Monroe Dodd
Kansas City Sailing

Commodore's Corner

At year's end, we worked hard and partied harder


By Monroe Dodd, Commodore
s/v Heppy Ket

PYC's 40th anniversary year finished the way it ought to.

One weekend, we donned old clothes and work gloves, fixed things that were broken, cleaned up the grounds and stowed gear for the winter. The next weekend, we put on our Sunday best and dined and danced the night away. That's how Perry Yacht Club has survived so well through its first four decades – by members working and playing with equal passion.

Traditionally, the final events of the club season are the fall membership meeting, club-closing work day and the year-end dinner and dance. This year the Board of Governors combined the first two on October 29. The weather smiled on us that day, providing sunny skies and coolish temperatures for volunteer work crews. And what work we did!

We, the members, re-roofed the storage shed. We removed much of the array of discarded objects from the back storage lot. We repaired the wooden steps that ascend from the east parking lot to the clubhouse. We replaced loose cleats on the end of Rodeo. And we did the annual chores: cleaning and organizing the clubhouse, turning off water to the docks, winterizing the committee boat, storing junior sailing boats and cutting firewood. Property manager Gary Templeton, who each year organizes and gets material for the work day, marveled at this year's results. That





afternoon, a new Board of Governors for 2012 was elected at the fall membership meeting. Sandwiched before and after that session, club committees worked on problems and began figuring out a schedule for the major projects that lie in PYC's future.

In sum, the day was a lot of toil and sweat with excellent results. What better reward for us all than the year-end dinner and dance on November 5? The plans laid by our social director, Sue Clegg, worked out like a charm. The banquet room was good and the food was fine. The ceremony was – fairly – short! And the music kept us hopping until midnight. Once again, John Huffmire found for us a thoroughly band.

An important part of ever year-end party is recognition and this year's began with the racers. Congratulations to Bill Mendel and the crew of Fast Lane, this year's over-all winner. The John Gall Member of the Year Award went to Richard "Ricardo" Oben. The 2011 board was honored for its work and the 2012 board presented.

As always, of course, the recognition belongs to all the members for making Perry Yacht Club an exciting and satisfying place to sail and gather with friends. That makes 40 years, and we're still going strong.
Thank you for the opportunity and honor of being your commodore. I've appreciated your support through the year and urge you to give the same to Mij Frierson as he once again steps up to the commodore's job.