From the Commodore’s Desk
Thursday July 15th, 2021
Fellow Members of Fanshawe Yacht Club we have good news coming our way with the Stage 3 reopening of Ontario.
The Minister of Health states masks and face coverings will remain in place in indoor public settings throughout Stage 3 as will physical distancing requirements. Masks will be required in some outdoor settings along with other public health measures. He will be encouraging people to wear masks for the coming months in an effort to reduce the transmission of the virus.
Excitement is in the air at FYC. More boats are on the water, including our youngest sailors in their Optis while enjoying their summer sailing camp.
Wednesday afternoon and evening informal races are now taking place.
We have already scheduled three regattas:
- The Firefly Regatta to be held August 7th and 8th (members only)
- The Summer Regatta scheduled for Aug. 28 & 29th (attendees in discussion)
- The Pumpkin Regatta scheduled for Oct. 2nd and 3rd. (attendees in discussion)
- More events will be scheduled in the coming weeks. As you know we have not had a Sail Past, the Commodore’s Regatta or a bonfire. Hopefully, these will be scheduled at some point.
Please remember to sign-in to the Contact Tracing Book at the entrance when you arrive at the Club
Come out to enjoy an evening sail with that special someone. The Club has been waiting patiently for your return. We have bald eagles, osprey, hawks, cormorants and humming birds onsite for those who enjoy birdwatching.
Don’t forget to drive slowly as our ground hogs have poor eyesight and will not see your vehicle coming.
Keep well and stay safe.
Regards,
Commodore Bonita Magill
Commodore 2021
From the Commodore’s Desk
October 7, 2021
WOW, what a roller coaster ride we had this season with the weather. In early September we had a weather anomaly something like a mini tornado that disrupted the moorings and sent boats closer to the main dock. One boat was found halfway up the lake with its mooring ball still attached. Our Harbour Masters, Carleen Hone and Jim McKenzie plus a few more volunteers were able to right the situation with a lot of hard work and ingenuity.
The next weather event happened on September 23rd with the reservoir lake rising by 4 ½ metres making access to the water impossible. Bob Magill, John Ellington, Rick Goldt and Jim McKenzie were instrumental in rescuing the moored boats by extending their mooring chains. They were able to prevent these boats from sinking. Then many more volunteers working together brought endangered boats (rescue, tenders, and personal dock boats) up to the south parking lot with the hope that the water would not get that far up.
I volunteered at Pumpkin Regatta with registration and then I assisted with flags on the barge as the regular volunteer was not able to make it. John Kabel, our Race Officer was very patient, informative while instructing me on the tasks I would need to do. Everyone should have this opportunity at some point during their time at FYC. It was an amazing learning experience for me. Watching the race from the barge was exhilarating. Learning about the required flags, not all by any means, but that is perhaps for another day or season. Many boats crossing the finish line separated by seconds is a real challenge, especially for a novice. John was very watchful and there were no infractions. Let’s not leave out the weather. It rained all day Sunday, but something that was incredible was a slight breeze pushed a fog bank across the lake and over the east side bluff right in front of us. I had not seen anything like this before.
I am looking forward to next season with renewed energy to resume our potlucks and bonfires. Please check the website as all events will be there in due course.
Now something a little more urgent. Our Banquet is coming up on Saturday the 6th of November. We must have at least 70 people attend and I need to notify the venue on 23rd of October.
You must have proof of two vaccines and photo ID to attend. This is a government mandate. Now it is easy to get your tickets. Go your bank’s website and login. Select E-Transfer. When asked for where the money should go type in [email protected] add the amount of money ($40 or $80 for two). Once the transfer is sent it is deposited directly to the FYC account. (If I can do it, so can you, it just sounds hard) I will get notification and will then send you your tickets in PDF form.
Now I know some of you may find this daunting and would like assistance from me. Please contact me at [email protected] or give me a telephone call and I will try to make different arranges with you so that you can get your tickets.
Be Well, Stay Safe and we will talk soon.
Bonita Magill, your Commodore
October 13, 2021: With regret, the Annual Banquet scheduled for November 6, has been Cancelled. Please contact our Commodore if you have any questions.
The Final Dockside Scuttlebutt Newsletter by Sue Goldt
November 4, 2021
Click Here to open the Final Edition of the FYC Dockside Scuttlebutt Newsletter by our intrepid editor Suzanne Goldt. Sue is laying down her pen after many years of documenting the news and changes at FYC. Thanks so much Sue for all you have compiled in the Scuttlebutt over the years!!
Stay tuned for more tall tales and yarns to be posted on our Scuttlebutt Blog on this website.
*If you would like to have a read through earlier editions of the Dockside Scuttlebutt, please Click Here!
************************
After one of the high water events this Fall, a stuffed Tiger was found ashore at the club. As 2022 will be the year of the Tiger, this must be a good sign of great things to come.
Read all about our Name the Tiger Contest for Members on Page 3 of the most recent Dockside Scuttlebutt newsletter. Click Here to open the Newsletter in PDF format.
Merry Christmas
& A Happy New Year
From Commodore Bonita
Christmas on the Boat
T’was the night before Christmas and anchored afloat,
Not a creature was stirring, inside of the boat.
The anchor was set with quite enough scope,
So the yacht would stay put… well at least that’s the hope!
T’was the night before Christmas, the boat gently rocking,
And hung on the mast were the holiday stockings.
One tree, a wreath, no candles, but lots of good cheer,
It’s joyful enough that we all can be here!
We wondered if Santa would somehow appear,
He can swim surely, but do his reindeer?
Do sleighs have EPIRB, AIS, and good charts?
We hope he is carrying sufficient spare parts.
T’was the night before Christmas when we heard an “ahoy!”,
It brought to our hearts such a feeling of joy!
We could be mistaken, the red light we saw,
Was it nav lights, or Rudolf, we watched it with awe.
Whether sailboat or sleigh, dancing waves with such ease,
Moving so swiftly with quite a good breeze.
Then heard in the distance as it seemed to take flight,
Happy Cruising to all, and to all a good night!
Author: Kristian Beadle – Modified by Bonita
Posted December 16, 2021