32 Water St • Stonington, CT 06378 • (860) 535-0112 • www.shyc.usNews and events - WINTER 2019

Stonington Harbor YacHt club

President Jack Kennedy once said, “Change is the law of life. And those who only look to the past or present are certain to miss the future.” We stand on the threshold of a new and exciting year at Stonington Harbor Yacht Club with four words that best characterize SHYC’s focus for 2019:

ALIGNMENT, INCLUSION, STRENGTH, and CHANGE

ALIGNING club activities and amenities with your member needs and interests is a key goal for 2019. Increasing and strengthening member feedback and involvement in Club programs and operations is the cornerstone to achieving this objective.

We want your input. In the next month, we will distribute a Member Survey to seek your thoughts on what we’re doing well, where we need to improve, what you like and what you don’t, and which programs you enjoy and those of less interest. When it arrives, please take a few moments to complete the survey and share your thoughts.

All our Committees are reaching out to increase member participation and involvement. I thank the many members who have volunteered to become more involved and are responding to the 2019 Committee Inter-est Form distributed just before the Anniversary Meeting. We have added more member leadership and new committees all of which are listed in the chart elsewhere in this newsletter.

It’s not too late to be INCLUDED…contact a Committee Chair, Board Member, or me to join in. You know what you and your family enjoy at the Club---please participate to insure it is provided.

We add STRENGTH to the Club through membership growth and club usage. Each of us know at least one friend, family member, or acquaintance who may be a prospective candidate for Club membership. Don’t put it off…invite them to a Club function (there are many spanning a wide variety of interests), invite them to dine at the Club, take them for a tour of our Club facilities in our picturesque Borough… them on a sail in warmer weather.

Commodore’s Corner

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Passing of the Burgee with from left to right: Commodores Hatton, Hargreaves, Bowman, Williams, Johnson, Tacy, and Lobdell

Add a member…make a difference.

UPCOMING CHANGES - Look for reconfigurations of our Club’s entry and of the bar/dining room area to create a more informal, “Club Room” environment. Plan to enjoy quieter and more formal fireside dining in the Found-ers Room. We are also exploring ways to enhance and expand in-season patio din-ing with additional exterior lighting and decorating.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS – to dine at SHYC! Recent changes in our din-ing program have already earned posi-tive comment from members. Last year under Commodore Bowman’s leader-ship we promoted Chef Chris Troisi to Chief Chef and hired Sous Chef Tiffany Peterson who brings us her skills from the Weekapaug Inn. We also created a member-led Food Committee chaired by Lois Cole, and a member-led Wine Com-mittee, chaired by Michael Wiseman.

CLUB EVENTS - DON’T MISS THE FUN!

The Club’s 16th Anniversary Party following the December Annual Meeting was a sell-out. And Kathleen Snoddon’s “Bar Bingo” has filled the room with energy and laughter regularly.

The Oscar Movie Series begins soon, thanks to Carole Barnard and our Entertainment Committee, chaired by Sandy Murray. This year’s series will be capped by our own Red Carpet Oscar Party.

Plan ahead for our May 18th Commissioning highlighted by a pre-event social hour with complimentary cocktails. Also, thanks to our Entertainment Committee we will celebrate summer with a ‘really big’ WHITE HOT NIGHT SUMMER PARTY! Enjoy dancing under the stars.

Our Cruise Committee is already planning an exciting schedule of events for both Yachtsmen and Land Travelers. These activities reach from our own docks and local destinations to beautiful Edgartown and the Thimble Islands. Save the dates now not to miss the fun!

Last but certainly not least, plan to participate in our ever-active Ideal 18 and other boating activities and events for both our kids and adults. Learn to sail, or sail better. Get certified, or join the races or Race Com-mittee. Sail with our renowned Ideal Women; get the kids involved with Youth Sailing and related family activities, and kayak and fish in events now being planned for the summer on the beautiful waters surround-ing our Club. You can read all about these exciting plans in this newsletter.

There is so much fun to be had…I can’t wait to share it with you this year at SHYC.

Happy 2019!

Joe Williams, Commodore

Commodore’s Corner Continued...

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Dear Fellow SHYC Members,

It was a real pleasure and an incredible honor to serve as the 8th Commodore of the Stonington Harbor Yacht Club. Thank you so much for the opportunity to serve and for all of your \wonderful sup-port during the last two years.

In my outgoing Commodore remarks at the 2018 Annual Meeting, I reviewed highlights from the Club’s many accomplishments. These accomplishments ranged from im-provements in the restaurant and bar, the clubhouse, communications, our on-the-water programs and, perhaps most importantly the culture and feeling of our Club.

While I may have been at the helm, the work of the past two years has been a team effort. Our accomplishments are the result of the incredible dedication and hard work of the Flag Officers and Governors, our Past Commodores, our committee chairs, all of our committee members, volunteers and our wonderful staff. I am extremely grateful for all you have done and continue to do for our beloved Club. Thank you so very much!

I am excited and optimistic about our Club’s future and I have absolute faith that the Club, under Commodore Williams’ leadership, will not only continue the momentum that my pre-decessors started but will be even more successful. And, as I said at the Annual Meeting, I will do everything I can to support our new Commodore and the SHYC team.

