Officers

Mitch Ruth

Commodore

Pep Lowe

Vice Commodore

Cryss. Toycen

Rear Commodore

Dan Irish

Past Commodore

Rebecca Irish

Treasurer

Janine Bombach

Secretary

Vicky Birney

Port Captain

Teresa Campbell

Fleet Medical Officer

Directors

Jeff Saether

Facilities

Amy Roosa

Newsletter

Cheryl Stinson

Clubhouse Manager

Felicia Lowe

Website

Frank Cambell

Membership

Brent Malone

Dockmaster

Phil Fusselman

Reciprocity

S w i n o m i s h Ya c h t C l u b

May 2020

Volume 1, Issue 5

Channel Marker

Commodores Log 2

Vice Commodores Log 3

Rear Commodores Log 4

Steak Fry 5

SYC Info 6

Other New 7

Upcoming Events 8

Ships Store 9

Inside this issue:

Commodores Log Page 2

Greetings all! I hope all of you are well and finding ways of coping with our Covid-19 experience. It’s a rough spring for us all. As the Grateful Dead once sang, “What a long strange trip it’s been.” I say that because we are all being assailed with clearly contradictory and opposing points of view from “experts” on both sides of the issue. We’re told that “…it’s not safe to leave the house for any reason, unless of course you have a reason, then you may safely leave the house. All stores are closed, except those that are open. All businesses must remain closed, unless they need to remain open. This virus is deadly, but don’t be afraid of it; it can only effect those who are vulnerable to it and those who are not vulnerable to it. The virus has no effect on children, except those it effects. Schools are closed because it’s not safe for students there and you must home school your children, unless you are not home. In which case you can send them to school where it is safe. It’s not safe to fish, but it’s safe to shop at places like Costco or Lowe’s.” All I know is that I don’t know what the right answer is. So, for me and my family, we will continue to be play it safe, limit our exposures, wash our hands more frequently and be as patient as we can until this is all over. Better to play it safe, reduce exposure risks and not inadvertently expose others who may be at high risk. Since we have had to cancel Opening Day, we will continue to look forward to club events after the restrictions are lifted like the Steak Fry and Gold Tournament at Lopez Island. Which by the way, we already have our reservations for. I strongly suggest that everyone make reservations as quickly as possible. Once the restrictions are lifted, I suspect that it will be very difficult to get reservations anywhere. We are advised that Lopez Island will not be charging a cancellation fee in the event that the restrictions are not lifted by that date. Personally, I can’t hardly wait! In the meantime we’ll enjoy trips around the San Juan’s on our own. Maybe anchoring here or there, but temporarily avoiding state park areas. I know.. not a lot of logic in not letting us use mooring buoys or anchorage in state park areas as long as we don’t go ashore.. but those are the rules at the moment. In the meantime, make your reservations for Lopez Island Marina. The Steak Fry and Golf Tournament will be

great! So you there!

Mitch Ruth

Commodore

Paradiso

Vice Commodore’s Report ...

Mitch Ruth

Page 3

Vice Commodores Log

Hi gang,

April showers are almost over, hopefully May will be a little drier. It’s too bad opening

day had to be cancelled. For those of you who do not procrastinate and had a bunch of

decorations ready for the Opening Day event, Cryss. will be hosting next years Opening

Day with the same Vikings theme.

Last weekend we finished up our project of replacing the vinyl windows, so to celebrate I

gave the boat a bath, and removed most of last winters filth. The following day the boat

was completely covered in a layer of yellow (pollen) so much for all that effort.

I would have preferred to celebrate our new windows with a cruse out to the San Juan’s, but they are still

closed. Hopefully with the nice weather coming on, the restrictions will be lifted soon. Felicia has an App

on her I pad that shows boats with AIS and there are several boats out in the islands, maybe this is a sign

that the restrictions will be lifted soon.

We are excited to get out on the water now that the nice weather is here. We talked to the Lopez Islander

about the Steak Fry and although June is still a little bit down the calendar, we are planning on it taking

place. Normally when the Islander takes reservations you have to leave a deposit that isn’t refundable, but

this event given the circumstances will not require a deposit. So, I hope to see lots of SYC boats at the Steak

Fry.

We miss all our boating friends, see you soon.

Pep

Escape

Vice Commodore

Page 4

Rear Commodore’s Report ...

Rear Commodores Log

May, 2020

Ahoy SYC … !

Hmmm … we are now going into our 4th week (for some of us more) of the state’s “Stay

Home” order. Usually, we would be looking forward to opening the doors to our beloved

clubhouse to gather for Opening Day ceremonies and boat parade. But, alas, it’s not to be this

year. It has been heartening to see the many ways that members have been keeping their

sanity and to just check in on each other.

Jeff and I heeded our own advice to work on those long neglected boat projects. DownEasy got a spa day with

Santiago and is sporting a new coat of wax. She looks pretty damned good for a 20 year old boat! We also have been

Zooming with groups of friends and even did a Staycation in A34 in LaConner. It was eerie seeing the streets, stores

and restaurants vacant.

We have been trying our best to not let the craziness get to us, but we are anxious to get back out on the water and

see you all again. Hopefully, we will be able to keep the Steak Fry and Golf Tournament on the books at Lopez …

fingers crossed! I’m sure more information will be coming in the next few weeks. Until then, we will be eagerly

awaiting the time we get to see everyone again!

