Grosse Ile Yacht Club Newsletter
DECEMBER 2014
View From the Helm
It’s hard to believe that this is my last article for the Spray for our 3 years progressing through the
Flags. Lynne and I have had a fantastic time representing GIYC around DRYA and AYC, and I’m pretty sure there are a lot of Clubs who will be remembering that they are always welcome to visit our Club.
We definitely have a lot of great memories (and pictures, some not to be widely shared), and friends
who will be with us for years to come. Our Class of 2014 is going to be “winding down” for a week in
Punta Cana (Dominican Republic) next March – at last count there were more than 80 people going.
Thank you to all of our Flag Officers, Committee Chairs and members, Delegates, and Board of Directors for your support and friendship over this year as Commodore and Lady. And thank you to all of the
GIYC members who make this Club like a family – we enjoy coming down to spend time with all of you.
November was another busy month for Lynne and I, with the Windsor Yacht Club Ball (Nov 1), Ford
Yacht Club Sailing Awards (Nov 8), “Murder Mystery” Fundraiser for the 2015 AYC Commodore at
Detroit Beach Boat Club (Nov 14), Nugent’s Canal Yacht Club Ball (Nov 15), Sun Parlour Boat Club
Commodore’s Party (Nov 22), and West River Yacht & Cruising Club Reception (Nov 29). It’s going to
be a breeze in December with only the Grosse Point Yacht Club Ball (Dec 6), and we’re done until next
February with a couple of Balls for 2014 Commodores.
Speaking of 2015, the AYC Commodore’s Ball weekend is February 20th-22nd at the Holiday Inn
French Quarter (Perrysburg, OH), with the theme of Put-in-Bay. We will be co-hosting one of the hospitality rooms with SunSeeker’s Boating Club and Point Place Boat Club, and will be serving wine currently being made in the Peek-a-Boo Crew Wine Club. See the flyers later in the Spray to order your
weekend tickets and make your room reservations. I was told at the AYC meeting on November 24th
that the rooms at the Holiday Inn are almost completely booked, so don’t wait to make your reservations. It’s going to be a fun weekend!
GIYC Commodore
Dick Savage
In this Issue

From the Bridge
Thanks to all who came to the Club on Sunday, November 23rd for the Christmas Decorating. If you
were at the Club for Thanksgiving you saw all of the creative decorations that were created for the holidays. I’ve been saying “it’s not your grandmother’s Christmas” as we’ve carried some of our Ball
theme colors through the holidays.

Committee Reports

Upcoming Events
We have a lot of events left in December for you to participate in before we close out the year (and the
Club)…

GIYC Contacts
December 5th – Holiday Bazaar (also Island Glow on Macomb Street)
December 7th – Santa Brunch (Santa has a great way with the kids!)
December 12th – Change of Watch / Wassail Toast (including Ed Lyden Award and “Not-So-Jolly
Roger” Award) and Christmas Carols
December 19th – Ugly Sweater Night and Gift Exchange (see flyer) with John Persico
December 31st – New Year’s Eve (see flyer) – celebrate with us!!
Please continue to support your Club, and best wishes and success to incoming Commodore Mark and
Lady Heathor Balazy, Vice Commodore Dr. Matt and Lady Susan Dubois, and Rear Commodore Dr.
Rob and Lady Lynda Carrier.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!! See you at the Club!!
Dick Savage, Commodore and Lady Lynne
View From the Vice
I cannot believe how fast the year has gone by. As I write this, Heathor and I are getting
ready to start our year with the Commodore’s Ball at TYC the day after Thanksgiving and
then going to our last Commodore’s Reception as VC for WRYCC the following day.
I would like to thank all of the people who have helped us through the journey so far and
those who have offered or already started helping us with our Commodore year.
I am sure that you have seen how well the club has been maintained and the improvements
that have been made. Please make sure that you thank the Board of Directors for all the
hard work that goes in to making that happen. It could not happen without them and all of the
members that volunteer their time.
GIYC Vice Commodore
Mark Balazy
I would also like to thank Sandy and the staff for all that they do. If you have visited any of
the other clubs on the lakes, I am sure that you will agree with me that we have one of the
best staffs at GIYC. They cook our food, serve us, and make sure that your glasses don’t go
empty.
