Words and Photos by Mike Ferring
After the wine is poured and dessert selection devoured, the real reason for a gathering of AYC members takes the stage: recognition of the dozens of people who make our club work. The board, the race committees, the people who teach, who lead, and who connect us.
The Commodore’s Celebration on Saturday, May 10, was ostensibly a changing of the guard and Bill Hutchinson performed that ceremony with typical charm and humor. Out with the old and in with the new. Martin Lorch slides over to Junior Staff Commodore and Roger Pawley steps in. Eleven members line up shoulder to shoulder for the new board photograph.
But it didn’t stop there. Another photo opp with 14 former Commodores. Recognition of the astounding Sean Kenealy for bringing AYC and ASU closer together. Deb Huntsman for her support of women’s sailing and much more. (Both are moving away, unfortunately.) Awards to Bruce Lee for Sportsmanship. To Bruce Andress for volunteering. To Barry Bond for “Heavy Lifting” (working hard for the club, including ASF). Emma Wright for the Most Improved Junior Racer. Martin and Cedric Lorch collect the great club Racing Championship bowl.
Fay Powell was on another mission. To find a worthy recipient of the club’s treasured Blunder Bucket. After three rounds of nominations, Fay determined that the winner was obvious. It was the man in the kilt, Eric Bruce, whose wife Catherine had enthusiastically nominated for… well, it’s a long story that ends with their boat well and thoroughly wrecked on the rocks.
There were 76 of us in the room that night, enjoying the brilliant cuisine of one of the city’s most storied chefs, Vincent Guerithault. If you missed it, be sure to join us next year.