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, in- cluding 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 When disaster strikes, wouldn’t you like to be insured by someone local, who knows boats? We Know Boats! Marine Insurance — Since 1904 Stevens Marine Insurance Agency a division of Vanner Insurance Agency 11 Pinchot Court, Suite 100, Amherst, NY 14228 Contact Peter Stevens 716-688-8888 ([email protected]) www.vannerinsurance.com for personal attention THE BINNACLE Page 3 Valentine’s Day dinner event Upcoming Events which was repeated the next night (a Saturday night). He has May created a new spring menu, with 1 - First Friday/New Mem- a chance to preview it just before ber Event – Cinco de Mayo at the closing. When we reopen, be sure BYC and come in and try it out. There 2 - Pt. 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.