2018 Membership Renewal Due March 31st!

It is once again time to renew your Harbor Bay Yacht Club membership.  Earlier this year you should have received a 2018 Membership Renewal form via the USPS.  Please confirm or update the information on the form and provide payment to the membership committee (Brenda Marcks).

Please check your email addresses on your renewal forms closely - the HBYC Webmaster uses the email addresses provided to send the HBYC News updates to you.

If you have any questions or need another renewal form, click on this link to contact the -->  HBYC Membership Committee.

Membership dues must be paid or postmarked by March 31, 2018!

Navigation Class at HBYC

Tim McKenna of Erie Island Sailing School will be holding a navigation class on February 17th and 18th.  He is using the HBYC club house for this class, and has offered a discounted rate for HBYC members. 

Visit his website Erie Island Sailing School or call (412) 951-1235

HBYC Celebrates the end of Prohibition at Winter Rendezvous

After a long day of meetings, checking boats in frigid temperatures, and learning about the perils of Probition in the 1920's, the Harbor Bay Yacht Club celebrated the the repeal of Prohibition 85 years ago in style with the Rum Runners Ball.

Following dinner and the Change of Watch Ceremony, members in 1920's era attire enjoyed the music provided by the Windjammers Big Band.  

Check out more photos -->  Rum Runners Ball

A special thanks to Vice Commodore Harvey Rickert and Trustee Sandy Biesenberger for making this evening possible!

All kinds of trouble showed up for this party.  Rabble rousers James Altherr, Wanda Weiman, and Mike Petsch are caught in the act. 

The Windjammers Big Band provided fantastic entertainment for drinking....

....and dancing!

HBYC Change of Watch Ceremony Conducted During Winter Rendezvous

Harbor Bay Yacht Club's Change of Watch Ceremony was conducted just before the 1920's themed dance.   Dressed in their finest Prohibition era costumes, club membership thanked previous leadership and tapped new Bridge Officers, Trustees, and Staff Officers.

To learn more about who charts the course for the Harbor Bay Yacht Club, Click -> Who We Are

George Harizal was recognized for his tenure as Commodore and his many years of service to the club.

Commodore George Harizal thanked 2017 Bridge, Trustees, and Staff Officers.  Left to Right: Rear Commodore - Harvey Rickert, Vice Commodore - Don Petsch,  Trustee - Tim Kemerley, George Harizal, Trustee - Jim Hearst, Secretary - Janice Hearst, Trustee - Sandy Biesenberger, Trustee - Russ Marcks (Not Pictured: Past Commodore Jan Holmes and Treasurer Margo Holmes) 

The ceremony then conducted a peaceful transfer of power as George Harizal swore in Don Petsch as the 2018 Commodore. 

The 2018 Bridge was then completed as Commodore Don Petsch recognized Harvey Rickert (L) moving to Vice Commodore and Russ Marcks (R) accepting the Rear Commodore duties.

Commodore Don Petsch then recognized incoming Trustees James Altherr (L) and Dewey Hughes (R)

Commodore Don Petsch recognized the remainder of the returning Trustees: Tim Kemerley (L) and Sandy Biesenberger (R), and the NEW Sandusky Harbor Marina General Manager - Melissa Walter (Center).  Welcome Melissa!

Commodore Don Petsch recognized 2018 Staff Officers Janice Hearst (L) as returning Secretary and Pete Rao as incoming Treasurer.

Local Writer Visits HBYC at Winter Rendezvous

Writer R. C. Durkee visited Harbor Bay Yacht Club during its Winter Rendezvous at Sawmill Creek Resort to discuss the local impact of Prohibition, which inspired her book Rum Run.  

The 18th amendment to the constitution (which Ohio ratified on January 7, 1919) prohibited the "manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States."  Prohbition became the law of the land on January 17th, 1920.

As time marched forward from the start of prohibition, stockpiled supplies of liquor and alcohol dwindled, creating an oppotunity for Bootleggers (on land) and Rum Runners (on water) to supply the rising demand by transporting alcohol from Canada, across Lake Erie, to the United States.   This placed the Lake Erie Islands and the Ohio Northern Shore in the middle of dangerous and illegal activities.

R.C. Durkee's historically accurate, but fictional account of a local boater living and surviving this dangerous time is spell binding, engaging, and informative.  It is a must read for boating enthusiasts familiar with the Erie Islands and the Nothern Shore from Port Clinton to Cleveland.

Learn more about R.C. Durkee, her book Rum Run,  and her next project --> R.C.Durkee

R.C. Durkee is both a writer and an award winning artist who blends her love of history, nature, and the rural life into her creative projects.  