Some events that you should plan on attending are:
8th Annual Holiday Bazaar – Friday, December 5th
Change of Watch / Wassail Toast – Friday, December 12th
Ugly Sweater and Regifting Party – Friday, December 19th
New Year’s Eve Party – Wednesday, December 31st
Heathor and I would like to wish all the members a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Thank you, Mark Balazy
"Just Sayin......" Railing from the Rear
Wow! I cannot believe it is already December! Where has the year gone? It seems like we were
just enjoying the Super Bowl party, and now Christmas is just around the corner! The year has
just flown by, but it is still a busy month at GIYC, with Santa Brunch coming, the annual Christmas Bazaar, Change of Watch, and the New Year's Eve Party, this is one of the busiest months
of the year. I encourage everyone to join your fellow members for at least some of the festivities
this month, and if not, just come down and enjoy a cocktail and revel in the festive
atmosphere. Thanks to Lady Lynn, Commodore Dick Savage and their decorating committee,
the club has been dressed up in its holiday finest - sure to put you in the mood to celebrate the
season. So come on down for one last celebration before we close down for a month of rest and
maintenance. We look forward to seeing you all.
------------------------------------------------------
Congratulations to Commodore Dick Savage and Lady Lynne on a job well done in 2014, guiding
our club through a fun and successful sailing and boating season. You have mentored Lady
Susan and I with patience and wisdom, and have been an excellent role model for us as we
progress through the flags. Your class, dignity and level headed leadership will be missed, and
we will have big shoes to fill in the years ahead. Congratulations from all of us at GIYC on a job
well done.
Congratulations are also in order to GIYC Manager Sandy Cullen and her excellent staff for the
wonderful job they have done taking care of our needs this year at GIYC. Whether remembering
our favorite libation, and having it ready for us, staying late with us when we decide to have “just
one more”, even when they’d like to leave, or just for the friendly smiles and gracious “hellos” they
give us when we come into the club, your professional manner and attitude is noticed and appreciated by the us. So thank you for another job well done.
GIYC Rear Commodore
Matt DuBois
"Just Sayin......" Railing from the Rear
Finally, Congratulations, to Kristin Lewis on her last edition as editor of the Spray. She has been a fantastic editor, has done a
professional job, and has been a joy to work with. She will be missed, and Simons – you have some big shoes to fill! Thanks
Kristin, for a job well done!
-----------------------------------------------------------Random thoughts as I watch the snow flying outside my window:
- I’ve already noticed ice floating down the river and forming in the harbor - in mid- November! Ugh! It looks like we're in for
another long winter. I'm glad the snowblower is tuned up and ready to go.
- I think Tom Brady is the most gifted quarterback playing in the NFL right now. And my guess is history will prove him to be one
of the best of all time by the time he is done. He doesn’t seem to get any older, and has gotten even better with age. If I had to
pick one player to start a team with, he would be the guy. He is a winner, on the field and off. And if I was going to make a movie
about a quarterback, he could play the lead – he even looks like a quarterback! When he's done playing, he certainly has a future
on the silver screen if he wants it.
- As this holiday season approaches, take some time amidst all the hustle and bustle to remember what the real reason is that we
celebrate Christmas, and take some time to express the joy in “the reason for the season”.
- The song says it all - it really is “The most wonderful time of the year”.
- Finally, look for some exciting things to come in 2015 for the Spray – I have some new ideas in the works that I am excited to
share with you. I hope you will not be disappointed!
-----------------------------------------------Dr D's Movie Quiz
I cannot believe it has been a whole year since I started this little part of my column on a whim - it's been a blast for me, to do most of the quotes are quotes I use in my everyday life - just ask my family and the Racer X crew - it has been fun having people
comment and guess, and I hope you've enjoyed reading, even if you’ve never taken a crack at guessing. So here goes again for
the final edition of 2014.
