DATES TO REMEMBER
March 8: Candle Making Class
March 15: St. Patrick’s Annual Lunch
March 26: 5pm- 7pm Race Committee Social Event
April 5: Music Bingo PLUS Taco Buffet
April 20: Easter Brunch
April 27: 9 am to 4 pm Race Committee training
June 7: Opening Day/Commissioning
COMMODORE’S CORNER
Happy February everyone,
Winter has arrived – the picture in the Frostbite article is a throwback to the old days but that didn’t slow down the NYC Frostbite Fleet. 24 sailors showed up to shovel,
clear pathways around the boats/docks, pulled the covers off the boats, and sailed 8 races in a blustery to dead calm race course. Thanks to the Club staff for getting the support boats ready to go and clearing the snow away from the Club in time for opening.
Though it is February, the planning for the summer months is ongoing with several marquee events and projects.
The Offshore Committee is working on the registration and details of the Bermuda One-Two Race on 6 June. This is our signature event for the Club and is wildly popular for a unique group of sailors who participate in long distance racing while single-handing the boat down to Bermuda or double handing on the return to Newport. Newport Yacht Club is one of the few sailing clubs in the country that offers this type of sailing.
Under the oversight of the Float and Dock Committee, the Club has started the rebuilding of the ‘T’- Docks’ at the end of A/B and C/D docks. Both of the T docks are essentially dissolving rapidly and repair is not cost effective. Consequently, the Board approved new docks to be in place before Commissioning Day, 7 June. We are committed to keeping this project timely and within budget.
The House Committee is working on receiving quotes for the painting of the clubhouse. This too, is a large and time-consuming project that will require detailed project management to ensure it does not interfere with the events of the high-season.
The Fleet Captain has been liaising with various organizations around the bay for cruising events and is planning for a new event – ‘The Club Championship’ – we should be seeing more details on this soon but in the meantime, the Fleet Captain is busy working with the Twenty Hundred Club to drive up participation and camaraderie between both organizations.
The Junior Activities Committee has started the hiring of sailing instructors for the Summer Sailing Camp. This is another signature program for Newport Yacht Club. It is very popular every summer and it is mostly attended by children who have never sailed before. This program is open to both member families and non-member families.
The Entertainment Committee will be getting the Club ready for the St. Patrick’s Day corned beef dinner. This is always a great event and well attended. Additionally, planning for 7 June Commissionig Day is occuring. Look for details soon.
In July, the Club will be very fortunate to host a group of young people as part of Gold Star Sailing. This is an event that has occured for the past several years through the diligent efforts of Past Commodore Norm Bailey. This event has become, I believe, one of the best things Newport Yacht Club does each year. What is Gold Star Sailing? It is an organization that is dedicated to providing unique opportunities and adventures to the surviving children of fallen military service members. There are three Club members who are directly connected to this organization and who have cultivated the Club’s relationship with Gold Star Sailing: Past Commodore Bailey, Sharon McGinnis, and Gardner Howe. Because of their efforts, this event in July is always special and has become another signature event of the summer.
Lastly, the Club is being represented by a group of sailors in San Diego during the weekend of 14-17 February. Entering this event was the brainchild of member Jackie Dietrich who saw the Notice of Race and thought, “we can do that.” We know they represented themselves very well! You make us proud.
All the best everyone,
FJ Ritt, Commodore
COMMUNITY SPIRIT- A COMMITMENT TO SAFE BOATING
Our Club community has a longstanding commitment to boating safety. This includes our own safe marina practices, safety protocols for our on-water events and making our Club facilities available to safe boating organizations and events. Among the safe boating programs coming soon are:
Safe Boating Seminar from the Better Bay Alliance;
Boating Safety Certificate class from the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary;
Paddle Safety Classes from the Newport Harbormaster;
And , Safety at Sea for Cruising Couples, with on-water portion.
Registration notices coming soon!
Note: National Safe Boating Week is May 17-23.
ENTERTAINMENT COMMITTEE
There are a number of great events coming up for you to be aware of. These are:
March 8: Candle Making Class
A flyer was sent out and sign up is available on the website. Something new to try – don’t miss this one!
March 15: St. Patrick’s Annual Lunch
A flyer was sent out. No sign up necessary, just come on down to enjoy the traditional corn beef and cabbage!
April 5: Music Bingo PLUS Taco Buffet
A flyer will be sent out March 5 and sign up will be available. Loads of fun last year!
