CYC March 2023 Islander

ISLANDER

March 2023

The Cleveland Yachting Club

Founded in 1878

Head Due West (sort of...)

Party like it’s summertime at PIB!

Don’t miss the biggest bash of the year with our fave haunts re-created

Power Fleet Report

Set a course for adventure,...with gatherings and amazing ports of call throughout our Great Lakes

Tech Corner Returns

Did you know that Lake Erie’s Smart Buoys help guide boaters and collect data integral to the lake’s ecosystem?

Commodore

Michael Mansuetto

Vice Commodore

Andrew Drumm

Rear Commodore

Christian Tracey

Fleet Captain

Philip Slaght

Management Committee

Matthew Dugan

Tom McNeill III

Mark Callahan

Richard Slaght

A Message from the Commodore

As we turn the calendar to March, Colleen and I are enjoying just a little bit more daylight in the evenings and are starting to think about spring. Fleet Captain Phil Slaght has done an outstanding job with the weather as this has been an unusually mild winter thus far. As our members contemplate their prelaunch projects, let’s hope it stays that way. We look forward to the days ahead when we can return to walking the island and visiting with friends. Marc Dallas and his team, along with our volunteers, have planned a variety of events this month for everyone to enjoy. More details can be found on the club calendar and throughout the Islander. We kick things off with a return of the ever-popular PutIn-Bay party. Special thanks to Whitney Callahan for planning a magnificent event to give us all an early taste of the islands. In addition, Rob Elwood and Wade Massad have planned a CYC March Madness Stag Night with great food, a little gambling and Sweet 16 NCAA basketball. Reservations are limited so make sure you sign up quickly.

Speaking of sign-ups, be sure you visit the club website to reserve your spot for our summer junior activities. Registration is now open for Sail Camp, Swim Team, SOS and the Jr. Race Team. Our Waterfront Director P/C Mike FitzGibbon and his team are hard at work preparing for an exciting summer season of fun.

March also signals the distribution of our

new windshield stickers and membership cards as well as the publication of our updated Membership Roster. Please take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with our House Rules and Dock Regulations and remember to remove your old windshield sticker and replace it with your new one as soon as you can. P/C David Evans and the Gate Security team appreciate your cooperation to help ensure we maintain a tight gate. It’s a small price to pay to protect the value of your membership.

The club leadership, numerous volunteers and our staff continue to work hard preparing for what we hope will be an incredible summer season. If you would like to get involved, please do not hesitate to contact me as I would love to connect you with one of our awesome committee chairs. We’re always looking for new ideas and would love to get to know you. As always, Colleen and I look forward to seeing you all on the island very soon.

— Commodore Michael Mansuetto

General Manager

Marc Dallas

Editor

Honoring our best of the best

Mary Ann Smith

CYC Islander deadline:

We welcome members’ photos for the newsletter. Drop off copy and/or photos for the April issue to the CYC Islander mailbox in the Club office by March 10. You may also send copy to msmith@ cycrr.org.

Cover photo: The Commodore’s Trip to this sunny seaside destination was an adventure to remember.

Named at the recent Sail Fleet Trophy Night, congrats to Sailor of the Year Brady Starck (his parents accepted his award at left) and the Crew of the Year, Tom Burant, right.

AROUND THE CLUB

A little something to serve every interest this month

Calling all Golfers

While the season is still in the planning stages, we are anticipating a robust schedule. The clubs include Avon Oaks, Lakewood, Shaker Heights, Elyria, Pine Hills, Manakiki, Oberlin, Firestone, Sleepy Hollow, Bunker Hill, Thunderbird Hills and Sawmill Creek. We’re planning on at least two outings a month starting in late May. The Committee would also like to invite new committee members (especially those who have course preferences and connections) to help plan and coordinate. Email Gordon Geiger at Gordon@ shopgeigers.com.

CYC Chorus

The CYC Chorus is actively looking to expand its ranks. Please join us if you love good music, love to have fun (our rehearsals are very fun) and have an ability to sing in the shower. There are no tryouts required, so please just join! We guarantee that you will be glad that you did. We are especially in need of male tenors, and we will pay a “bounty” if you are one, or can find us one. Also, because of Dawn Reilly’s retirement, we need a piano-playing member who would accompany our outstanding group. We have begun rehearsals for two concerts that will feature Classic Broadway songs. The concert dates are May 4 and 7. Also we are about to form a CYC Kids’ Chorus. Please let us know if you are aware of kids who would like to participate (not firm yet, but we think ages 12 to 18). Please call P/C Chuck Inglefield for a commitment or further questions (216-374-6401).