Go, SHYC!!

All my best,Betsy BowmanImmediate Past Commodore

Committee Chairs

Assistant Treasurer: Jim Kelley

Commons Board:Cathy Alsop, Larry Snoddon

Communication & Marketing:Betsy Stevenson

Comptroller: Ed Dear

Corinthian: Will Bearden, Mikayla Cansler

Cruise: Nick van Drimmelen, John Stone

Docks: Chris Errichetti

Education: David Luce

Entertainment: Sandy Murray

Food: Lois Cole

House: Mary Haders, Laurie Paige

Ideal 18: Chris Errichetti, John Roussin

Investment:Tom Sanford IT: Jon Stoddard

Legal: Alan Vaskas

Membership: Ann Baldelli, Betsy Bowman

Models: Scott Kraft

Newsletter: Bob Murray

Oar & Paddle: Tom Sanford

Power Fleet Coordinator: Paul O’Neill

Race: Kevin Bowdler, Wayne Buchanan

Records & Legal: Alan Vaskas

Regatta: Spike Lobdell

Safety and Training: Michael Wiseman

Sport Fishing: Francis Pandolfi

Wine: Michael Wiseman

Women’s Sailing: Jeani O’Neill, Amy van der Velde

Wounded Warrior: Tom Moran

Youth Sailing & Activities:Sarah Starkweather (Sailing)Betsy Houston (Activities)

van der VeldeErichettiVaskas

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Meet Your New Board Members

Starkweather

Alan Vaskas, Governor, Class of 2019Alan is the son of Lithuanian refugees who came to the US and settled in Nashua, New Hampshire, where he grew up. He is a graduate of Brown University and served in the National Guard. Alan went on to earn his law degree from Fordham Law School and opened a solo practice in West Chester, PA, from which he retired this past June. Alan will chair the Records and Legal Committee this year. Alan and his wife, Janet, have recently sold their home in Pennsylvania and are now full-time Stonington residents. Alan has two sons, two daughters-in-law, two grand-sons and one granddaughter.

Chris Errichetti, Governor, Class of 2020Chris took up temporary residence in Stonington with his soon-to-be-wife, Anne, in 2009. They became immedi-ately enamored with life in the Borough and purchased their more permanent residence in Stonington Commons in January of 2011. Chris joined SHYC in June 2011. Since then, Chris has learned to sail and has crewed for Michael Wiseman aboard Legacy V on numerous excursions, including off-shore races to Bermuda, Boothbay Har-bor and Block Island. Chris has co-chaired the Ideal 18 Committee for the past five years and this past summer accepted the position of Dock Chair. He also serves as President of the Stonington Commons Condo Association, Secretary of the Borough Charter Revision Commission and previous Chair of the Borough Planning and Zoning Commission. Chris has a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Columbia University, a J.D. from University of Connecti-cut School of Law and extensive experience in real estate development, management and construction.

Sarah Starkweather, Governor, Class of 2021Sarah grew up sailing at Riverside Yacht Club in Riverside, CT, participating in the junior racing program and rac-ing and cruising aboard her family’s Cal 29. As an adult she has belonged to Riverside and Norwalk Yacht Clubs, owning sail and power boats and racing and cruising extensively in Long Island Sound. Sarah has crewed in many races and served as the chair of the Race Committee at Norwalk Yacht Club as well as member of the board and Club Secretary. She is certified by US Sailing as a Club Race Officer, has extensive race management experience and will co-chair the Youth Sailing and Activities Committee. Sarah retired in 2017 from a career in financial and securities law where she worked with firms and major corporations in New York City, Washington DC, and Stam-ford. Shortly after retiring, she moved from Darien, CT to Westerly.

Amy van der Velde, Governor, Class of 2021Amy was born and raised in New London and has been highly involved in sailing and boating throughout her life. Growing up at Thames Yacht Club, she participated in youth sailing, was a launch operator, and taught sailing. This platform allowed Amy to work as an Outward-Bound Instructor, a mate on the Argia, and fostered a lifelong love of racing and all things related to enjoying the water. Amy has been a member of SHYC for nine years and has been involved with the Women’s Sailing program for the past six years, and will co-chair Women’s Sailing this year. Amy is co-founder and owner of an assisted living company with facilities in Indiana and Ohio, and when she is not on the water she likes to travel and spend time with her three children, Ryley, Case and Murphy.

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Welcome New MembersPeter and Kay Wild, Off Season SocialPeter and Kay moved to Stonington in mid-2017, returning to the place where the couple first met in 1988. Peter is a native of the UK who moved to New York with the BBDO advertising agency in the mid-1970s. After a de-cade with BBDO he founded a New York-based TV production company specializing in advertiser-owned cable programming and instructional video fare that included the Celebrity Chefs TV series with Robert Morley and the Annapolis Book of Seamanship Video Series. In 2000 Peter moved his focus to the non-profit arena where he has published a national magazine, raised funds for Lyme disease medical research, and ran a coastal lifesaving museum. He is currently Executive Director of the Episcopal Preaching Foundation whose mission is to raise the standard of preaching in the Episcopal Church. Peter’s daughter, Sarah, from a previous marriage, lives in London and recently produced two grand-sons: Alfred and Charles.