Congratulations to the November winners, Cathy Gable and Lady Susan (and yes, she can be a winner, since she never sees
these ahead of time!), who correctly identified the quote:
""I never said thank you"......."and you'll never have to" "
as the final lines of Part One of the most current Batman trilogy – “Batman Begins" with Gary Oldman as Police Detective Gordon, speaking to Christian Bale, who I think is the best Batman of them all. A pack of thank you note cards to both those ladies! Congrats!
And now in the spirit of the season, identify this last line of this famous movie, of which I cannot pass by a TV with it playing without stopping to watch, and which brings a smile to my face every time I see it – it has so many classic lines, that it was hard to
choose. But here it is:
……….."Next to me in the darkness lay my oiled blue steel beauty. The greatest Christmas gift I had ever received, or would ever
receive. Gradually, I drifted off to sleep, pringing ducks on the wing, and getting off spectacular hip shots."
This is my version of a Christmas Gift for you all – I threw you a softball this month, for you movie buffs! Email me with the name
of the movie, the actor speaking, and the character he played.
Good luck, see you around the club, and an early Merry Christmas from Lady Susan and I.
MANAGER AND COMMITTEE REPORT
From the Manager
Dear Members, The staff and I would like to wish all of you a very happy holiday season and we hope to see everyone
for our New Years Eve party!!!
Thank you for another great year. Many Thanks, Sandy Cullen
Membership Committee
Dear Members, A short note to advise you that my three year tenure as Membership Chairman will come to a close on
December 31st.. With that in mind, I would like to say that it has truly been a pleasure serving you on the Board. I
am happy to report that we have had 96 new members join the Club in the past three years. This couldn't have been possible without your
Member referrals, Sandy Cullen's leadership and our current "Membership Action Committee" (MAC) consisting of; Katie Hartwell, Brian Rooks, Carol Ladomer, Mary Jo Bagans, Roy Baker, Kelly
Bohl and John Serafano. A heartfelt "Thank You" to all of you for the many hours dedicated to our membership initiatives.
With the advent of the New Year, I will be "passing the torch" to our new Membership Chairman, Larry Curran. Larry will
be bringing a wealth of business experience and new ideas to the Membership Chair. Congratulations and welcome
Larry C.!
In closing, Thank You to The Bridge, Board and the entire GIYC family for your support and a very productive three
years! Sincerely, Larry Bagans Membership Chairman
GIYC
“Great People, Great Lakes, Great Times”
JOHN PERSICO
A One Man Show
John Persico is a guitarist, keyboardist & singer using a variety of synth modules, drum machines and harmonizers to create the sound of a full live band, he is what they refer to today as a “MIDI Musician” formally a “One Man Band”, and for the first 20+ years performed in bands ranging from duos to seven piece
show bands.
John will be performing here at the
Grosse Ile Yacht Club
Friday August 15th 2014 7:00pm
Friday September 19th 2014 7:00pm
Friday October 17th 2014 7:00pm
Friday November 14th 2014 7:00pm
Friday December 19th 2014 7:00pm
2836 West Jefferson
Trenton
ADVERTISE
HERE
(One business card size)
Have any new
photos of
“Great People,
Great Lakes, Great
Times” at GIYC?