—P/C Chuck Inglefield, Chorus Chair Devon Gess, Chorus Director

Tennis Fleet

The CYC Tennis Fleet will drill at Avon Oaks on Thursday 3/2 1-2:30 p.m., Friday 3/3 6-7 p.m., Thursday 3/16 1-2:30 p.m., Saturday 3/18 5:30-7 p.m., Thursday 3/30 1-2:30 p.m. Please email Maria Melacrinos at cyctennisfleet@gmail.com to reserve a spot.

Fine Art Fleet

As March arrives, we hope to have seen the worst of winter, and will certainly prepare for a new sailing season quickly approaching on the Island!

Your friends involved with the Fine Art Fleet continue to bring to the Library some of their most beautiful creations, to be shared with all CYC members; this

month we are pleased to welcome back Linda Gross-Brown with one of her pastel paintings titled Cotswolds #1, seen above.

Linda tells us that during a past trip through the Cotswolds in the English Countryside she visited Broadway, a charming little village in that region, on a rainy morning stroll. The outdoor cafe and the colorful bricks of the local architecture were very appealing and charming, leading her to create this wonderful scene.

As you might know, Linda Gross-Brown is a very accomplished pastel artist, well known within the U.S. and the international art worlds and her pastels have received recognition and awards.

—Marcello Mellino, Fine Art Fleet Chairperson

Book Club

On March 16 at 6 p.m. our book will be Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani. Please bring books or a list of books you would like to read for the next six months, as we will make a selection at that time. Call CYC to make your dinner reservation.

—Annette Yamada

House Rules Reminder

A few House Rules reminders:

• Smoking or vaping including all electronic smoking devices is strictly prohibited.

• Men’s hats/caps are unacceptable in the Clubhouse (including bars).

• Members should refrain from using their cell phone for conversational purposes in all dining and bar areas of the Clubhouse. Cell phones are permitted for all nonverbal use (texting, email).

If you have guests, please inform them in advance to avoid any potential embarrassing situation. Thank you in advance for your kind understanding.

—General Manager Marc Dallas

Don’t miss Euchre Nights

Thursday Euchre nights have been going full throttle so far in 2023. Join in the fun, camaraderie, exhilaration and excitement. No reservations required, just show up in the Snug Harbor room at 7:30 p.m. on March 2, 16, 30 and April 13. Cost is $5 cash which is used for both weekly and seasonal prizes.

—Dave Wade

Get Your New Car Sticker

We will issue a Dockholder and a NonDockholder car sticker near the end of March after the dock assignments have been made for the season. Vehicles displaying the Dockholder car sticker will be the only ones allowed in the “Dockholders Only” spaces, and this policy will be enforced. Rosters and membership cards will also be available at this time. Thank you for your patience while dock assignments are being made.

The buoy system on Lake Erie is a network of floating devices that measure the environmental conditions of the lake, such as water temperature, wave height, wind speed and direction, and air pressure. These buoys then transmit the data they gather wirelessly to receivers on the shore.

The information collected by these buoys is extremely valuable to a lot of people. For instance, weather forecasters use the data to track storms and make more accurate weather predictions. Boaters can use the information to make better decisions about when and where to go out on the water. Additionally, researchers use the data to study the lake’s ecosystem and protect its resources.

Overall, the buoy system on Lake Erie helps keep people safe and informed when they’re out on the water, and it’s a big help in understanding and preserving this important natural resource.

Have a favorite app everyone should know about? Send an email to justin@beachclifftech.com!

—Justin Reed

Doc-Side: Cancer Awareness POWER FLEET

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness month. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States in men and women combined. It develops from polyps (growths) in your colon lining making it easily detectable and highly preventable! I was recently speaking with a colleague and friend, Dr. Pam Leone, a gastroenterologist who is a member here at CYC, and she had lots of great information for me to share with you.

“There is no one cause of colorectal cancer. Risk factors include age, genetics/family history, and inflammatory intestinal conditions,” she said. “Modifiable risk factors, those you can change, are obesity, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, diabetes, and diets high in red, smoked or processed meats. There are certain factors that can decrease your risk of colon cancer. These protective factors include regular physical activity, a diet rich in fish, fruits and vegetables, and even coffee intake.

Signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer include blood in your stool, change in your bowel habits either with new, persistent loose bowel movements or worsening constipation, weight loss, anemia (low blood counts) and abdominal pain.”