Kay is a veteran of the New York publishing industry, having worked with Anna Wintour at Vogue and Tina Brown at The New Yorker. Her real love is fine art and design which she has embodied with her own fine jewelry collection and most recently some remarkable artwork. She currently consults for non-profits in branding and strategy. Peter is also a member of the New York Yacht Club and the Royal Ocean Racing Club. In Stonington, he recently became a member of the NESS Safety Committee.

Peter and Kay’s interest in the Club is getting to know and enjoy Stonington at its finest, with a secondary interest in taking part in distance cruises from time-to-time.

Deborah and Richard Kollmeyer, Off Season SocialAlthough Rick was born on Adak, Alaska, he really grew up in Groton, CT, around boats. His father was an officer in the Coast Guard and was Commodore at Shennecosset Yacht Club for many years. As a teenager and throughout college, Rick worked at Shenny as a dock boy. After college, Rick built three technology businesses in the Boston area. The last one was acquired by a large financial services firm in 2015. Still very active in giving back to the entrepreneurial community, he created a 1,500-member group in CT to support business creation and growth.

Deborah was born in Spain and lived around the world throughout her childhood. As an adult, she lived and worked in Saudi Arabia, Paris, England and many locations throughout the USA. It was a chance meeting at the Yellow Kittens on Block Island that ultimately convinced her to move to New England 30 years ago! Deborah’s passion for travel and other cultures led them to create the downtown Mystic boutique, Adore, which was opened in October of 2017. With “Worldly Treasures for the Home,” it is a fun store filled with luxury goods, gifts and furniture from around the world.

William and Laurie Hobbs, Off Season SocialBill and Laurie moved to the Stonington area in 2017, where Bill and his family called home for two generations. Bill and Laurie have been married for nearly 25 years and are proud parents of Will Hobbs, 20, who attends col-lege in Florida and was an All American and a two-state champion in swimming. Bill is a columnist for the New London Day and Laurie is a group director of public relations and marketing for Ocean House Management. Bill

comes from a long-time boating family and has personally owned boats for more than 20 years.

Greg and Cally Daniels, Off Season SocialGreg and Cally grew up in Rhode Island and have been boating most of their lives. They have been married for 55 years and have three grown chil-dren and three granddaughters. They moved to Mystic a little over 4 years after having lived in Newtown for 34 years.

Rick and Monika Gibbons, Off Season SocialMonika and Rick Gibbons lived in Dobbs Ferry, New York, before retiring in 2014. Monika was an Optometrist for 25 years and Rick worked in corporate property and casualty insurance for 36 years. After retiring, the couple decided that it was time to build a house and move to Stonington. They are excited by the opportunity to meet new people and participate in more events as Off-Season Social Members.

Mikayla Cansler, CorinthianMikayla is the daughter and stepdaughter of members, Josh and Suzanne Cansler. Growing up in a military family, she has lived in places such as Alaska, Hawaii and Germany. Mikayla attended The University of Alabama and was given a scholarship for synchronized swimming. She later transferred to the University of South Florida and graduated in 2012. Mikayla practiced real estate for a short time in Saratoga Springs, New York, and decided to relocate again and move to Stonington in 2017. One of her

life long goals has been to learn how to sail and she hopes to make that a reality here at SHYC. Mikayla acts as co-chair of the Corinthian Committee.

Joe and Karen Taylor, ActiveJoe is from Cork, Ireland, and transferred to Connecticut 30 years ago where he retired after working at Pfizer for 37 years. He now is VP of Manufacturing at Intracellular Therapies in New York. Karen is a lifelong Mystic resi-dent. She was co-owner and VP of Shoreline Communications and Director of Sales for 23 years. Currently Karen is a Distinctive Homes Expert for Re/MAX Coast and Country in Mystic. The Taylors are active kayakers and Joe has written and published a book entitled “Kayaking the Mystic Waters.”

William C. Bearden, CorinthianWilliam is from Nashville, TN, and attended Vanderbilt University where he received a degree in mechanical engi-neering. While at Vanderbilt he joined the Navy Reserve through the NROTC and upon completion of his degree was commissioned as a Naval officer. He spent his first year at the Naval Weapons Station, Charleston, SC, in the Navy nuclear power training program. After qualifying as a Navy nuclear engineer, he moved to his current post aboard the USS Oregon at Electric Boat in Groton and relocated to Stonington. He very much looks forward to getting to know the coastal waters of Connecticut and participate in the SHYC community. Will acts as co-chair of the Corinthian Committee with Mikayla Cansler.

Omar and Cathy Abboud, ActiveOmar and Cathy are relatively new to the Stonington area. They lived in Bronxville, NY, for 25 years where they raised their two boys, Jeffrey and Michael, and were involved in the Bronxville community through various chari-table organizations. They also have a home in Jupiter, FL, where they are members of two golf clubs. The Ab-boud’s have been occasional boaters having sailed a bit over the years and greatly enjoy being on the water.

Christopher Tilley and Pauline Cullen, ActivePauline and Christopher married in 2000 and share four children and 2 grandchildren. They have dual citizenships in the U.S. and Ireland, and currently live in St. Helena, California. They are looking to move full time to their summer house in the Stonington Commons. Pauline and Chris have a background in finance and later became the

operators and owners of V Madrone Cellars, in Napa Valley.

