Enjoy some fall boating, before getting ready for haul out
Fall Fest Dock-or-Treat
Stroll down East Channel for trick-or-treating with the kids
The Cleveland Yachting Club
Founded in 1878
Oktoberfest CYC-style
The club is transformed into a beer garden with live oom-pah-pah music
Commodore
Andrew Drumm
Vice Commodore
Christian Tracey
Rear Commodore
Philip Slaght
Fleet Captain
Christiaan van Raalten
Management Committee
Tom McNeill III
Mark Callahan
Richard Slaght
Steve Kmetz
General Manager
Marc Dallas
Editor
Mary Ann Smith
CYC Islander deadline:
We welcome members’ photos for the newsletter. Drop off copy and/ or photos for the November issue to the CYC Islander mailbox in the Club office by October 10. You may also send copy to msmith@cycrr.org.
Cover photo:
Before this fleeting season slips away, make the most of your autumn days and nights at CYC!
A Message from the Commodore
As Commodore Andrew Drumm gets ready to pass the gavel next month, we asked him to reflect on his year in office.
What were some of the Club’s accomplishments under your leadership this past year?
I was happy to continue the family-friendly aspect of what makes me love this Club.
Also much effort was focused on the bridge project. Long before I became Commodore, the bridge was on long-term cruise control. It was identified as an asset, which soon became a liability when Rocky River Fire Department announced the future purchase of a fire truck that grossly exceeds the weight capacity of our bridge. The bridge replacement was supposed to be under my watch, but that did not happen due to several constraints; time and scope being the primary reasons. Not wanting to leave the Club in a dire position, we throttled down and focused on achieving closure to the bridge. This could not have happened without the dedication of Marc Dallas, Jason Smith (Fleet Engineer), the Bridge Committee... and many more. Throughout the year, this team managed to secure a builder willing and able to complete this project in a time frame and budgetary number that works for our Club’s operations and capital budget. Our Club prides itself on never biting off more than it can chew, so we kept that in mind when focusing on the bridge replacement. Our cash and carry approach has worked well for decades, and I was not going to be the one who breaks that tradition.
What are some of your favorite memories?
The events that are built on tradition hold a special place in my heart, such as Change of Watch, Commissioning Ceremony and Squadron Sail; however, one event does stick out and that was Regatta! Honestly, there are many other events that bring fond memories—in fact, too many to recall.
This year went too fast and only upon reflection do you realize how many incredible memories you have gained. Simply open your phone camera, and you will quickly recall how many incredible events you have attended and enjoyed.
The team of volunteers and CYC staff really made our year one we will never forget.
What did you learn about CYC during your time as Commodore?
I learned the value and respect we should all have for our professional team. When you finally break down the depth of our Club, you quickly realize the depth of the organization. Our Club is essentially a combination of a yacht club, social club, swim club, dining facility and banquet establishment. While many members enjoy all aspects, most only have time to enjoy a few. Keep in mind, all of these areas are mostly weather permitting, so our management team always has to adjust accordingly, giving the membership the service they expect and demand. As such, this is a callout to our kitchen and waitstaff, our hostesses and bartenders, our management team and employees at the Clubhouse and Center Isle. And let’s not forget about the yard crew and dock hands, as our yachting addiction could not happen without them. Plus the accounting team that is always there—the hidden heroes who bind the entire process.
What do you look forward to doing after you change your title to P/C next month?
I will return to volunteering at a committee level; the same amount of effort that made me and my family take our love for CYC to the next level. Our Club only survives on members volunteering their time to help events happen. No disrespect to our professional leaders, but this team requires an all hands on deck effort to keep the ship on course. Fortunately, we always find a perfect blend of professionalism and volunteerism that allows for all members, regardless of their age to enjoy the Club.
Do you have any advice to pass along to incoming Commodore Christian Tracey?
Stay the course! Your volunteerism, professionalism, and your leadership is why you will be leading this fine organization for the next year. Similar to captaining a ship, you must lean on your crew to make sure you stay on course effectively and efficiently—there is no cruise control on this journey. I was fortunate to have a great crew to keep me heading in the right direction, and I know you do too. I am confident CYC will be in great shape with you at the wheel.
Oktoberfest
Saturday, October 5, from 5 to 11 p.m.
Munich or bust! It’s that time of year again, to don your lederhosen and get ready to belt out a few oom-pah-pahs...at Oktoberfest CYC-style! Center Isle will be transformed into an authentic Beer Garden. Enjoy live polka music from Bob Kravos and the Boys in the Band from 6 to 10 p.m. along with a traditional German buffet. Costumes are encouraged and reservations required. This is an adults-only event.
