by Doug Owen

With week-long predictions of rain and inclement weather, Corinthians once again enjoyed a wonderful, dry Opening Day Weekend full of friends, fun and frivolity. The Powers That Be did have their fun with us on Sunday night into Monday morning, as the rain fell long after the culmination of weekend activities, cleaning all of the boats in the harbor, and washing the red wine stains from the main deck. Everybody won.

Interpretations of the theme ranged from Julle LeVicki’s interpretation of all things American aboard and around SMOGEN III, with a large cast, to Jeff Barnes aluminum foil ‘C’s along the starboard rail of ABOUT TIME. Jeff said he only heard the theme mentioned over the telephone.

Jim Barnett’s WALTZES WITH WAVES depicted the skylines of New York and San Francisco, with a questionable note devoted to Hawaii…actually, she looked a little familiar! Las Vegas in its’ entirety, (yes really!) awaited the Judges belowdecks, and come to think of it, the gaming table was between N.Y. and S.F.! Statuettes of Liberty were in beautiful living evidence aboard several vessels.

The weather was seasonable enough for bikinied beauties aboard Eric & Elaine Artman’s COZY LEE, depicting boating from Sea to Shining Sea, and a wonderful display of American, signal and patriotic flags aboard HELGOLAND, with Hans Roeben bribing with Jack Daniels, and Sally Huse offering a history lesson on Katharine Lee Bates, the author of America the Beautiful. Ed & Diana Fischer showed King Kong “sailing” to the top of the Empire State Building holding Fay Wray, and a fluttering San Francisco skyline on the lee side. Stuart Sall and Susie Thompson had a depiction of the F.D.N.Y. Firefighters aboard RED ROVER, and the list goes on with more creative entries than this column can hold.

It’s amazing that the Judging Staff (comprised of yours truly, Nancy Giachino, Cindi Marques, Ray Smeraldo and Kirk Hanson) could judge beyond the first half, (and many in the second half are sure that they could not!) considering the variety and intensity of bribes they were offered, ranging from beer and wine to Margaritas and red and blue Jell-O shooters.

I took the icebag off of my head early enough Sunday morning to make it to 0730 Religious Services in bright and balmy sunlight on the Main Deck. The Clergy was once again inspirational and thought provoking, the boats in the harbor were blessed, and Cantor David Margules beautiful voice could, I suspect, be heard in the far reaches of Belvedere. The Buffet Breakfast in the Beautiful Ballroom followed, with Jack Cooper emceeing at his best, an appearance by the Corinthian Men’s Chorus, and the induction of four new Life Members: Richard Byram, Donald Sanders, James Yost, and Robert Turnbull who was in attendance.

The USCGC ASPEN was on station, and a long line of vessels stretched through Raccoon Straits awaiting the traditional Blessing of the Fleet by the Clergy. The weather remained dry throughout the afternoon, with the Pelican Grill in full flight, the sounds of Caribbean Steel who made it impossible to walk normally, the reappearance of the Men’s Chorus, the awarding of prizes from the Decorated Boat Contest, leading to Pure Ecstasy…the Band… and the day.

It was then time to eat…again; Chef Ian’s American Barbecue, which stretched our waistlines from sea to…okay, you get it. There are no photographs from me to accompany this article, because with a drink in one hand…or both…plus a clipboard; nothing further need be said. My thanks to Marcia Peck and Ed Fischer for all of their photographs; otherwise no one would believe half of what I have written.

Our thanks go to Ingo Schreiber and Frances Ramage, as well as all of the Staff of CYC and CCI, who work so diligently to make this day so enjoyable for all of us; to Commodore Dan Carrico and the Flag Officers, and to Staff Commodore Diana Fischer, who, along with the Opening Day Committee works tirelessly to make it all come together. That bottle of Champagne that was presented to her on Sunday was so well deserved.

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