Jonathan Roussin and Erin Hub, CorinthianJonathan and Erin met while attending Webb Institute, in Long Island, studying Na-val Architecture. Jonathan is a naval architect at General Dynamics and Erin works as an engineer in the hydrodynamics department at Applied Physical Sciences in Groton. Jonathan was raised in St. Louis and Erin in Maryland. They now call Westerly their home. The couple grew up around boats and participated in collegiate sailing at Webb in 420’s.

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Wade and Wendy McDevitt, ActiveWade and Wendy and their two boys Colt (8) and Gage (6) live in Villanova, Pennsylvania. The family has sum-mered in the Stonington/Watch Hill area for many years and have recently purchased a home in Stonington where they will continue to spend their summers on the water. Wade works in commercial and global real estate and Wendy spent thirty years in the fashion industry.

Jim Coelho, CorinthianJim grew up on Long Island and studied engineering at Pennsylvania State University. After accepting a job at General Dynamics as a system test engineer, Jim relocated to Groton. Jim would love to learn how to sail, become involved in the race committee, and hopefully learn how to race himself.

David and Jojo Reindel, Off Season Social Jojo and David have been married nearly 4 years. Leaving behind the shores of sunny Southern California, Jojo opted for a new adventure for the second half of her life with Dave on the East Coast. In addition to creating customized retirement plans, David has written four books on how his clients can protect and preserve their assets from differ-ent threats retirees face. Jojo is an independent liaison for Montres Journes CH for on-going service for niche clientele. Both Jojo and David are active in a variety of charities devoting their time to special needs children and children with medical challenges.

Laura Hopkins and John Farmelo, Active John and Laura, who first met in fifth grade, developed a love for boats and water at their family summer homes about 5 miles apart on the shores of Lake Erie in Ontario. John and Laura attended the same high school and became casual friends. Laura went off to Vassar, and John to Trinity, and they did not see each other for 35 years. At the time, Laura was living in Seattle, and John in Buffalo. Following a long-distance romance, they married, and eventually landed in Stonington, where they now reside and are continuing their careers. After Vassar (majoring in Art History), Laura headed west and landed in San Francisco. She began a career in not-for-profit work which has blossomed into a passion for the world of museums and their critical contribution in the cultural arena. She also worked in corporate America for a time while living in New York City and Bethel, CT. Following John’s gradu-ation from Trinity College, he promptly moved to Essex, CT, and began a career as a Yacht Broker. In his non-boating career, John was a management consultant with Price Waterhouse, a specialist in foreign exchange prod-ucts and President and CEO of Bradford Energy Capital, a securities firm specializing in energy investments. Today Laura is the Sr. Vice President for Advancement at the Mystic Seaport Museum, and John is a yacht broker at East Coast Yacht Sales (located at Dodson Boatyard in Stonington).

Robert and Sue Ferrara, Active Robert and Sue Ferrara have four children, twelve grandchildren and two step daughters. Robert started his career with Arthur Young & Company and later served as the VP Finance for a subsidiary of The Singer Company, CEO of DNE Technology, and owner and president of Jaypro Sports, a company that designs, manufactures and mar-kets institutional sporting products. Currently he is a partner of Mystic Point LLC that developed the townhouses on Mason Island. Robert and Sue also created an adventure learning camp up in Maine for inner city kids from 1988 to 1991 staffed entirely by volunteer professionals.

Jeff and Mary Suter, Off Season SocialThe Suters recently relocated to Mystic, where they lived a long time ago. Jeff gradu-ated from the University of Wisconsin and spent his entire career at United Technol-ogies in engineering and management positions, including almost four years as head of Pratt and Whitney’s office at Airbus in Toulouse, France. Mary worked at United Technologies, Aetna and CIGNA, and was a Senior Vice President of CIGNA Invest-ment Management upon retirement. They have two adult children, one of whom works in New York City and the other in Boston.

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While it is still early in the season, we are very grateful to our co-chairs who are planning the best season ever for on-the- water activities. Whether you are a keen racer, cruiser, fishing aficionado or passionate paddle-boarder or canoeist there will be a great many SHYC-sponsored programs and activities to choose from in 2019.

MARCH:Race Committee Kick-Off:Race Committee will kick off the boating season on Saturday, March 9th at 10:00 AM with an All-Hands-Race Committee meeting. There will be coffee and donuts served and an in depth talk about the forthcoming racing season. This meeting is for all people interested in joining Race Committee and those that have been serving for many years. No experience is necessary. Especially if you are a new member, it is a fun way to meet club members and to get out on the water from Spring all the way to Fall.

US Sailing PRO Certification:The Club is also excited to provide a US Sailing, One Day Race Committee Train-ing on Saturday, March 23rd. This is your chance to become a US Sailing Certified Race Officer! The course is designed for people with some Race Committee (RC) experience, but newcomers are also welcome. Topics include RC objectives and responsibilities, race safety, RC jobs, equipment, setting the course, starting sys-

tem, starting penalties, before the start, during the race, finishing and scoring. To sign up go on line at US Sailing (go to www.ussailing.org) for details. The course will begin at 8:30 AM at the Club and will include breakfast and lunch. It is open to members and non-members so bring some friends along too. There will be a $30.00 charge to attend this course. For further details please contact Kevin Bowdler or Wayne Buchanen.

