July News from RMHYC

Several RMHYC members emailed me concerning the teen bandit Colton Harris-Moore. He crashed a plane in the Abacos and then he broke into Kay’s shop ABOVE AND BELOW ABACO and in the restaurant CURLY TAILS. Colton, a 19 year old, had been on the run for two years, before being captured in the Bahamas He is accused of committing as many as 65 crimes. Harris-Moore made the TV news with Brian Williams, The New York Times and many other media centers though-out the US, Canada and some foreign countries. Unfortunately, it will take a while for our little piece of heaven to return too normal. Thanks to all the members who shared the details with me.

Rick and Diane Brenneman, M/V Lady Di, visited some friends in Glen Cove, New York. They enjoyed some wonderful North Fork wines during the visit. Their area now over 35 vineyards on the North Fork of Long Island.

Ted Baker, M/V Brenda J, is at his land home recovering from an illness. Brenda reports, ‘that Ted is eating junk food to gain some weight he lost and that his weight is not moving-up while hers is going-up.’ Some how I cannot see Ted eating junk food or Brenda gaining any weight. All kidding aside, the members of the RMHYC wish him a speedy recovery.

Margo Caldy and Dennis Krakow, M/V Pizzazz left Florida to travel to the NE to visit family and friends. Margo is the RMHYC Vice Commodore.

Fennders had two visits this month. Jim, our Commodore, and Kathy welcomed George and Jane from the M/V Time Out. The Fenn’s gave them a tour of the area, cocktails and delivered them back to Time Out. George and Jane are cruising the St. Lawrence River, Rideau Canal, Ottawa and Montreal before heading back to Long Island.

Jim Fenn with George and Jane from the M/V TIME OUT

Later in July the Fenn’s hosted a visit from the M/V’s Lo Kee, Wild Rose and Dragon Den’s. Rose and Charlie Dowling, and Bruce and Heather Mc Aughey came on their Harley’s. I always thought they were the quiet type but look at these photographs and they all look like they were having a great time with Jim and Kathy.

M/V's Fennders ( Kathy and Jim), Lo Kee (Milt and Kathy), Wild Rose ( Charlie and Rose), Dragon's Den (Heather and Bruce)

Wild Rose and Wild Charlie

The RMHYC group at the Commodore's home in up state New York

July 9th Bob and Judy Williams hosted a party at their home in Michigan for several RMHYC members living in Canada and the US. Those attending the ‘Shade Mor North’ meeting were Charlie and Rose Dowling, Bruce and Heather Mc Aughey, Dave and Audrey Crone, Henry and Lilly Jamrozinski, John and Mary De wetter, Bill and Pat Stoddard, and Steve and Roberta Brandt. Check out the photo section album of our web site for pictures of the event. It looked like everyone had a wonderful time eating and drinking. It almost made the Williams’s home look like a run to Nippers!

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Shearwater

Fred and I have been cruising north since the end of May when 'Shearwater's' tornado repairs were finished in Ft. Lauderdale. On the way, we've had the pleasure of seeing several RMHYC members. With a stop in Baltimore planned and several members living in or near the city, it was decided that we should have a mini-reunion potluck dinner. Judy (Lo Que Se A) made the calls and coordinated the event as they are docked at Anchorage Marina in Baltimore.

With the temperature in the high 90's, we packed into 'Shearwater's' salon with the recently installed (thank goodness) air conditioning. Ed and Shirley ('Tally Ho') drove in from Hampton, VA. Shirley hobbled aboard with her foot in a big boot for her Achilles tendon injury. Ed looked like he'd gone 15 rounds with Shirley. He had a black eye and and swollen nose with a bandage over it. It actually wasn't Shirley's doing, he had some skin cancer removed. Fran and Fu ('Sin Velas') arrived with a delicious-smelling package of freshly cooked shrimp and a bottle of stuff in a purple draw-string bag. The party had started. Andrew and Vanessa ('Tally Ho'), Gene and Judy ('Lo Que Se A'), Lynn and Bones ('Skin Walker') and, long-time RMHYC members, Lee and Diane ('Lady Di') rounded out the guests.

Four of the couples had gone through the tornado at Grand Bahama Island last March and we posed in our 'Tornado Survivor' tee shirts and rehashed 'war' stories.

To say "A good time was had by all" is an understatement. We had a GREAT time. After coffee and donuts with some of the 'gang' on Friday morning, Fred and I sadly departed at 9:00 .... destination Maine.

Gene, Judy, Sidonia, Fred, Frani, Fu, Ed and Shirley
in our 'tornado survivor' tee shirts

Back row: Gene, Fu, Frani, Sidonia, Fred, Ed and Bones.
Front row: Vanessa, Andrew, Shirley, Judy and Diane.
(Missing from photo - Lynn doing the photography and Lee.)

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May/June News from RMHYC

May and June continue to be busy months for RMHYC members. In May most of the boats that spend the winter in the Bahamas returned to their homeports for the summer or they were stored in the southern US until the fall. I have heard from many members and I would like to have emails from those of you who would like to share your activities or boating expeditions with other members. You can contact me at: ritawieczorek@optonline.net

Judy and Bob Williams from the M/V SHADE MOR have completed a yearbook for RMHYC members at Boat Harbour last winter. It can be viewed and purchased if you desire by clicking on the web site or cut and paste www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1284817 if that does not work go to www.blurb.com and on the top right corner in search type in RMHYC, click on the arrow, then click on preview, at the end of the preview click on book info.

Robert Wilson has changed his email to cruiswils@gmail.com Please note this change in your address-book.

Our Commodore Jim Fenn and Kathy his First Mate have had a busy May/ June with family visits. Brendan their youngest son visited from Aspen and Molly their daughter from San Francisco visited with her husband Steve and their three children Tate, Cory and Huck till the end of June. The Fenn’s also hosted Jan Dennis and Brian Beckwith from M/V ROVING SEAS for a boat ride, tour, and dinner at their home in upstate NY. Jan and Brian are traveling by RV visiting the places they have always wanted to see in our country!