In 2020 the United States Preventative Task Force lowered the age for colorectal cancer screening from age 50 to age 45. If you have a family history of colon cancer you may need screening even before age 45.

It is estimated that 90 percent of colon cancers start as benign colon polyps, making colon cancer highly preventable with early screening. The best way to screen for colon cancer is with colonoscopy. If polyps are found during a colonoscopy, they can be removed immediately thus eliminating their potential to grow into cancer. Another less invasive option is a stool test, the most popular and reliable being Cologuard, which you may have seen on television. Cologuard is able to detect small amounts of blood in your stool. If your Cologuard test is positive, then a colonoscopy will be necessary to further investigate.

Speak with your primary care physician or gastroenterologist about colorectal cancer screening and which modality may be right for you. The inconvenience of undergoing a colonoscopy is far less troublesome than the impact and treatment for late stage colon cancer diagnosis, so please get screened early!

—Fleet Surgeon Dr. Rebecca Starck

Join the fun on land and water this spring

For those of you who don’t know about Power Fleet, we are a group of people who share a common love for water, family, friends and fun. Power Fleet events occur both in and out of the water. Almost half of our members either have no boats or day boats—so we planned a summer of fun for everyone!

We will start off the season Saturday, May 13, with our Power Fleet Spring Kickoff Party. The Power Fleet has invited the USCG to the island to conduct boat safety inspections for any interested boat owner. The Cleveland Metroparks Police boat will be present and officers will conduct a fun kids’ boat and safety program. We have a lunchtime cookout at 12 noon planned at Center Isle with live music and plenty of information for members to participate or join Power Fleet.

We have planned a wide variety of cruises that we hope appeal to both our cruisers, day boaters and non-boat owners. We’ve planned a Clifton Beach cookout, kids’ kayak and paddleboard races, our traditional dock crawl combined with a poker “walk” and a kids’ afternoon on the lake tubing.

For our cruisers, we have many of our traditional ports of call and some ports we haven’t visited in years. This year we’ve secured rooms at two of our ports—for members who don’t own cruisers. Our members with cruisers will offer rides to any Power Fleet member who wants to secure a room but cannot boat to these events, including Kelleys Island, where we’ll host the Commodore’s cocktail party, and Cedar Point.

Power Fleet activities will be live on the website sometime in March. Please sign up on the CYC website so we can plan on food and prizes for our May 13 Kickoff Party. We look forward to seeing you there.

-John Pyke & Deb Carlton, Power Fleet Chairs

Mark your calendars for the 2023 Power Fleet Events:

May 13 - Kickoff Party @ Center Isle

June 8 - Crew’s Nest

June 9-11 - CIC

June 22 - Pelee Island

June 23-25 - Rondeau

June 30-July 2 - Kelleys Island (Seaway & Ventura Hotel accommodations) Commodore’s Cocktail party

July 8 - Dock Crawl and Poker ‘walk’

Long Cruise

July 21,22 - Port Clinton Yacht Club

July 23 - Old Club

July 24, 25 - Lexington, MI

July 26, 27 - North Channel Yacht Club

July 28, 29 - Grosse Pointe Yacht Club

August 4 - Downtown Cleveland Dinner Cruise (boat rides available)

August 5 - Kids Kayak/Paddleboard Races & Lake Erie tubing

August 6 - Lunchtime picnic at Clifton Beach (kayak, dinghy or drive)

August 11-13 - Cedar Point (also hotel accommodations)

August 18-20 - Vermilion

September - Browns event TBD

Wet Hens boldly march into spring

Wet Hens dinner will be on the second Wednesday of the month. Please register with CYC. Stitch and Bitch is on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at CYC. For more information and times, refer to the Wet Hens newsletter blog or call Cathy Wilton-Bransch.

Every Friday at 10 a.m. is Pathfinders. This is a chance to get out of the house, dress warm and walk approximately three miles with friends. Locations and leaders vary. Contact Peg Indermaur to get on the e-mail list.

March is Women’s History Month. Once again, we invite all members to come and hear the story of an iconic 21st century woman, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, on March 29 at 7 p.m. in the Marine Terrace. Grab a cocktail, bring a friend, and be entertained and inspired by this performance. Equity actress Juliette Regnier portrays RBG. Reservations requested.

On April 6, the Wet Hens are going to a show! Join us for CYC dinner and then head to Beck Center to see the hilarious comedy, Noises Off! The show is at 7:30 p.m. and the group ticket price is $28. Reservations and advance payment are required by March 23. For more information, contact Ruth Pangrace.

