Swinomish Yacht Club
Channel Marker
October 2014
Inside this issue:
Commodore’s Log
Vice Commodore’s Re-
1
2
Rear Commodore’s Re-
3
Oyster Run
4-5
Past Commodores’ BBQ
6
Halloween
7
Fall General Membership
meeting & Crab Feed
8
Christmas Parade
9
Commodore’s Log ...
Tessa Aydelotte
What a great summer of boating we have had.
Nothing beats a Northwest summer on the
water, I hope everyone was able to spend
some time cruising this summer and attend
one of our great events.
As we are easing into Fall, it is time to start
gathering around the clubhouse for events.
Next up is the past Commodore's BBQ
featuring grilled coho salmon, ribs and
Manny's pale ale to wash it all down on
October 4th. November brings us the fall
general membership meeting and crab feed.
This is the second of two membership
meetings where you can hear what your board
of directors has been up to since March. It is
always a fun time cracking crab and reconnecting with fellow members after
being off the water for a couple months.
And if you are still craving the camaraderie of fellow members during the
football season, we will be hosting informal get togethers for Seahawks games
at the clubhouse! Please bring your favorite football snack and drink, and be
willing to help us clean up after the games. If there is a clubhouse rental on
the calendar the same day as a Seahawks game, there will not be a gathering
at the clubhouse. GO Hawks!!
Jan 18-19
Winter Bonfire
Jan. 25
Commodore’s Ball
Feb 15-16
Fishing Derby
Feb 22
Sip and Sew
Mar 1
Family Fun Night
Mar 15
Spring General Membership
Mar 29-30
Bowling Extravaganza
Apr 12-13
Clubhouse Cleanup & Shakedown
May 3
Opening Day
May 17-18
Ladies Cruise
Jun 21-22
Steak Fry & Golf Tournament
Jul 12-13
Kids’ Cruise
Jul 19-20
Crash ‘n Burn
Aug 16-17
Clam Bake
Sep 27-28
Wine ‘n Dine / Oyster Run
Oct 4
Past Commodores Salmon BBQ
Oct 25
Halloween
Nov 8
Fall General Membership & Crab Feed
Dec 13
Christmas Decorating & Boat Parade
Jan 24
Commodore’s Ball
2015
And finally I would like to introduce you to our newest members of the club.
Please help me in extending a hearty SYC AAAAARGH to welcome Ryan and
Jamie Shaughnessy, Vickie and John Birney, and new members because of
how much fun was had at Clam Bake, Paul and Carol Smith. Welcome to the
SYC family and we look forward to seeing you at events at the clubhouse this
fall!
Tessa Aydelotte
Commodore
Docktails
Friday sunset in
Anacortes
The Channel Marker
Officers
Tessa Aydelotte
Commodore
Steve Hoeft
Vice Commodore
Randy Ayers
Rear Commodore/website
Jeff Toycen
Past Commodore
Cheryl Stinson
Treasurer
Bobbie Arthur
Secretary
Bob Davisson
Port Captain
Joshua Ellingson
Fleet Medical Officer
Directors
Mary Lee
Newsletter
Mike Rawls
Reciprocity
Tom Aydelotte
Facilities
Will Cox
Membership & Fundraising
Jenny Janda
Long Range Planning
Brent Malone
Dockmaster
Page 2
Vice Commodore’s Report ...
Steve Hoeft
As I sit here on our boat in Anacortes, enjoying my
second cup of coffee I’m thinking what a wonderful
job Jeff and Shauna Marrs did hosting this
awesome Wine & Dine/Oyster Run event. Upon
arriving in Anacortes, we shared appetizers on the
dock, then the next day breakfast, lunch, and
dinner. I just wanted to let Jeff, Shauna and crew
knows that their attention to detail and hard work
did not go unnoticed. As always the SYC
membership provided some really tasty pot luck
dinner choices. The wine auction was a huge
success and really fun, who knew that Jeff is such a
great auctioneer?! After dinner we welcomed some
new members into our SYC family, Ryan and Jamie
Shaughnessy, Daryl and Char Burns, Paul and Carol Smith (Paul and Carol
were not actually here at this event due to car problems but included them
by phone). We also welcomed new members Doug and Barb Dugin who
joined just Friday evening. I look forward to today and what fun we will
have watching motorcycles come into town. Vroom, Vroom. We already
have three couples who have volunteered to host this event next year, so if
you missed it please plan on attending next year. I’m sure it will be just as
fun as this year was!
Steve Hoeft
Vice Commodore
Slip Away
A trio of mopeds that I call Cerberus
The Channel Marker
Page 3
Rear Commodore’s Report ...
