August 2010 - Singapore Yacht Club

Singapore Yacht Club
Newsletter
August 2010 Issue 9, Volume 3
Mel Ott, Editor
Commodore’s Corner by Gary Battaglia
What a great week we all had during the Venetian Festival at the
end of July. Bill Nemedi out did himself in getting the support of
the club members, and with the result that we once again brought
back the Venetian Festival trophy to SYC! In the four years the
trophy has been awarded, SYC has been the winner three times!
As you may know, the trophy is awarded to the yacht club/marina
that has the most participants in the Venetian Festival activities.
Thanks to all the club members who helped us take back the
Trophy!
This has been an outstanding summer with great weather (even though it was a little hot and
humid occasionally) and lots of club activities. And, although summer is entering its last month,
there are still plenty of things going on in the club ahead of us. Make sure you join in and have
FUN!
You’ve probably already received the notices for the Annual Meeting and the ballot for the
candidates for Bridge officers and the Board of Directors. Please exercise your opportunity to
vote for the people you want to lead the club. The candidates for the various Bridge positions
are as follows: Commodore – Joe Clark; Vice Commodore – Bob Martin; Treasurer – Jim
Gorman; Secretary – Doug Peet. For the Board of Directors, the candidates are: John Larsen,
Corey Koper, Bob Pauls, and Tim Thomas – vote for two.
Club Manager’s Report by John Geier
Welcome from the “shack” and the dock crew. It is hard to believe
that Labor Day is only a few weeks away, but what a warm and
beautiful summer we’ve had.
The dock crew continues to keep the grounds in great condition and we
thank you for your efforts in assisting us.
Please remember that the transient check-out time is 12:00 noon. If
you think you are going to be coming back from cruise much earlier, please call and we will see
what arrangements can be made so you can get back into your slip.
By the time you receive this, rendezvous will be over. We hope everyone had a safe and fun
time.
Vice Commodore’s Report by Joe Clark
The club House and Grounds have been running very smoothly this summer.
The project suggested by Dick VanSheltema of installing safety rails on all
the emergency ladders from the water has been pretty much completed.
We are still experiencing some difficulty with “green” hair from kids
swimming in the pool. We’ve identified the problem – copper leaching from
the water heater pipes – but we haven’t had an effective fix found yet. The
dock crew, in conjunction with our pool maintenance company, is working
hard to correct it.
If you have issues with house and grounds you feel need to be addressed, please contact me.
Treasurer’s Report by Jim Gorman
The financial committee has met and reviewed our revenue and expenses
up to the third quarter of 2010. In addition, I have met with the Club
Manager, John Geier. John is projecting transient slip rentals will be
strong in August. The financial committee, with the help of the Club
Manager, is tracking transient slip rentals to determine if we need to
increase slip fees to offset expected expenses.
To date we have reached 89% of our budgeted revenue for 2010, and 66%
of our projected operating expenses. So far in 2010, our projects have included the parking lot,
women’s showers, flag pole painting and repair, emergency ladders safety rails, and regular
house and grounds maintenance. We are reviewing the cost of street-end sidewalk and steps
repair and/or replacement.
Singapore Yacht Club continues to be in sound financial condition.
Secretary’s Report by Bob Martin
The Ballots for the 2011 Bridge and Board vacancies were mailed on August 5th.
The results will be tallied on September 11th and will be announced at the Annual
meeting at 3:00 PM. The Annual meeting notice was sent out to all members in
good standing. A cocktail party, hosted by the Commodore’s wife, Mary
Battaglia, will follow the Annual meeting at 5:30 PM around the pool.
As of August 7th, 2010, we had a total of 140 members, consisting of 15 Honorary and Surviving
Spouse; 3 Life members; and 122 regular members. A total of 19 new members were added to
the club in 2009 and 2010.
The slip deposit invoices for the 2011 season have gone out and are due back by September 1st.
Slips not reserved by deposit will be reassigned as per Ground rule #37. . As per Ground rule #3
and #32, when a member receives his first slip assignment, it shall be probationary for the first
year. The renewal of all slips shall be contingent on the slipholders level of participation in club
activities. A review will be made by the Board to determine regular slip assignments or slip
assignment changes, following the regular meeting on September 11th.
Membership and roster forms for 2011 will be going out after the election of the new secretary,
with a January 1st return date. As I now prepare to transition my duties of this office to the new
Secretary elect, I’d like you know that it has been a pleasure serving SYC as Secretary, and wish
the new Secretary a successful reign.
Auxiliary Report by Cathy Gorman
At the July 17th meeting, we recapped the success of the Fourth of July
parade and the great participation of SYC and the Auxiliary. Thanks were
given to Cindy Holliday and Dave Holliday for their efforts in organizing the
successful participation.
Doug Peet was thanked for his donation of a DVD player, now hooked up to
the TV in the clubroom for all members to enjoy.
Comments were made on the condition of the flowers in the flowerpots on the boardwalk
because they do not seem to be doing well. Auxiliary members were asked to water the pots
because of the dry and hot conditions this summer.
Although the Auxiliary was ready to volunteer, we were not asked by the Venetian committee to
help this year, giving us time to more fully enjoy the weekend’s activities.
The Auxiliary has planned a new function for August 7th, a dinghy hot dog lunch. There will be
more about this later in the newsletter.