Cost is $45 per person, which includes the German buffet, a customized plastic beer stein and one free beer. There’s a maximum of 150 attendees, so call or make your reservations online.
Please note there is no regular dinner service this evening..
Weathering the Storm
Our CYC burgee stood tall after the tornado that swept through the area this summer, as captured by this photo from P/C Dave Evans.
Even though the wind downed a tree, our burgee can be seen standing strong.
General Manager Message
I wanted to provide an update to the membership on the Bridge Replacement that will take place next spring. We are working with E.L. Robinson as the engineering firm and have selected J.D. Williamson as our building contractor. The Bridge will be constructed as an in-kind replacement but will be widened to allow for a 4-foot sidewalk on the south side of the bridge. This will create a much safer entrance and exit to the Club for both pedestrians and bicyclists.
The bridge is scheduled to be demolished starting on Monday, March 3, with the estimated time frame of construction going through Monday, April 28. The Club will be completely closed during this period with zero access to the island.
During this closure and for the convenience to our members, we have planned with both Lakewood Country Club and Westwood Country Club to accommodate our members for reciprocal dining privileges. They are both closed Mondays and Tuesdays and serve lunch and dinner from Wednesday through Sunday; reservations are strongly encouraged.
When the bridge reopens on the anticipated date of Tuesday, April 29, it will provide one-lane traffic until the estimated date of completion on Friday, May 23.
We will continue to provide the membership with updates throughout this process and greatly appreciate everyone’s understanding and support as we continue to make necessary improvements to our wonderful Club.
—Marc Dallas, General Manager
Power Fleet bidding adieu to 2024 season with Chili Cook-off
To celebrate the end of a fun Power Fleet season, we will be closing the year with a Chili Cook-off at Center Isle on Friday, October 18, at 6 p.m.
Everyone is welcome to make a chili and enter into the contest.
There will be various prize categories including:
• Full Throttle — best spicy chili chosen by the Flagline
• Most Creative — best nontraditional chili, chosen by the Flagline
• Power Fleet’s Choice — voted by those in attendance
• Grand Prize — best chili chosen by Flagline
— Ryan & Kristin Kovesdy, Power Fleet Chairs
AROUND THE CLUB
Clubhouse the place to be in fall
Boat Haul Out
Haul Out begins on Monday, October 7. Please have your pump out and fueling done before your scheduled haul out date.
To signify your readiness to be hauled out, tie a fluorescent ribbon (available at the Gas Dock or Guardhouse) to the stern of your boat. Please have the stern of the boat facing outward of the dock for pusher access.
If you are removing your boat from the island and require a load to trailer, call the Dock Office for a scheduled time.
Dining Survey
It is our goal to provide the best dining experience and menu options. Let us know how we are doing by completing a dining survey after you enjoy your meal, and you can win a $100 gift certificate in our drawing. Click on this QR Code.
Congratulations to John Wenzinger, the winner of our dining survey drawing in August.
Online Dining Options
Just a reminder that CYC offers online dining reservations for dining in the clubhouse.
Just go to cycrr.org, click on the Club Dining/Dining Reservations tabs and reserve your preferred date, time, etc. for your dining experience.
Art Fleet
October means that it’s time to put our boats away and start dreaming about next summer...yet our island will quickly get into its busiest season as the Christmas holidays will be here in no time!
magically appear around the Club.
The Art Fleet remains active, however, no matter the outdoor weather, and is pleased to welcome again Virginia Cascarilla’s work in the Library with one of her vibrant paintings, inspired by some of her enjoyable family activities from the past, yet very alive in her memory.
Virginia has been active within many art circles of our city, has been an art educator for decades and still finds great pleasure in “capturing the moment” both in town as well as along the South-West Florida shores, where she and her family have now discovered a new dimension.
Her featured painting here is the 1995 World Series of Baseball and how it electrified Clevelanders.
“The theme of my work is relationship, with one another as well as with one’s work and play,” Virginia says. “In this series we see Sandy Alomar electrify the crowd with the suspense and thrill of work/play. I remember the chant of the crowd, ‘go Sandy go.’ This is relationship! In this case it is between Sandy and his bat, the roar of the crowd and the wonder of it all.”
This is the perfect choice for our October featured artwork in the libary as our Cleveland Guardians have made it to the playoffs once again, so hoping for some more October magic.
