Cooks & Waiters Weekend
Dan Carrico, Cruising Fleet Captain
This year's Cooks and Waiters' Dinner was as authentic a rendition as current knowledge would allow. No one, including the Commodore, Vice Commodore and Rear Commodore, were safe from the good-natured ribbing of the men. Fortunately, the impeachment trial of our dear beloved Commodore Donoho never got too far. What saved him (narrowly) were some accusations about trumped-up false charges and a scarcity of witnesses who would speak, at least coherently. Rear Commodore Warren, being new to the gang, was pressed into service and dressed-up in a bear suit for the hilarity of the crowd. If he'll do this for the club, he'll go far! What a sport!
Later, thanks to Dr. Hillary Don's research on and recently published new book entitled Life in Belvedere and Tiburon 1890-1900, we learned a few more tidbits about the life of the Cooks and Waiters' founders. The Sausalito Times on October 23, 1891, published a news article entitled "A bear, a box of coons and a monkey", further lending credence to the Cooks and Waiters' bear story.
"Corinthians go in for pets, and have quite a large menagerie. A black bear roams about the beach just below the clubhouse, and turns over the rocks for crabs. A box of coons is at one side, and at the grand stairway a ring-tailed monkey surfeits himself on candy and peanuts, which every visitor to the club seems to feel bound to carry for him."
And, if the Cooks and Waiters' forefathers weren't crazy for their pets (or just plain crazy), here is another reprint from the Sausalito Times dated December 26, 1890 entitled simply, " Gorilla".
"Among the many attractions at the Corinthian Yacht Club is a young gorilla which boat keeper Pete Owler takes great pride in, going by the name of Johnson, and although only a year old drinks whisky straight."
What a hoot! Apparently for entertainment, they used to get him drunk! Also a little sleuthing turned up the fact that the incoming Commodore (Vice) for 1890 was also named Johnson! A coincidence? Do you think the boys were makin ' a little fun of the club brass? All in good fun, of course.
Our food was great, thanks to Head Chef Dana Hemberger. Head barkeep Will Deady kept the boys liquored-up (but not too much) and happy, and Head Waiter Mike Eagan did a masterful job managing the rabble we affectionately call our Waiters and in ending the very vociferous strike.
As I said at the beginning, we offered up as authentic rendition as possible. Men, Corinthian fellowship, and the things we find funny probably haven't changed much in a hundred eighteen years.
