CRUISING ASSOCIATION
|
TOP OF THE BAY
CRUISING ASSOCIATION |
North East, Maryland
DOCKLINE - October 1999
FROM THE COMMODORE:
I can't begin to tell you how much it has meant to me to serve as TOBCA's Commodore this year.
Carolyn and I have enjoyed spending time with old members, getting to know new members and just cruising around the bay with you.
In the course of duty, attending Yacht Club Balls in the winter months and Openings in the Spring, we've met some wonderful people. Some of those friendships I know will last a lifetime. We've come to know that TOBCA is well respected around the bay and always welcome.
Vice Commodore Dave did an outstanding job this year - taking over for me when necessary - planning land cruises - establishing our web site (thanks Jerry) - and keeping in touch with members.
Rear Commodore Carolyn has been my unwavering support throughout the year.
Fleet Captain Pat kept us busy and amused all season with a great variety of destinations. Most people don't know how much time goes into planning every cruise.
Fleet Lieutenant Dave spent a great deal of time helping Wendy with the supplies and created some great art work for our newsletter and for the commodore's ball.
Secretary Candy kept us abreast of what was happening through the Dockline and keeping of the minutes.
Treasurer Jane took care of our finances most efficiently.
Erni performed her usual magic for the Commodore's ball.
I could go on about everyone who contributed to the success of TOBCA this year but there are too many to mention.
Thank you ALL for making this a successful year!!
FROM THE VICE COMMODORE:
.....And so it goes...autumn has arrived and our official cruising schedule comes to an end.
I'd like to thank Fleet Captain Pat for doing an outstanding job, planning our itinerary this past season. I have every confidence that the fleet will be in very good hands when Dutch takes over.
Last month Pat and I attended a meeting of the millennium commodores from the Chesapeake Bay. We also met many past commodores and their wives. I feel a lot can be brought to the table by learning what other clubs are doing and how they accomplish things. Over the course of time TOBCA will benefit greatly from our interaction with the leaders of other yacht clubs.
Website news: We've just had our 1,000th visitor since February. We also have another, easier to remember, address. The old address is still up and working, but www.tobca.org is a more memorable logon. Jerry has given the officers easy to remember addresses:
Mark your calendar. Our next meeting is very important. Sunday, October 24 at 3:30 PM at North East VFW. It is the annual meeting and election of officers and directors. Officers should wear summer uniforms. Please take the time to come out and let your newly elected officers know that you support them.
I want to thank everyone for the loyalty you have shown us this past year. Together you have all made our club prosper.
I have enjoyed many good times performing my duties as Vice Commodore, and I am looking forward to serving as your next Commodore.
HIGH TIDINGS FROM YOUR FLEET CAPTAIN:
Our "frost bite" cruise was the first weekend in October and was to Baltimore's Inner Harbor, home of our Commodore. We planned this cruise to coincide with the Fell's Point Festival. We had a good turnout, the weather was perfect and a good time was had by all. We really could not have asked for a nicer weekend to complete our 1999 cruise schedule.
As I look back at my year as Fleet Captain my over-all thought is "Wow!" I've learned so much and boated to so many new places. Highlights were:
- TOBCA won four plaques this season.
- We attracted new members and strove to get them interested and involved.
- We started what could be a new tradition, the "grandchildren cruise,"
- We had a wonderful time.
- And the summer filled with good weather and good boating was too short!
Before I sign off for the last time as your Fleet Captain, I want to extend my thanks to -
- Our Commodore Bill and Lady Carolyn for their graciousness in hosting the many cocktail parties during the summer.
- Jerry, our Webmaster, who kept up with the many cruise schedule changes and put together our wonderful "Picture Gallery".
- Nolan and Betty Todd for their generosity in inviting the entire club to "the Lot" for Labor Day week end.
- Dave Mangano, my fleet lieutenant, for assisting me.
- Jane for her help in yacht club protocol and dress.
- Candy, who patiently awaited the Dockline reports and then fixed them.
- My Captain Dave, who gave me advise when I asked and encouragement when I needed it.
- To all TOBCA members who offered me a hand, either helping or in friendship, who together made the cruises a wonderful experience.
I wish the best of luck to Dutch Hildebrand and hope that his experience as Fleet Captain is as enjoyable as mine has been.