Email them to
[email protected]
COMMITTEES
FLAG
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
BRIDGE
Grosse Ile Yacht Club Contact List
COMMODORE
Dick Savage
[email protected]
VICE COMMODORE
Mark Balazy
[email protected]
REAR COMMODORE
Dr. Matt Dubois
[email protected]
GROUP EMAIL TO COMMODORE, VC & RC
[email protected]
ALL PAST COMMODORES
[email protected]
CHAIRMAN
Roger Pollack (2016)
[email protected]
HOUSE
Paul Pettinga (2014)
[email protected]
DOCKS
Art MacNee (2015) & Gary Dust (2014)
[email protected]
GROUNDS
Dr. Brian Hartwell (2015)
[email protected]
BUILDING
P/C Terry McCarthy (2016) & P/C John Clark (2016)
[email protected]
FINANCE
Peter Uhse (2015)
[email protected]
MEMBERSHIP
Larry Bagans (2014)
[email protected]
GROUP EMAIL TO ALL BOARD MEMBERS
[email protected]
FLEET CAPTAIN
P/C Bill Malvesto
[email protected]
FLEET MEASURER
John Dardzinski
[email protected]
FLEET SURGEON
Dr. Bob Angelotti
[email protected]
FLEET TREASURER
Larry Simon
[email protected]
SECRETARY
Janet Joyce
[email protected]
CHAPLAIN
Dena Dardzinski
[email protected]
COMMODORE’S BALL
John & Dena Dardzinski
[email protected]
ENTERTAINMENT
Deb Green
[email protected]
FLAGS & PROTOCOL
Audrey Lyden & P/C Terry McCarthy
[email protected]
STRATEGIC PLANING
Larry Ladomer
[email protected]
HISTORIAN
P/C John Clark
[email protected]
JUNIOR SAILING
Roy Baker, Johanne Wilson & Kristin Lewis
[email protected]
PHOTOGRAPHY
Neil Johnson
[email protected]
RACE CHAIRMAN
Brian Rooks
[email protected]
RENDEZVOUS
Mike & Lisa O'Donnell
[email protected]
PEEK-A-BOO CREW PRESIDENT
Mark Balazy
[email protected]
SPRAY
Kristin Lewis
[email protected]
DELEGATES
GROUP EMAIL TO ALL APOINTEES
[email protected]
AYC
P/C Ken Goffinett & P/C Russ Kissell
[email protected]
DRYA
Brian Rooks
[email protected]
ILYA
Todd Duffett
[email protected]
GROUP EMAIL TO ALL DELEGATES
[email protected]
General Manager: Sandy Cullen Club Phone: (734) 676-0211 [email protected]
29677 East River Road Grosse Ile, MI 48138-1999
December 2014
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Club
Closed
Monday
thru
Thursday
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Open
Noon-8pm All
You Can Eat
Fish & Chips
$10.00
Santa Brunch
11-3pm Private
Party PM-FP
8
9
10
11
12
Change
of Watch /
Wassail
5-8pm Buffet
Dinner
$21.99++
Children
13
14
Open
Noon-8pm
All You Can
Eat Fish &
Chips $10.00
Wine Class
Bottling 1pm
Private Party
PM-FP
15
BOD
Meeting
7pm
16
17
18
19 Open
20
21
Open
Noon-8pm
All You Can
Eat Fish &
Chips $10.00
LAST DAY OF
SERVICE
22
23
24
25
26
Christmas
Eve
Merry
Christmas
27
28
29
30
31
New Year’s
Eve Party!
6:30
COCKTAILS
7:30 DINNER
8th Annual
Holiday
Bazaar
5-10pm Buffet
Dinner
$15.99++
5-10pm
Fresh Catch
of the Day
$15.00
Entertainment
John Persico
7pm Ugly
Sweater Night
Open
Noon-9pm
Grilled
Cheese &
Tomato Basil
Soup $5.00
Open
Noon-9pm
Grilled
Cheese &
Tomato Basil
Soup $5.00
Open
Noon-9pm
Grilled
Cheese &
Tomato Basil
Soup $5.00
January 2015
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
1
Fri
Sat
2
3
Happy
New Year
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
27
28
29
30
31
BOD
Meeting
7pm
25
26
Private Party
MDR
CLUB
CLOSED
A Look Through the Port Hole
DECEMBER
5 - 8TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY BAZAAR
7 - SANTA BRUNCH
12 - CHANGE OF WATCH
21 - LAST DAY CLUB OPENED
22 - CLUB CLOSED
24 - CHRISTMAS EVE
25 - CHRISTMAS DAY
31 - NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY
Please Note: Dates, Times and Events are Subject to Change Without Notice
Grosse Ile Yacht Club
Founded in 1934, the Grosse Ile Yacht Club (GIYC) is located on Lower
Hickory Island, part of the magnificent chain of islands making up Grosse
Ile, Michigan. The GIYC also boasts the sharing of international waters and
coastlines between the United States and Canada on Lake Erie and four
Contact GIYC
29677 East River Road
Grosse Ile, MI 48138
Phone: (734) 676-0211
Website: www.giyc.org
Email: [email protected]