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May 2006 |
Entertainment
By Kathleen Barr
Opening Day Weekend New Orleans Style
After months of nonstop rain the sun
came out to shine on CYC for the 43rd Annual Opening Day weekend April 29 & 30th. The club was decked out in all its glory. The boats in the harbor were dressed to the nines.The pre-game action started on Friday with the Friday night race. The dining room was abuzz; bravo to the staff for satisfying all those hungry members.
The serious action started on Saturday with the boat decorating contest. The members were entertained with zydeco music by the Creole Bells and tasty Louisiana food at the Big Easy Grill. Judging started at two. I honestly don't know how the judges remained standing -- all of those hurricanes, wine & champagne. Although, I understand that there were some pretty drunk fish in the harbor! Salute to the judges Ron Roberts, Larry & Karen Burnworth, Danielle Staube & co-chairs Donna Purvis & Eileen Kalloway; they were even able to score the entries and designate prizes after the judging! Marlene Donoho with help from Dan Carrico amazed us again with a multitude of great prizes. As for the entries, what a wonderful display of flags and Mardi Gras colors. The electric Corinthian Krewe lead by Queen Marcia Peck definitely took the cake! Ashore the Corinthian kids did an impressive job finishing & decorating the steamboat provided by CYC's design experts, Richard Solomon & Jim Purvis.
The sun rose and shined on the club Sunday morning for the annual service and blessing of the CYC fleet. The God Squad, Rev. Jim Current, Father Michael Barber & Cantor David Margules, returned for their 6th year together to conduct a moving service. It's always a thrill to see the members decked out in their blue blazers.
A scrumptious breakfast followed; I have never heard so many praises about ham. What's your secret Alberto? The ballroom has never looked better; thanks again to the Corinthian Women for a magnificent job. Our Vice Commodore Michael Moradzadeh was first-rate as Master of Ceremonies. Five new life members were honored; congratulations to Al Blair, Donna Block, John Ellis, Dana Hemberger & Lee Johnson. The new Commander of the Coast Guard, Rear Admiral Jody Breckenridge was also honored. The Coast Guard is so generous with their time and effort every Opening Day. The attendees were entertained with a first-rate performance by the Men's Chorus; what a great service Jackie Taylor and the men provide to the club.
A special gift was presented to Staff Commodore and Opening Day Committee Co-chair Diana Fischer for her hard work and dedication on the Committee for the last eleven years. Opening Day takes a village and Diana has done an amazing job bringing it together as Chair.
Following breakfast, the God Squad moved over to the USCGC Tern to bless the boats as they paraded by. Rumor has it that Commodore John & Sharon Warren joined Rear Adm. Breckenridge on the USCGC Tern; since then there have been wild stories being told aboard about that woman in bare feet! Trip & Jill Ames and friends on Calaloo departed for the City Front to represent CYC in the Parade of Boats. Many thanks go to the Ames for their efforts!
By noon the party at the club was well underway. Champagne and toasts were in abundance midday when the Fischers christened Sirius. The Big Easy Grill and the French Quarter Bistro served up more delectable Louisiana cooking and the crowd was entertained with excellent jazz by the Jay Stapleton Band & The Bill Canada Jazz Experience.
Many thanks go to the entire staff of CYC and CCI under Ingo's leadership. They worked so hard and did such a fantastic job! Everything was perfect! Michael, Leila & Yuri make planning a party fun. Frances, well what can we say . . . she rocks!
The Opening Day Committee and all of the volunteer members put in a tremendous amount of effort. Special thanks go to Staff Commodore Diana Fischer & her husband, Ed (organizers extraordinar); Richard Solomon (our Coast Guard connection and construction co-superintendent); Sandra Solomon (front gate welcoming team); Marlene Donoho (prize guru); The Corinthian Women (their wonderful support); Herb Rodricks (harbor monarch supreme); the Johns - Wood & Nooteboom & George Berticevich (parking lot police); Doug Owen (press agent); Donna Purvis & Eileen Kalloway (heard they got a judging job on American Idol); Jim Purvis (construction co-superintendent); and the many others who helped put a magnificent weekend together.
Other Entertainment Update
Mother's Day, May 14th was a huge success and a sellout crowd as members and their guests dined on a scrumptious brunch. Thanks goes to Marj Bundschuh and the CCI staff for a wonderful event.
As this goes to print, plans are being finalized for Father's Day, a not to be missed day of fun on the bay. Hope you didn't miss it!
The club will be open and there will be a barbeque on July 4th which falls on Tuesday this year. Be sure to come down & watch the fireworks from the deck.
Keep an eye on the web site for all of these events and more!