Jim and Kathy Fenn, Jan Dennis, and Brian Beckwith at the Fenn’s home

David and Audrey Crone from the M/V JAFTICA are busy with their four granddaughters. Karen, their youngest daughter, has adjusted well to motherhood. She has been busy with mother and baby yoga classes and nursery time at the local library. Gillian and Scott have opened their new pool and Emma and Keira do not want to get out of the water. I am sure you can remember how the little ones love the pool at Boat Harbour. David and I am sure many of our members watched the adventures of 16 year old Abby Sunderland sailing around the world solo in her sail boat. He was thrilled along with everyone else that she was found after the storm hit her boat off Australia.

Bette and David Bauereis have had a hectic schedule. Bette had cataract surgery but she is recovering and playing 9 holes of golf. Bette is continuing her art lessons and she is working in watercolors and acrylics-painting scenes from the Abacos her winter home aboard the S/V TARHEEL. David has been busy rebuilding the battery boxes on the boat. Ethan, the Bauereis’s grandson, is taking sailing lessons on the Chesapeake Bay. They are hoping to get someone strong to crank the winches. After sailing lessons, the grandparents are taking Ethan to Washington DC for a little trip and to see Mary Poppins. at the Kennedy Center. Ethan will visit next winter in the Abacos. He will be ready to crank the winches.

Henry and Lilly Jamrozinski are busy growing their potatoes that they will harvest in July. Their new home in Port Franks on the southeast corner of Lake Huron is coming along. In June, the contractors were working on the third floor. The M/V OH HENRY II was put to ‘bed’ in the Abacos until the fall season.

Wilma and Wink Thornton from the M/V JOHN HENRY have been busy taking classes, visiting with family and friends. Fred Reed and Judy Law from the M/V AMARSE have visited them. They all enjoyed a dip in the Thornton’s hot tub. What were they wearing? Thank goodness the ‘dip’ was not written-up in the scandal newspapers.

Jeff and Sandy Fabbri have reached their homeport in Massachusetts. They have been busy visiting family and friends. The M/V OASIS IV is in Gloucester in its summer berth.

Sandra Evans our member who lives in the Abacos has lost her husband due to a long illness. The funeral was held at New Vision Ministries on June 11th. Sandra and her family have our sympathy during this difficult time. We look forward to seeing her this winter at RMHYC functions!

Tom and Pat Comber have been busy with activities at the Lawrence Yacht Club and fishing for stripped bass. They are taking the M/V LISA MARIE on a rendezvous with friends to Montauk Yacht Club, Nantucket and Newport.

Ed and Shirley Zellers from the M/V TALLY HO are at their homeport in Hampton, VA. The boat is getting a new bimini top-remember they were caught in the tornado in Lucaya. Ed had surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff and Shirley has been having physical therapy for a partially torn Achilles tendon. They are both on the mend and we hope they come back next winter so we can enjoy watching them dance. They know how to ‘cut the rug.’

The M/V ODESSEY was still in the Bahamas in May and June. Sue and Paul are going to leave the Abacos at the end of this month and travel to Brunswick Landing Marina for the summer. Sue reports that it is nice in the Abacos in May and June for all water activities-snorkeling and swimming in the warn water! Janet, Sue’s daughter, visited Sue and Paul in May in the Bahamas. They were able to celebrate Sue’s 29th birthday. Sue reports that she went to Stitch and Bitch and Ladies Lunch every week in May and June. It is good to know that those weekly get together continue all year around!

Linda and Tom from S/V TOMLIN II will shortly be embarking on a partial across Canada trip for a few weeks. They will be going to Regina- their grandson competes in a canoe/kayak competition in Regina, then on to visit Linda’s sister in Manitoba for a few days and then to watch their granddaughter compete at the Jr. National diving competition in Winnipeg and finally on to Ontario to visit Tom's family. Linda’s mother from New Brunswick, Canada will join them for part of the time. They are excited about this planned fun trip! They are hoping to can catch up with some of the RMHYC members from Canada as they travel. Linda and Tom are going to spend a few weeks in AZ in September and then head to the S/V TOMLIN II in October. They plan to head out from St Augustine in early Nov. to the Bahamas! Busy…busy…. busy.

Rita and Robert Wieczorek have had a hectic two months. They went to Israel for 10 days and on a Danube River Cruise for 10 days. Both trips enabled them to visit areas of the world that they had not visited before with friends. They have also been doing a lot of baby-sitting for their four grandchildren. Their children and grandchildren will be visiting M/V MAGNUM OPUS this coming winter in the Bahamas. It is always fun to be home on land for the summer using the M/V BLACK PEARL and then to return to the Abacos for their sixth winter season on their M/V MAGNUM OPUS.

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March/April News from RMHYC

In March some members started to go to their land homes in the U.S. and Canada. I think the first to leave was Audrey Crone from the m/v Jaftica. She went home to be present for the birth of her new granddaughter. David and Audrey now have a total of four granddaughters from their two daughters. This was Karen’s first child. Both families are doing well.

The Wieczorek’s went home in early March to be present for the birth of their grandson Will Conaty Trivisonno. Will weighed 8 pound and 15 ounces. Robert and Rita spent Easter Sunday at Larchmont Yacht Club with their extended families and then they went into the city for the arrival of Will at NYU Medical Center.

The social activities in March and April for the RMHYC were hectic but lots of fun and laughter. In March, RMHYC sponsored a Western Dance with members showing off their two-step dancing skills that were taught by Wilma and Wink Thornton. The party was fantastic, the decorations wonderful and the music terrific! Doug and Leslie Folkerth from the m/v Happy Clamz chaired the party. Gene and Judy Koetitz chaired the decorations for the event. I was able to preview the decorations on Lo Que Se A and I can tell you they were fantastic-a fenced corral with animals and cowpoke!