Land Cruise to Annapolis Boat Show
Since so many TOBCA members are going to attend the Annapolis Boat Show on October 16, 1999, we are going to make dinner reservations for 6:30 PM at Carrols Creek Rest. Anyone who is interested in joining the club for dinner, please contact Dave Harris, 856-235-5290 or email, ace1946@aol.com.
Your Fleet Captain,
The following are the remarks by Dale Moffett TOBCA PC (1993) at the Memorial Service for Ron Wiertel on September 26, 1999:
Good afternoon. Welcome and thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to be with us today. Special thanks to Fleet Chaplain Mike Handzo for putting today's program together.
A little more than 18 months ago I had the honor of introducing Ron Wiertel as the eighth Commodore of Top of the Bay Cruising Association. Today, under circumstances that are 180 degrees from the events of that crisp March evening, I am again honored to have been asked to share some of my thoughts on one of the truly outstanding individuals I have ever been privileged to meet. . . Past Commodore Ron Wiertel.
Ron's passing is not easy for us to accept, or understand. We are left asking ourselves how such a vital, giving person can be taken from us so early in life.
By any measure, Ron was a giant among men. A loving husband . . . a devoted father . . . an outstanding yachtsman . . . and an accomplished businessman who had achieved the pinnacle of his profession. Most of all, he was a friend to all whose lives he touched.
He did it all and he did it all well. In fact, we can all learn from the examples he set, regardless of the role.
But, Ron was not about setting examples. It wasn't a conscious effort but, rather, a way of life that came naturally.
Ron was about doing . . . doing for his family . . . doing for his company . . . doing for his friends. . . and doing for the Top of the Bay Cruising Association. In fact, as Vice Commodore Harris noted in the August "Dockline," Ron was the Ambassador of Top of the Bay Cruising Association.
But it didn't start out like that. I well remember the begging, cajoling and nine of Erni Heiser's Irish Coffees it took to get him to accept the nomination for Fleet Captain. However, once committed, Ron pursued his roles with Top of the Bay like he did with everything else . . . with passion, unbelievable drive and unbridled enthusiasm. Building on the energy generated by Commodores Heiser and Varnes, Ron completed the restoration of our Association's image to one of preeminence among yacht clubs on the Chesapeake Bay.
Through attendance at scores of Balls, Openings and other functions he made it his job to carry our black top hat to every nook and cranny of this great bay . . . gaining the friendship and earning the respect of all whose paths he crossed. His spirit was infectious. His concern for others genuine. In fact, several times over the last year of his life, when his spirit had to be at its lowest ebb, he repeatedly made the time to boost mine . . . and I'm sure I wasn't alone.
At a time when he should have been conserving his strength for the battle at hand, he was out there on the yacht club trail, giving his all to Top of the Bay Cruising Association. His outlook in the face of such adversity was truly remarkable . . . but, then, Ron was a truly remarkable person . . . always giving and never dwelling on his problems.
They say that behind every great man is a great lady. Lady Jane is that person . . . Ron's source of strength, inspiration and hope for more than 30 years. To Jane and the couple's children we extend our deepest, heartfelt sympathy . . . and our collective thanks. We are all richer because they so generously shared Ron with us for these many years.
Ron's passing on Monday, July 12th, brought one of life's harsh realities home to all of us who knew, loved and respected him. After all, this doesn't happen to us, or those we hold close. The fact is, it does and, like Ron, we must make the most of the time we are allotted. It is said that, in life, we are all defined by whom we have lost. If that's so, we have reason to feel good today.
While Ron will surely be missed, he left behind a legacy of excellence and accomplishment that will not be forgotten. I know I won't.
Thank you.
FROM THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE:
Following is the list of candidates for the Officers of TOBCA for 2000:
Vice Comm. Carolyn Herbert
If anyone has any other nominations please contact me.
Elections will be held on October 24, 1999
FROM THE MEMBERSHIP CHAIRMAN
At the September meeting the following new members were voted into TOBCA.
WELCOME TO TOBCA!
Please add these new members to your directory.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
The Ship's Store had a very good day at the last meeting. There's plenty of inventory and a good opportunity to Christmas shop for your mate at the annual meeting.
Club Calendar: There will be a meeting the 20th of November. There is no meeting in December.
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