Happy New Year!  That may be difficult to believe with January temperatures in the thirties and forties, open water in many places on the lake, and boats that look more ready to be uncovered for another year than buried in mountains of snow.  But this is Wisconsin and many of us can remember similar years with early January warmth instead of biting cold.  It remains, nonetheless, an indoor time of year for most of us and the club is just the place to meet friends, share the warmth of last summer’s adventures and make plans for the next one. 

Speaking of friends, please join me in extending your appreciation to our three departing Board of Directors members: Mike Enfelt, Pat Harshbarger and Bud Marschall.  Their contributions are varied and many, and I am sure they will continue to be called upon in our transition and future.

Having said that, we must also welcome three new Board members including Mike Benson, Christina Loehr, and Chris Romuald.  Mike will be co-chairing the Entertainment Committee along with Randy Leider; Christina is our new secretary; and Chris will chair the Travel Lift Committee.  The remaining officer and director positions include Vice Commodore Rob Ritchie who will also serve as the Docks Committee Chair; Jim Meisinger as treasurer; Jack Touchet as House Chair; Chuck Westby as Building Committee Chair; Randy Veeser as both Grounds and Indoctrinations Chairs; Steve Cahee as Membership Chair; and Ann Lallier as Sunshine Committee Chair.  All of these people, individually and as a group, bring talent, expertise and experience to their positions as leaders of the Fond du Lac Yacht Club.  They are willing to listen to your concerns and needs, and will do their utmost to better the FDLYC as a whole.

I believe that a special thank you must go to Randy Veeser for an outstanding two years as commodore and tireless advocate for the club.  As I look around, his marks are everywhere from hanging baskets to the computer systems we need and use; from meeting management to putting out the Harbor Hotline; and from frying Friday fish to dealing with the City powers.  He has been forceful, tenacious, outgoing and responsible.  Luckily, he will continue on the Board of Directors as Past Commodore where we can call on his expertise and experience as needed.  Thanks, Randy!

Chuck Westby is forming a committee to make recommendations for updating the kitchen and keeping it in compliance with city and state regulations.  A signup sheet was passed at the December membership meeting although interested individuals can still get in contact with Chuck.  Of particular concern are the north wall, sufficient number and size of sinks, food preparation surfaces and dish washing equipment.  A comprehensive plan is called for and the kitchen inspector for the City of Fond du Lac has volunteered to oversee the potential plan for compliance.  The timetable suggests an April beginning so the back wall is completely enclosed before the lake fly season.  As always, however, these ideas and suggestions will be brought to the membership for approval before any undertaking.

 For your planning, the interclub party is likely to be held in mid summer this year as a change from the past and Karen Whealon, et al. are planning a St. Patrick’s Day party par excellence.  Please check the calendar inside for other activities and stop in for a little winter wonder: the view is great, the drinks are reasonable, and your participation makes it all happen!  Show up, lend a hand, share a moment and enjoy!

Lastly, for those of you who know me, and for those of you who don’t: I listen pretty well, make few promises that I can’t keep, am usually punctual, occasionally forget, try to leave things better than I found them, and have been looking forward to 2012.  Again, Happy New Year!

Jim Zitzelsberger
Commodore, Fond du Lac Yacht Club
mokinme@mokilane.com
(920) 688-3394