March also was the scene of the first Art and Craft Gallery show in the big tent at the Abaco Beach Resort and Boat Harbour. You should check out the photographs section of this web site. Members exhibited all of their ‘work’ during the winter season. We have many artists in our Club! March was the scene of the first NASCAR Veggie and Fruit Race. I think Jonathon Jenkins gave you a good description of the fun members had at this event. Hopefully this will become an annual event.

In April, some members stayed in the Abacos. They had a Club party with about 25 members attending it. There were also other parties at local restaurants and at the Resort. While some of our members stayed at the Resort, other members traveled to Lucaya and other surrounding areas. A rather large group of over 12 vessels traveled to Lucaya to the Grand Bahamas Yacht Club. They had a surprise tornado that hit the their boats during their stay. It was reported that the storm came out of ‘no-where’. A lot of damage was done in Lucaya / Freeport Harbours. Several RMHYC boats had wind damage to their vessels- destroyed canvas, lost recreation boats, ripped lines, bent deck and pilothouse frames. Some members went to Florida for boat repairs and others improvised repairs in Lucaya in order to get home.

I have heard from many members returning to the U.S. and Canada. Everyone seems to be back in the states or in Canada without too much trouble except those boats that were in the tornado. The Commodore is at home and he has just announced that he has a new grandchild born in San Francisco. Kathy, (the Commodore’s wife), is there helping the family with the new baby. Jim and Kathy’s daughter now has three children.

Look for the Spring/ Summer newsletter soon. It will be sent out by broadcast email shortly. Make sure your membership information and email addresses are correct on our web site. This is necessary in order to receive the newsletter and the way we will be communicating in the future.

Rita Reis Wieczorek, Rear Commodore

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RMHYC Thanks Rob McClure
For His Pickle Ball Expertise

Thank you Bob for all your efforts for showing our members how to pickle a ball, spin a whiffle, whiffle a piffle, pickle a wiffle, whack a whiffle, piffle a dog, slice the racket, racket the paddle, make a court, hit a home run, hit in the kitchen, and learn all those esoteric pickleball rules and regulations.

From all the pickle ball enthusiasts of the Royal Marsh Harbour Yacht Club including at least two ‘old farts’ and one curmedgeon. We had a blast! This was the second year that members really got interested in the game. Bob became our leader and he helped everyone learn the game. He was able to set-up some matches among the pickle ball players in the Club.

Bob, you were a terrific teacher! The pickleball players really appreciate your efforts in putting up with us. Thank you so much!

Carl &Sue Reitz, Paul & Claudia Peoples, Jonathan & Judie Jenkins, Fred and Sidonia St Germaine, Susan Harward, Peggy O’Neil, Sandy & Chris Johnson, Fran Fumanti, Ellen Sutton, Roger Richards, Denise Todd, Marc Andre, Neil & Linda, Adam and Jock Pontte, Barb Roughton, Wilma Thornton, Jan Dennis, Carol & Dennis Commettte and numerous others who stopped by to see what this pickle ball thing was all about.

Jonathan Jenkins
RMHYC, member and pickle ball player

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First Annual Internationally Sanctioned
RMHYC Vegetable/Fruit Car Race

March 9, 2010 was a day to remember. The first annual vegetable/fruit car race, held by the Royal Marsh Harbour Yacht Club at their winter quarters of Boat Harbour, was an unparalleled success. When the race was first announced by Sidonia St Germaine over the morning club net, it was greeted by some as one of the most crazy ideas ever heard. Boy, were those doubters ever wrong. Not only did it exceed expectations in the number of creative and unusual entrants, but it was definitely a crowd pleaser. The excited spectators watching the race stood four and five deep around the race course. Pre-race festivities included popcorn and a fruit punch that was enlivened with some sort of fuel mixture that all the drivers were expected to indulge in before the race. It proved equally as good before, during and after the race.

What a race course! Imagine a sloped board of plywood with an official starting line and a flag draped finish line complete with a towel crash barrier just before the cliff onto the sand. Fred St Germaine was the official starter with Leslie Folkerth holding the cars and releasing them in pairs which were randomly drawn for starting positions. Paul Graham was the alternative starter and official start liner-upper.

The cars were an eclectic mix of serious racers, whimsical concoctions of various fruits and vegetables and even a car that didn’t make it out of the starting gate, and another that didn’t even make it out of the pre-race pit. During the elimination heats, crashes were common with wheels and hubcaps, and various sundry fruits and vegetables spread out across the race course or flying across the race finish line. Luckily no injuries were incurred, both by the racers themselves, and the spectators crowding around the race course. Dick Cunneen was the official finish line judge with his camera recording photo finishes. Some blinding speeds were achieved and a few of the race cars required photo replays to ensure accurate results. In at least one case a photo finish was not required. The cute VW bug race car of Lois Lantz unfortunately had axle and transmission problems and stalled at the start. With a pit stop and work performed by her pit crew, her race car eventually was able to make it down to the finish line although it did require a nudge or two to make it. George Grafer’s car didn’t even make it to the start line due to technical problems with his chassis dragging and his carrot wheels that were a wee bit on the small side. Next time George, get a bigger carrot!

Race cars came in all sizes and shapes. One of the most, well for lack of a better word, interesting cars, was submitted by Judy Koetitz of a red pepper decorated with various vegetable and fruit flourishes including a mushroom atop a red flower pedestal . Carrot wheels on wooden paintbrush axles were judiciously placed in exactly the right location to gave a somewhat top heavy look, but unlikely as this sounds, her car actually won her first heat, and was one of the many surprise finishers although Judy was vegged out by a carrot on her second heat.

Another creative and engineer designed car was the yucca root Rat Rod Mobile created by Mike Beneville complete with a mouse pit crew, front end whiskers, a vertical tail for better speed control and a red seed driver. His use of air scoop shells over the eyes was particularly notable. His green lime wheels featured factory installed precision internal bearings and hubcaps. His streamlining left something to be desired but his overall design sure got your attention. Rat on Mike!