Randy Ayers
The weather seems to have become a bit cooler, and there are
footballs in the air.
We are all trying to utilize every last bit of diminishing daylight to
extend the boating season just a bit further. It’s traditional to have
an opening day to boating season, but I’ve never witnessed a closing
day parade.
All but one on the water club event is over. I think without a doubt,
it’s been a great year with some fantastic turnouts! The remaining
on-the-water event, of course is the Christmas Boat Parade. I’ve
been contacted by several organizations for information on the date
and time. For those of you that don’t know or have forgot, the date
is December 13, with the parade starting from the yacht club dock at 18:00.
This year’s theme is “Festival of Lights”. I think that coming up with a theme is like naming racehorses.
We borrow a bit of the name from both parents and come up with something clever.
There are of course three clubhouse events as well. Past Commodores’ BBQ, Halloween, and the General
Membership Meeting and Crab Feed.
So, let’s start thinking about next year! We have even more great events planned and many members
have already stepped up to host events. We have fantastic new members that are turning out for their
first events and also introducing their friends to the club as well, that will bring new energy and all
around good vibes! We have a great 2015 mapped out and I’m looking forward to all the events.
Randy Ayers
Rear Commodore
Mojito
Our ride captain, Rob Raplee
The Channel Marker
Page 4
Our route captain Rob Raplee took us on a wonderful jaunt to one of his hangout places through the
country but along the waterfront as much as possible: Padilla Bay, Bellingham Bay, and Birch Bay. We also
called it the Tour of Refineries and Factories because we went by Tesoro, Shell, Conoco Phillips, Alcoa
Intalco Works, Tosco, and Cherry Point Refinery in Cherry Point. It was also wonderful to see the old
houses of Fairhaven and Bellingham along the way.
Unfortunately, I could not source any Wine-and-Dine photos before publication, so these will go into the
next newsletter. Huge shout-out to Shaunna and Jeff Marrs for hosting an excellent, fun, well-advertised,
well-attended event!
The Channel Marker
Page 5
Our fun ride group suited up and then headed out for no particular road on no particular timeline. That’s
the wonderful part of motorcycling; it’s about the journey, not the destination.
Although, a nice destination doesn't hurt. Having a bite by Birch Bay in the warm September sun was very
relaxing while chatting about previous trips to the area, spelunking on the beach, or just lounging.
Sunday was a great day to sight-see, people-see, and
bike-see. There were bikes of all vintages, sizes,
chrome bits, and even Hello Kitty stickers.
The Channel Marker
Oct 4 @ Clubhouse
Salmon and ribs! What else can
you ask for to celebrate the end
of summer and share stories
about past and future summer
trips.
Saturday:
4pm Happy H ou r
5pm-ish Dinner of salm on
and baby back ribs, cole slaw,
Marla's beans, and potato salad.
$10 for person,
$5 for 12 and under.
RSVP to dow neasy@fr ontier .co m
to provide headcount.
Page 6
The Channel Marker
Page 7
Oct 25 @ Clubhouse
Doors open @ 7PM
Prizes for the best
costumes
Bring your favorite appetizer
to share
BYOB / Mixers provided
$5 person
DJ Randy Ayers rocking the club
For more information,
call Gretchen Malone
360-770-1088
The Channel Marker
Page 8
Nov 8 @ Clubhouse
Join us at the clubhouse
for the Fall General
Membership meeting and
All You Can Eat Crab
Feed.
Jerry & Shellie Highet
will host this event, and
they are looking for volunteers to help.
Friday: W e w ill cook the cr ab on the dock s
starting about 5:00 Friday night. Bring a crab cooker
and come join us in all the fun.
Saturday: The gener al m em ber ship m eeting
will start at 6:00 and the all you can eat crab feed will
start about 7:00. The cost this year will be $20 pp
and kids under 15 are free.
Please RSVP to [email protected] by 10-29-14
if you plan to attend to help us plan on how much
crab to purchase this year and if you are available to
volunteer on Friday and/or Saturday.
Any questions, you can call Jerry or Shellie at 360766-7414.
The Channel Marker
Dec 13 @ Clubhouse
Theme: Festival of lights
Dust off your Christmas decorations! Santa is on his/her
way! Here are some ideas:
Page 9
Swinomish Yacht
Club
P.O. Box 602
La Conner, WA 98257
Website:
www.swinomishyachtclub.org
Channel Marker Editor & website
administrator: Mary Lee & Randy
Ayers
Published by
Tillinghast Postal & Business Center
Phil Fusselman
Ship’s Store Manager
206-406-3200
CHECK OUT SHIP'S STORE
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Our club was formed to promote safe boating and sponsor marine events to stimulate interest and family involvement in boating.