Commodore's Corner

Fellow members, it is with great pride and excitement that I step into the role of Commodore of Clearwater Yacht Club. A special thanks to our Immediate Past Commodore, Joan Carter, for her tireless leadership and her board for their dedication this previous year. I would like to thank all the committee volunteers and their leadership for their support of the club. From our beginning in 1911, our club has always been more than docks and boats; it's a community built on shared passion for the water, sportsmanship, and lasting friendship. 

This year we're excited to host regattas, cruising events, blessings of our fleet and pets, sponsoring the Boys and Girls club and many more. Looking forward to upgrading our facilities ensuring an even better experience for everyone.  Your energy and ideas are the lifeblood of our club. I urge you to get involved and bring your passion to upcoming events. A list of committees and organizations can be found at the end of this newsletter along with the names and email links of the chairs so that you can join and volunteer. Here's to smooth sailing and a fantastic year on the water and at the club!

True North

Chaplain's Log

As we look forward with hope to another year of life, on a personal note I find myself approaching that hope from a sense of gratitude for the many people who have touched my life for good over the past year. And, while that list is a long one, I wanted to share with my fellow CYC members that the many friends I’ve known over the past 25+ years are those I’ve come to know and love in our Club. Many of have passed away but thankfully, so many remain among us as we began a new year, and many new friends are among us now as our membership continues to grow and our hopes and dreams for the future continue to unfold. And yet, I also realize that so much of what makes CYC the warm and welcoming community we love takes place behind the scenes.

During November and December, we welcomed the Florida Council of Yacht Clubs to our waterfront and dining room. Just a few short weeks following that outstanding event, which featured a packed dining room and superb dinner, we filled our facilities to over-flowing once again during the ceremonies and gala dinner for our Annual Change of Watch. So much hard work went into making both of these events successful through the offerings of time, patience, and long planning process of our Officers, Staff, and Members. But, as I watched these events unfold, I was left with a deep sense of amazement as I witnessed our “awesome” Chef, kitchen staff, servers, and management team work together like a “well-oiled machine” to pull off what, in my opinion, were two flawless events from start to finish. On both occasions, they then worked into the early hours of Sunday Morning to return once again and offer us a beautiful Sunday Brunch as though nothing had taken place the night before. I have witnessed this many times over the past two decades, and the work they did this past fall and early winter has surely “set the bar high” for the New Year.

As Chaplain, I enjoy opportunities to stick around once an event has been concluded and remind the staff that their work and the cheerful way in which they go about their tasks is a big part of what makes CYC the truly unique institution it is and that all of us are truly thankful for their professionalism and dedication to the life and work of CYC. Recently, I interrupted some of the Change of Watch cleanup work and brought a few of them together for a “post event photo shoot.” For me, these visual memories serve as a reminder that we love them and continue to look forward to working with them to keep our CYC tradition of excellence and “service with a smile” alive and well in 2026.

To all my CYC family, I wish you and your families a New Year 2026 filled with blessings and with good memories that will never pass away. Happy New Year!

Bow Chasers

Wishing you a Healthy & Happy New Year!

From the CYC Bow Chasers

SAILING CORNER

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. We’re always looking to Mother Nature to provide us with perfect pram sailing weather. December was up and down with wind and chill but we did get out there and always have some laughs.

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 or just need a brush-up on your skills, you can make arrangements with CCSC. They are very accommodating and willing to teach their skill.

UPCOMING EVENTS

As we welcome 2026 we have many events planned. Please join us to meet new friends and old acquaintances.

SOUR DOUGH BREAD MAKING CLASS

Sunday January 11, 2:00pm 

Learn the wonderful world of Sour Dough Bread from Genevieve Fortunato, a seasoned Sourdough baker. This was a sold out event last year. For $40 you will leave with a jar of sourdough starter, a bowl to make it and later your bread and tons of instructions and recipes. Genevieve Fortunato does a great job teaching and is well prepared!!!

This is for any club member as well as friends.

WHITE ELEPHANT PARTY

Thursday January 15 6:00pm 

White Elephant party at the home of Mary Kay Delk. Hope you will come! Bring that Christmas gift that ‘just wasn’t your thing’! A Yankee Swap type of activity ensues. It can get wild!Join the Bow Chasers and receive your special invitation.

GALENTINE SOUP CRUISE

Thursday February 12, Details to follow

Ladies put your best soups and recipes out for all to see.

A fun and cozy evening to hangout, chat and sample soup recipes. A pot luck of soups! 

TEXAS HOLD’EM CLASS

Thursday February 19, Details to follow.

Need to learn a new card game, have some fun and pass it along to friends and family? This is the event for you! All invited.

Also on the Educational Docket for all to join…

Women on the Water with Captain Keith of MarineMax

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.

Stayed tuned to CYC blasts for details.

Interested in joining the Bow Chasers? Contact the CYC Office for information.

Gulls Chatter

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.

With gratitude,

Marcia Nichols

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!)

Book Club

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

In 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.

January

December