Two of the most strong and heaviest race cars were virtually indestructible performing through every elimination heat without coming apart. The first one made by John Conley had wheels made of oranges with bean hubcaps, featured olive headlights, a fancy orange skin radiator and accessories on an egg plant body giving the car a particularly pleasing look that was almost authentic, and reminiscent of a 50‘s hot-rod.. If there was a category for people’s choice concours de elegance design award, John’s car would have won hands down. Of course some other car owners might have contested that. John’s car was ultimately squashed by a carrot car of less stay-together ability but faster speed out of the start gate.

The other “heavy” car was the car of Jonathan Jenkins with apple wheels and a large carrot body featuring sculpted windshield made from a slice of onion skin, and an aft slice of carrot vertical fin for high speed control and finally a driver made from a grape. Unfortunately the grape met an untimely end after the race when it (he) was eaten by Ann Cunneen who had generously supplied the grape in the first place. Being eaten alive is what happens to the loser every time.

Kathy Conley entered her streamlined potato car complete with corn cob wheels with dried bean hubcaps, carrot eyes and nose and green bean hat, fin and tail feathers. It was another vegetable extravaganza that likely ended up in the vegetable soup after the race.

A number of carrot style cars were entered. Notably were the dual cars of Leslie and Doug Folkerth that featured tricycle layouts with only one front wheel. Despite a lengthy design process both cars ended up in the carrot cake at the end of the race. Doug’s car was called Car Rot, while Leslie’s car was a WD-40 dragster complete with articulating roll bar in case of a crash.

Mike Drew’s butternut squash car with dynamic serrated punk rocker fins and green lime windshield to enhance high speed runs, had a somewhat disappointing speed run. Kathy Finn’s high speed cucumber racer complete with lime green racing wheels, a club racing flag and a bull (?) hood ornament also lacked a high enough top end speed -- or perhaps that was a lack of acceleration out of the starting gate (no bull) so she ended up way too slow for the overall win. Andrew Benjamin with his exotic carrot and far out race driver with a ginger root driver pointed head and twizzle hair streaming behind him was also unfortunate in his pursuit of blazing speed. Andrew’s car came in second although there was some who wanted to make an official protest due to a lack of proper air in the winner’s tires. Team Seven’s unadorned singularly simplistic magnificent 7 plain carrot sponsored by Dock Seven (you gotta have a visa to visit Dock Seven) and entered by none other than Ellen Sutton didn’t have a chance due to the long time it took her to drive the car from the outer reaches of dock seven. But it was obvious that this car had a lot of sophisticated internal design innovations, and it would have done better if it had just a few more days of prototype development.

The overall winner of the race, after many run-off heats was Jim Howenstein with his exotic simple carrot racer. He had trouble on each elimination heat with wheels and hubcaps and other things coming off as he wreaked across the finish line each time beating his competitors by a whisker. Luckily he came prepared with new frozen balanced wheels which he had to replace each elimination round. Some of his competitors wanted to have a protest (every good race has to have a protest!), for having new air in his tires for each run. His pre-race preparations included varnishing and sanding his dowel axles, freezing his wheels - and he had numerous ones that he could replace the ones that failed, and a pit crew that virtually rebuilt his running gear for each heat. As he said, he came to win, and win he did. And he set a benchmark on being prepared that is a very high standard for future racers.

Finally we have to tell you about the veggie / fruit award plaque sculpture given to the overall winner, Jim Howenstein. It was complete with a solid wood back and a very professional looking official engraved WINNER 2010 RMHYC VEGGIE CAR RACE. It also proudly presented a multi-faceted eclectic concoction of authentic artificial pseudo reproduction fruits and vegetables including a beautiful car shaped banana with multi colored wheel gourds atop a pumpkin looking squash surrounded by mystery gourds and two incorrigible carrots. Such an award would be treasured forever and is on the same par as the Stanley Cup and The America’s Cup. It’s a show stopper for sure.

A great time was had by all. Thanks to Sidonia and Fred St Germaine for the idea, and putting together the race course, donating the award plaque, and officiating the race. It was a hoot! It could only have been better if Sidonia had been there. She was in bed recovering from a bad flue bug. Hope you are better Sidonia.

I’ll just bet that there were lots of vegetable soup, carrot cakes and other items veggie and fruity that night. Thanks to everyone who participated, car owners, drivers, officials, and spectators. Please see the photograph section of our website for the pictures of this event!

Submitted by Jonathan Jenkins
Double JJ, Great Harbour 37, RMHYC member

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First Annual RMHYC Arts and Crafts Exhibition

On March 14, 2010, some of the ladies of RMHYC put together a spur-of-the-moment arts and crafts exhibition for all members to display a variety of different types of creative art and crafts. As a group, we have some very talented people within the RMHYC membership.

This is a list of all those who were gracious enough to share their talented work.
In no order except the layout of the tent where the exhibition was held:

• Susan McDaniel (TK III) - happy watercolors in ink, traditional watercolor paintings
• Kathy Sales (LoKee) - jewelry, watercolor paintings, acrylic paintings
• Sidonia St Germaine (Shearwater) - baskets, crochet squares, photos
• Judy Law (Amarse) - jewelry, baskets
• Judy Koetitz (Lo Que Se A) - baskets, shell candle
• Shirley Zellers (Tally Ho) - baskets, jewelry
• Roberta Brandt (Indemnity) - baskets
• Ann Cunneen (Raggedy Ann) - jewelry, painting
• Wink /Wilma Thornton (John Henry) - jewelry, photos, paintings
• Sue Graham (Odyssey) - jewelry, decorated sand dollars, cross stitch, table clothes
• Dennis Ojard (Njord) - conch shell lights
• Judie Jenkins (Double JJ) - fly fishing hand tied flies
• Ray Vallerie (Last Dance) - scale boat models
• Susan Vallerie (Last Dance) - basket
• Carolyn Wilson (Sea Island Girl) - Every Child Counts school art projects, jewelry box, shell hanging
• Lois Lantz (Puffin) - sea shell covered candle
• Kathy Fenn (Fennders) - silk painting

The arts and crafts exhibit was coordinated with the display of RMHYC shirts, hats and other regalia for members. We were all in awe of the many extraordinary talented members of our yacht club. This will most certainly inspire future artists and is a wonderful beginning to what will undoubtedly become an annual exhibition for the sharing and pleasure of both those with the talent as well as those who can only stand in awe and appreciate the variety of talent in our club. Please see Jonathan’s photos in the photograph section of our web site.

