Cluding Our Past Commodores, I Re- Call the Challenges They Each Faced

Vol. CV No. 1 Buffalo Yacht Club April 2020

From the Commodore As I look back at the list of esteemed leaders of the Buffalo Yacht Club, including our Past Commodores, I re- call the challenges they each faced. Somehow each of them met their challenges and persevered. This year we are faced with what seems like Mike Barry, Past Commodore Dan we extend our appreciation to Dave one striking challenge after another. Ward and Rear Commodore Doug Nieman and PC Timothy Hunt for If there is one lesson I learned from my Bienko. Through their guidance we their contribution towards comple- predecessors, it was to place the right are seeing light at the end of the tun- tion of this project. Thank you to Jeff individuals into the correct position nel, and are moving forward toward Hayes for fabricating the welcome for optimum triumph. the opening of the basins. At Point sign replacement and spearheading As all of you are aware at the end of Abino things are progressing towards this task. All in all, the Point Abino October, we were hit with two disas- reopening in May. The north catwalk station under the guidance of our trous high windstorms causing severe sections have been replaced, water- operations manager, Captain Ruth damage to both the Point Abino and lines have been connected on the Sparks who says she plans on hav- Porter basins. There are so many south docks, the floating docks have ing this facility operational by the champions to thank who have gotten been reinstalled and stone is being beginning of the boating season. At us to where we are today, but three added to the south berm drive. The Porter we too are moving forward individuals come to the top of the list: day ranges & lights are being fabri- towards the reopening of the Immediate Past Commodore cated for replacement, COMMODORE — continued on page 2 Page 2 THE BINNACLE COMMODORE — continued from front page activities at the club through the end basin. The outer wall north docks of April. This virus has changed many have been ordered for replacement, things for all of us. I want to reas- but due to prior commitments, Kropf, sure all our members that we will do THE BINNACLE the manufacturer of our docks, will everything possible behind the scenes BUFFALO YACHT CLUB not have them ready for installation One Porter Avenue so that when this passes, we will be Buffalo, New York 14201-1097 until mid-August. Through the coop- swift to continue business as usual. I eration of members owning slips in the wish to thank all the members of the http://www.buffaloyachtclub.org inner basin we are accommodating board for their commitment to the OFFICERS—2018 those members directly affected, by Buffalo Yacht Club and its members. Commodore...... James A. Kulwicki suggesting relocating to Point Abino, They have all been working tirelessly Vice Commodore...... Stephen C. Munschauer late launchings, or even possibly mov- and have had to make some difficult Rear Commodore ��Douglas P. Bienko ing to another marina for the season. decisions in the past few weeks, al- Fleet Captain ...... Ed Gawarecki Through the combined efforts of Fleet leviating a lot of uncertainty for all Secretary...... Kim Reynolds Captain Ed Gawarecki and RC Doug of us. We are looking at all aspects Treasurer �� Paul Johnson Bienko it looks as if we have found a of the club operations and how we DIRECTORS home for all our Porter basin mem- might have to make some changes P/C Michael T Barry P/C Charles G. Obersheimer bers. Quotes are still being received and adapt to them. In the mean- Mark Hamberger Eric Christensen for other damages incurred after the time, stay safe and take all reason- Jeff Hayes Mary Theresa Seitz October storm, such as the catwalk, able precautions. Jonathan Johnsen Mike Ellison electric for the docks headed by PC Robert Gage, and fence replacement MEMBERSHIP MANAGEMENT just to name a few. The rafts holding Club Manager...... Sam DePasquale our FJ’s (Flying Junior) sailboats used The following new members joined Banquets & Dining...... Christine Storfer for boating education are being re- the Buffalo Yacht Club since the last Accounting/HR...... Mike Scheid constructed under the leadership of issue of the BINNACLE: Executive Chef...... David Miller Roy Jordan. The floating docks and Active: Paul & Diane Noel, Craig Membership...... Meghan Lee-Mueller moorings have been reinstalled, with Bruening & Shirley Stolarski, Point Abino...... Ruth Sparks appreciation to Joe Gelsomino and RC Social: Andrew Jakubowski & Dr. Boating Education...... Jonathan Johnsen Doug Bienko. Through the combined Geraldine Napierski efforts of many members and individ- Crew: Bernadette O’Connell BINNACLE Editor...... Doug Bienko uals we too are moving forward to the 2020 boating season. A huge thank Reinstatements accepted from: Dining Reservations—883-5900 you goes out to all our volunteers! Pt. Abino: Graham & Joy Stubbs Business Office—883-5900 Our clubhouse building weathered Point Abino—905-651-7957 the storm only sustaining minimal Change of classification accepted damage. New awnings and some mi- from: nor alterations will prepare our build- Active to Social: David Eckel ing for the summer season too. During our winter shutdown we were able to Resignations accepted with regret make some needed maintenance im- from: provements so that your club will once Retired Active: Ronald Rosser again be the jewel you are so proud to Active: John Weimer be a member of. Pt. Abino: Donna & Kim Crossman Our second obstacle/challenge is the Social: Robert & Julianne Preston, novel Coronavirsus (COVID-19) and Jim & Marylou Mucklewee, J. Keith how it has affected your Club. First of Alford, and Dr. Robert & Joan Con- all, the health and safety of our BYC schafter. members and staff is our top priority. Non-Resident: Roger Forden, Peter This virus is frightening, we don’t know Cook, Robert Tocker where it might be hiding or even who Intermediate: Michael Szymoniak, might be a carrier. It is the Buffalo Amy Waldmiller, Yacht Club’s commitment to doing our part to slow the spread of CO- We mourn the deaths of: Warren Marlene Bienko at the Antigua VID-19 by practicing social distancing, Barbour, Mary Louise Makey, Thom- Yacht Club. Notice Buffalo Yacht therefore the normal operations of the as Morsheimer, Tony Gruka, Richard Club burgee over her right shoul- clubhouse and restaurant have been “Ric” Hilliman, Thomas McCarthy, der - left there by Jim and Sandy suspended temporarily. This situation and our longtime employee Patricia Kondziela, about a month prior! is ever changing, so as of this point I Spinelli. can safely say we are cancelling all

