November Beacon

Memories … ‘ like the corners of my mind Misty water-colored memories Of the way we were … ‘. Oh yes, how true the lyrics of that song are. It seems like just the other day we were tying the boat into a slip eagerly anticipating getting into the Clubhouse for a beverage and seeing friends. Days past since then but we had a great time, didn’t we? We shared fun-filled times with our friends, laughing and partying. So … ’ it’s the laughter we will remember Whenever we remember The way we were … ‘ Wait a Minute!!! The party is NOT OVER!!! This is North Channel Yacht Club folks and we still have two months left to go this year!

I want to send out a great big THANK YOU to everyone who pitched in and helped close our Club for the season. A good portion of it got done on the first work party but believe me, the second work party was no less important. I’ve visited the Island a few times since the doors were locked and look with admiration on how good things look tucked away for the year. Special recognition goes to those remarkable folks that ventured where few have dared to go. Chuck Stroh and Brent Malik ventured into the notorious Grease Pit from where few have returned. An inspiring task as they would tell you but one you would have to experience to believe. P/C Bob Watson self-immersed himself into the deep fryers, slipping … literally … in and out of consciousness while the equipment was turned immaculately clean. No self-respecting French fry will hesitate to be thrown into those fryers. When I had called out a question about an issue, our Commodore Don Vanover popped his head out of a crawl space to answer. It turns out that our Commodore was busy UNDER the Clubhouse making sure the winterizing of pipes was going as planned. These stories don’t make the rest of the work any less important. It’s these stories that show the commitment and love for the Club that is shared by our membership. It’s our participation in even these less-than-desirable tasks that brings the success of North Channel to the forefront. Thank You. Thank you All. The General Membership meeting and Election Results went well. I want to congratulate all of those who put themselves forward in an effort to better serve our Club. This contest is not about winning or losing. The work and effort that is put in by these individuals goes well beyond any election campaign. They show what participation is all about. So, congratulate those who are stepping into their positions for next year. Congratulate those that had stepped up and tried. You had better believe that both are important assets to this Club. Finally, congratulate and thank those out-going directors of who gave you their all during their terms of office. Diane French … thank you. Greg Brigman … thank you. Kim Miedema … thank you. Thank you All. You have made this Club a better place for your efforts. ‘ … Memories may be beautiful and yet What’s too painful to remember we choose to forget So it’s the laughter we will remember … ‘.

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