On November 8, Back Creek YC (BCYC) members elected its new Officers and Board of Governors for the coming year at the Fleet Reserve Club in Annapolis. Outgoing Commodore, Bob Higginbotham, presided over the Annual Meeting. Following a meal of crab dip, sandwiches, roasted vegetables, and libations from Fleet Reserve, the current officers revisited the extensive activities of the Club during the almost completed year.
These included two major week long plus cruises, one in the Spring and the other, the Vagabond Cruise, in the Fall down into the Southern Bay along with a half dozen weekend cruising events during the sailing season. Club Treasurer, Mary Bowie, completing her eight year tenure announced that the Club’s finances were in great shape to a standing ovation. After five new members were introduced, members accepted the Nominating Committee’s new slate: Jamie Ritter, Commodore; Terry Bidnick, Vice-Commodore; Colin Soucy, Rear Commodore; Ben Wilson, Fleet Captain; Jeannie Bidnick, Treasurer; and, Mary Lotto Ross, Secretary. The Club’s Board of Governors will be Patti Bartlett, Gary Budesheim, and Pamela Loving.
In 2016, Fleet Captain Ben Wilson will supervise Water Events and Rear Commodore Colin Soucy, Land Events. Madi Yates will be Cruise Director and Pam Budesheim, Social Director. Pat Bernhart will plan Midweek Events and the Fall Vagabond Cruise will again be directed by Richard Sanger and Tom Bernhart, who were selected to be recipients of the Club’s Gypsy Joe Spirit Award for their efforts organizing the Vagabond Cruise the past two years.
Otto Hetzel and Betsy Beyers will be handling publications. Events starting in December and into the New Year will be a dinner at Galway Bay to participate in the Annapolis Midnight Madness on December 10 and a Holiday Brunch on December 13 at the Severn Inn, in January and February for the Northern members of the Club.
For those wanting to sail year round who will be wintering in Stuart, Florida, the Southern contingent will hold happy hours on January 7 and 21, and a Southern Season Opener on January 15. Join this lively boating group, whose enjoyable activities will extend through the winter as well; see details at backcreekyc.org
