Commodore's Corner

It is with a grateful heart that I write this, my last article as Commodore. I want to thank all of you for a wonderful year, and I will truly miss being your Commodore.

I will start by expressing my sincere thanks to Rod White and John Minton for their support throughout the year. We have worked together as a team along with IPC Rich Libonate and our Flag officers and directors to keep CYC improving for all our members and staff.

This year was busy for sure, but NO HURRICANES! You may recall that was the main thing I was asking for at the Change of Watch last year and we are all so grateful to have had a quiet year in that category!

We started the year by going paperless for our billing statements and have increased the paperless trend throughout the year. These changes have been difficult at times but as we move to modernize and update our systems, we are becoming more efficient at a lower cost. The new Compass is a great example of this. Some of the improvements have been slower than we had hoped but they are still in the works and should be here very soon! 

Personnel changes have also been a challenge; however, we have some wonderful new employees who are making a huge contribution to our club. Our accounting office started out the year with many challenges due to the aftermath of the storms and continued with personnel changes. Our new staff, Shannon and Heather, with the amazing help of Mike Rubio, Treasurer, have streamlined the procedures and processes of the office. I think you will see many wonderful changes in the coming year.

Our marketing team has also had changes as Holly moved back to Wisconsin. Lianne has stepped right in learning from Holly and adding her own touches. She has been amazing, and I am very happy to have her. She will continue to put her own mark on CYC.

Peter, Chef Caleb and the entire staff have continued to make CYC a desired destination for our members to enjoy one another, for dinner, parties and general fun!  I could not be prouder of their efforts over the year, especially at the FCYC general meeting in November. We had so many wonderful comments from visiting yacht clubs regarding our terrific staff, food, service and hospitality. 

Our physical facilities have also had improvements. The parking lot, landscaping, and repairs from the storm have all been completed and the club looks better than ever! Thank you to all the people who helped with these improvements. Thank you as well to Guy Krebs and the Waterside team, we now have a pump out system in place for the marina, members and the public. We are well on our way to earning a “clean marina” designation. This is a terrific update for CYC.

That brings me to the final item that I am most proud of – the Long-Term Planning Committee. This group has done an outstanding job researching and planning the process of building a new clubhouse for CYC. This is a long overdue project. You have read many articles regarding this project, and I hope you are as excited about it as I am. We are in a position now that we can plan and execute this project without the stresses of an “emergency” as many of our sister clubs in Florida have experienced. John Minton has brought together an extraordinary group of our members who have the necessary expertise in developing this plan. I want to thank each one of them personally as they have put in countless hours visiting other clubs across Florida, meeting with commodores and others at those clubs to find out what they did right and what they wish had gone better with their own projects. They have met with bankers, architects, builders. They have held focus groups with our members. What I am trying to say is, this is not a project that we have taken lightly, much effort has gone into it behind the scenes and the ideas the team is recommending have been very well thought out. Please read all the information that is coming out regarding the building project and ask questions if you have them. We want the process to be transparent. We don’t want ill-informed rumors floating around. If you are unsure of something, please ask someone on the committee as they will have the “real” answers.  This new clubhouse will ensure that CYC will be here for the next 100 years, for future generations and for us.

With that, I am leaving the club in the very capable hands of Rod White. He, John Minton and Rick Broom will continue to make CYC the “FUN CLUB” that we all love!

Thank you all and God Bless.

Bow Chasers

The Bow Chasers Kick-Off event on November 6th at the Tiki was a perfect night for reacquainting and catching up. Thank you for those who joined the fun. We so appreciate you and happy you are a Bow Chaser! For those who couldn't make it.....it's ok, we will get ya next time!!!!

Sailing began on 11/4 touting favorable winds with Cathy, Karen, Kate and Anita at the helms of their boats. All looked forward to getting back on the Bay. On November 11th the Arctic blast kept the sailors off the water with temps in the 30-40s. November 18th needed more wind and sailors but the crew got some maintenance work done. Many thanks to Steve, Sean and Caleb for helping with the prams!

The sailing Bow Chasers meet on Tuesdays at 9:15am at CYC, west side, where the prams (dinghy sailboats) are kept neatly in the rack. Come on down and see what we are all about as we rig and sail the historic prams designed specifically for Clearwater by Clark Mills circa 1948.

As a member of CYC you are enrolled in the CCSC (Clearwater Community Sailing Center) on Gulf Blvd- across from Sand Key Park. If you are new to sailing and need a lesson you can make arrangements with them - they are very accommodating and willing to teach their skill.

As part of the Florida Women’s Sailing Association (FWSA), the Bow Chasers, are hosting the group’s General Meeting at CYC on January 21, 2026. Christy Poorman solidified the keynote speaker, Meteorologist, Ally Blake, Tampa Bay 28 WFTS. Her topic will include understanding marine forecasts, regional weather patterns and climate in the gulf that effects safe decision making when venturing out on the water. More on this after the program in January.

As the Education Chairman for the Bow Chasers this year, Kate Wall, has been working diligently at planning some great programs for ALL women at CYC. 

Keep an eye out for further details on these fun and Educational Topics: 

Women on the Water with Captain Keith of Marine Max. 

Come and learn or improve your skills in steering, docking, anchoring, reading marks, with chalk talk then practice what you learned on the water! 

Why Knot?

Learning to tie knots is a practical skill that can be used for everything from outdoor survival and first aid to everyday home tasks and hobbies, to boating, sailing and fishing.

