The Down East Yacht has finished its winter gatherings and would like to thank all those who opened their homes up here in Maine and in Florida.

The Maine gatherings were hosted by F/C Stephen and Debbie Arkley, V/C Tim and Pam Parker, Jack and Barbara Brennan, Bill and Kathleen Trafton; Paul and Louise Cowan and Ted and Jill Huggar. We enjoyed and mild winter which made the gatherings even easier to attend.

In Florida the weather was as usual great which made the gatherings that much more fun. Francis and Patty Bisson, P/C Shirley and Jeff Georffrion, Mark and Barb Williams, Jack and Sara Davis; and P/C Dave and Genie Quest opened their home to the DEYC snowbirds.

Our annual Winter Rendezvous in March in Florida was well attended. We started with a gathering at P/C Sandy and Karen Young's for cocktails and the usual awesome food. The following day 90-plus members were treated to an old-fashioned Maine lobster bake at the Barrett Pavilion in Venice, Florida. A great day was had by all who attended with fun activities, the best of Maine food, and lots of laughs. We want to thank P/C Bob and Paula Wheeler, P/C Carl and Margaret Thompson, and Francis and Patty Bisson for making it all possible.

We now start our 50th year as the Down East Yacht Club with a fantastic schedule to celebrate the summer of 2016.