June 2012 www.mbyc.com

MACATAWA BAY YACHT CLUB • 2157 SOUTH SHORE DRIVE • MACATAWA, MI 49434 • 616-335-5815

1 COMMODORE’S REPORT Enhancing at 2. Adult Learn-to-Sail MBYC Julie reports that a number of potential new members inquire Last month I wrote about about a club program to learn how to sail. Some members “what’s new at MBYC”. have also asked about a program for them or for someone in Two items that I mentioned their family. We have excellent programs for youth through were enhanced JY sailing the JA, but have not had a structured program or appropriate programs for Thursday and boats to provide education and training to adults who may Friday nights, and an adult not find a small boat like a JY suitable for learning. learn-to-sail program. I We also have a number of sailors in the two JY programs that would like to elaborate on did not receive any formal training in boat handling, sailing these programs, and the basics, or fundamental racing rules (like who has right of way). benefits for our Club: The Programs: We are finalizing the details of an adult learn- to-sail program that will provide the following modules: 1. Enhanced JY programs for Thursday and Friday nights A. Sailing fundamentals: Classroom education Member volunteers resurrected JY sailing at MBYC on Friday and training on the water in nights a few years ago, and the ladies initiated a Thursday B. Sailing fundamentals: Classroom education and night ladies sailing program more recently. Both programs training on the water in keelboats (S27.9) have been very successful, and have provided exciting, low C. Racing fundamentals: Classroom education cost sailing opportunities to experienced sailors as well as new and on the water coaching in JY 15s members. This has led to some new memberships as well as D. Racing fundamentals: Classroom education increased activity in the clubhouse on race nights. A major and on the water coaching in keelboats factor in the success of these programs has been the ability to These programs will be launched using educational materials provide JY 15 boats from the JA fleet to sailors who do not (handbooks and DVDs) from USSailing and others, and will own their own. This has put more boats out on the water, use member volunteers for education and on the water and more members on the roster. As we debriefed the past training. The intent is to provide basic, low cost sailing seasons, we have asked, “What can we do to make these instruction. The goal is to get participants comfortable with programs even better?” handling a in moderate conditions, with emphasis on having fun. These are not certified courses, nor will they be Here is the feedback: Appoint someone to be in charge of the taught by certified instructors. Look for more information administration of the programs, and to oversee maintenance to be posted on our website. to ensure that boats are always in sailing condition for the evening programs as well as for the JA sailors on Monday Are you an experienced sailor ?? Maybe you skimmed over mornings. These activities were dependent on volunteers and the first part of this article. The point is: Let’s get people out the JA coaches and could be handled more effectively by a sailing! Invite some new people out to the club this summer, singular appointed person. So, here is what will be new for and let them take the tiller or wheel of your boat. Share the 2012: club experience with some refreshments on the patio. Let Sailing Coordinator: We have hired one of the Hope Sailing new people discover why your grass is long, and your house is Team members, Evelyn Ritter, as one of the Dock Attendants dark on the weekends! this summer, with a special job description. She will handle I hope you all have a great summer season at Macatawa Bay the admin duties (entry forms, fees, boat assignments), check Yacht Club! out and check in boats and oversee maintenance, and provide Jack Knoblauch race committee for race nights. Look for Evelyn on Thursday and Friday nights in a blue shirt, and thank her for helping our sailing programs.

In Memoriam Robert Sligh Born Mar 27, 1954. Died May 21, 2012 MBYC Member Since 1959 2 Macatawa Bay

Yacht Club MBYC Flag Officers Commodore Jack Knoblauch Vice Commodore Tom Slanec Rear Commodore Bob Malone Board of Directors Immediate Past Commodore John Donnelly Treasurer Ted Simpkins Secretary Shae Kobs Director Kathy Day Director Scott Bernecker Director MaryJane Schoenherr Director Dave Keegin Director Chris Krimendahl Director Greg VandenBosch Director Eric Ash Judge Advocate JD Stone Management General Manager Julie VanderVeer Accountant Marilyn Baker Executive Chef Jim Ruehle Outside Manager Douglas Knapp Restaurant Manager Irena Miller Wind Scoop Editor Jon Bontekoe Web Scoop Bob Standish www.mbyc.com Our cover pictures record the historical moment on Friday, May 25, 2012 when the new building, Junior Sailing Center, was opened and dedicated. Our annual Stockholders’ meeting was held in the main classroom & boat storage room where the MBJA staff will teach boat setup and sailing basics. Photos show major donors Jeff & Mitch Padnos cut- ting the ribbon with Commodore Knoblauch and MBJA chair Steve Sisson. Several Padnos family members attended (seated front row). Other photos show the size of the room and a building view from the clubhouse. Photos by jb. Send club photos to [email protected]. We need members to document with cameras the summer of sailing and fun. 3 Annual Burning of the Socks Party