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Abino Work Party are great new selections in a vari- 8 - Fleet Night ety of price points, all fabulous in 10 - Mother’s Day Buffet presentation and taste. 17 - Commodore’s Break- We are working on, and antici- fast pating introducing, a few new 21 – General Membership specials, such as a Thursday night Meeting in the bar $10 Burger and Brew, as 25 - Memorial Day – BYC well as, a Wednesday night pasta Closed special featuring three items from the creative skills of Chef Dave. June Immediately after the February 5 - First Friday Board meeting, a purchase order 13 - Graceland and the Vice Commodore comments was place to acquire 144 new din- BYC ing room chairs. This has been in June 27-July 1 - Interclub As I write this we are completing the works for quite some time and Cruise (Erie Dover) our second week of mandated will replace the well-used current shutdown due to the Coronavirus. barrel chairs, which have served July Accordingly, we have had to tem- us very well for several decades. A 3 - First Friday (5:30) porarily lay off the entire kitchen spring delivery date is subject to 4 - July 4th – Closed and wait staff except Dave Miller, production schedules, which are Reverse PHRF our Head Chef. It was decided currently in flux. Some of the old 9 - Cotter Fireboat Cruise that we were not particularly chairs will be moved to the bar 17 - Family Movie Night suited to be able to support a area and other may be poten- takeout or delivery service cur- tially offered for sale to members. Below is your 2020 BYC Board of rently allowed. On a somber note, we mourn the Directors. L-R Standing: Ellison, Things are very fluid and we are loss of our 40 year employee, Pat- Christensen, PC Obersheimer, PC following the guidelines as they ti Spinelli. There was a Celebra- Barry, Commodore Kulwicki, VC change and trying to project out tion of Life for Patti at the BYC Munschauer, RC Bienko, FC Ga- on a two week basis. As of March on March 8th to recognize her and warecki, Hamberger. L-R Kneeling: 23rd, we have canceled every- her time at the BYC. She will be Johnsen, Seitz, Tresurer Johnson, thing through Easter. We are con- missed. Secretary Reynolds. stantly evaluating the situation Stephen Munschauer for changes that will allow us to reopen for our members. We do, however, have some things to report on that happened up to the point of closing. During our annual shutdown we were able to refinish the wood floors in the bar area and the dance floor upstairs. The first floor Ladies Room had some touchup work and some accessory replacement/upgrades. The employee locker/bathroom has been entirely gutted and re- furbished. Many thanks to Doug Bienko, Ruth, and George for their work on that much needed project. Up through the closing, Chef Dave Miller has been hard at work. He and his kitchen crew produced an absolutely outstanding Page 4 THE BINNACLE Putting on my Ships husband hat, I have been busy at the Buffalo clubhouse rehabbing the employee locker room, with a lot of help from Ruth and George, it is going to shine, and be a very nice place for our great staff to use. Thanks to Jeff Hayes for his gracious help installing a new ceiling in the room. Thanks due to Bill Fla- glor and Trey Barett (Advace Glass) for their addition of a shower door for that project as well. During the shutdown Jason Dziadzio installed a new food warmer in the kitchen, as well as fixing a soup warmer – nice work, Jason! The contractor is starting work at the Buffalo basin, he tells me he should be finished within two weeks, we will try to get the floating docks in using social distancing, cannot have too many people at a work party. Rear Commodore Comments The south outside docks that the member work party re-decked in the Well. fall will be reassembled and launched I hope this edition finds you and your soon. The Kropf docks there are in, as loved ones well, and you are practic- well as the moorings that are still in ing social distancing (my wife keeps