Ah yes although its plenty cold outside the days are indeed getting longer and the season is almost upon us. Things are shaping up nicely for the 2010 campaign and I’m here to provide the details. First things first – the schedule of events as slated; notice the date for the Blessing of the Fleet has changed thanks to Capt. Connie Polk reminding me that I had it slated for Derby Day! Here we go:

MARCH

• 12 – POYC Meeting at the lake. Potluck at 6 pm/Meeting at 7. Come on out and bring a side, I’ve put in the word for good weather.
• 20 – POYC Spring Work Party – 10 am – Hardmaster Reimer has an aggressive agenda for us to accomplish so all hands on deck!

APRIL

• 9 – POYC Meeting at the lake as above.
• 22 – Sailing School – Classroom location to be announced. Capt. Lee Huddleston in charge.
• 24 – Sailing School on the water – Captains and boats needed to take students out.
• 29 – Sailing School – Classroom Session.

MAY

• 1 – Sailing School on the water – again Boats needed.
• 6 – Sailing School – Classroom Session.
• 8 – Sailing School on the water.
• 13 – Sailing School – Last Classroom Session.
• 14 – POYC Meeting at the lake as above.
• 15 – Blessing of the Fleet / Final Sailing School on the water.
• 29 – Huddleston Cup Spring Regatta – Skippers Mtg. 10 am. 29/30th. Sponsored by Commodore Miller.

JUNE

• 11 – POYC Meeting at the lake as above.
• 19 – Roberts Long Distance Race – Details forthcoming on this first ever event.

JULY

• 4 – Yankee Doodle Regatta. Sponsored by the venerable Capt. Herb Siewert.
• 9 – POYC Meeting at the lake.

AUGUST

• 7 – Karl Millen Regatta.
• 13 – POYC Meeting at the lake.

SEPTEMBER

• 4 – Dixie Cup Regatta – Sponsors Barry Sanders and Rob Wyatt. OREC present from WKU.
• 10 – POYC meeting at the lake.

OCTOBER

• 2 – Great Minnow Regatta – note this is a ONE day event this year.
• 8 – POYC Meeting at the lake.

NOVEMBER

• 12 – POYC Meeting at the lake – the last hurrah!

DECEMBER

• 11 – POYC Christmas Party.

Setting the schedule was not the only order of business at the Executive Board meeting in February. Pursuant to an ongoing discussion relating to raising dues, the  board revisited this subject. Purser Sanders had prepared a long list of yearly expenses; all of which have risen over the last three years. Did you know that over the last three years racing expenses have been $15,593 while bringing in $8,872? We did have the lowest expenses in ‘09 but were still in the hole. Corps charges rise each time we renew as does utilities/repairs and upkeep. This is all old news and without explaining further I am pleased to announce that dues are to be raised $25 in 2011 and another $25 in 2012 for both Associate as well as Sustaining members.

Those of you who are reading and objecting please remember that keeping the POYC up and running is a break even situation each year. To keep up with rising costs, much less plan any improvements, requires a dues increase. The club is a fantastic bargain even if dues were raised $100 (which I would be in favor of) just checkout the dues at any other yacht club in the country. I am also pleased to announce that revenue raised from this increase will be placed in a Contingency/Capital Improvement Fund. So that’s where the dues increase will be placed; a good idea I think as there are needed improvements looming on the horizon. (Witness termite eaten poles and a scabbed on roof at the pavilion.)

After discussing the debt incurred by racing we also decided to have one tee shirt with all races listed on the back this year. This would help control one aspect of the cost of racing. I am responsible for the Huddleston Regatta and plan to cook myself for Saturday night’s party as another means of controlling race costs. All suggestions are welcome regarding cost control and believe me BYOB is one item up for discussion. Come on out to the March meeting and put your two cents in. In other news, whether we will be hosting the 2010 Bluegrass Games is still up in the air and we await a decision. Race Chair Doug Roberts announced a new Long Distance Race as well as his belief that one day events are better attended than two day regattas. Thus the Great Minnow is now slated for Saturday only racing this year. In closing, I can barely wait to cast off and get the sailing season started. Much progress was made at our Executive Board Meeting and I hope no one is put off by the dues   increase. It was the only realistic solution to keeping the POYC moving forward and this increase is paltry in the face of the fun we have sailing at a club we all love. Hope to see you at the March meeting on Friday the 12th.

Over and out!

Commodore Bill Miller

Please note that membership cards have been mailed out to everyone that has paid so far. The cutoff for the 5% discount on membership fees was 2/1/2010.

Barry Sanders – Purser

Pictures on the Flicker feed on the right sidebar of this page scroll down and click on it !