Cheers,

Cryss. Toycen

Rear Commodore

DownEasy

Page 5

2020 SYC Steak Fry & Golf

Tournament

June 12th – 14th at Lopez

Islander Resort *Due to the uncertainty about the COVID-19 lockdown this announcement is tentative. Updates

will be published as needed. If you want to attend you should make your reservation now and that

can be cancelled later if need be.*

If you plan to attend you will need to make two contacts, one for moorage with Lopez Islander Resort by calling

360-468-2233, the other to Dick Hunter at richard@anamcaraboat.us, or 206-851-2831 (leave message if no

answer). If you are going to join the golf outing, please RSVP to Greg Lenke at glenke01@pro-adjusters.com.

Friday 5:30pm BYOB Happy hour and potluck appetizers on the dock

8:00pm Music and drinks in the bar and boats

Saturday 7:30-9:00am Breakfast and eye-openers on the dock (provided)

9:00am Golfers catch a ride in the Islander Resort van to the golf course

10:00am Golf Tournament, Lopez Island Golf Club (drinks available)

Mid-afternoon Van back to the Islander – Hosted by Kathy Scammell and Greg Lenke

4:30 PM Tournament awards, auction and raffle

6:30 PM Steak Fry, Islander Club House

Bring your own steak, plate, utensils

Gas BBQ’s will be provided

(drinks must be purchased at the bar)

Please bring a side dish /dessert to share:

A-K: sides/salads

L-Z: desserts

8:00pm Music and drinks in the bar and boats

Sunday 7:30am: Breakfast and eye-openers on the dock (provided)

To Noon:

Depart docks by Noon

Host: Dick Hunter

206-851-2831 (Leave message if no answer)

Lopez Islander Resort 360-468-2233

Monitors VHF 78

EVENT TEAM

Dick Hunter

Golf Coordinators

Greg Lenke

Kathy Scammell

Beverage Golf cart

Linda Beam

Welcome to our Newest Members

Page 6

Stayed Informed:

Online Newsletter

There is an online archive of past

newsletters on our website.

Attend General Meetings:

March 7th & November 7th

Like us on Facebook!

Reminders:

To view pictures from all events

please click on the link below:

Swinomish Yacht Club –

Pictures

For Event Planning, please visit:

http://

www.swinomishyachtclub.org/

members/events/

SYC Cookbook—

Send recipes to Wendy Britt at

rwbmega@msn.com or give to her

at any event.

2020

ROCHE HARBOR KIDS CRUISE

Plan ahead young and old alike, kids, grandkids, we’re all kids!

Kids Cruise July 10, 11 &12.

Make your reservations for this event ASAP! We’ve secured slips

and a party barge with bbq, tables and chairs! Please rsvp to

downeasy@frontier.com for this great event. So far we’ve got 22

kids attending!! Come be part of the fun!!!

Also rsvp to: Downeasy@frontier.com

Or

Call/text Jeff Toycen

425.308.9459

SYC Members - Just a reminder

– If you are a current marina tenant and you sponsor a new member to SYC, who is also a marina tenant, you can both

get a $150 credit to your moorage accounts.

- Use of Reciprocal Dock:

Peak Season 1 night per visit, 1 visit per month. Electricity is $5.00 per night

Off-Season 2 nights per visit, 2 visits per month. Electricity is $5.00 per night.

See membership book for further details.

Page 7

LACONNER YACHT SALES

Thinking of selling your powerboat? LaConner Yacht Sales

is busy with buyers and would like to talk with you about

listing your vessel.

Give us a call or stop by the office located in the

LaConner Marina. 360-466-3300.

Enjoy taking pictures? We are looking for a volunteer to take photos at the events when

Michael Arthur is not available. You do not need a fancy camera, the phones nowadays take some

pretty nice photos. Not only do our members enjoy seeing the photos, it brings people into our

club after seeing how much fun we have. The photos can be uploaded to Google Photos through

a PC or a mobile app. If you are interested please contact Felicia or any one of the board

members.

Page 8

Event Planning - Helpful Hints and Resources:

• Review past Channel Markers for inspiration on your event

• Provide event information/flyer to the Newsletter Director at least month prior to event

• Send email to the club about your event at least month prior

• If the event requires reservations at the marina, the hosts should send out a mass email to club asking for RSVP’s at least 3 weeks prior to event

• At least 1 week prior to event, send email out as a reminder and showing those who have

RSVP’d. Also provide slip assignments, if applicable.

• Please go to http://www.swinomishyachtclub.org/members/event-planning/ for

event planning forms. These forms contain information that you may find helpful when planning.

* Note: for hosts of club events, if you would like a flyer to be added to the newsletter for your upcoming event please send to

Amy Roosa at amy.roosa@gmail.com at least a month prior to the event. I can assist with content and design.

Event: Host: Date:

Steak Fry & Golf Tournamnet Dick Hunter June 12-14

La Conner 4th of July Parade Dan & Rebecca Irish July 4th

Kids Cruise Jeff & Cryss. Toycen July 10-12

Wine & Stein TBD July 17-19

Sucia Run Mitch & Jill Ruth Aug. 7-9

Covid-19—As conditions change, please watch email for any updates to upcoming events

P.O. Box 602

La Conner, WA 98257

Our club was formed to promote safe boating and sponsor marine events to stimulate interest and family involvement in boating.

Swi nomi sh Yach t

Cl ub

Jan Robertson

Ship’s Store Managers

Be sure to get the latest from the Ship’s Store! Check it out here!

http://www.companycasuals.com/SYClub/start.jsp

Website:

www.swinomishyachtclub.org

Website Administrator: Felicia Lowe

Channel Marker Editor: Amy Roosa