the field, we lost a few in the Hallow- trying to get in the house :) and all een storm. Thanks to Joe Gelsomino the recommendations on staying as usual, Commodore Kulwicki was safe. Point Abino station is ready to the other part of the trio working open, Captain Ruth has done a yeo- that day, thanks Commodore! The man’s job in preparing and coordi- contractor will replace those missing nating contractors work, when we as the last thing they do. As schools are able to cross the border again it are closed, the high school sailing sea- will be ready. Of course as our Cana- son has been cancelled for the spring, dian residents are able to leave their so no hurry there. But the club will be houses they will be able to get their open as soon as we can, of course we boats in and enjoy right away. The need the boatyards to open up, or it floating docks are installed, thanks will be a short season indeed. Top: collage of lower deck bar floor to Ruth and her family, the north So please support your club where progress. Middle Upper deck floor. pier is fully repaired, and we have you can, and stay safe everyone. Below:sunsets still gorgeous ! repaired the water lines and tested the electric for the docks. The range is being worked on by Tim Hunt and Dave Neiman, and should be ready, again when we are able to cross the border. Jeff Hayes had his staff design and fabricate a new sign, install will be done when we can get up there. Manny Giambicorta is working with a subcommittee on the party deck planning, we will be looking for a work party when the design work is finished. The berm has been repaired, with new stone installed and graded. The new WiFi system is scheduled to be installed April 30th. I am really looking forward to getting up there with Marlene on our new boat. THE BINNACLE Page 5 As I write this, the long pole in the tent is the project to have new docks fabricated and installed to replace the channel side docks on the outer wall as they were damaged beyond re- pair. The schedule is for the new docks to be delivered in late July with installation to take place soon thereafter. However, the COVID-19 pandemic can certainly change things from the moment that I am writing this. In the end though, we will end up with a proven design as they will be simi- lar to the new floating docks that were installed along the clubhouse wall recently. Those docks were a nice upgrade and they turned out Fleet Captain Comments to be tough enough to survive the As I write this, the situations we storm without any signs of distress. are all dealing with are in flux. As I write this, we are still expect- By the time you read this, many ing to have a work party day to things will be different. And they get the basin in shape for the sum- will continue to change after you mer season. A good time to see read this. everyone and get into the swing As I write this, many places are of things. closed or operating on a different basis, including the club. But we As I write this, I know that in the all know that things will improve long history of the Buffalo Yacht and toward that end we are con- Club we have overcome other dif- tinuing to work to get the Porter ficult situations and that spirit will Basin back into shape after sus- continue and carry us through this taining significant damage in a one. storm toward the end of last year. As I write this it’s cloudy and cool. Contracts are in place for some But we are all looking forward work. Other contracts are in the to the time when the weather process of being awarded for oth- and all else improves and we see er work items. And much work bright sunny days come our way has been accomplished through once again. the efforts of volunteers and our staff. As a result, some things will Right: Mary Theresa Seitz submit- have a different and improved ted an article she came across look. This includes some new and from the Courier Express Sunday improved docks, and upgraded July 9, 1944. Thanks Mary The- electrical service. resa! Page 6 THE BINNACLE