Jonathan Jenkins

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Mango’s Lobster and Steak Night
February 26, 2010

Judy and Bob Williams, the Port Captains for Marsh Harbour in the Abacos arranged a special dinner for Yacht Club members from 6:30-9:30pm on a Friday evening. About 50 members enjoyed the evening which included dancing and most importantly drinks with their meals. Everyone had a wonderful time visiting with friends and making some new ones. Pictured below is the past Commodore Dave Blutto and his wife Barbara with Mango’s owner.



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Every Child Counts
Marsh Harbour, Abaco, Bahamas

Royal Marsh Harbour Yacht Club members support ECC in many ways from teaching, fund raising and physical labor for many of the school’s projects. The following volunteers have supported the curriculum this winter season: Susan Harwood-Susan’s Cove, Robert and Carolyn Wilson-Seas Island Girl, Sandi Fabbri-Oasis IV, Sandi Johnson-Critcher Cat, Lois Lantz-Puffin, John and Pam Mitchell-Fanny Bay, Ellen Sutton-Double SS, Terry Flail-Teralee, and Deb Ballard-Hammock Heaven.

ECC is a school for academically challenged children with disabilities ranging from Down’s syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, hearing impaired, dyslexia, and several other medical diagnoses. The school has 107 students and a growing waiting list. The school provides alternative education for the children to help them become as productive, successful and independent as possible with-in their disability.

Every Child Counts depends on donations, volunteers to supplement the professional staff and small tuition from some of the children’s families.

RMHYC members have provided their services for several years. Every season the Yacht Club tries to do more to help this educational program. Over the years volunteers have helped teaching art, Bahamian Culture and Sociology, sex education, reading, office work, supplementing teaching and office supplies, and assisting with improving classroom space and the library.

Susan Harward volunteer, RMHYC
Rita Reis Wieczorek, Rear Commodore, RMHYC

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Yoga in the Tiki Hut on Dock Seven

Ron Mc Daniel, a member of RMHYC from the M/V TK III has yoga classes from 11am till 12 noon 5days a week if the weather permits. He has quite a following of students as RMHYC Members try to stay flexible and maintain their balance as they get older. Yoga strengthens the body core and helps one achieve a feeling of inner peace. RMHYC Members obviously want to continue boating as long as possible year after year and yoga helps them maintain that goal. Ron practices yoga both in the Abacos and when he is home in North Carolina.

Ron is a wonderful leader and helps many members achieve their personal goals. Yoga students have different levels of skill, and Ron helps them develop as fast or as slow as the individual wishes while focusing on promoting the health of the body.

This is the second year that I have been attending with Robert, my husband. We both feel better and think we are more flexible. Our sense of balance is improving with additional classes and it makes our boating experience more enjoyable. It is very generous that Ron offers these classes to Members. It makes our stay in the Abaco more beautiful. We practice yoga over looking the Sea of Abaco. Thanks Ron for all your help and assistance in faithfully offering to be our instructor!









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Meat-Loaf Dinner at Jamie's

Doug and Leslie Folkerth M/V HAPPY CLAMZ arranged a dinner event at Jamie’s restaurant for 50 Club members who are meat-loaf aficionados. They worked with Chris and Evelyn from the restaurant to plan the event. It was a great evening-the meatloaf and mashed potatoes were delicious and members had a choice of two sides. Ice Cream was served for dessert. This was a great way for members to enjoy an informal get together!







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Lobsters in the Sea of Abaco

Charlie and Rose Dowling and Milt and Kathy Sales went hunting for lobsters on the Dowling’s M/V Rose Bud. They had a very successful outing. Pictured are the fruits of their labor! It was a wonderful sunny day and it really helped that it was a successful outing-there will be plenty of great evening meals on their boats!





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The Commodore’s Ball
February 19, 2010

The RMHYC Ball was a huge success. Co-Chairpersons: Ann and Dick Cunneen M/V RAGGEDY ANN, and Helen and Clark Jacobs land members from the SPIRIT OF FREEDOM, did a fantastic job with the theme this year, a MEXICAN FESTIVAL. Members gathered at the Marquee Tent at the Abaco Beach Resort and Boat Harbour at 6pm for cocktails, dinner and dancing. Some RMHYC Members got into the spirit with costumes that were either purchased or hand made by creative individuals!

The evening was called to order by past Commodore Dave Blutto and grace was offered by past Commodore Robert Wilson. Commodore Jim Fenn then thanked the co-chairpersons and the various committees who helped with the center pieces, decorations, lighting and table arrangements. Table CENTER PIECES were made by a craft group lead by Tonia Van Mill. They were auctioned off for the benefit of EVERY CHILD COUNTS (ECC) at the end of the evening. Many members were involved in making this a special evening for all attendees.

Dinner was served promptly by the staff around 7pm, it was very good. There were 198 people at the event. The Mexican meal was followed by a wonderful pumpkin cheese cake. All members received a free drink of their choosing and there were two bottles of wine on each table. Extra drinks were available for purchase. No one went hungry or thirsty at the party.

Rocking Ray Vallerie M/V LAST DANCE provided the music. He is our resident DJ. I also understand that Susan, Ray’s wife, helps him work on the music during their summer in Connecticut. RMHYC members can really dance away the evening. The dance floor was always full with merry people having fun. Thank you for another memorable evening of fun and laughter!



















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Cracker P’s
and Man-O-WAR Dingy Outing

Saturday February 20th was a wonderful sunny day for dingy rides. Eight boats took off for Man-O-War Cay for lunch at Dock and Dine and exploring the ocean beaches there. M/V Shearwater had the largest dingy in the group so 6 Club members were able to share the ride over to the neighboring Cay. Dock and Dine was thrilled to have the visitors from RMHYC join them for lunch. There was an opportunity to visit shops and explore the Cay. The dingys returned in time for evening cocktails.