Burning of the socks is an old New England tradition of chasing the winter cold away and welcoming summer. Socks photos by Marcy Beyer and jb. 4 5 Memorial Day 2012

6 Memorial Day photos by Marcy Beyer, John Forsyth, jb. 7 VICE COMMODORE’S REPORT “There is a poetry of sailing Dredging: We were confident, due to the condition of the as old as the world” east harbor and the past year’s weather, that dredging cost Antoine De Saint-Exupery would be down this spring. We also had two contractors bidding for the job which significantly lowered the per cubic How wonderful it is to shut yard costs. Our dredging costs for 2012: $4950 vs. $20,000 down the engine and just in 2011. listen to the wind and the water rushing by the House Committee: The new patio furniture we ordered in for the first time each early April is promised to be delivered by late June. To spring. It’s an enchanting accommodate two additional 42" round tables the Buoy sound and feeling that Room patio has been enlarged approximately by 20%. never seems to grow old. Finally the boats are ready and the Club is ready for a great season. Hopefully you will be Menu & Wine Committees: The Menu Committee working pleasantly surprised by the improvements and changes that in conjunction with Executive Chef Jim Ruehle has created transpired this past winter. seven new items for this season’s menu. We had a tasting in late April and I can assure you Chef Jim has outdone himself Docks & Grounds: Did you notice the Clubhouse has been creating some very tasty new entrees. Please give them a try. repainted to match the new Junior Sailing Center? This gives The Wine Committee has selected four new wines for the our property a more “campus” like feel and improves the overall wine list and two new house wines are available at a very aesthetics of the grounds. Dockmaster Doug Knapp did a reasonable price point. For those who want to bring their yeoman’s job singlehandedly completing this task. Doug has own bottle of red or white to the club, we will serve it to you also been very busy replacing, repairing and cleaning all for a $15 corking fee. around the Club property. The place looks great and Doug deserves a big THANK-YOU. Suggestion: To truly enjoy your dining experience at MBYC I urge everyone to please, whenever possible, make reservations Another pleasant surprise is that the Junior Sailing Center in advance and RSVP to special events. This is a HUGE help (formerly dockmaster’s) restrooms/showers now have to the Club Manager, the dining room and kitchen staff and ventilation, heating and air conditioning. We took advantage ultimately to the enjoyment of the members. Another of the redo of the dockmaster’s building during the JSC reminder is to utilize the comment cards provided with your construction and installed the HVAC system at a considerable dining room/bar checks. We want to know how we are doing cost saving versus doing it at some time in the future. Another and want to make improvements ASAP when needed. new feature for this season is we will now have ice cream, snacks and non-alcoholic beverages at poolside. This is another All in all I’m looking forward to a great season at MBYC. idea suggested by our new General Manager Julie Vanderveer. With an energetic and enthusiastic General Manager in place, Julie is brimming with new ideas to enhance member a refurbished Clubhouse inside and out, the new Junior Sailing experience and Club revenue. Center up and running and those fabulous Macatawa Bay, sunsets where else would you rather be? “Who is staring at the sea is already sailing a little” Paul Carvel Tom Slanec

Mothers’ Day Buffet

8 The MBJA kids and parents had a Saturday night bonfire with hot dogs and lots of junk food. It was the largest group of kids this editor has ever seen at a bon fire. Photos by Marcy Beyer and jb.