Oar & Paddle: If you are interested in getting out this summer on a paddle board or kayak or similar craft, Thomas Sanford is the man to contact. Years ago, the Club had an active oar and paddle program that included such notables as Bob and Betty Fountain, Bob Murray, Fred and Barbara Leonard, Owen and Nancy Hughes, Candy Sanford and Tom Sanford. They were all kayakers (before paddle boards) and enjoyed many fine paddles on the Mystic River, up and down and over the rapids of the Pawcatuck River, down the Wood, the Shetucket and Quinebaug Rivers, and along the CT coast of Fishers Island Sound.

At the request of Commodore Joe Williams, Tom has agreed to help organize, in collaboration with NESS, several family paddle events this summer, and, seek out any members who may have the interest and energy to lead a new and vibrant oar and paddle program.

The type of event that Commodore Williams, NESS President Spike Lobdell and Tom envision would be a large gathering or flotilla of Club and NESS kayakers and paddle boarders, chase boats and others, striking off to some local destina-tion, such as Sandy Point Island or Wamphassuc Point, for a family picnic preceded by some early morning paddling and safety instruction. Members without their own equipment might qualify to use NESS gear.

Plans are in discussion with NESS, so expect an early-March meeting of all interested club members to solicit a team effort. In the interim, Tom Sanford would welcome any words of encouragement from those who may be interested by email, t-sanford@sbcglobal.net, by cell, 860-319-6254, or around the Club house.

APRIL:The Club will be looking for Volunteers to help prep our Race Committee boats, Galatea and ACIS, before they are launched the second week of April. We will also be reaching out to members to help with the rigging and launching of your fleet of Ideal 18s. Again, these are great ways to meet other members and gain some practical experience of boat maintenance. All it will take is a few hours of your time one evening or Saturday morning or afternoon. More details to follow on the website.

Stonington Harbor Yacht Club 2019 On-the-Water Activities

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For those that want to get out early on the water, the Spring Frostbiting series is scheduled to start on Saturday April 20th (1:00 – 4:00 PM). The series will go on for 10 weeks every Saturday through to June 22nd (except on Commissioning Day, May 18th, when we will race instead on Sunday, May 19th). The Frostbiting series is open to members and non-members. Participation is growing every year. This year we hope to welcome back again the Lasers, Aero’s, and later on, Sunfish and the Ideal 18s once they are commissioned.

Cruising:Plans are well under way for the 2019 Cruising activities, (see activities planned in June and July below and on next page) including an “open house” event in April at the clubhouse to introduce cruising in an informational format to encourage members that always wanted to cruise, but did not know quite where to start, to explore cruising. This will be a great way to meet members that regularly cruise and learn how you can get involved. Date to be announced but mark your diaries and check back at the front desk.

We encourage all those interested in cruising, whether seasoned boaters (sail and power) or new to the sport, to attend. There will be opportunities to discuss with cruisers their experiences and answer questions about cruising activities for members, family and their friends.

There are a large variety of cruises from single overnight to 8 days, or to participate part time in segments of the week-long cruises. If you wish to be added to the cruising members email list please send an email to the co-chairs Nick van Drimmelen at nickvandrimm@gmail.com and John Stone at daysailj@gmail.com.

MAY:Our goal will be to complete the rigging and launch of our fleet of six Ideal 18s on Saturday, May 11th, so that everything is fully commissioned for the Club’s Commissioning on Saturday, May 18th. With the Ideal 18s in the water, the Women’s Thursday night sailing, Sunday Morning “Race For The Fun Of It”, and Ideal 18 Clinics can begin. These run through to the end the season (La-bor-Day weekend).

JUNE:Wednesday Night Harbor racing will start mid-June. This is a fun series for small boats (up to 20 feet) where the whole family can join in. Use your own boat or one of our Ideal 18s. We will be holding clinics to help people get up to speed sailing an Ideal 18 and certifying them to use the boats on their own - so no reason not to get out on the water and enjoy a fun dinner at the Wad club afterwards. They are great hosts!

Junior Sailing:Once again, we are partnering with NESS to provide sailing instruction for our junior sailors. Lessons for all ages will begin on Monday, June 24th. We will also be offering afternoon private or semi-private supplemental lessons for children who would like some extra time on the water perfecting their sailing skills. This would be a great way to prepare for the Wednesday night harbor races and for some of the regattas that will take place in the area.

Cruising: The Cruising Committee lead by co-chairs, Nick van Drimmelen and John Stone, have planned a wonderful series of events this summer starting with the Go West Cruise June 15th-June 22nd. This easy start to the season is from Stonington up the Connecticut River and includes stops in Essex/Old Saybrook and Hamburg Cove. The high point will be a visit to the Goodspeed Opera House matinee on June 16th for those that have signed up in time on the SHYC website (please confirm attendance by January 18), and will be followed by stops at the Thimble Islands, Mattituck and option-ally, Greensport/Shelter Island.