When others were exploring MAN-O-WAR, four other dingys went to Cracker P’s on Lubbers Quarters for lunch, drinks and exploring the area. There are marked trails behind the restaurant that lead to the Sea of Abaco at the north end of the Cay. It was something that members had not explored before. The water views are terrific and the food is delicious. You can tell the merry group had a good time!





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Man-O-War Craft and Trade Fair
February 13th, 2010

Frank Gavin M/V Sea Smoke made arrangements for the ferry to pick up 56 members at the Abaco Beach Resort and Boat Harbour to take members from Marsh Harbour to this popular fair. The annual Craft and Trade Fair benefits the Man-0-War School by offering food and drinks of various types, a gourmet pantry with home made goods, flea market booths and many special sales in the stores on the Cay.

Several RMHYC members had jewelry booths-Wink and Wilma Thornton M/V John Henry, Judy Law M/V Amarse, and Sue Graham M/V Odyssey. All of the sales at the fair require a percentage of the total sale to be donated to the School.

Members enjoyed the day at the fair eating drinking and shopping. The ferry ride was appreciated because it was a very windy day. Thanks to Frank for making this day convenient for your fellow Club members!

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Sea Spray Resort and Marina Outing
February 2nd and 3rd

Judy and Bob Williams M/V Shade Mor planned a wonderful outing at Sea Spray in White Sound, Elbow Cay in early February. About 30 boats attended the rendeous. Three buffet gourmet meals were planned: one dinner at Hopetown Harbour Lodge Wednesday evening, another dinner at the Boat House on Thursday evening and a brunch on Friday at the Abaco Inn. Approximately 40-50 members attended each event.

During the two and a half days at Sea Spray members explored the beaches, toured Hopetown by golf cart, shopped at the grocery stores and other stores, and had lunch at various restaurants and bars.

There were also many informal get togethers on boats for meals and drinks at cocktail time. Some members got in a little pool time and there was water aerobics. It was chilly so only the hardy put on bathing-suits and went into the water.

Thursday, February 3rd in the evening Rocking DJ, Ray Vallerie, provided music by Garbonao Reef Bar on the deck at Sea Spray. Many members continued the Thursday night dinner party at the Boat House by dancing the night away. Thanks Judy and Bob for organizing a great time to visit another Cay in the Abacos providing members an opportunity to visit with old and new friends.

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Community Garden
A gourmet’s delight

New this season is the community garden which was the brainchild of Judy Williams M/V Shade Mor and Roberta Brandt M/V INDEMNITY in Boat Harbour. They have started an herb garden with some vegetables and flowers. It is a gorgeous spot by the picnic tables between docks 5 and 6. Judy and Roberta have had a couple of assistants-Sue and Ray Vallerie M/V Last Dance, Kathy Sales M/V Lo Kee, and Steve Brandt M/V Indemnity. They all worked together to clear the stones and coral from the area, prepare the soil, stake the tomatoes and plant the herbs. They also blocked off the areas between the plants so it is possible to walk through the garden without trampling the various herbs and vegetables. Signage was made on wooden stakes and placed through out the garden which helps to delineate the different types of herbs, vegetables and flowers. The best thing is that we have fresh herbs for the community. Thank-you Judy and Roberta for a great garden!



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Baker’s Bay Rendezvous

January 27, 2010

Twenty five boats from the RMHYC went to Baker’s Bay for an overnight and barbeque. Judy and Bob Williams from the m/v Shade Mor organized this event for the Club. It was a lovely day on Guana Cay-lots of sunshine and time to walk on the ocean beach to hunt for sea beans and shells. Members enjoyed the opportunity to walk around the Baker’s Bay Resort, take an organized tour, have drinks at the bar on the Harbour and relax around the infinity pool and hot tub.





The two o’clock lunch was a feast with huge hamburgers, hot dogs and all the trimming with sides. Brownies were served for dessert and the red and white wine was excellent. Everyone gathered at the island in the Harbour for the party. It was a wonderful time to renew old friendships and have the opportunity to visits with new members.





In the evening, the RMHYC had an informal cocktail party with appetizers. Everyone brought a drink and an appetizer to the gathering. It is the only time I remember that there was left-over food because everyone was so full from the afternoon barbeque. When it got dark, members headed back to their boats or to the Baker’s Bay Bar for a night of singing songs with Oh Henry’s karaoke machine. The next morning the weather was terrific so many boats headed off to other locations for another day and evening in the Abacos.



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'Dinghy Dock' in Marsh Harbour

Several men from the RMHYC Bridge and membership gathered at the ‘Dinghy Dock’ in Marsh Harbour to repair this public dock for boaters in Marsh Harbour. This involved a lot of work for most of a day and many strong backs. The dock had been desecrated over the past year, so a lot of material had to be replaced including chain and float material. It was necessary to turn the dock over to work on the underside. The van had to do a lot of the pulling because of the tremendous weight of the float. This is a community project for the Club to enhance the water ways in Marsh Harbour.
Photographs by Kathy Fenn

Rita Reis Wieczorek, Rear Commodore









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Fishing Trip on John Henry

Wink and Wilma Thornton on the m/v John Henry took 21 RMHYC members out cruising on Wednesday, January 20th.. There were several members fishing and lots of people enjoying the sunshine in the Sea of Abaco and the ocean. The fishermen caught lots of fish, mostly Ocean & Queen Trigger Fish, Yellow Tail Snapper and several groupers. Vanessa Benjamin on the sailboat Tally Ho caught the heaviest fish, a queen trigger weighing in at 4 lbs.