—Marcello Mellino, CYC Fine Art Fleet Chairperson
We are fortunate to be able to enjoy our Lake in so many different ways, and the unusual warm temperatures will allow for few more outings, hopefully, before clambakes and hot chocolate will
Ric Michaels shared this photo from Power Fleet’s cruise to Vermilion at the end of the summer, where they are raising a kayak shipwreck.
Wet Hens in fall mode as still on water and land
Join the Wet Hens for dinner on Wednesday, October 9, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. cocktails. 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. dinner, followed by Ruth Pangrace performing as Julia Child.
The first woman to ever host her own television show, Julia ignited the love of cooking for so many Americans and changed the way we think about food. Sign up for the Wet Hens dinner that night, or just come for this performance that follows at 7:30 p.m. Bon Appetit!
Kayaking
Now that the nights are cooler and with the sun setting earlier, it is time to celebrate the end of a great kayaking season with our annual Pumpkin Paddle on Thursday, October 3. Please contact Mary Beth Johnson or Pam Lucey for more information.
Pathfinders
Get out of the house and walk approximately two to three miles with friends every Friday at 10 a.m. Locations and leaders vary. Contact Peg Indermaur pegindermaur@ cox.net or Deb Wadden at wadden.deb@ gmail.com to get on the email list.
Stitch N Bitch
STAY UPDATED
Beatrice Cook
A consultant at Public Consulting Group in NYC, Beatrice grew up at CYC and plans on connecting with friends and family when visiting back home.
Sponsors: Craig Cook & Sumner Mead
This group will begin again in October on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 3:30 p.m. Please note the slighter later start time versus last year. Bring whatever needlework project or sewing chore you have and a mug for tea. We will sit around the fire and share conversation, ideas and snacks while drinking our tea and working on our projects.
Questions? Contact Cathy Wilton Bransch at cwiltonbransch@yahoo.com.
Check out the Wet Hens Newsletter at cycwethens.blogspot. com. All committee chairs’ contact info are at the bottom of the newsletter, which can be accessed using the QR Code.
—Gail Cudak, Wet Hens Chair
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
Andrew Dieter
Andrew is senior regional advisor consultant at Columbia Threadneedle Investments. He and wife Danya have a daughter. They are looking forward to joining the Golf and Tennis Fleets.
Sponsors: Kevin Schmotzer & Ryan Crane
Robert Kocian
President of Auto Bolt Co., Robert and wife Anca have three children. They plan to join the Wet Hens, Book Club and Skeet Fleet.
Sponsors: Ryan Crane & John Opdycke
Jason is medical science liaison at Cumberland Pharmaceuticals. Jason and wife Melissa have two children. In addition to participating in the club’s social activities the family plans to participate in Sail Camp and Swim Team.
Sponsors: Steven Melacrinos & Peter Bergan
Jason Makii
A LOOK BACK at CYC history
In September’s Islander we highlighted the repurchase of our Island by the members back in 1950.
For the continuation of that story, please review the “Guff Box” article detailing the terms and conditions of the mortgage note. It’s also interesting to note the names of the “Rocky River Island Company” owners with connections to present-day CYC members:
P/C Lee Wilson is the father of present-day member Nancy Lee Malm
P/C Al Salzer is the grandfather of present-day member Bill Buckingham
See the photo below of P/C Horace Wetzell Sr., father of P/C Horace E. “Cap” Wetzell, who is burning the mortgage note in 1969 at the 90th CYC birthday celebration.
CYC History Committee:
P/C Lynn Lazzaro
P/C Jack Salisbury
P/C David Evans
OCTOBER
October Browns Watch Parties
Here we go Brownies, here we go, woof, woof! The best seats in the CLE to watch the games are here at CYC. Come cheer them on with beer specials and a football food menu. Topside will open at noon for all games in October.
Sunday, October 6 at Washington Commanders
Sunday, October 13 at Philadelphia Eagles
Sunday, October 20 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Sunday, October 27 vs. Baltimore Ravens
Fall Fest & Dock or Treat
Sunday, October 27
Brunch seatings every half-hour from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (note there will be no regular dining hours for brunch/lunch)
Enjoy a festive brunch then stroll down the East Channel for trick-or-treating (children encouraged to wear costumes) on the way to Center Isle, where there will be pumpkin carving and decorating, treats and activities aplenty for the kiddos.
Cost: $30 for adults, $15 for children. Reservations required online.
