Commodore's View

It’s been a terrific year. We’ve had some great cruises and some outstanding races. We’ve entered our thirty-first year as a club, and the course ahead appears long and clear. Of all the sailing clubs I’ve ever associated with (two C-22 fleets, two "homeless" sailing clubs, several "grounded" sailing clubs and half an odd dozen yacht clubs), North Florida Cruising Club remains at the top of the list in delivering what it promises.

That is owed, almost exclusively, to NFCC’s Captains Race and Cruise. This past year, we’ve been privileged to have Leslie Berdahl directing cruises, and Bubba Futch running the race program. Both were exemplary in the execution of their duties; If you attended any of the races and cruises this year, that fact would be self evident. Leslie and Bubba, let me take this opportunity to thank you for the entire membership for the hard work and dedication.

Dave Kyser promised us a year of programs that would be more instructional than entertaining. I learned a lot from Dave this year, for that I thank him. He’s always entertaining. I know the Club is in good hands with Dave as Commodore.

Alison Cruess is tireless, thoughtful and imaginative. Without her, a lot of things wouldn’t be happening within the Club. Perhaps some of them would, but not to the level that Alison has taken them. Her personal support of the OPC fleet has allowed for a consistency that has spanned several years. In my mind, Alison and her family, Fred and JR, pretty well embody what NFCC’s beginnings were based upon.

Anne Banas has maintained the high standards of approach that previous treasurers for the Club began and upheld. If you ever get the time to attend a board meeting, you’ll notice that the treasurer’s report always comes first. That seems to make for more realistic visions for the various projects and undertakings that NFCC sponsors.

Dave Dollar undertook vending. That was a brave thing to do, considering that he had no experience. And, considering that he had little idea of what he accepted, he carried out his position with meticulous accuracy. That goes for NFCC Vending as well as being a father. Congratulations.... The products available at the ships store allow you to voice your support of NFCC in a number of ways, not to mention making for a sharp looking crew.

Gaye Esperson had several things dropped in her lap during the year, and in spite of a crushing work schedule, she managed to pull them off fairly well. Russ Ettmyer stepped up in several situations to fulfill his role of support for the Flag officers. Unfortunately, John Hall was unable, due to work considerations, unable to totally fill his office for the year, but with a Club like this one, you have to expect things to happen, and other officers stepped up to make sure the duties were carried out. Dave Montgomery has produced one of the finest looking newsletters I’ve ever had the privilege to read, let alone write for.

As Commodore, I promised two things. One, that I’d try to turn the Club over to the next Commodore in better shape than it was, or at least in no worse shape. I don’t know about my leaving the Club in better shape, but it’s in no worse shape, if not slightly dented. In case you don’t realize it this will be my last regular contribution to the WindScoop. I’d like to use this last final space to thank each of the folks mentioned above for a job well done.

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