*Follow CYC Wet Hens on Facebook (@Wet Hens CYC) Instagram (@cyc_wet_hens).

*Check out the Wet Hens Newsletter at https:// cycwethens.blogspot.com/

*Contact group leaders: all committee chairs’ contact info are at the bottom of the newsletter, which can be accessed using the QR Code shown. —Gail Cudak, Wet Hens Chair

The Sporting Life

Family Open Skate

On Sunday, March 12, 4:30-6:30 p.m. all are welcome to lace ‘em up at the Rocky River Hamilton Ice Arena at 21018 Hilliard Boulevard. Please register online in advance. Cost is $4. —Ashley Saxe & Cheryl Haudenschild

Skeet Fleet Annual Outing

The Skeet Fleet is having its annual sporting clays outing March 25 at Hill-N-Dale in Medina. Members will arrive at 8:30 a.m. and enjoy breakfast and then move out to shoot. The day will include a round of 75-bird sporting clays and two rounds of skeet. There is no cost to be a member of the Skeet Fleet and you do not have to be skilled at shotgun sports. If you are an experienced shotgunner or a novice, this is a great way to enjoy a day of shooting with your CYC friends. If you do not own a shotgun, there are a limited amount of loaner guns at Hill-N-Dale. Cost is to be determined, but plan on about $100 per shooter. Sign up on the CYC website or contact Skeet Fleet Chairperson Jim Winton at wintonjb@aol.com for details.

Dining Specials

Family Night Specials

Every Wednesday we will feature a $10 Family Night Dinner Special. The above photo is from a recent evening with bubble artist Juliette.

Burger Nights

Enjoy a plethora of burger choices on Thursday evenings. Cost is $6 for beef burgers, veggie burgers or chicken sandwiches, plus a variety of family-style sides for $4 from which to choose.

Happy Hours

On Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays catch an array of inviting drink and appetizer specials from 4 to 6 p.m. Happy Hour features $3 draft beers, $6 house wine and specialty drink deals. Plus, $2 off small plates.

Babysitting Nights

Let us watch the kids while you dine at the club. We offer babysitting on Friday night in March from 5-9:30 p.m. on the 3rd, 10th and 24th. The Cost is $15 per child and includes a kid-friendly buffet and crafts. Members only and reservations required as space is limited.

Be our Guest

Make CYC your venue for memorable occasions. Our Event Coordinator Emily Coletta and Chef Matt Gambatese will work with you on menu, coordinated linens, food displays, etc. Call Emily at 440-3331310, ext. 224 to get your party started!

Looking ahead...

Mark your calendar for April events:

• Easter Egg Hunt April 2, Easter Brunch April 9

• Mom Prom April 21

• Bredt Father-Daughter Dance April 22

• Ladies Trip to Siesta Key April 27-29 Chairs Heather Carroll and Nicki Stacey

What’s NEW, CYC?

Kids Movie Night

On Friday, March 31, from 6-9 p.m. kids ages 5-12 put on your favorite pajamas and bring your blanket or sleeping bag for Movie Night at Center Isle. The event will start at 6 p.m. with a kids’ buffet, popcorn machine and candy bar. The movie will premier on the big screen at 7 p.m. Reservations are required. Call the front desk to reserve your spot. Cost is $20 per child. Please note that there is no regular babysitting this evening.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

Brian Gilbride

Brian and wife Erin have three children and look forward to time at the pool and Sail Camp.

Sponsors: William Head and Tim Simmerly

Paul Hazen

Dr. Hazen is a partner at Associates in Dermatology. He and wife Judith look forward to socializing with friends and dining.

Sponsors: Robert Ralston and Joseph Brady

John Needham

As senior manager trade development at Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits, John and his wife Jude have two children.

Sponsors: Jacklyn Todd and Melissa Mayer

John Petz

A vice president at MTD Products, John has three children and plans to purchase a boat.

Sponsors: John Bush and Alejandra Estemalik

ON THE WATERFRONT

Ready. Set. Launch. The season is nearly here...

