Commodore's Corner

Welcome Back, CYC Members!

We hope you’ve enjoyed a wonderful summer filled with adventure, relaxation, and travel! Things have been bustling here at the club, and we’re so excited to have our new Compass to welcome in the Fall season!

We’re also delighted to introduce Lianne Vaillancourt who has joined us in the office to fill Holly’s role, focusing on marketing and communications with our members. Lianne comes to us from Opal Sands and is also a CWB neighbor. We’re thrilled to have her on our team and know you’ll enjoy getting to know her.

You may have already noticed some fresh updates around the property. From beautiful new landscaping and a freshly resurfaced parking lot to a brand-new marina pump-out system, the grounds are looking better than ever. We’ve also spruced things up by installing a new shed (and relocating the old one) to keep everything neat and organized.

And speaking of fresh updates, we’re excited to share our new Compass! Thanks to the incredible work of Kurt Greissinger and his team, it now has a sleek, modern look and works seamlessly with your mobile devices. It’s interactive, user-friendly, and designed with you in mind. We’d love to hear your feedback as you explore it.

Meanwhile, our Long-Term Planning Committee has been hard at work this summer. Many of you participated in our focus groups, and we’re continuing with brainstorming sessions to shape an exciting future for CYC. Your Board of Directors is committed to transparency throughout this process, and member meetings will be scheduled along the way so your voice is always heard.

It’s a wonderful time to be part of CYC, and we’re grateful to have such an engaged and supportive community. Here’s to a fantastic season ahead!

True North

Homecoming is a fall tradition dating back to the early 1900’s as a way for alumni of a college or university to reconnect with the school, students, fellow alumni, and faculty members. The first homecoming is often debated but all typically involve a football game, pep rally, parade and / or bonfire. As a University of Illinois graduate, I will proudly subscribe to my alma mater's origin story as the cradle of homecoming. The term implies a reunion and has since been extended over the years to encompass high schools and any trip “home”. 

As snowbirds head south and others return from near and far, you may notice several changes at the club. From the new parking lot to the pump-out station, a real ship store and new version of the Compass, there is something for everyone to discover. Welcome home to your home-away-from-home!

Gulls Chatter

As we bid adieu to the sultry days of summer and September—when Florida’s heat is supposed to start easing — we can finally look ahead to the rest of 2025 with the promise of cooler weather (well, “cooler” by Florida standards) and the joyful stretch of holidays beginning with Halloween, perfect for celebrating with family and friends.

Important Announcement to our Lady Members

To maintain and improve the quality of our luncheons, we’re adjusting the fee slightly — just $2 more (now will be $25.00) — to give our chef room to shine. This modest increase allows us to offer more variety and a touch of elegance as we wrap up the year and the 2026 luncheons to follow.

Plus, a Special Raffle!

Beautifully arranged gift baskets will be raffled off during these three luncheons — Every attendee will have a chance to win, so be sure to bring your holiday spirit and a little luck!

Below are the remaining three events for the 2025 Holiday Season:

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

11:00 a.m. Presentation Start

(Lunch served at 12 noon)

HAUNTED CURSES OF THE GULF COAST

Speaker: Christopher Balzano

Wednesday, November 12, 2025

11:00 a.m. Presentation Start

(Lunch served at 12 noon)

TRUTH, LIES AND IRISH EYES

Speaker: Maureen Belote

Wednesday, December 10, 2025

11:00 a.m.

“KRIS KRINGLE LUNCHEON”

As my term as President of the Gulls concludes in December 2025, I’d love to hear your thoughts on future events—suggestions, comments, or creative ideas are always welcome. Please email me at marcia50422@yahoo.com before then. And if you’ve ever considered stepping into a leadership role or know someone who might be a great fit, I’d be happy to chat.

Bow Chasers

Bow Chasers decided for the 2024-2025 year that due to Hurricane Hellene we would focus on social activities supporting local venues including our own CYC. What fun we had!!! We started with a Tiki gathering at CYC. We had a wonderful Holiday party hosted at the home of Genevieve Fortunato with great attendance. Next was a Ugly Christmas Sweater Trolley Pub Crawl around Clearwater Beach sponsored by Tish Wold.

Our annual first event of the year was a White Elephant BYORGFC (bring your own re-gift from Christmas) gathering that is always a blast. Plenty of events in the spring including sailing.

Join us in the fall! We will announce our first gathering soon.

Chaplain’s Log  

Everyone can use a little blessing now and then…… especially when you spend your life trying to please the ones you love…..especially when you are standing guard over your family night and day….especially when for all your efforts on their behalf, you are still completely dependent upon the ones you love….especially when you come from a long line of faithful companions whose loyalty and devotion to their human families know no bounds. After all, you are that part of God’s creation that provides sight to the blind, and mobility for those who cannot walk. You are the ones who search for survivors after earthquakes, fires, and floods. You were the ones who worked side by side with us at Ground Zero long ago. You are the ones who protect our troops during times of war. You are the ones who bring comfort to the sick and the suffering in hospitals, nursing homes and prisons. You are the ones who continue to show us the meaning of prayerful words spoken long ago: “where there is hatred, let me show love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.

Yes, everyone needs a blessing now and then, and at 2:00pm on Sunday October 5th we will gather once again for our annual Blessing of Pets (all pets: cats, dogs, hamsters, birds etc). But as we do, we humans will perhaps remember how it is that when all is said and done it is you, our beloved pets, who have given the blessing, for it is through you that we have seen the power of unconditional love, forgiveness and devotion to touch our lives for good.

Wishing you and your family many blessings!

frbob.wagenseil@gmail.com

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