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They are also planning a small boat cruise. The timing will be either be Saturday, June 1st or Saturday, June 8th, and the destination will be either the Weekapaug Inn or Lake Montauk. Those interested please contact(temoran1942@aol.com) and place “Small Boat Cruise” in the subject line. They will then select the best date and time and make the appropriate arrangements. Adult sailing instruction:Our sailing instructor and club volunteers will also be available to provide entrylevel and advanced lessons for adults. Course details are still to be worked out, but expect 2-3 hour lessons several times a week, as needed.

JULY:Special Olympics:SHYC makes the Ideal 18 fleet available to the special Olympic Athletes from early-July through the end of August leading up to the Regatta itself the weekend of September 7th-8th. Usually two athletes go out on an Ideal 18 from5:00 -7:30 PM every Tuesday with two instructors to give assistance in each boat, helping them raise the sails, steer and tack the boats, as well as put everything away at the end of the evening. If you would like to volunteer to helpwith this great program, please reach out to the Club and we will get you signed up.

Fishing:Francis Pandolfi is embarking on an amazing 3-week long fishing trip in June in Brazil and Bolivia along several stretches of the Amazon River. Francis has generously offered to hold a talk and slideshow of this adventure as well as provide some secrets for fishing closer to home in Fisher’s Island Sound on Saturday, July 20.

Racing:Friday night PHRF Racing will start June 28th and continue to the end of August. This is round Government marks in Fishers Island Sound, and each race usually lasts no more than 1 to 1 ½ hours, allowing plenty of time to get back tothe Club for refreshments and dinner. Racing is open to members and others so please encourage your friends to join in the fun. There is a small entry fee.

Cruising:A great way to celebrate your Independence Day weekend is a short cruise to West Harbor on Fishers Island July 5th-6th. The Committee is proposing a picnic at Fishers Island Yacht Club and then the opportunity to watch the Dupont Fireworks. For the second summer cruise, join the Go East Cruise July 20th-27th.

The following schedule speaks for itself.

Friday, July 19th, depart Stonington. You can decide on two initial destinations: Arrive Point Judith Breakwater, or arrive Block Island Great Salt Pond – (who said navigation is not fun?). Either way, on Saturday, July 20th proceed to Cuttyhunk Island (approximately 27 nm from Point Judith or 36 nm from Block Island). Then Sunday, July 21st , proceed to Vineyard Haven; July 22nd and 23rd (Monday and Tuesday) on to Edgartown - Dockwa opens March 1st, and you need to book as soon as you can. Then it is on to Hadley Harbor. Woods Hole Passage – July 24th (if you are a power boater you have the option to travel to Nantucket around Cape Cod to Provincetown). July 25th and 26th (Thursday and Friday) will be spent at the Newport Ida Lewis Yacht Club, with a return to Stonington July 27th or 28th. If you come back early on the 27th you can jump on to the Red Lobdell Regatta…!

SHYC Ranked in Top 3% of Marinas Nationwide

We are pleased to announce that Stonington Harbor Yacht Club has been named a Boaters’ Choice Award Winner by Mari-nas.com, the world’s most exten-sive online marine directory. This recognition places the Club in the top 3% of the highest-rated marinas in the country. Stoning-ton, CT, was also ranked among the top forty US. Boating destina-tions by Adrian Mott’s, Dockwa Blog. “We were delighted to accept this award,” said Joe Williams, Com-modore. “The credit goes to the beautiful town of Stonington and the dedicated staff and volunteers who are making Stonington Har-bor Yacht Club one of the most desirable boating destinations along the Eastern seaboard.”

Red Lobdell Regatta:This ECSA event, now in its twentieth year, is scheduled for Saturday, July 27th, staring at 10:00 AM. PHRF Boats likely will race around Fisher’s Island with both spinnaker and non-spin-naker classes, while Watch Hill 15’s and other larger one-design boats will race windward – leeward circuits outside the harbor. Inside the Harbor, Ideal 18s, Lasers and other smaller one-de-sign boats will race a shorter course. Usually each class will en-joy multiple starts. The day’s racing ends with awards and BBQ On the Bricks, weather permitting. A small entry fee is charged, and entry is through Yacht Racing www.yachtracing.com.

AUGUST:Fishing Tournament:Mark your calendars for the Annual SHYC Fishing Tournament on August 10th. This is your chance to bring home that prized fish - and have it expertly prepared by our chefs, and receive an award for your trophy catch – details to follow.

Women’s Sailing: Essex Regatta Saturday, August 3rd (TBC). Last year SHYC ladies swept the board at this regatta that each club hosts at alternative locations. This year the venue will return to our waters. Will you help defend our championship position?

Wounded Warriors: Now in its fifth year, we are very grateful for everything Tom Moran does to organize this amazing one day event to sup-port Wounded Warriors. Last year we had a total of 54 people, consisting of 18 Wounded Warriors, 17 of their children, and 19 of their adult family members and friends, who we entertained at the Club and took out on members’ boats for a sail. Everyone had a wonderful time. Perhaps you would like to help-out this year. The date is Saturday, August 24th. More details to follow.

SEPTEMBER:The season may well be winding down for some but there is still time for camaraderie and fun racing. Put the September 7th B.I.G. Jack Regatta in your diary now. We sail from Watch Hill to Block Island and party at Dead Eye Dicks afterwards. Return under your own steam the next day or on Ideal 18’s.