HBYC members gathered to hear R.C. Durkee's presentation at Sawmill Creek Resort during the 2018 HBYC Winter Rendezvous.

R. C. Durkee provided an overview of Prohibition in the 1920's and how it impacted the local area and the Lake Erie Islands.

HBYC Member Stephanie Irwin learns more about the author's writing process.

Baby it is cold outside...

...but the Winter Rendezvous will be hot!

Preparations are all set for ths weekend's shindig.   Old Man Winter is trying to spoil our party, but he ain't gonna do it!  Having said that, please keep an eye on the weather, use your best judgement, and BE SAFE!

Here is the final schedule for the weekend:   2018 Winter Rendevous Schedule

Sandusky Harbor Marina management is planning a brief overview to members after the author speaks, but prior to lunch.

If anyone has been preparing for the weekend by reading R. C. Durkee's book "Rum Run" , you may remember a big party with a big band.  Here is a song mentioned in the book that will get you ready for the weekend.  I found a great recording on Youtube.  Click Here and enjoy-->  I Wish I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate

Cheers!

2018 HBYC Winter Rendezvous

Rear Commodore Harvey Rickert is bringing the event to Sawmill Creek Resort in Huron, Ohio.  Friday evening will be a time for socializing in the “Big Bear Saloon” over a cold one at the cash bar.  Saturday morning, meet author R.C. Durkee, who will give a talk about Rum Run, his novel based on bootlegging and rum running activities in our local area, including the islands during Prohibition. Saturday evening will include our traditional Change of Watch and dinner, and will feature the “Rum Runners Ball” where we’ll enjoy sounds and dress of the Great Gatsby era as we listen and dance to live music from the 20 piece Windjammer Big Band. This will be a costume ball, so begin laying out your period correct duds from the Twenties and Thirties.

2018 Winter Rendezvous - The Rum Runners Ball
         When: January 12th and 13th, 2018
         Location:  Sawmill Creek Resort in Huron, Ohio
         For registration details click here:  Schedule and Registration Form
         To reserve a room click here:  How to book your room online
              Click here to access:  Sawmill Creek Resort Reservation

Reminders:
- Due by December 10th!! - Hotel Reservation

- Due by January 4th, 2018  - Send Registration Form and Check
Made out to Harbor Bay Yacht Club
C/O : Treasure Pete Rao, 6699 Hounds Run Dr.  Medina, OH 44256

Commodore's Corner

By Commodore George Harizal

It’s November and there are still boats in the water! This was a busy boating season that didn’t want to end. Our weather remained favorable well into the fall months, allowing most of our members to enjoy a few extra weeks on the water. 

Read the rest of George's update by clicking here -->  November Club Update

HBYC Member featured in "Good Old Boat" publication

Melanie Hitch reported that: 

Ken and Eva Gorby just had Lucky Lady, their Pearson 323, featured in This Old Boat (issue 117  November/ December 2017) in a 4 page write up with many photos, which were taken at Huron this past summer.

Congratulations!!!   Well done!!!

The WebMaster could not access the article online - here is a link to the website  -->  Good Old Boat

Thank You Letter from Bob and Jeannie Brandt

Jeannie and I want to express our sincerest thank you to everyone at Harbor Bay Yacht Club for their generosity and support for the Robby’s Voice “you gotta regatta” event held on September 16th and 17th. Whether you participated in the race, came for the dinner, bought a raffle ticket, gave a donation, or just gave a word of support, we are grateful. There are so many individuals to thank who worked hard to put event together. Steve and Larry for organizing the race, Sandy for putting together a really wonderful evening, Jeff and Don for manning the raffle board, and all those who donated door prizes. I’m sure we missed a bunch so we apologize but you all contributed to making it a success.

The money will either be put towards our school education programs or something of need at the new recovery center in Medina called Robby’s. The center has exceeded our expectations as it is now hosting 19 meetings a week, pier support, an open mic night, yoga classes, free dinner and movies (donated by local restaurants) on Saturday evenings. Future plans include 2 additional family support nights, a youth recovery program and a program for children of addicted parents. The restaurant is on schedule to open for breakfast and lunch in November/December. The neighborhood has gone from concern to total support, going so far as to donating cupcakes, cookies and donuts almost daily. The center now has 1 full time and 6 part time employees, all people in recovery, and at last count 31 trained volunteers.

We are reminded every day of the precious value of life as we hear the new statistics of people dying because of their addiction, young and old alike. We feel blessed beyond what we deserve to be part of such a wonderful group of friends at HBYC.  Please have a wonderful and safe non-boating season and we hope to see you all waxing your hulls sometime in spring. Once again thank you.

With our sincerest gratitude from everyone at Robby’s Voice and Robby’s,

Bob and Jeannie Brandt