Racing Rules Seminar

On March 9, learn the most up-to-date rules and on-the-water applications with Matt Bounds, U.S. Sailing National Race Officer and National Judge. This seminar is a must for all CYC sailors who race regularly or just occasionally. Come down early for Burger Night and then enjoy the presentation in the CYC West Room at 7 p.m. Questions? Email: waterfrontdirector@cycrr.org

Summer Activities Launch

If you ever wondered about things to do at CYC in the summer and how you can get involved, this is your gateway to all that CYC has to offer. On Sunday, April 23, from 4 to 6 p.m. the Membership Development Committee will fill the upstairs of the CYC clubhouse with tables representing all the fleets, committees and programs offering summer opportunities for our members. Representatives from the following will be there: Tennis, Golf, Membership Development, Sail Camp, Wet Hens, Sail Fleet, Power Fleet, Fishing Fleet, Swim Team, Junior Race Team, Start Opti Sailing, Adult Learn To Powerboat and Sail programs, RC Sail Fleet, Watercraft Use Program and Regatta. Even if you are already signed up and/or involved in one or more of these activities, stop by to meet coaches, counselors, chairs and other participants to learn what is new for 2023, including schedules, volunteer opportunities, CYC resources, and all the ins and outs of having fun at CYC this summer.

Enter the Orcas T-Shirt Design Contest

Orcas, this season we will have a contest for the official swim team T-shirt. Get creative individually or up to three friends can create a winning design. Deadline for registered swimmers only is March 31. See the full rules and eligibility requirements on the cycrr.org swim team site under junior activities.

—Waterfront Director P/C Mike FitzGibbon

Calling all anglers: Get an inside edge on the sport

Please join the Fishing Fleet for a presentation by the ODNR Division of Wildlife on walleye and perch populations in Lake Erie.

On Saturday, March 11, from 3-5 p.m. we will have Ann Marie Gorman from ODNR’s Fairport Fish Research Station speaking at Center Isle. She is an expert on hatches, migrations, feeding habits, populations and much more. Come with all your questions and up your fishing game. This is a free event. Please bring friends, family or whoever might be interested. Light snacks and refreshments provided. Please register on the CYC website so we can get an idea of how many will be attending.

Mark your calendars for the 2023 Battle of Lake Erie Walleye Tournament! As has become tradition, it will be held again Father’s Day weekend. The Calcutta will be on Friday, June 16, and the tournament will be on Saturday, June 17.

On March 25, we will be hosting a walleye fishing rigging seminar on the Island. Please mark your calendars for this event as well, more details to follow. This seminar will teach beginning fishers new tricks or show members who want to get into Walleye fishing the gear that is needed to get started and how to rig the boat. We also would love to see our seasoned anglers join this event to share experiences and knowledge.

We hope to see droves of people at these 2023 season kickoff events. If you have any questions, please reach out to us.

—Dan O’Donnell & Chris van Raalten

DINING HOURS: BREAKFAST LUNCH DINNER

View CYC events on your phone calendar by syncing it through the CYC app or website. Just go to the CYC calendar and tap the sync symbol.

The Put-in-Bay party is back and better than ever on Saturday, March 4! You don’t need to go to South Bass this time of year to enjoy the Boardwalk, Chicken Patio, Frosty’s, The Crew’s Nest and all the island has to offer. Come party like it’s summer on the islands. The PIB Buffet ($25) will be from 7-9 p.m. in the Marine Terrace and features music by Pat Shepard. Then join us upstairs in the CYC Round House for island drink specials and music by the Almost Famous Band.

—Whitney Callahan

A time to sip, savor, stag and say “Slainte” this month!

Wine Dinner

Saturday, March 11, 6 p.m.

During this delicious four-course dinner expertly paired with wines by the Wagner family wines, we will feature varietals from Caymus, Emmolo and Cooper Cane wineries. The wine rep will discuss each vineyard. Reservations are required and this event will sell out at 50 person maximum. Cost is $100 per person.

Men’sDinnerStag

On Friday, March 24, don’t miss March Madness Stag Night. Tip off is 5:30 p.m. Enjoy a night of bourbon, cigars and the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Basketball Tournament, as well as poker, euchre, basketball squares and 7-1/2. Cost: $65 per person, includes commemorative longsleeve T-shirt, raffle ticket for prizes, keg beer, appetizers, BBQ and Lenten fish taco buffet, late night gyros. Call for reservations or make online. Please specify shirt size when registering. Members only, no guests.

—Rob Elwood

St.DinnerPatrick’s

Friday, March 17, 5 p.m.

Enjoy a nod to the old sod with a dose of beguiling b’gorrah. Chef O’Gambatese will create some very special traditional fare with a modern twist, starting at 5 p.m. Don’t miss festive green beer and drink features as well as the Brady Campbell Irish Dancers at 6:30 p.m.