Happy New Year and greetings to all mates of the POYC. If you were in attendance for the Commodore’s Reception you know a good time was had by all; and if not I hope to see you next year. Around forty sailors gathered at our house for the festivities that served as the January meeting.
We were glad to see Carol and Frank Kersting back among the ranks as they took a respite from their work in the Ukraine, and they vowed to return late next fall. Kudos to these two who have begun their retirement in an effort to help others rather than thinking of themselves. I admire them and look forward to getting them back on the water with us.
Yes the winter is long but before you know it we will be back at the yard and out on the lake. The 2010 schedule is in the bag and here are the upcoming events coming your way.
Due to the lack of attendance and interest I have witnessed the last three years we will forego a club meeting in February and instead the Executive Board will meet in a planning session.
On the social front Past Commodore Herb Siewert has graciously invited all mates to a Super Bowl party at his home. The address is 2011 Barberry Ct which is just off 31-w just south of WKU in Bowling Green.
We will return to the lake for the March meeting on Friday 3/12. As usual we will gather for a potluck dinner at 6 pm with the meeting to follow around 7. Bring a side dish, bread or dessert and come on out to get our year at the club started off right. Our first work party at the yard is slated for Saturday 3/20 and will begin at 10 am. These parties are always as much fun as they are work and I hope to see as many mates out as possible.
The full schedule will be published soon but I will announce that the Blessing of the Fleet will take place Saturday May 1, and that we will take to the water for the Huddleston Cup on May 29/30th.
So as you can see although the season may seem distant we are actually ready to roll.
Any and all mates with info or questions fell free to contact me at 270-792-3728 or at our web address millersonmeng@aol.com. Since I am still trying to catch up with the nineties a phone call my be a quicker medium. Hope to see you at the super Bowl Party and I look forward to a successful campaign in 2010!
Commodore Bill Miller

Super Bowl Party at Herb Siewert’s house
February 7th. at 5PM
2011 Barberry Ct.
Phone 270-843-1210

Dear POYC Friends,

Bill and I would like to thank everyone for filling our home with laughter and friendship during the Commodore’s Reception.The presence of each of you gave these walls a much needed rattle that rang of times past when the Meng’s used to entertain on a a regular basis. It has been years since the staircase felt the bounding (no, not pounding) of tiny feet. This brick bastion has never felt so warm as it did on the evening of January 1, 2010. We are truly grateful for the occasion.

There is a constant reminder that we do not know what 2010 will hold. Who of us will see the end of 2010 on this earth? Who will not? Let us take comfort in each other during difficult times and rejoice in victories.

We’ll see you on the water and that won’t be soon enough.

Bill and Kaye Miller

Greetings and salutations to all of my mates at the POYC!  This epistle comes as both a recap of the month of December as well as an invitation to the Commodore’s Reception to be held on January 1st.  Almost fifty sailors gathered for the Christmas Party on December 12th at Cambridge Market with all the usual suspects present except for one mate.

It was and is my unpleasant and sad duty to announce the passing of Capt. John O’Connor who died just prior to the party.  He had just brought wife Meg home after a dangerous session in the hospital and was in fine spirits when I spoke to him on Friday the 11h.  Having completed his mission he sailed to the other shore that night.  John was a fine mate and I saw his transom sail away from me in many a race; he will be in our hearts and sorely missed.  All condolences to Meg, and hang in there.

The mates present at the party were quieted by this news, but as John would have wanted he was heartily toasted and the party proceeded.  Guitarist Brett Puckett and singer Tyrone Dunn entertained as we enjoyed each others company and jousted over the past year’s sailing season.  Past Commodore’s Herb Siewert and Lee Huddleston regaled us with some sailing lore and then we sat down to the Christmas feast.

After dinner Brown Bag Awards were presented by social chair Debbie Champion and then I had the privilege to emcee the main event.  I was pleased to present the Dinghy Cup for 2009 to Capt. Dale Sturm who not only sailed well at the club, but represented us well at the Bluegrass Games.

The Cruiser Champion came down to a tie in points initially between Capt. Gary Reimer and Capt. Dale Allison.  After a conference with John O’Connor on Friday morning the tie was broken with the winner having the lowest overall average in all races – Dale Allison.  Congratulations to both skippers – it was the year of the Dale’s.

As Commodore it was my responsibility to select the Yachtsman of the Year and this was a tough one.  Due to her prowess racing as well as her consistent dedication to the POYC Debbie Champion was my choice for this esteemed award.  The final detail of the evening was to announce the officer’s for the 2010 campaign. Race Chair – Doug Roberts  /  Hardmaster – Gary Reimer /  Purser – Barry Sanders /Scribe – Gary Guss /  Vice-Commodore – Debbie Champion

If some of these names sound familiar its because they have once again stepped up to shoulder the responsibilities of serving as officers – and they were the only candidates.

It was a great party and I hope to see all these mates and more at next year’s Christmas Party.

The Commodore’s Reception is traditionally held by the outgoing Commodore for the incoming Commodore.  I am honored to be serving a second season as Commodore so we will commence the festivities at my house at 4 pm on January 1st.

The address is 1824 Meng Road in southern Warren County.  Directions to the house are as follows:  from the North – down I-65 to the Scottsville Road exit then the first left onto Three Springs Road.  Proceed  approx. five miles to the south to the first stop sign at highway 242. Turn left onto 242 and after passing the small white church in the turn Meng Road dives off to the right while 242 continues to the left.  We are about a mile and a half down the road and the third house on the left side of the road.  The Miller mansion is almost a century old, constructed of brick and sporting four white columns across a large front porch.  Highway 242 can also be reached from 31-W from either the north of south, and if you come that way the only large road you cross will be at the above mentioned stop sign on 242 and proceed as above.  It really is easy to find so do not be deterred.

I hope to see my mates from the POYC as this will serve as the January meeting.  The past season went by quickly for me and I didn’t get as much done as I would have liked; but I hope all feel it was a successful campaign.  Thanks for your support – together we can make 2010 even better.  Merry Christmas to all and I hope to see you New Years Day!

Commodore Capt. Bill Miller