Dear Eastern Member,
We are now less than three weeks from opening day, May 1st. That is a few days later than some years as there will be 12 Eastern members including your Commodore participating in the international team race, the Jackson Cup, hosted by the BYC.
But the delay of first firing of the canon is not going to slow any Club activities. As Paddle winds up, Dancing on Deck starts on April 14th and the Laser Spring series begins on the 17th. Launch service begins on May 1.
The Barker Room dining begins Thursday, April 29th. And those well versed in Eastern lore can earn themselves a free dinner, on the Commodore. I will be there on the 28th and 29th to ask all diners five questions regarding Eastern History prepared for me by our History Committee. Whatever table wins gets one free dinner! Look forward to seeing you there. It will be fun, informative and one of the few free lunches we give!
This brings us up to Opening Day, May 1st. In addition to our standard inaugural opening and canon firing, we will be re-commissioning the sparkling refurbished ET0 named in honor of long time race committee member Emerson T. Oliver. Emerson was an extraordinary man. Brilliant yet more honored for his giving and just plain "niceness." How many people are lucky enough to have their portrait hung at the Driftwood as well as an Eastern Committee Boat named after them! His daughter Susie and grandson, Andrew, will be on hand to help celebrate this re-birth. Thank you to Brooks Wales, Jay Pingree, Bruce Dyson and the entire Waterfront Committee for their insightful thinking and hard work in this project.
I am truly looking forward to this season as it will be highlighting the continuous hard work of your Council. Having served a total of 8 years on the council, I can say without reservation that this is the hardest working most productive Council with which I have ever been associated. Ted Turner used to say: "Lead, Follow, or get out of the way." I'm clearly following our Council's lead.
When you see council members around the Club take a moment to thank them for their contributions as well as provide input.
A good deal of credit goes to Club Secretary, Bob McCann, whose consistent, timely, and persistent call for Committee reports has all chairmen now in the habit of submitting complete reports. This saves a great deal of time at Council meetings and allows for developmental type discussions.
The Planning Committee did not stop with the pool. Twig and his team have laid out a blue sky series of goals, but is also taking the time to review the "Reserve Advisors Property Replacement Study." Not as exciting as rebuilding the Clubhouse or building a pool, but essential for fiscally responsible planning.
And despite the challenging economy, fiscally the Club is in great shape. This is due in large part to the diligence and hard work of our "Treasurer for life," Doug Emond. As I took hold of the reigns in fall of 2008, and faced with the pool costs, the need to borrow, and not unexpected surprises, I asked Doug to lay out a long range financial plan that included specific cash flow projections. He came back shortly with a plan that goes out to 2017. He updates it monthly as things change including actual and predicted interest rates. And, he rolls up his sleeves and works with Jeff, accounting, and House to make things happen according to budget! Doug embraces another of Ted Turnerisms: "Fast Bucks make for Fast Friends."
To insure our fiscal health goes forth unabated our House Committee Chairpersons, Libby and Joe Parker, have worked tirelessly this entire winter with Jeff, Chef Christopher and Doug Emond to plan out menus and service level to meet the wants of our membership and yet keep the costs under control. This process has produced a better understanding of cost throughout that will insure fewer surprises going forward. You owe it to yourself to stop by and enjoy unequaled food and service. Check the web site for schedule and menu.
And a bit of dining advice from the Commodore: Don't worry about a few clouds, rain drops, or even coolness if you are planning to dine on the porch. The wonderful all weather windowed curtains provided by Dr. Edwin Hirsch, combined with the outdoor heaters makes dining on the porch comfortable regardless of the weather. And, despite my encouragement the weather does cut back on the crowds.
Greg Mancusi-Ungaro and his Sailing Committee are rapidly filling up the calendar with sailing activities. A few weeks ago they hosted a very successful and entertaining rules seminar given by Dave Perry. They had over 100 attendees. I have already cited the upcoming Laser series and Jackson Cup. Greg and his team are going to lay out the entire sailing schedule at their kick off Sailing night, Thursday May 6th. Stop by to see what's coming.
To add support to our increasing focus on high level sailing events the Club finally has in place a 501 C3 Foundation that will allow for tax exempt donations to support sailing development and international competition. Wayne Colahan, President, and Alan McKinnon, Treasurer have lead the charge on this program and now that the paper work is complete and we assume accepted they will be organizing marketing and fund raising activities. You will be hearing more from them in the next month.
Last year Jr. Activities was hit with a bit of a curve ball and had to scramble a bit to get compliant with new state laws regarding "camps" as the Eastern program was ultimately determined to be. This year they addressed all these issues over the winner and instituted online registration and, at 84 campers, their rolls are already filled for the season.
Liz Blodgett-Smith and her Communications Committee deserve a good deal of credit for not only the greatly improved web site and eEasterners but also the seamless transition to online registration for many of the Eastern functions.
As fulfilling as the new pool was last season, Jean Skaane and her Pool Committee are taking things to an even higher level with the hiring a diving instructor to teach both the swim team and the older campers, as well as to instruct the life guards in safety. Program registrations will be online.
The Race Committee has a very full plate this coming season. The schedule is online and there will be online registration for regatta participation. Due to some injuries [Steve Jefferies broken leg], and travel plans the Race Committee is looking for additional volunteers to fill the sparkling new ETO. Anyone interested contact Cheryl Byrne. Prior experience is not required. They will train.
Tennis Committee Chair Laura Tyrell reports that the staff is hired and repairs of Court 1, 5 & 6 are underway.
The Commodores Ball and the Yacht Club Cruise have been moved to a less hectic time of the summer: July 30th and Aug 1st thru 7th. Fleet Captains Pike and Linda Noyes have organized the Cruise to head east again starting in Boothbay. All details are on the website.
With all of the above activity and improvements it is not surprising that Admissions Chair, Ward Blodgett, reports that applications are running strong. But, one of the inevitable results of our aging membership is that there is still space available for qualified applicants.
In addition to the "action steps" the Club has undertaken some housekeeping issues and has updated its liquor license so that it is in compliance with our license when hosting events on the lawn under the tent or at the pool. Bob McCann once again successfully carried the ball here. As a result drinks will be served at the pool on selected evenings. But, this also means "Bring Your Own" is not permitted at the pool.
Finally, under housekeeping and out of respect of our elders, there is a change to our parking regulations: Members 80 and over will be receiving in the mail a gold EYC sticker for their cars that will entitle them, and only them, to park in the four spaces that will be marked along side court 1, across from the main entrance. It is only fair that after all the years of contributions these elder members have given the Club that using it is made as easy as possible for them. Note, if younger members have a disability that makes walking difficult, yet not qualifying for handicap parking, they can contact Jeff Wargo to get a sticker as well. We appreciate that people always don't read their, mail or even signs and realize there will be a learning curve here. Please accept the polite note you may receive on your windshield explaining the new regulation in the spirit it is given.
I look forward to seeing you all even before Opening Day.
Commodore,
Robbie Doyle