You can choose one or the other or both!
April 20: Easter Brunch
A flyer will be sent out on March 20 and sign up will be available for two seatings.
June 7: Opening Day/Commissioning
More details to follow.
September TBD: Only Rhode Island Night
More details to follow.
Your Entertainment Committee
JUNIOR SAILING
Staffing is falling into place with discussions and positions being offered. Contact with USCG, The Perry, Aquarium and the Auora continue. Currently setting up meetings to secure dates for camper experiences. More to follow once all is on a schedule.
The Big Boat experience with potential dates on the Thursday of the sessions. This year we are planning on a 1/2 day sail on the Bay with return to the Club for the campers to have their lunch. If members wish to continue the full day experience, please reach out to me at sgamal01@aol.com (Al Sgambato)
I have reached out to the schools in Newport for potential scholarship awards to children that qualify for camp. We are planning a meeting after the February vacation to review the process and criteria. We plan to offer at least 10 scholarships pending funding. More to follow.
The camp schedules are as follow:
Session 1 June 23 through July 4
Session 2 July 7 through July 18
Session 3 July 21 through August 1
Session 4 August 4 through August 15
Potential dates for Big Boat Event 6-26, 7-3, 7-10, 7-17, 7-24, 7-31, 8-7, and 8-14. Members who plan on volunteering their boat for the day, these dates are for advanced planning. I do not expect all the dates to be included as in the past we only provided the experience for Session 4. This year I plan one 1/2 day per Session as not to overwhelm the membership. If any of these dates stand out, please reach out via email. sgamal01@aol.com
Reminder that we still need donations to help support all the activity planned this year. They can be made by “Name the Boat ” and or sponsor a camper. Both @ $500.
Thank you all in advance, more to come
Your Junior Sailing Committee,
Aedan Gleeson, Steve Morin, Michael Barszcz (ad hoc), Al Sgambato
FROSTBITE COMMITTEE
Here’s our boat covers hard at work. February 9, we had 23 sailors come down to shovel out, break the ice, and get in 8 races in a myriad of conditions, and home in time for Super Bowl Sunday!
The season is going well, about half way through and the leaderboard is tight.
We sail right in front of the club so come on down, any given Sunday, watch the fun and hang with the frostbiters after the racing. Lots of fun and good energy and great wings at the bar.
Frostbiting is fun!
Bea, Caryn and Mary Ann
REGATTA COMMITTEE
NYC Regatta Committee is composed of Steve White, Chair, Joy Hadley Jackie Dietrich Avram Dorfman, Dennis Ferreira and Scott Walker. The RC will organize and run or participate in running three separate sets of regattas this summer.
First, the regular Tuesday and Wednesday evening multi-class regatta throughout the summer in the two usual sessions, spring and summer (end of May to the end of August.)
Second, NYC RC will aid in starting the following special Saturday regattas.
- 1st Mitchell Regatta. Memorial Day.
- 2000 Club Three Bridge Fiasco: May 17.
- 2000 Club Block Island Race: July.
- Sail Newport Regatta. July 12-13
- 2000 Club – Cuttyhunk July 19
- 2000 Club Prince Henry Race: (August).
- Newport Unlimited (multihull). August 8 and 9
- NYC Offshore 160 Race. August.
- 2nd Mitchell Regattas. Labor Day.
Third, NYC RC is exploring an intra-club J22 challenge regatta over four Friday evenings is July and August. If you are interested in competing in this regatta, please contact Dennis Ferreira dferre8503@aol.com.
We can use your help! Be a part of the great NYC sailboat racing traditions. Please contact any member of the Regatta Committee to explore volunteering in supporting one or more of these events. For example, you could be a driver for Volunteer our race committee boat, a flag handler, a timer or a general support person. Join the fun on the water. You are invited to both of the following events:
Wednesday March 26 – 5-7 PM – Race Committee Social event at the club.
Sunday April 27 – 9 am to 4 pm – Race Committee training.
Regatta Committee
FINANCE COMMITTEE
The Budget was passed at the Membership meeting. Thank you all for attending and voting for the budget.
A special thanks to my Partner on the Finance Committee, Renee DiNovella, for all the hard work on this budget planning and to the chairs of all the committees. Also, a special thanks to Larry Girouad, past Finance chair for always being there to consult. It’s always special when a past chair is available to guide us along.
Janet Bottiglieri, Finance Chair