The snow screwed up the plans for a winter evening at the Hill House. Actually, at the time the decision had to be made, the snow had stopped but the parking lot had not been plowed and there was uncertainty if it would be done on time and also the lights were flashing from time to time because of the blasting winds. Looking at it from the perspective of the day completed we could have had the party but that is afterthought!

The big event did go forth as scheduled because the weather in Charleston, South Carolina was substantially better than in Maine. Thanks to Lucy Scribner, we have some very interesting words on the three day event.

Events started Monday evening with a cocktail party at Commodore Scribner's home in Mt. Pleasant which was attended by 44 members. Highway accidents prevented several from getting to the event and they opted to stay downtown for dinner. Discussion ensued about activities people were planning to see in the coming days which would offer an understanding of the fabulous history, architecture and other highlights of the greater Charleston area.

On Tuesday, Bucky Reed led a small contingent on a tour of the USS Laffy at Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum to re-live the time he spent on a similar vessel during the Vietnam War. The others that accompanied him claimed he was the best tour guide ever and they learned a lot. “Gray ships” are Bucky’s fixation.

Tuesday afternoon about 30 brave members went on an afternoon sail despite the cool temperatures and wind chill. Charleston by water was indeed worth braving the elements!

The Carolina Yacht Club hosted 60 of us Tuesday night for a formal dinner in their Model Room and sea stories were exchanged at each table. Joe Metz proposed returning to Charleston next year but Vice Commodore Dan Hare, who will make the decision on location for next year’s winter reunion, intervened to possibly excuse the Scribners from being next year’s host.

Wednesday was a full day of touring by mini bus in the historic downtown area, via a tour boat on the water and a guided tour of the Gibbs Museum hosted by Lucy Scribner. This was followed by lunch at the Mills House. Despite the unseasonably cool temperatures, walking throughout the city allowed members time to exercise and keep even with the food consumed during the reunion.

Wednesday evening Shrimp City Slim and his Blues band entertained during a blues and barbecue event on board the Carolina Queen dinner boat as she cruised through the harbor.

A coffee was held at the Scribners' on Thursday morning with remembrances of a “great time" and all 58 members departed for their winter homes.

Believe it or not, the yacht club will be commissioned for its 122nd season on May 28, ten weeks from now.

The annual appeal for folks to sign up as hostesses and hosts for the front desk at the club is out! This very important function is a much needed service which is provided so professionally by loyal and articulate volunteers. Joan Shea and Penny Pollard are the head honchos of this team and they are looking now for players for the summer.

Did you see the pictures that Charles posted about the annual piling replacement effort under the clubhouse? Having been down there many times during this process, I can assure you that these

folks from Blake's have a challenging and demanding job. Get in as soon as the tide has cleared, drill the holes, cement in the pins, and get the new piling mounted and braced before the incoming tide drives you away (or drowns you). All of this is done without jacking the building or interfering with ongoing stability.

Incidentally there are number of treasures down there under the club ... broken pieces of an old septic tank which was used in the olden days of overboard discharge; two fireplace foundations, which are the remnants of a beautiful stone fireplace used to be in the casino; and a two sided brick and glass fireplace, which separated the Spinnaker Room from the main dining room. It was very exotic to enjoy a meal in the dining room in October with a roaring blaze in the fireplace! Did you know that in those days the Spinnaker Room was a bar? There are more pipes and wires than you can imagine, most of them out of use and many dating back to the days when the casino was an arm of the Oak Grove Hotel.

Some day we need to have a "remember the old days" event.