9 REAR COMMODORE’S REPORT Mary and I so enjoy living June 2011 ....376 members in this beautiful part of the June 2012 ....394members world. Spring is the most enjoyable for us, as the area Our Membership and Marketing committee with Greg comes alive with boaters VandenBosh as chair has worked to develop a new member- preparing for ' down' ship brochure, that does a fabulous job of communicating and the annual excitement the attractiveness of our club. Julie will have a supply of these of that event. Our club is brochures in her office. If you know of a potential new mem- also ready for the new sea- ber, please ask Julie for a brochure to pass along. son with our new prized Junior sailing center, our Our membership goal each year is to attract 25 new mem- new GM Julie VanderVeer, new dining-room staff, and a few bers. So, why so many? The answer is simple. We need to new MBYC members who are anxious to experience the joys replacewww.mbyc.com those that for any number of reasons are no longer of their membership! involved in the club.

I am pleased to report that MBYC membership is strong. The So please, help the membership committee reach it's annual following is our total membership status for the last five years, goal. Talk to your non-member friends. Let's share the love. as of June of each year. This is a place that many can enjoy.

June 2008 .... 383 members Bob Malone June 2009 .... 382 members June 2010 ....385 members MBJA Report New Member Welcome spring! Just around the corner experience on our staff! We will be Recuritment Incentives is the beginning of our 31st season of hosting Black River Public School for In 2011 the Board approved an incentive youth sailing instruction. Leading our their spring term through June 7. There for members who recuit new members teaching staff is Genni Perry, a senior at will be middle and high school students with a bonus. The initial bonus will be a Alma College. She has been a part of the learning to sail optis and 420’s. Take a variable dining room credit based on MBJA program for over ten years, first moment to greet Genni, Lexi and Jason the membership level of the new as a sailor, progressing to helper, then if you are at the club during the day. member: Active $150, Intermediate instructor. We welcome her experience $100, Junior $50. Unused dining room and leadership to our staff. Lexi Petter, Registration has already begun for our credits can be carried over to the next Alex Post and Jay Mitchell, all of whom summer classes which begin June 18. year. Members can accrue up to the three are products of our MBJA program, will Please check out the revised class new member dining room credits per move up to instructor status this summer. guidelines on the registration link as well. calendar year. New member referral Lexi is a recent Black River and Looking forward to seeing you on the credits beyond the three outlined above will be attending American University in water! Marie Mell will be converted to the equivalent the fall. Alex is finishing his freshman discount off the upcoming year’s annual year at Georgetown and also competes dues with a cap at two new member on their collegiate sailing team. Jay referrals eligible for discount. recently finished his freshman year at the University of Illinois, studying engineering. We will also have one new instructor in our program, Jason Doyle, a junior at the University of Michigan, who sails on their college team. We are very fortunate to have such great Mothers’ Day Buffet 10 Luncheons April the club was witness to another La- dies Luncheon. For this year’s luncheon ladies were requested to wear outrageous hats. Linda Knoblauch, a fan of these things, set up some displays featuring his- torical items from the history of ladies’ fashions. Photos by Marcy Beyer.

The past commodores also had a lun- cheon. Those attending are pictured on left. (photo by Michael Kiss)

11 Macatawa Bay Yacht Club 2157 South Shore Drive Macatawa, Michigan 49434

Events in June Saturday June 2 CG Aux Inspections Saturday June 9 New Member Dinner Saturday June 16 Boil Sunday June 17 Father’s Day Buffet Saturday June 23 MBJYC Movie Night J U N E 2 0 1 2 Sun.Mon. Tues. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat. 12Coast Guard Aux JY15 Race Events Boat Inspections M17 Social Events S2 7.9 Wooden Shoe Private Parties Hit the Wall South Haven Inv 5 8 3 4 6 7 New Member 9 S2 7.9 Wooden Shoe JY15 SS M17 Welcome Dinner Regatta Bayshore YC South Haven Inv Series JY 15 Ladies Chicago NOODs Chicago NOODs 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 MBYC #2 & Junior Racing Bayshore YC JY15 PHRF #1 Chicago NOODs Cooking Class Series JY 15 Ladies M17 Shrimp Boil 17 18 19 20 21 22MBYC 3 23 Fathers’ Day Opti Summer Commodore’s Cup Buffet Windscoop Bayshore YC Laser Summer JY15 MBJYC Fishing Tournament Copy Due Series JY 15 Ladies M17 Movie Night 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Queen’s Cup Laser Summer M17 Commodore’s Cup Tripp Cup JY 15 Ladies WMYSA Regatta Queen’s Cup 12