Cruise Captain, Christy Poorman, is busy with our Social Event Plans to keep the party going in 2026.

Jan 11 Sour dough bread making

Jan 15 White Elephant Party- Watch for your Invitation

Feb 12 Galentine Soup Cruise

Feb 19 Texas Hold ‘em class by Leslie

Also in the planning stages are a Mixology Class, Epoxy Cutting Board Class and Pampered Chef Bingo.

Details finalized soon! Stay tuned!!!!!!!!!

Gulls Chatter

Recap of November 12, 2025 Gulls Luncheon

Truth, Lies and Irish Eyes -- Speaker: Maureen Belote

Considering how everyone is getting busy with the Holiday Season, we had a good turnout and several ladies commented on good the meal was.

We appreciated the speaker’s engaging presence and the personal stories she shared—they added a lovely touch to the afternoon. Maureen brought a kind spirit and some charming anecdotes to the table. Her warmth and storytelling brought a quiet grace to the event.

Many thanks to the ladies who volunteered to help with today’s luncheon – Michele Sheehan and Terry Radford handling the sign-in desk – that task can sometimes be daunting and chaotic at times – Mary Jane Lundholm and Lynne Shackelford selling the two sets of raffle tickets, and Shelly Robbins and Shirley Robbins assisting the speaker with placing the comment cards on all the tables. Kudos to all of you ladies – you have no idea how much I appreciate all your help.

And congrats to Barbara Loubier for winning the beautiful wine basket and to Lynne Shackelford’s guest, Ann, for winning the 50/50 raffle.

I wish to extend a warm welcome to a new member to CYC AND to the Gulls, Julie Shields. Julie attended her first Gulls Luncheon today (and I hope to see her again at the other luncheons). Welcome Julie!

We have one more luncheon to finish our 2025 Calendar:

“Sip, savor, and celebrate! In addition to the 50/50, we’re raffling off a holiday wine and champagne basket that’s sure to make spirits bright.”

Wednesday, December 10, 2025

“Kris Kringle Holiday Luncheon”

Please join us on this day for a joyful afternoon of holiday cheer, delicious dining, and a playful gift exchange! This year’s luncheon will feature a Kris Kringle-style swap, where each guest brings a wrapped gift valued up to $20.00. Wrap it well and prepare to part with it—because in Kris Kringle tradition, the best-laid plans often end up in someone else’s hands!

Gifts will be exchanged in a lighthearted round of surprise and suspense—no one knows what they’ll end up with, and that’s half the fun!

The dining room will be filled with the sounds of classic Christmas music, setting the mood for a warm and festive gathering. A thoughtfully curated holiday menu will be served, celebrating the season with flavor and flair.

Whether your gift is clever, cozy, or just plain quirky, come ready to laugh, mingle, and make merry. Let’s close the year with sparkle and camaraderie!

Be on the lookout for all our Email Announcements and to timely make your reservation and menu selections.

GILDA SAYS

“Waves come and go, but Gilda knows: the best flights begin with a little faith and a lot of tailwinds. Here’s to new horizons and sunny skies ahead!”

Looking ahead to 2026

SNEAK PEEK – MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Wednesday, January 21, 2026 –

“Active Assailant” – “A Citizen’s Response”

Speaker: Detective Nicholas Evangelous –Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office

(Threat Management Division – Mass Casualty Planning Unit)

Wednesday, February 18, 2026 –

Speaker: Chris Cato - Fox 13 Tampa Bay News Anchor (Back by Popular Demand!)

Wednesday, March 18, 2026 – Fashion Show – Patchington Boutique

Gulls Dues Forms will be available at the sign-in desk during our luncheons and in the accounting office for your convenience. We warmly encourage all CYC Lady Members to join The Gulls, helping to sustain their cherished traditions and strengthen the foundation for future speakers and entertainment. Though leadership may change, the spirit of The Gulls remains strong. By renewing your dues, you help keep the wings aloft—ensuring that someone will be ready to step forward, carry the torch, and continue the joyful legacy we’ve built together.

The Gulls will continue to welcome more CYC Ladies to join them on Wednesdays when no scheduled luncheons are taking place. A monthly planning meeting is usually held on the first Wednesday of each month at 10:30 a.m. in the Drydock Boardroom, where they coordinate upcoming events and luncheons. On other Wednesdays, they gather downstairs for games—dominos (“Chicken Foot”) being a favorite—followed by lunch upstairs around noon. Come enjoy the camaraderie, conversation, and plenty of laughter!

Final Note from the President’s Desk

As we wrap up another year of friendship, creativity, and shared purpose, I want to thank each of you for the privilege of serving as your President over the past four years. It has been an honor to help shape our luncheons, welcome speakers, and celebrate the spirit that makes our club so special.

Though my term concludes this month, I’ll continue supporting our January through March events as Hostess—ensuring a strong finish to the season we’ve built together. I hope these final gatherings reflect the care, collaboration, and camaraderie that define the Gulls.

Wishing you peace, joy, and a season filled with shared laughter.

Book Club

Book Club meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. in the Board Room.

In November, members read The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston.

There will be no meeting in December due to the holiday season.

Looking ahead to January, members will gather to discuss My Friends by Fredrik Backman.

All CYC members and their guests are welcome to participate. For more information or to get involved, email PC Curtis Wold at woldca@gmail.com.

December

November