And… Fall Frosting starts September 14th and runs through No-vember 2nd – a great chance to put your Laser, Sunfish or Ideal 18s to good use before wrapping it up for the season!

See you out on the water!

Tom O’Connell, Fleet Captain

SAFE BOATING CLASSES

As part of Stonington Harbor Yacht Club’s efforts to support fun and safe boating by its members, we have put together a list of boat-ing educational and training opportunities in our area that will be posted on our website. It starts off with the Safety at Sea seminars that are required for racing offshore, which include both lecture and in-water segments. Even if you do not plan to go offshore, you might consider attending. The lectures deal with safety equipment, steering systems, damage control and a host of subjects relevant to boaters generally. The hands-on and in-the-water portion is also worth considering. Learn how to use those fire extinguishers you carry; find out how to minimize heat loss and stay-ing together if you have to abandon ship; find out how it feels to have your PFD inflate; and answer that existential question that faces us as we age – can I actually climb into a life raft if I need to? We have also listed first aid and CPR classes, navigation classes, racing seminars and the annual women’s sailing symposium in Marblehead. 11

YOUTH ACTIVITIES The Youth Activities Committee is hard at work planning a year filled with great events for youth of all ages at our Club. Be on the look out for various holiday crafting parties, a winter in July event, kid and teen movie parties during the summer months, a grandparents dance, and many other exciting events throughout the year. Contact Betsy Houston if you have any ideas that you’d like to see take place for the youth of our Club. Let’s make this a wonderful year for our young members.

HOUSE COMMITTEE REPORT

SHIP SHAPE! is what the House Committee has taken on as its motto, mantra and reason for being. This applies to our appearance both inside and out, service, elegance in the dining room and the After Eight bar - in fact, everything our members love and appreciate.

Stonington Harbor is the most beautiful harbor in all of Long Island Sound. We want to be part of the summer cruise schedules of our friends - members and non-members alike. Our advantage is that we are the only club with dock space to welcome summer boaters of which there are many!

Throughout the year, our Club is also a wonderful place to have birthday parties, business meetings, and bridal showers. And we are looking for that business. In order to get it, we know we have to be ship shape.

We are also working on ways to make the terrace more noticeable and inviting from Wa-ter Street. Inside, we are working to freshen up the look. That work has already begun. The next time you visit the Club you will see the entry/coat storage area has been modi-fied and we have added a cozy “formal” dining area around the fireplace in the Founders Room. Now, the House committee needs your help to get the word out that SHYC is the “Best restaurant in town.” Rome wasn’t built in a day so we are setting goals for 3 months, 12 months and 18 months. We are eager to hear from you how we can be better and always SHIP SHAPE! Over and out!

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SHYC Food Committee A lot has happened with the SHYC dining scene in the last couple of months. Chef Chris Troisi was welcomed as Head Chef, and he was joined by Sous Chef Tiffanie Peterson. Chef Chris promptly developed and launched the new Fall Menu in Octo-ber, which featured new dishes using fresh, seasonal, and local ingredients as mem-bers have requested. Chef Tiffanie, who is a trained pastry chef, provided some of her very special desserts to round out the menu. The Chefs also created two terrific “themed” dining nights, one devoted to Spanish cuisine and one featuring a “pan Asian” menu. And the “weekly specials”, also featuring fresh, seasonal, and local ingredients, kept on coming each week. At the suggestion of the Food Committee, the Club began “Half Price Wine Wednes-days” in December. All wines, by the glass or by the bottle, in the Bar and Restau-rant, are half price on Wednesday nights. It’s been very popular, so come in for a drink, see friends, and stay to dine in the Bar or Restaurant. The new Winter Menu was launched in early January. Seasonal ingredients and dishes are highlighted, plus the return of a popular SHYC winter comfort food favorite -- meatloaf. The Committee will continue to meet monthly to address such topics as the Lunch and Bar menus and spe-cial dining nights and special promotions. Bon Appetit! Lois Cole, SHYC Food Committee.

...AND THE OSCAR GOES TO

It’s Academy Award Season and the Entertainment Committee, with Carole Barnard, has an even more exciting agenda this year. We will begin show-ing Academy Award nominated films even earlier than normal, on Janu-ary 24th and will continue to show films twice a week until Binge Day on February 23rd. To add to the festivities on February 24th, we will host an Academy Award Viewing Party including an opportunity to vote for your nominees. Stay tuned for details.

Since we enjoy the films so much and there are so many nominated this year we will continue to show films nominated in other notable categories until March 15th.

INVESTOR NIGHTS

Four times a year Tim Cahill, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management & Senior Portfolio Advisor, joins SHYC club members and friends over dinner to dis-cuss current market trends and the economic, political and social events that in-fluence investor behavior. These factors are constantly changing but our dinner format is dependable - Tim collects questions from each participant, provides a current market overview and proceeds to discuss the questions raised. 20 or more members and friends regu-larly attend. Where else can you get excellent market intelligence and informed discussion for only the cost of an excellent club meal?

Investor Dinner Nights planned for this winter are Wednesday, January 23rd, hosted by David Purvis and Wednesday, March 6th, hosted by Tom Sanford. Autumn dates will be an-nounced later this year.

