After our Cleanup on Saturday, we held our first meeting of the year around the good old fire pit, as it was pretty cold. Our wind magnet Deborah Champion, really helped by attracting most of the smoke away from the others..

Commodore Hatcher thanked all that showed up for the cleanup, we got a lot accomplished and the club is looking pretty good. The water and electricity are back on and we are ready for business. The water is just touching the dock, so we have a ways to go for the lake to come up, unless you are launching a sunfish or hobie cat. Steve Stahl has been doing a great job as yardmaster and has watched over the club all winter. Our next spring cleanup is scheduled for April 9th .. Our next Club meeting is April 8th.

Rob recognized our past commodores in attendance, Bill Miller, Gary Reimer, Deborah Champion and Lee Huddleston.

Bill Miller will be on WBKO this Monday 3-21 at 6:25 AM. to discuss the sailing school. Prices will be $40/ person, $75 / two people. And this year it will be held for 4 Saturdays beginning 4/30/16, classes will be 10-12noon with sailing on the lake after. All classes will be held at the Club. Bill will also be back on WBKO at mid-day on 4-26-2016.

We discussed preparations for the Blessing of the Fleet which will be held on April 30th. Plans are coming along, Social Chair Carol Kersting is doing the planning and Gary Reimer will provide a minister for this event. All club members are encouraged to come out and attend this event, which is the start of our season. This is the Clubs 50th Anniversary year!

Our purser, Alan Cannon reports that the bills are out for 2016. All members are requested to send back the enclosed Application, we are trying to update our database of boats and addresses and personal information on members. Thanks for your help on this. The lock combination will be changed soon and all paid up members will be getting the new one.

We will go back to having Friday night club meetings this year and will need cooks for these, the club will reimburse you for the cost of meat and drinks, members attending will need to bring a side or desert to share. Dinner will start at 6pm and the meetings will start at 7pm. We are looking to offer some presentations at these events, so if you have any nautical skills, stirring sea tales, musical talents, or other related things please consider stepping forward and hosting one of these presentations. We have had some pretty good ones in the past, Pete Kafer’s offshore cruising, Lee Huddleston’s Trailering safety, and Max Vinson’s tying a fob demo all spring to mind .. not to forget Bill Millers Guitar playing. Bill Miller is cooking for our April Meeting and brand new member Keith Simpson will be doing a Crab Boil for May ( Wow, what a great start! Thanks Keith). If you see people that are new, please take the time to introduce yourself to them it makes the club a friendlier place to be.

Check the Calendar for the Race events this year, we have all of the old favorites and a couple of new ones, Gary Reimer is looking for people to run some of these Regatta’s and is giving out Race Committee hats for those who are willing to step up. Also, as always we will need help on the Committee boat ( No Experience required, we will train) This is a good way for newer members to see what racing is all about, and a fun way to meet others and get into the club experience if you are starting out.

Here’s to us all having a great season this year and we’ll be looking to see all of you out at the club. I promise I’ll get the transom on the Seaweed painted a better color this year which should be an improvement all can appreciate.

Gary Guss – Scribe