banquet. We have rented a water front facility in Rockport and will get together for homburgs / hotdogs / chicken cooked on grills followed buy entertainment. A small cost to members will be needed from members attending. A date in April was considered but it ends up by being the same time as school spring vacation. We're trying an early date in May in hopes that this will have less impact on boat preparation / sailing / other activities that happen latter in May.

KNOW someone who would like to consider joining the RYC - or have a friend interested in going to a meeting to see what happens - invite them as your guest (or even as my guest) to join us at a meeting or club function just for fun.

The executive committee is changing some of the club meeting dates to Saturday's. If you have any comments about this change please contact Bruce Stedman at 236-6217 or stedman88@aol.com.

Membership Form (Renewal)
RYC Clothing Order Form