Down East Yacht Club

Summer events
Thu, 10/21/2021 - 11:45am

Launch party

The Launch party was a huge success with a large turnout and great food. Frank and Nora Luke were amazingly gracious. Commodore Ron Richards addressed the crowd with several important reminders regarding the highly anticipated summer season. Among the members present were several new members and 10 past commodores. Everyone was glad-handing in a visual display of genuine “welcome backs.” After the June 12 party and despite all the Covid restrictions and concerns, Down East Yacht Club members enjoyed several events during July and August

Annual Summer Cruise

On July 9, we returned to Luke’s Boatyard for the pre-cruise sendoff. Everyone enjoyed great food, fun conversations, and the pleasures of the Woody Wagon. After a one day delay due to bad weather, 43 vessels set sail for a fun-filled eight days on the water. Designated port hosts were in charge of group activities and necessary reservations at each port of call.

The first port was Dix Island where P/C George and Theresa Hamilton arranged a delicious and fun-filled “Hamburger in Paradise” cookout. Word has it that the french fries were delicious.

The next day we sailed to Belfast, where hosts Chet and Carol Clarridge organized a “Pizza Night,” with several host boats serving as dining locations.

Buck’s Harbor was the next destination. Port hosts P/C George and Theresa Hamilton arranged a wonderful lobster bake on the beach. The next morning, the Clarridges served their now famous pancake breakfast.

On to Seal Bay the next day. That evening, Jay Hackett and Helene Rush organized an exciting “Pirate Dinghy Parade.” Following the parade everyone was invited aboard Headquarters, a 65-foot Flemming luxury yacht owned by new DEYC members, Chris and Maren Boothby. The hosts offered “Pop Up Desserts” to all.

P/C Steve and Debbie Arkley organized Awards Night activities for the final port, Camden Harbor. Traditional Cruise awards were presented by Fleet Captain Aaron Rugh at the Camden Yacht Club. The majority of the cruise stayed a second night in Camden where they enjoyed an after-cruise get-together at Lyman-Morse marina.

All reports indicated a very special, well-organized week on the beautiful Maine coast. This year, several teenagers added to the excitement while having lots of fun, playing cards, joining in the backgammon tournament, swinging off Dolphin’s pulpit on the main mast halyard, and jumping off the side of the boat.

Mini Cruise

The DEYC enjoyed a three-day Mini Cruise Aug. 12-15 to southerly port destinations. The first stop was The Dolphin Marina which was busy as usual. The manager of the Dolphin Restaurant made special arrangements for two settings for up to 25 DEYC persons each. That evening, a hilarious “Joke Night” provided the entertainment.

The second stop was the Goslings, a small group of islands west of the Dolphin with good protection. After a Captain’s Choice Dinner, the group enjoyed a fun Mexican-themed dinghy raft-up. On Saturday, the regatta sailed for the final night in the Basin, where the regatta participated in a raft-up at Wildflower hosted by Commodore Ron and Lorrie Richardson.

Pig Roast

New to this year’s calendar was a DEYC Pig Roast. on Aug. 22, hosted by P/C Joe and Brenda Blake at their home in Trevett and co-hosted by Commodore Ron and Lorrie Richardson. Inclement weather forced a change to an indoor location. Nevertheless, 100-plus DEYC members and guests enjoyed the great food and camaraderie at the American Legion Hall in Boothbay.

Annual meeting

On Aug. 28, DEYC’s annual meeting was held at our headquarters at Tugboat Inn in Boothbay Harbor. After many agenda items were presented and discussed, the most important discussion centered on a motion to raise annual dues. The members present numbered enough for a quorum and the motion passed.

Next, two major announcements were made. First, the new Bridge and board members were sworn in by nominating committee chair P/C Steve Arkley. The new Bridge is Commodore Jeanne Koenig, Vice Commodore Brent Pope, Rear Commodore Aaron Rugh, Fleet Captain Kristen King, and Treasurer Jack Brennan. New board members are Carole McCarthy, P/C George Hamilton, John Ridlon and P/C Ron Richardson (one year). Richardson also serves as chairman of the nominating committee.

The second major announcement was the retirement of longtime administrative assistant Jane Mulholland and introduction of a new and extremely qualified replacement, Kate Winslow. Jane’s retirement is seen as a huge loss to the DEYC. She is commonly acknowledged as the “face and glue of DEYC.” She was presented with two very meaningful parting gifts. True to form, Jane was embarrassed to be the center of attention. Nonetheless, she accepted the recognition with grace and the usual absence of self-accolades.