Sand Bank Yacht Club Notes

March 2000 Table of Contents

SAND BANK YACHT CLUB CELEBRATES CHANGE OF WATCH
by John Lacey

Ninety-eight members and guests of Sand Bank Yacht Club attended its 28th Change of Watch on January 25th, at The Spinnaker Restaurant. Past Commodore, Commodore, Vice Commodore, Rear Commodore, Fleet Captain and Treasurer for 2000 are John Lacey, Gerry Shelly, Woody Bracey, Tom Larder, Cynthia Vernall and Nelson Radwan.

Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres were served from 5.30pm. At 7pm, members were seated for dinner. Gerry Shelly, 1999 Rear Commodore, invited Dr. Ron Wilson to lead us in blessing our meal. Ron did so and then asked for God's blessing on Myrna and Bill Floyd, 1999 Vice Commodore, during Bill's grave illness, and for Edna and John Lacey, 1999 Commodore, who was away, attending his mother's funeral. Ron gave us an encouraging report on Bill Floyd's progress, later supplemented by Patty Radwan, who had spoken to Myrna Floyd earlier that day. Patty thanked all members who had expressed concern for Bill and Myrna and who had included them in their prayers.

Participants then enjoyed a magnificent dinner lovingly prepared under the
direction of Head Chef Elliot Sawyer and expertly served by Headwaiter
Vernon Russell and his team. The menu was Honeydew Melon with Prosciutto ham and lemon slice, Lobster Bisque with buttered croutons and Whipped Cream, Grapefruit Salad, Vol au Vent with Emincee de Veaux, a choice of Roast Beef with Horseradish Sauce and Yorkshire Pudding or Roast Rack of Lamb with Peppermint Jelly, Asparagus with Sauce Hollandaise, Pommes Croquettes, Fresh Strawberries with Whipped Cream and Kirsch and Coffee or Tea. Champagne flowed throughout the meal.

Edna Lacey then read to members a letter from John, which explained the
changes in Officer succession occasioned by Bill Floyd's illness, and
expressed the hope that Bill will be able and willing to return as our
Commodore in 2001. The Officer Flags were then passed and Gerry Shelly,
continued the evening's business.

He lauded the outstanding contribution to Abaco made by Sinclair Frederick, Barbara Farnan, Steve Rutledge and Justin Noice in keeping communications open via Ham Radio and oii.net during the worst of Hurricane Floyd and its aftermath. Without their voluntary dedication to that task, the apprehensions of absent Abaco residents would have been far greater, and relief and restoration efforts greatly retarded. All four of those named were invited to the evening's festivities as our guests, but Steve and Justin were unable to be with us. They both have a rain check to another Club function in the near future.

Gerry then thanked Woody and Betsy Bracey and John and Edna Lacey for
organising the Club's fun-filled, even though Floyd-foreshortened, year in
1999. He thanked Jerry Melzer for supervising the evening's superb menu and presentation. He thanked Anna Snapp for masterminding the outstanding decoration of the Spinnaker for this our first Change of Watch in the New Millennium. He thanked Patty and Nelson Radwan, Bruce and Doreen Barth, Helen Shelly, Edna Lacey, Brian and Nadine Sheehe and all those others who had helped to make the evening so memorable. He singled out the Staff and Management of the Spinnaker for their contribution to the evening's success.

Cynthia Vernall then outlined the Club's programme for 2000; International Food Night on February 16; Brigantine Bay Regatta on March 13; Treasure Island Picnic on March 29; Easter Parade and Brunch on April 23; Oktoberfest on October 27; and Christmas Carol Festival on December 6. Random Rendezvous dates are February 11 and 26; March 11 and 27; April 10 and 25; May 9 and 25; October 19; November 4 and 18; December 2 and 19. Random Rendezvous activities, times and places will be announced as the year progresses.

Gerry then declared the Club's 28th Change of Watch to be at an end.

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