RYC LOBSTER PICNIC & ELECTION of OFFICERS
Saturday, September 27
Rockport Boat Club

Directions - Rockport - take the driveway by the photographic workshop; go to Rockport Marine; take a right and follow to the boat club.

Social time starts at 2:30 with lobsters and steaks ready between 4 and 4:30 followed by a brief meeting including election of officers concurrent with the end of the meal.

The club provides lobsters or steaks, chips and mixers. Members bring an appetizer, covered dish or dessert to share with others and beverage of your choice. Members who bring guests are charged $7.00 for each guest.

Contact Ivan Hills by 6 pm, Tuesday, September 23 if you plan to attend. Ivan can be reached at hills@midcoast.com or 594-8129. If you leave an email (preferred method) or phone message (if email is not available) please give your name AND phone number AND indicate lobster or steak for each person attending. Also note any guests attending. Guests can be paid for at the picnic.

Help wanted! Anyone who wishes to help set up, cook or take down at the lobster picnic please tell Ivan when you call.

Commodore's Message:
I want to welcome aboard new club members who have joined during the summer:
Jack & Nancy Callaghan motoring DUCKTRAP, an Arcadia 28 from Rockland;
John & Regan Cary sailing AJA, a Tartan 30 from Rockland;
Pete Conover sailing BUNNY, an Etchells 30 from Rockland;
Mike Duffy and Jessica Skillings motoring BELTANE, a Neptune 16 from Tenants Hbr;
Paul & Liberty Fiske sailing DORALDA, a Bristol 30 from Rockland;
David Platt sailing WINGS OF THE MORN, a Samurai 28 from Rockland;
David and Rose Stebbins sailing TEASER IX, an Etchells 30 from Rockland;
Vince Todd & Cheryl St.Onge sailing THORA, a Little Harbor 36 from Rockland.

Maryjane Shiverick has for a third season done an excellent job preparing and participating with the cruise schedule. She is looking for cruise committee members for the 2004 season who will take responsibility (one each) for cruises planned. Join in and become a volunteer committee member so that members are not lost in-the-fog.

The racing group has been sailing along with Dave Jones doing an excellent job as chairperson. I again want to thank Dave Hoy for his articles submitted to the local papers. This is great public relations for the RYC. I also want to thank John LeMole for his committee boat work, and Ian Kopp and Ken Priest for the "longer races". Doug Pope has sent along an idea for another type of race for the 2004 sailing season which sparked lots of great input from members who participate in the race segment. Become a committee member and help the race group get off-to-a-fast-start.

I want to thank Val Bemis for her volunteer time helping make the Tuesday race event a success. Val spends over three hours each Tuesday purchasing food, cooking, and cleaning after. What a wonderful gesture. This is Val's second season volunteering while her husband Vince has been hard at work sailing in the races.

I also want to thank Diane Hebert for her volunteer time as membership chair during her very busy summer schedule. The club has seen eleven couples, two singles and one associate membership joining this summer. Diane sends along an impressive informative package to each new member joining the club. Thanks Diane.

I want to thank Gary Cran as treasurer and Ivan Hills as secretary. Gary has been watching the club budget, writing checks, keeping me in check, and keeping me informed. Ivan has been updating and maintaining the club data base this summer and making sure I find my mistakes. Thanks.

Past Commodore Toni Vander Veer has turned the RYC clothing order form over to me which in turn I've found a volunteer (my wife) to succeed Toni. Toni has done a great job with the clothing. This has brought in a considerable amount of money to the club. I've talked with the Embroidery Shop and found that prices may increase this year (no price changes since 2000). A new price list will be available at the lobster picnic and published in the October newsletter.

And of course, thanks goes to Taylor Vaughan for picking apart my general emails and placing the newsy stuff on the web site.

I'm sure I've forgotten members who have given their generous time to the club. You can send me an email at: dinghycommodore@lostinthefogpoormemory.

Sincerely,
Bruce Stedman

RYC Volunteers needed: The executive committee is inviting members to volunteer for various committees. Rather than having commodore Bruce call RYC members who checked the "Yes" volunteer section on the membership form he'd like you to call (236-6217 or email stedman88@aol.com) him. It will save Bruce time and he really feels bad about rejection. A list of committee members will be posted in the October newsletter for:

Race Committee: Lots of discussion has been racing about looking at possible different formats for the 2004 season for both racers and committee boat folk. Final decisions will be made by this group.

Cruise Committee: The club is looking for members who will not only make destination and time of cruise decisions but who would be willing to take charge of a cruise. Cruises have been either long weekends or week long trips. Final decisions will be made by this group. (By the way - Joel Strumph and intrepid crew made it to Great Wass in August - lots of wet fog but the crew had a wonderful time).

Activities Committee: Help plan various events such as the holiday party in December, spring picnic in April / May, lobster picnic in September, special events, and regular club meetings. Some club members have mentioned to Bruce that they would like to see informal social events happen during the summer. Volunteer and help make this work.

ACF Space Available:
The ACF has space available for laying up boats at the end of the season. Those interested should contact the ACF at 594-1800.

If you have an internet connection
remember to check the web site www.rocklandyc.org