CRUISING ASSOCIATION
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TOP OF THE BAY
CRUISING ASSOCIATION |
North East, Maryland
DOCKLINE - February 2001
FROM THE COMMODORE:
It's time for TOBCA membership renewal so I thought I would take a few minutes to explain what benefits a member receives from belonging to TOBCA.
With becoming a member of a yacht club there are certain benefits, which include reciprocal acceptance into other yacht clubs, their marinas, restaurants, bars that you receive just from being a member. TOBCA is the least expensive club to join with our membership dues at $30 per year. Cruising clubs, since we don't have to maintain a club house like "yacht clubs" are naturally less expensive. However, other cruising clubs still charge more. Maryland Cruising is $66 and Bohemia Bay Cruising is $110.
For our $30 per boat fee, a member gets about $10 off his Boat US membership. Last year we got every one who went, a free night at St Michaels Town Marina, free tickets for the Fort Delaware cruise boat and admission into the fort, and a four day stay at a private marina with no charge for dockage or electric. We also had the NAUTI Card representative at a meeting whereby he sold members the NAUTI Card for 50% off, only $15 per card rather than $30. Dave and I saved $260 on gas last year by using the NAUTI Card and another member told us they saved over $300. I don't think most of us would have bought the NAUTI card without having the speaker come to the meeting and we certainly would have had to pay full price if we bought it on our own.
Besides the financial benefits, we offer a lot of events for our members. We had the New York Boat Show bus trip. We had the vacation cruise to Williamsburg with a scavenger hunt and Jack's Poker. There was the brunch hosted by Worton Point Yacht Club. Delightful food and all free. We had the Hawaiian theme at Todd's Lot with hula dance lessons and the boat-decorating contest. We had leis and grass skirts provided by Brian Toner. We had the Don Ho-Ho skit. There were all kinds of games that weekend including "pictionery", horseshoes, badminton, charades, and cards. We got to go on a real crab boat and help the crabbers bring in our "all you can eat crabs' dinner. All summer we had hors d'oeuvres parties, community dinners, community breakfasts. Most important we had a good time together and we were also there for each other when someone needed help.
When someone says we aren't much fun or that we don't offer much, it's like a knife to the heart for me. TOBCA offers a lot. The officers and volunteer workers put a lot of effort into making sure that there are many interesting and worth while activities for our members. To get these benefits all one has to do is be a member and JOIN in with the fun. Attending the meetings to get the benefits of the speakers and to hear the suggestions the officers are offering and to add suggestions of your own (we're always looking for ideas) is a start in getting the most from your membership. Going on the cruises and then joining in on the activities offered on those cruises, then just multiplies the fun. It maybe boils down to "you get out of something what you are willing to put into something." So while you are thinking about it, Now is the time to RENEW if you haven't already done so.
I hope to see you all at the Shrimp and Oyster Feast on Feb 24 or the meeting the next day which will be held at the Comfort Inn at Kent Narrows, but if not, I definitely want to see you at TOBCA's Commodore's Ball on March 3, 2001.
FROM THE VICE COMMODORE:
We are getting a good response for the Shrimp & Oyster night at Kent Island Yacht Club. There will also be Baked Chicken, french fries, and coleslaw. The dress code is very casual. I need to know what you will bring for the hospitality room the day of the ball. So far we have Ham, rolls, devilled eggs. Please contact me if you are going to the ball so that we can possibly work out the food details. Reminder, the hospitality room open at noon the day of the ball.
Don't forget to send your recipes for the cookbook we are trying to put together to either Erni Heiser or Jen Toner.
FROM THE REAR COMMODORE:
Membership renewal forms are attached to this newsletter. Please take a minute out of your busy day and fill in the information and return them to Jane Wiertel.
If you know of anyone who would like to join TOBCA, please make sure they receive an application or let me know their name and address and I will mail them one.
FROM THE FLEET CAPTAIN:
Well, it won't be long before out 2001 boating season begins. We need your help with reservations, if you plan to attend our cruises.
Our first cruise will be to Chestertown on Memorial Day weekend. We will be staying at Rolph's Wharf.
The following is a list of activities that are being planned for the year 2001.
Details will be forthcoming
I would like your suggestion on a theme for our annual picnic (i.e. Mexican, Gilligans Island, Vikings, etc.)Fleet Captain
SUNSHINE REPORT
Carol Jean Faulkner has finished her chemo and is back to work full time. We're all happy that she is doing so well.
Jack Burnley is on the mend and all looks good.
FOR THE GOOD OF THE CLUB
February 14, 2001 was the second anniversary of our web site. A special thank you goes to Jerry Klein for constantly updating it. If you have not checked the web site lately, why not take a minute and do so.
Attached is an advertising flyer. Please solicit ads from your favorite businesses, marina, restaurant, etc. If any member wishes to purchase space you are most welcome to do so. This income from the advertising is one of the ways that most contribute to keeping our dues at $30. So please do your part and bring in those ads.
We are also enclosing 15 raffle tickets for a basket of cheer that is being raffled off the night of our Commodore's Ball.. Please make every effort to sell these tickets. This is one of the few ways for us to make any money. Please return the tickets to Vice Commodore Vera Gortowski.
We are in the process of creating a TOBCA cookbook. From going to TOBCA functions, I know that we have some excellent cooks in our group. We are in need of any recipes that you feel good, easy, fun, etc. Please either e-mail, regular mail, hand in at meeting or any other way any recipes you would like to have published to either of the following:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
TOBCA CLASSIFIEDS:
This part of the newsletter is not just for items for sale. It is also for items you are looking for. Who knows, you might be looking for something specific and one of our members might have that item or know where to get it. Please use this newsletter as a resource available to you as a TOBCA member. It is a membership newsletter. Please get all of your information to
COMMODORE'S BALL REMINDER
Your reservations must be in to the hotel by February 17 to get the special rate. Plan on bringing your swimsuit as there is an indoor pool and a hot tub. If you are not planning on spending the night but plan on coming to the ball, make sure you contact Vice Commodore Vera Gortowski
SILENT AUCTION AND FANTASY AUCTION
Items are needed for the Silent Auction, i.e. anything worthwhile you think might earn a few dollars for the club. The fantasy auction is also in need of items on which to bid, i.e. breakfast or lunch aboard your boat, tickets for shows you may not be able to use, handcrafted or homemade items, etc. Contact Jerry and Judy Cook if you need additional information or have any items for the auction.
Sad News...........PC Dale Moffett succumbed to cancer on Feb. 8, 2001
When I first joined TOBCA, Dale was Vice Commodore. That was the 91-92 season. The following year Dale took the helm as TOBCA's third Commodore.
From the very first time I met Dale, he made me feel welcome. This I will not forget! He liked to call me "Lad". I considered it a compliment (as if I was a much younger man). I finally realized it was his way of being affectionate while still maintaining his masculinity.
From the first time we met I know that Dale was a special person. He had a way with words I had never known. He liked to slip words into his reports that he know would send most of us to the dictionary to find out what he meant.
As TOBCA's third commodore, I believe Dale was responsible for much of our club's success.
I feel fortunate to have been Dale's friend. I'm proud to know his wife and daughters. He was a good father and a faithful husband.
Prior to leaving for his retirement home in Florida, he said how much he was looking forward to maybe opening a bridge some day. He got his wish!
Dale will be missed very much be me and by all those whose lives he'd touched.
My good friend and mentor, I bid thee farewell.
Yours truly, Lad
P/C Dave Harris