On October 9th, the Auxiliary is planning a shopping trip to either Woodfield Mall, downtown
Chicago, or Michigan City. We’ll have more information coming on this in the future.
New Members
We are pleased to introduce the following new members to the club. Be sure you introduce
yourself to them, should you see them on the docks or anywhere else in the town. In addition,
we welcome back a previous member of the club for many years, Michael & Bonnie Glefke of
Prospect Heights, IL.
Ronda Anger
Hudsonville, MI
Mentor – Ward Zeipen
Pascal & Pascale Remy
Saugatuck, MI & Paris, FR
Mentor – Corey Koper
Pascal Remy was approved by the Membership Committee on August 16th and will be presented
for approval by the Board of Directors on September 11th. Complete information on all three of
these parties can be found on the On-Line Roster at our web site.
New Member Cocktail Party by Jim Curtis
On Saturday, August 7th, Singapore Yacht Club held its first recognition party for members who
had joined the club in the past two years. The purpose of the event was to indoctrinate them into
the club and its functions and to make them know they were welcome additions.
Those attending were: Jim Fulton & Terri Hall; Joe & Rosa Hish; Kathy Mattison; Cliff Asbel;
Brian Safranski & Diane Bornema; John & Kristin O’hara; Scott & Gina Prince; Dennis &
MariAnne McCann; and Chuck & Susan Richards.
From all the responses, everyone had a very enjoyable afternoon and evening, and no one
complained they didn’t have to provide a dish to pass. Cheese and fruit plates were prepared by
the Butler, and liquid refreshments were served by members of the Membership Committee. We
truly hope that in future recognition events we will have all new members present so they can
meet and mix with fellow members. SYC is a family first, followed closely as a boating and
social club.
Fourth of July Parade
Thanks to the leadership of Dave and Cindy Holliday for organizing our participation in this
year’s Fourth of July parade.
Venetian Night Festival
Due to the efforts of Chairman, Bill Nemedi, our Venetian Night participation was a big success
resulting in Singapore Yacht Club, once again, taking the Venetian Night Trophy. Bill Meyers
was, once again, the big participation contributor, entering his boat “Big Top” in the boat parade,
plus his antique truck and antique boat in the car and boat shows. Max Elenbaas also entered his
Ford hardtop convertible in the antique car show and Slickcraft boat in the antique boat show.
Other entries in the car show were Jack Martin’s Jaguar, Alan Supp’s Pontiac, and John and
Linda Kuhn’s Ford. Our boat show entries included Bill Meyers, Max Elenbaas, and Jeff
Cavanaugh. Our Dinghy Poker Run entrants were numerous. All these factors combined to
make our point total overwhelming. Not to be outdone, many of our slipholders again decorated
their boats at the slip for the enjoyment of the residents and visitors who gathered to enjoy the
fireworks show in the evening.
Auxiliary Dinghy Hot Dog Lunch by Cathy Gorman
A contingent of 18 dinghies left the club on August 7th to journey to the cove to enjoy a lunch of
regular or “Chicago” hot dogs provided by the concession stand on Oval Beach, which is run by
Corey Koper’s daughter. Doug Peet used his ski boat to rush the dogs to the cove and provided
the stereo music for everyone to enjoy with their dogs.
Cruise & Rendezvous by Bob & Kim Williamson
“Beaches, Flip-Flops and Shades Tour 2010”
Hot! Hot! Hot! The weather really stepped it up for the annual Cruise and Rendezvous to Grand
Haven from August 12th through 15th with several boats arriving early on Tuesday and
Wednesday. Those in attendance on Wednesday evening joined in for Commodore Gary
Battaglia’s “Last Grill” cookout of burgers and brats. With remaining members arriving on
Thursday, people spent the day on their own shopping, at the beach, or under a tree looking for
shade. Thursday evening’s cocktail party took place at the Grand River Sailing Club featuring a
great taco bar diner provided by Butch’s Beach Burritos. The SYC Boardwalk Runway contest
kicked off Friday afternoon with some of the oldest, ugliest boat shoes, decorated flip flops and
matching pedicures we’ve ever seen. Ron Wiser won the oldest boat shoes contest, Jack Martin
had the ugliest (actually so ugly they were cute) shoes, Jim Gorman (yes!! You are reading that
right) had the best matching black and white polk-a-dot pedicure to match his flip-flops (I think
he stole them from Cathy). Mary Battaglia had the best T-shirt (Divas rule), and Ruth Wiser and
Anita stole the show in their matching “retired” Hooters flip flops! The Bocchi ball tournament
took place on Saturday afternoon with Team Manitou in first place, winning precious drink
tickets! The weekend concluded with dinner at the new Grand Haven Community Center with a
wonderful Italian buffet served by the Porto Bello Restaurant. We all enjoyed music provided by
Tom Northrup from the Annex Piano Bar at Coral Gables.
Our special thanks to co-hosts Wally and Melissa Martyniek for all of their hard work, Gary and
Mary Battaglia for hosting the cook-out and welcome bags, Mel and Mary Lou Ott for pitching
in wherever needed, to our great raffle ticket saleswoman, Becki Zeipen, and finally to Steve and
Elizabeth Boerema for most everything else including arranging the music for Saturday.
Overall, the twenty-eight boats and 70 plus SYC members enjoyed a great weekend together in
Grand Haven.