There were enough fish to have a fish fry for the cruising group on Thursday evening. The cooks and their helpers were Wilma Thornton (John Henry) with helper Ellen Sutton (Double SS); Mary Comer (Teamwork) and Judie Jenkins (Double JJ) fried fish while Shirley Zellers (trawler Tally Ho) and Judy Koetiz (LoQueSeA) grilled fish and Sue Graham (Odyssey) fried both white and sweet potatoes. A good time was had by all.

Wilma Thornton, Secretary and Rita Wieczorek Rear Commodore









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RMHYC CHILI COOK OFF
January 12, 2010

Members and guests came from the land and the sea to the Marquee Tent at the Abaco Beach Resort and Boat Harbour for a festive evening of dining on gourmet chili made by the men of our Club. We had 31 pots of chili made by chefs with decorative aprons standing by their pots of Hot, Medium, Mild and Unusual. The names given to the chili were apropos of the chili-some were made with local fish, some were made with beef or sausage and some were made of vegetables. Every chili variety was represented and some were a surprise with a little bit of rum or whiskey-we are in the Bahamas mon!

The chairpersons for this event were Charlie and Rose Dowling from the m/v Wild Rose. Their committee consisted of Terry Fail from the m/v Taralee and Roberta Brandt from the m/v Indemnity. The committee was also assisted by the following helpers: Sue Graham, Linda Thompson, Kathy Sales and their respective crews. The group worked together to sponsor a great evening in the Marquee Tent.



Peter Sweeting Judging the Chilis

The evening began at 5 pm sharp with a welcome from Commodore Jim Fenn. Before the festivities began the judges tasted and picked the winner of the CHILI CONTEST. The judges were Peter Sweeting, Andrew Sweeting, Chris Higgs from the Resort and Milt Sales from the Club. Judging started about an hour before the tent doors were opened and I heard there was much discussion and laughter as a few chefs were willing to bribe the judges. However, they were a honest and diligent group. Charlie Dowling presented each judge with a certificate for all their hard work. They had to take their own anti-acids when the evening was over.

Part of the fun at this event is visiting with friends and neighbors. An open bar always helps the party spirit. Our faithful bartenders were Paul Graham and Steven Brandt. Needless to say they were a busy crew with this thirsty group!



Club members enjoying the Chili

The Resort provided the sides for the chili and all the desserts. Evert and the staff did a great job of the preparation of the tent and the condiments for the party. The table linens, dinner ware and set-ups for the chef’s gourmet chili added to the festive atmosphere of the event.

The highlight of the evening was the announcement of this year’s winner of the Chili Cook Off. The four winners were: HOT Dave Bluto m/v Chablis, MEDIUM Ray Vallerie m/v Last Dance, MILD Fred Reed m/v Amarse and UNUSUAL David Baureis s/v Tar Heel. The grand prize winner for the ‘Best of the Best’ was Ray Vallerie! All winners received a certificate that can be framed or placed in their scrap books/photo albums.



Charlie Dowling, Chairman announcing the winners



Chili Cookoff winners, Fred Reed, Dave Bluto, Ray Vallerie (Best of the Best) and Dave Baureis

Photos credit to Fred Reed.

Thanks to the Dowling’s, their committee and assistants for a wonderful evening. Thanks is also extended to all those who worked behind the scenes and the Resort staff. Every year the party gets better, the chefs increase in members, the chili is gone at the end of the evening but the bar stays open until the end-now that is a good party!

Rita Reis Wieczorek, Rear Commodore

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RMHYC NEWS
Mid December-Early January 2010

The Christmas season in the Abacos began with the Club party at Anglers Restaurant. The next week, some RMHYC members started to travel to the United States and Canada, while other members arrived in the Bahamas for the winter season on their yachts. Members who went to their land homes traveled primarily to New York, Florida, California, Colorado, and several places in Canada. Can you imagine the cold and snow shock those members’ experienced visiting family and friends? By the end of the first week in January many of these traveling RMHYC members had rejoined their friends in the Bahamas. Of course returning members had the Bahamian cold snap of temperatures in the 60’s and winds from the North and NE.

Club members who stayed in the Abacos for the holiday season had several informal get together during the holiday season with visiting family and friends. There were several potluck dinners, small and large cocktail parties, and many evenings spent at local restaurants. The Resort at Boat Harbour made a picnic area between Docks 5 and 6-this was used several times as a special gathering place next to the garden. There was an ‘Open House’ on the m/v John Henry where a number of members gathered in the afternoon and early evening on Christmas Eve. Many members made special home-made treats and delivered them to friends in their marinas. My favorite was the spicy pecan nuts! There were other smaller or private parties on boats and homes in the Abacos during the holiday season.

Our secretary Wilma Thornton from the m/v John Henry sent out by email the ‘final’ member list for the Abacos. For those of you who are not in the Bahamas, there are currently 83 boats in Boat Harbour, 19 boats at other near-by locations in Marsh Harbour and other cays and 31 land members. There is still a couple of s/v and m/v yet to arrive for the winter. This is a ‘landmark’ for the RMHYC and it has made for a lot of fun at our ‘Adult Winter Camp.’

On January 5th Robert and Rita returned to m/v Magnum Opus for the rest of the winter season around lunch time. After a quick lunch at Anglers, Rita went to the first meeting of the Book Club organized by Joan Lovell assisted by Kathy Sales and Kathy Fenn. There were about 20 members who discussed ‘The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society’ by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. At the next meeting, the Club is going to discuss ‘The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.’ This is a novel by the Swedish author Stieg Larsson. Hopefully, other interested members will start book clubs; however, some just want to have the time in the Bahamas to read privately as they belong to other groups at their land homes or their local libraries.

On January 6th about 175 music lovers of the Atlanta Group, Banks and Shane, attended their concert in the Marquee Tent at the Abaco Beach Resort at Boat Harbour, ‘The Entertainment Capital of the Abacos.’ This concert was sponsored by the Resort with the assistance of Robert Wilson. Our former Commodore, helped arrange for the concert. Many Club individuals attended the event along with about 30 ‘band groupies’ from Atlanta, Georgia. Songs were primarily from the 60’s and the 70’s. A portion of the proceeds from the event was donated to the Royal Potcake Rescue, the Abaco Humane Society, and the Friends of Abaco Animals. It was a terrific concert!

