By now you have received my letter asking you to approve both a $500 assessment and a membership initiation increase. We as individual Corinthian members have a great responsibility as provided for in the Club By-Laws. It takes your "yes" vote to provide the funds necessary to follow-through from the stabilization of our hillside, to the completion of a wheelchair lift. Many of you who come to the Club regularly are able to see these needs up close and personal. To the members who can't get down here as often, well, I hope you were given enough information to also step up to the plate and provide your support. I am confident each Corinthian will give this careful consideration.
The 2000 Club Directory has arrived. On your next visit to the Club, please pick up your copy. This year Frances added some new features. If you have any changes or additions please let her know so she can get ready for next year's addition.
Harry Blake and new member, Bruce Powell, have teamed up as co-editors of the TELLTALE. They will alternate months, enabling us to publish about 12 issues per year instead of the six Harry was able to do. Bruce has also directed his talents to updating our Web site. These are important communication tools and we appreciate the job this dynamic duo is doing.
As always, the activities of the Corinthian Yacht Club remain in high gear. The YRA races and Friday Night Races are in full swing, and the Cruising season has been well attended. We had a wonderful time at the Benicia Yacht Club and the upcoming cruises to South Beach, lead by Bjorn Ervell, and Spinnaker Yacht Club in San Leandro, lead by Sally Huse, are at capacity. Frances Dugdale must have bribed the weather gods when she organized this year's Easter Brunch. The children looked wonderful in their Easter attire and still managed to hunt down well over 500 eggs scattered (or rather carefully hidden) around the Club.
Opening Day Weekend was truly special this year. With Cadets playing from the band of the Kri Dewaruci, a tall-ship from Indonesia, and Rick Saber's boat, Eagle, taking second place in the PICYA Decorated Boat contest, it couldn't have been better. The prayer services, blessing of the boats in our harbor, and the breakfast ceremonies were very moving. I think Jack Cooper was particularly great as the Master of Ceremonies. Joe and Sandi Mc Kuskie attended the Opening Day ceremonies for the first time this year. Joe asked me what we could possibly do to communicate to members what an impressive effort this entire event was because he thought it was so inspiring.
When I shared this with the co-founder of Opening Day, Charlie White, he got all choked up. I find myself in the same boat. The Corinthian Yacht Club members who volunteer their time and expertise, combined with our great staff, produce many unique and wonderful events. The best way to learn about them is to come and enjoy. We have a great place here.