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Recurring Events:Every Wednesday, 5pm ½ Price Wine NightEvery Friday 10:30AM Mah JongEvery Friday 12:00PMMen’s Lunch

Yankee Swap

4:15 PM Opera Night- Gotterdammerung

Russian Themed Dinner

6 PMEducation EventMark Borton- Solving the Riddle of the Tides

Football Playoffs*

5:30 PM Prospective New Member Open House/

6:30pm - Oscar Night - Best Pic

Football*

Dates Subject to Change.

6 PM Investor Night

6:30 PMOscar NightBest Picture

6:30 PM Oscar NightBest Picture

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Recurring Events:Every Wednesday, 5pm ½ Price Wine NightEvery Friday 10:30 AM Mah JongEvery Friday 12:00 PM Men’s Lunch

5:00 PMSuperbowl Party

7:00 PM French Dinner Table

6:00 PMOpera NightFidelio

12:00 PMLadies Lun-cheon & Jew-elry Appraisal

5:00 PMValentine’s Day Romantic Theme Dinner

6:00 PMEducation Event

6:30 PMOscar- Shoulda Woulda Coulda but Didn’t

Dates Subject to Change.

6:30 PMOscar NightBest Picture

6:30 PMOscar NightBest Actor

6:30 PMOscar NightBest Actor

Valentine’s Cookie Deco-rating/ 6:30 PM Oscar Night Best Actor

6:30 PMOscar NightBest Actress

6:30 PMOscar NightBest Actress

6:30 PM Oscar NightBest Actress

All Day Oscar Bingeing starts at 10:30 AM

7:00 PMAcademy Awards Party

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Recurring Events:Every Wednesday, 5pm ½ Price Wine NightEvery Friday 10:30 AM Mah JongEvery Friday 12:00 PM Men’s Lunch

8:30 AM US Sailing Race Committee Training

6:30 PMOscar- Shoulda Woulda Coulda but Didn’t

5:30 PMProspective New Member Open House/

6:30pmOscar Shoulda

6:30 PMOscar- Shoulda Woulda Coulda but Didn’t

10:00 PMAll Hands Race Committee Training

6:00 PMBar Bingo

6:00 PMOpera Night- Live at Red Square

St. Pat’s Craft Party/ 6:30 PMOscar- Shoul-da Woulda Coulda....

6:00 PMEducation Event

Dates Subject to Change.

6:00 PMInvestor Night

Stonington Harbor YacHt club32 Water St • Stonington, CT 06378 • (860) 535-0112 • www.shyc.us

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mailing label

January10th, 4:15 PM opera, Götterdämmerung:Wagner’s epic Ring Cycle concludes with acts of betrayal, murder, vengeance and finally the destruction of the world. In Götterdämmerung (“Twilight of the Gods”), the ring that the dwarf Alberich made from the stolen Rhine Gold continues to rule the fate of humans. Only Brünnhilde, once a warrior goddess and now the hero Siegfried’s mortal wife, has the wisdom to grasp the full significance of the situation. Her journey toward ultimate sacrifice absolves heaven and earth from primal corruption. Deborah Voigt and Jay Hunter Morris star in this Metropolitan Opera performance conducted by Fabio Luisi, sung in German with English subtitles. A German prix fixe dinner will be served at intermission. Note special start time of 4:15.

February 7th, 6:00 PM opera, Fidelio:Beethoven’s Fidelio is a story of personal sacrifice, heroism and the eventual triumph of love over op-pression. A courageous wife, Leonore, disguises herself as a man named Fidelio to search for her unjustly imprisoned husband, Florestan. She obtains work as a jailer’s assistant in order to help her beloved. When Florestan’s execution is ordered, Leonore fights for his rescue while she digs his grave. Camilla Nylund and Jonas Kaufmann star in this performance from the Zurich Opera House, sung in German with English subtitles. Nikolaus Harnoncourt conducts. Between acts, a prix fixe Spanish dinner will be served. Note special date of Feb. 7th.

March 14th at 6:00 PM, Live from Red Square Moscow:SHYC remembers the late superstar baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky (1962-2017). Live from Red Square Moscow presents him in recital with the great soprano Anna Netrebko, accompanied by the State Academic Symphony Orchestra with Constantine Orbelian conducting. The program includes selections from Verdi, Puccini, Giordano and Tchaikovsky with English subtitles. Don’t miss this special presenta-tion set against the spectacular backdrop of the Russian capital. A prix fixe Russian dinner will be served at intermission.

April 11th, 5:45 PM opera, Rodelinda:Baroque returns to SHYC with Handel’s Rodelinda, a dramatic tale of power, anguish and love. Bertarido, King of Milan, has lost his throne to the usurper Grimoaldo. The rightful ruler has fled abroad and circu-lated a false report of his own death, while his grieving wife Rodelinda is left behind to face Grimoaldo’s unwanted attentions. When the exiled king returns in disguise, everyone is put to the test. Renée Fleming and Andreas Scholl star in this Metropolitan Opera performance conducted by Harry Bicket. Sung in Ital-ian with English subtitles. Between acts, enjoy a prix fixe Milanese dinner. Note special start time of 5:45.

Opera Night Highlights This Winter