On January 7th some members and friends attended Doug and Rhonda Fay’s house party at their home, ‘Slipaway.’ The Fay’s are Club members who enjoy sharing their home on Eastern Shores with friends. Over 125 guests enjoyed this wonderful party with lots of good food, two bars, music and Cuban cigars. This is the 2nd year that Doug and Rhonda have held their private party for friends.

Next on the RMHYC calendar is the Chili Cook Off scheduled for January 12th in the Marquee Tent. The men in the Club have been planning for several weeks their Chili specialties from tried and true recipes and some recipes with secret ingredients. The next news update will overview the party. Charlie and Rose Dowling are the chairpersons for the event. The Resort will provide the sides and the dessert for the evening. If you are in the Abacos do not miss this party!

Rita Reis Wieczorek, Rear Commodore, Communications

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Fishing in the Ocean
off Elbow Cay in early December, 2009



Left to Right: Judy Williams, Jim Fenn, Robert Wieczorek, and Steve Brandt
with a 51 pound Wahoo

Water Aerobics in the pool
at the Abaco Beach Resort and Boat Harbour





Bette Bauereis, a RMHYC volunteer, leads an aerobics class 4 days a week;
Tuesday through Friday weather permitting. It is a very popular class.
Several women and men make sure they attend 3 to 4 days a week.

RMHYC CHRISTMAS PARTY
December 8, 2009

The Christmas Party was a huge success. Members came by land and by sea. All the Cays in the Abaco’s were represented as well as the different marinas. The party took place at Angler’s Restaurant. Judy Williams, Kathy Sales and Kathy Fenn did a wonderful job with the decorations, menu, music and the program. The evening began with a cocktail hour on the outside deck over-looking the beautiful Harbour and the yachts followed by a sit-down gourmet dinner party prepared by our Executive Chef Chris and his Assistants. Everyone enjoyed stuffed chicken breasts, green beans, roasted potatoes, salad, rolls and lemon meringue pie for dessert.



Anglers Restaurant, Abaco Beach Resort and Boat Harbour



Cocktails on the Deck



Dinner

When you entered the party, there were two tables set-up-one for dinner and drink tickets and the other for payment of annual dues and for new members. Audrey and David Crone and Steve Brandt managed the dinner and drink tickets and Rose and Charlie Dowling, Lilly Jamrozinski, Linda and Tom Thompson managed the dues and new member tables. They were busy groups.



Sign-in Table for Dinner and Drinks



Membership and Dues Table

Jim Fenn, our Commodore, was the Master of Ceremonies. He sang a wonderful Christmas song. Robert Wilson, our former Commodore, joined the festivities with additional Christmas Carols. Sue Graham and Steve Brandt, our Social Chairpersons, overviewed the up-coming January events planned for the Club. Robert Kramm and Steven Kohlberg, from the Resort, provided lively dance music and Christmas Carols.

Members danced the night away with several fast and slow romantic songs!

Many individuals had an opportunity to visit with new and renew old friendships with members of the Club. All new members were asked to stand and be recognized. They were welcomed warmly with applause. Everyone was in party mood. It was a great way to start the holiday season.
All photographs courtesy of Fred Reed m/v Amarse

Rita Reis Wieczorek, Rear Commodore

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RMHYC NOVEMBER/DECEMBER NEWS
ABACO BAHAMAS

The fall is here and the holiday season is in full swing at the Abaco Beach Resort and Boat Harbour. Yachts started arriving in October and many made the Bahamas by Thanksgiving.

November 15th the official welcoming party was held in Susan Cove’s condominium at Regattas. Susan Harward and Helen Jacobs chaired the event assisted by Sue Graham one of the Social Chairpersons of the RMHYC. Over 45 members attended the party. Everyone brought an appetizer and Paul Graham and Bob Williams were responsible for the bar. Everyone enjoyed the party and the chance to reconnect with friends. Bette and David Bauereis provided the music for the evening. Docks 4 and 5 are almost filled up and Docks 6 and 7 are coming along. Members are cleaning/maintaining their boats, shopping, having evening cocktails at 5 or 5:30 pm and settling in for the season. The Yacht Club is having their VHF meeting on channel 78 at 8 am on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays.

Patty Tollner has her “Cruisers Net” as usual on channel 68 seven days a week at 8:15 am. Bette Bauereis from the s/v Tar Heel has taken a leadership role in the “Cruiser Net” giving Patty a little breather during the holiday season. Bette also volunteers her expertise leading water aerobics for Yacht Club members at Abaco Beach Resort and Boat Harbour. The men’s and women’s walking groups are formed and are in full swing. The groups meet at the end of Dock 4 every morning at 8:30am for a 3-4 mile walk. Some members follow it with Bette’s water aerobics class at 9:30 -10:30am. Boat Harbour provides the Tiki Hut for yoga exercises lead by Ron Mc Daniel from TK III on Dock 7 from 11 am - noon five days a week. Members who prefer to exercise in a more private manner can use the exercise room or just veg out with a book when they want to relax. However, for those who want to do group exercises there are many opportunities available at the Yacht Club.



RMHYC is busy with the planning for the Yacht Club’s Christmas Party. It is going to be held at Anglers Restaurant on December 8th . The event is chaired by Judy Williams m/v Shade Mor, Kathy Fenn m/v Fennders, and Kathy Sales m/v Lo Kee. They have been working with the Resort Executive Chef to make this a special party. Christmas carols will be piped in for everyone’s enjoyment. The Committee and Susan Vallerie m/v Last Dance have been busy making table decorations. The Resort is very festive for the holiday season. The Christmas Party is a sold out event. Several days a week there are special dinners and entertainment at the Abaco Beach Resort at Boat Harbour, “The Entertainment Capital of the Bahamas”. Adult “winter camp” has started and is full swing”!

Rita Reis Wieczorek, Rear Commodore



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