Summer has come to a close and the autumn colors are beginning to fade in the groves. Soon the mountains will be robed in gold and orange and snow-capped peaks will appear in the cool morning skies. With winter’s arrival comes the anticipation of wool sweaters and blue jeans, crisp starry nights and peaceful snowfalls, but it also brings an appreciation of the sunny afternoon stints still remaining. So I look forward to donning the down, watching my children swoosh down the mountain on the first powder day, sitting by the fireplace and remembering the last of summer’s sizzling rays.

I commend the support our club has received from the membership. The Tiverton community has also lent a hand. From that woeful morning call in June 2003, the members of the club have been resilient, thoughtful and shown true grit. Ideas have been bountiful and helpful. I look forward to the opening of a new clubhouse and many years of friendship with you. Changes are sometimes disruptive, but many times are for the better. The overwhelming support given by volunteers from the club and its past members has been nothing short of amazing. The harvest barn fund-raiser not only brought funds to add that little extra to our future clubhouse, but showed me what we can do as the Tiverton Yacht Club family. Pat Collins, Dave Boland and the team they led were remarkable. I had fun and I hope you did, too. Our Building Committee, led by Rick Hall, has tirelessly revised plans for the new clubhouse to cater to the needs of the members and the requirements of local and state agencies. It will be a wonderful place for club functions and to sit on a porch to read the Sunday paper and sip a cup of coffee.

You have entrusted to me not only a business with the goal of constructing a new building but the dreams of your children to succeed in next year’s sailing events, learn new swimming skills and your hopes for a summer to renew and energize your lives. Hopefully, our new clubhouse will be completed before summer tans have started. I look forward to welcoming you to the pleasant surroundings our new clubhouse will afford in a location that is truly sensational when the sun sets over the Portsmouth skyline.

For now, I look forward to the year’s end and the beginning of an exciting new year. As I shovel the snow off the deck of my home, I will fondly remember those days on my boat sailing down the river and miss my friends of summer who are truly wonderful people.

The Board of Directors and I wish you a happy and healthy holiday season.

The Board of Directors at its November 11, 2003 meeting, recommended to clarify the required service by a member to obtain a credit of the $100 participation assessment toward a member’s next year bill as it relates to Article VIII, Section 7 paragraphs 3 and 4. There had been too many issues relating to different tasks that a member may participate in that could not be considered sufficient to obtain a credit. After discussion how other clubs define these issues, it was voted that the policy and definition for the credit as it relates to these two provisions is as follows: "As to the provisions of Article VIII, Section 7 paragraphs 3 and 4 of the Tiverton Yacht Club By-laws, participation credit would only be earned if a member has volunteered a minimum of eight hours of service on a prequalified work party or parties."

By-laws Committee

Mark L. Levin, James Rogers and David Saurette

The Sail Training Committee has agreed to release to a good home three to four Capri sailboat shells. These boats are given by request without charge. It is part of the ongoing commitment by the club to retire older boats and replace the same with newer boats for training. Here’s the catch. You must remove the boat(s) prior to the construction of the new clubhouse (within the next two months). Otherwise the boats will be disposed of. Please contact Pete Franklin or Bruce Epke for details.

Boat U. S. would like to remind all TYC club members that TYC is a Boat U. S. Cooperating Group. This means savings to our members. Now get 50% off when you join the nation’s largest association of recreational boat owners. You pay one-half of the regular Boat U. S. dues of $19.00, only $9.50 a year! If you’re already a Boat U. S. Member, you can renew your membership at the low $9.50 rate.

Boat U. S. provides a vast range of services, information and savings to recreational boaters. For more information, call Mark Levin at 508-678-2824 or come to the December 9, 2003, Board of Directors meeting and pick up a membership application.

If you are renewing your boat U. S. Membership, be sure to mention our Co-op Group # GA83306Y to get the special $9.50 rate.

Sail Rhode Island is an exciting four-day event that will be taking place at Provport July 17-20, 2004. Contact Katrina White at 401-222-2601, ext. 150 for ticket information.

Polly Ney & Stu Hardy,

Co-chairs

The Board of Directors is considering a plan involving several significant changes in the management of the new house - and the entire club - with the goal of providing members with more and better services. A new paid position of Club Manager, replacing the Head Steward position, would provide a focal point for all club activities and programs. The manager would be responsible for the orderly functioning and day-to-day operation of the club and its routine administrative business. This would include steward scheduling, dealing with contractors/suppliers, oversight of club boats and the dock, necessary record keeping, house and slip rentals, oversight of safety concerns, and the cleanliness and attractive appearance of the clubhouse and grounds. To this end, a steward would be scheduled to work with the manager during much of the summer season. This change would mean that two club employees would be available during busy times of the day to assist members and keep the house and grounds looking as neat as other clubs’.

In addition, the board is considering lengthening the season by 15 or 20 days. At present, the club is open only during the public school vacation period from mid-June to Labor Day. A longer schedule might include daily open hours beginning Memorial Day weekend.

The House Co-chairs would like to hear your views on the above suggestions. Meanwhile, we urge you to pass along the names of any possible candidates for house or club employment in the 2004 season.

Congratulations to Pat Collins, Dr. Dave Boland and their fine committee for providing an excellent evening of entertainment at the Harvest Barn Dance. Not only did over 300 people enjoy themselves but the event raised over $15,000 for the Building Fund.

Now that the plans for the new TYC clubhouse have been announced, excitement is growing among the membership. Many members have come forward with good ideas for raising the necessary funds for the completion of the new structure.

Ads for the 2004 Log Book are now being accepted. A full-page ad is $40 and a half-page ad is $25. Please contact Jim Rogers at 508-673-1118 for more information.

The annual awards banquet for the Wednesday night racers was held on October 18 at L’il Bear, which seems to have become our second home. Sixty normally competitive sailors sat down to a most jovial evening. Boastful predictions about next year’s performance were immediately countered by complaints of unfair ratings. This friendly dialogue is the equivalent of the Red Sox’s " wait ‘till next year. "