FIRST FRIDAY! Looks like a good time had by all! Can’t wait for the next one!

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Valentine’s Day was well attend- ed, amazing food and great service - as usual! Opposite page bottom right: dancing by most of the guests too! Page 8 THE BINNACLE THE BINNACLE Page 9 Buffalo Basin 2020 Rick Lewis 67 Howard Hain 26 John Higgins 68.1 Peter Godfrey 27 Robert Kaine 28 Joseph Gelsomino, Sr. 1 Patrick Neill 69.1 Tom Hauser 70 John Tomczak 29 John Radziwon 2 Mark Stuhlmiller 30 James Christensen 3 John Reinhold 71 Clement Arrison 72.1 Robert Gage 31 Thomas Leising 4 Jeffrey Hayes 32 Robert Miller 5 John Pettis 73.1 Michael Kraft 74.1 Jeffrey Hayes 32.5 Claudette Eggert 6 Mark Cryan 33 Claudette Eggert 6.5 Stephen Munschauer 75.1 Alan Aquilina 76.1 John Bratek 34 Laurence Beahan 7 Kimberly Whistler 35 Paul Neureuter 8.1 Jonathan Graff 77.1 Jeffrey Markarian 78.1 Peter Egloff 36 Frederick Cohen 9.1 Peter Egloff 36.5 John Murty 10.1 Bernard Kolber 79.1 Trey Barrett 80.1 Edward Sippel 37 Roy Jordan 11 Joseph Bellonte 38 Michael Ryan 12 Joe Gambacorta 81.1 Howard Hain 82.1 John Tracy 39 John Sanderson 13 Jonathan Johnsen 40 Charles Obersheimer 14 Carl Hensler 83.1 John Tomczak 84 Barry Goodin 41 Joseph Gelsomino, Jr. 15 James Blount 42 John Cosmann 16 Peter Egloff 85.1 Kimberly Whistler 86.1 Richard Scherer 43 Robert Fohl 17 Paul Johnson 44 Robert Lutz 18.1 John Bratek 87.1 Ronald Resetarits 88.1 Donald Boyd 45 Douglas Bienko 19 William Bredenberg 46 Paul X. Johnson 20 Michael Jordan 89.1 Daniel Ward 90.1 Dwight Moldenhauer 47 Richard Ham 21 Joseph Gambacorta 48.1 Thomas Tepas 22 Robert Kaine 91.1 Richard Scherer 92.1 Douglas Bean 49 James Atkinson 23 John Cosmann 50.1 William Flaglor 24 Adam Masters 93.1 David Woollatt 94 Roy Jordan 51 Michael Sendor 25 Eugene & Kelly O'Neill 52.1 William Bredenberg 26 Steven Molik 95.1 Jeffrey Baase 96 Frank Hayden 53 Tom Lewin 27 Steven Molik 54.1 Tom Lewin 27.5 Pam Menard 97.1 James Grenauer 98.1 Joseph Schwab Jr. 55 William Roche 28 Joseph Schwab Jr. 55.5 Robert Gage 29 Paul Noel 99 Craig Bruening 100 John Higgins 56 Michael McGee 30 Patrick Neill 57 Timothy Hunt 31.1 David Krystaf 300 Pam Menard 58 Jerry Cataldo 32 Merrily Kuhn 59 Emmanuel Gambacorta 33 Derek Reinhold 301 Matt Creenan 302 Joe Roetter 60 Ted Johnson 34 Jonathan Graff 61 George Anderson 35 John Sanderson 62 Edward Gawarecki 36 Edward Gawarecki 63 Robert Dobmeier 37 Abino Basin 2020 Trey Barrett 64 Michael Barry 38 Jerry Cataldo 65 Jeffrey Hayes 39 Carl Hensler 1 Julie Waldron 66 Peter Johnson 40 Malcolm Bourne Jr . 2 Robert Lutz 67 Mark Dadd 41 Thomas Leising 3 Paul Noel 68 Paul Grenauer 42 Alan Aquilina 4 Craig Bruening 69 Merrily Kuhn 43 John Murty 5 Vincent Brannigan 401 Mark Stuhlmille 44.1 Gerald Gasz 6 Jonathan Wright 402 James Franzek 45 Sandy Vogel 7 Martin Myers 403 Roswell Park 46 Paul Neureuter 8 Delbert Voth 404 James Kondziela 47 Paul Neureuter 8.5 Wiltold Skala 405 Robert Stelianou 48 Jeffrey Markarian 9 Joy O'Donnell 406 William Markel 49.1 William Flaglor 10 Kerry Kraft 407 Douglas Bean 50 William Flaglor 10.5 Irina Schwartz 408 Jodi Osinski 51 Irving Barrett 11 Lee Smith 409 Mike Dehart 52 Timothy Hunt 12 Gary Norman 410 John Tracy 53 Michael Jordan 13 Mark Osinga 411 Peter Godfrey 54 Michael Kraft 14 Bob Dyer 412 Joe Roetter 55 Richard Wiesen 15 Graham Stubbs 413 Andrew Dunbar 56 Robert Fohl 16 Rene Bouchard 501 Joseph Steinmetz 57 Gregroy Zagon 17 Rene Bouchard 501.5 Jonathan Johnsen 58 Stephen Munschauer 18 Eric Christensen 59 Robert Dobmeier 19 Julie Waldron 60 John Montague 20 Stephen Anderson 61 Andrew Dunbar 21 Dwight Moldenhauer 62 Dr. Emanuel Gambacorta 22 Peter Rains 63 Dr. Emanuel Gambacorta 22.5 Thomas Blanchard 64 Daniel Ward 23 Eugene & Kelly O'Neill 65 Daniel Ward 23.5 John Buscher 66 Craig Jones 24 Peg Leous 25 Page 10 THE BINNACLE

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Top: Greg Zadrozny is Member of the year, Bottom: Dave Miller is Employ- ee of the year. Top right: PC Barry with Tom Hauser being inducted to the Blue Gavel. Middle:PC’s gather to place his photo, bottom: with his photo. PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE The BINNACLE PAID Official Publication BUFFALO, NY of the BUFFALO YACHT CLUB PERMIT NO. 801 One Porter Avenue Buffalo, N.Y. 14201-1097

Patti Spinelli