Tarpon Coast Grady White Boat Club

Tarpon Coast Grady White Boat Club

TO: All Club Members

FROM: Diann Drew-Saunders, Secretary

DATE: July 1, 2007

RE: Latest Club News
Hello Members...July is here and the summer heat is “sizzling” in paradise. But, to keep things on the “cool” side, here is what’s happening in our Club:
JULY 4^TH – for those interested in seeing a beautiful display of fireworks by water, we will be meeting on the Peace River (Marker 2 – look for the Gradys – we can’t be missed) at 6:30 p.m. We will be on Channel 72. No response is necessary. It will be a B.Y.O.B and an appetizer, snack or dessert to share. This great idea to gather and celebrate this national holiday was suggested by Burt & Eileen Wahlburg. Thank you!!
THERE WILL BE “NO” JULY DINNER MEETING; however, on Sunday, July 15^th, we will be meeting at Laishley Marina in Punta Gorda at 5:00 p.m. (Board Members will meet at 4:15 p.m. for a quick meeting) and then walk over to River City Grill for dinner. You can come either by water or land, but please be prompt, as we need to be at the restaurant prior to 6:00 p.m. to partake in their Happy Hour and $11 dinner specials. To sign up, please make sure you contact Dan/Cher Clark. For more information on trip outing, please also refer to our website.
THERE WILL BE “NO” AUGUST DINNER MEETING; however, on Sunday, August 12^th, we will meet at Portobello’s Restaurant at Burnt Store Marina for Brunch at 10:00 a.m. As reservations are needed for this event, the deadline date is July 25^th. Please contact Dan and Cher Clark ([e-mail]) if you would like to attend this event. For additional information, please refer to our website.

ALSO, might I mention for those interested, on Saturday, August 11^th, it is National Marina Day at Fisherman Village Yacht Basin which is now completed and is inviting all clubs to come out for a “free” informal lunch at noon. Reservations can be made by calling [phone]. Please check website for more details.
SEPTEMBER MONTHLY DINNER MEETING - to be announced at a later date. Please reserve Wednesday, September 19^th, on your calendar for this gathering.
OCTOBER 20^TH – 24^TH -- TRIP TO STUART – all details for this adventure have been worked out by our Fleet Captain, Dan Clark. Please check our website as those interested in going will need to notify Dan, but also make their own reservations for hotel(s) and marina(s). And….in order to make this trip a “GO”…please pray for rain.
FISHING CONTEST – this is being planned by our Treasurer/Webmaster, Dan Eisenberg. From the input he has received, it sounds like it will be over a period of a few weeks, with different categories for all our “catches”. We have will prizes for each category and, of course, with every contest, there will be rules and guidelines. If anyone is interested helping Dan coordinate this event, please contact him at [e-mail].
CLUB CLOTHING INFORMATION – we have extra t-shirts for sale for $13.00 each and also we are taking orders for Tarpon Coast Grady White jackets at $25.00 each. Don’t miss out…order one today. Anyone interested in these items, please see Dan Clark.
OPENING FOR BOARD OF DIRECTORS POSITION AS “BOATING SAFETY OFFICER” - the description of this position would include establishing and communicating information to Club members regarding the operation and maintenance of their boats and related equipment, safe boat operation guidelines and related educational subjects and material. Their duties and responsibilities would be as follows:

1. 
   Arrange for Club functions that relate to boat information or safety including guest speakers or demonstrations at Club meetings;
   
2. 
   Work in liaison with the Fleet Captain on planning trips to be sure that all possible safety issues and boat prep items are addressed;
   
3. 
   Provide input for the monthly Newsletter covering issues that relate to boat information or safety;
   
4. 
   Present a related topic at each Club meeting; and,
   
5. 
   Provide information for the Club website regarding boat information and safety.
   

So…..if you feel that you are the person for this position or would like to elect someone in the Club for this position, all submissions of names must be emailed to Dan Clark ([e-mail]) no later than July 14^th, as we will be making a final decision for this position at our dinner on July 15^th.
OTHER NEWS:
TRIP TO ‘TWEEN WATERS INN ON CAPTIVA ISLAND – was a HUGE success. Most of us met in Charlotte Harbor on Saturday (June 23^rd) at noon, picked up a few boaters at Boca Grande Pass and then ran South on the Intracoastal to Captiva. It was a beautiful sight to see a line of Gradys all in a row and also to see the heads of other boaters turn, waving as we went past. Upon our arrival, we docked, settled in and began our “happy hours” at the resort. For those that stayed at the hotel…we were all in agreement that our accommodations were “cool” with air-conditioning, very clean and spacious. We all gathered at 5:00 p.m. on the dock for cocktails and appetizers – enough for an army. Then strolled or were driven, compliments of Burt Wahlburg, to dinner at The Green Flash on the water where we all enjoyed a delicious dinner with beautiful view. Back at the resort that evening, some of us gathered on the dock deck and boats to enjoy the beautiful breezy evening under the stars and catch a “dim” glimpse of the International Space Station flash across the sky. The next morning at 9:00 a.m., we gathered on the marina dock ready for our Shelling Contest on the beach. Categories were given – “The Prettiest Shell”, “The Biggest Shell”, and “The Most Unusual Thing”. After 2 hours of strolling along the beautiful beach with water about 87 degrees, all contestants brought back their findings. Elaine, who works at the resort and is a true shell collector, was the official judge. The results were as follows: Danny Erb (grandson of Dan & Nan Erb) took the prize for “The Prettiest Shell” and won a Grady White beach towel; Danny also won “The Biggest Shell” prize which were 2 Grady White insulated drink containers and David (son of Diann and Steve Saunders) won “The Most Unusual Thing” – a piece of lingerie (we are all still wondering where the rest is ?!?!) and a wine glass. As it was getting time to leave (by noon), we all packed up, said our goodbyes to those leaving while others stayed around for another swim and lunch poolside. A few others left to continue their trip for an overnight at Pelican Bay in their boats. On behalf of all the members that attended this great weekend event, our thanks to our Fleet Captain, Dan Clark, for organizing this great trip and Lisa at Grady White for graciously providing us with prizes for our Shelling Contest.
And….for any details I may have forgotten, please refer to our Club’s website at http://home.comcast.net/~tcgwbc/home/index.html for additional details on upcoming events and photos of past events courtesy of Dan Eisenberg, our Treasurer and Webmaster.
Looking forward to seeing you all soon!!