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A VIEW FROM THE HELM by Rick Sharpe The leaves are turning and there is a definite chill in the air. Unfortunately, winter is upon us. It's that sad time of the year when we must begin the process of coming to terms with the inevitable: summer's over, and pretty soon there will be snow on the ground and ice in the water. However, we have our memories of summer fun to help sustain us through those cold winter nights. Now that everyone is thoroughly depressed, I would like to give credit to a few of our members who made my first year as your President a success. The Chesapeake Bay Chapters' premier event is without question the Annual Boat Festival. This event has evolved through the hard work of previous administrations into the premier boat show in the Mid-Atlantic region, and one of the top shows on the East Coast. It has become the single event "that can define the success or failure of our chapter. To put on a show of this size is surprisingly handled by a few core members. Granted, there are many other members who contribute their time. If I don't mention your name, please don't take offense, but rest assured I know who you are and I'm extremely thankful for your efforts. There are, however, two people that have taken the reigns of this show and put their mark on it: Maryann Fiaschetti and her unsung husband Dominic. Both have poured their time and expertise into putting on one heck of a show. Maryann will be the first to tell anyone that it's all her committee chairs that deserve all the credit, and they do, but Maryann is the force that binds them all together. Coordinating with a myriad of vendors, museum staff, and massive egos, Maryann takes it all in stride. On any given show day one wouldn't have to sit long to spot a young woman with an oversize hat on a bicycle purposely riding around the 10 acre museum property putting out fires. On behalf of the entire Chesapeake Bay Chapter, our thanks to you and Dominic for an excellent job! Another member that deserves our gratitude is our treasurer Elaine Finnin. Elaine has been very proactive in getting a handle on the clubs' financial situation. Both Elaine and I were somewhat surprised that the club didn't have a plan or a budget to manage the $30,000 + treasury. We concluded that going back just a few short years there wasn't much of a treasury to manage so we figured that it probably wasn't as necessary as it has become. Last January we held a board meeting to establish a budget for the upcoming year and Elaine has been extremely vigilant in monitoring our fiscal responsibility all while running the Ships' Store. Many thanks to Elaine for a job well done. Registration. The mere mention of the word is enough to send chills up and down ones spine. Registration for our Annual Boat Festival is a far more complicated than any person should have to endure alone. Pam Maples and her husband Darrell have for the past two years done it exceptionally well. Registration is by default the center of the universe for questions ranging from "Where do I put my boat?" to "Why did I get sunburn?" and all subjects in between. The registration chair is no place for thin skin, as some participants truly believe they are in fact the center of the universe, and their boat will only go in holy water. Pam does her best to deal with these "special people" and I think does it pretty well, as only Pam could. The next pair of characters that deserve our thanks are Jim and Diana Shotwell. Jim has been an invaluable asset to our chapter. Jim has many talents and skills that he has parlayed to his position as VP of Programs. One thing Jim and I discussed at the beginning of the year was we needed to organize and execute more chapter-sponsored events to try and get more of the membership involved. This effort resulted in a spring workshop at Larry Lauterbach's shop on Kent Island, a wonderful river cruise and lunch on the Northeast River in July and the annual meeting November. In addition to coordinating these events, Jim also has taken on the challenge of Chief Judge at the Boat Festival. This is a tireless and thankless job because, as mentioned earlier there always seem to be certain "special people" that think they, well you know. After undertaking this challenge alone two years ago, Jim enlisted the help of Scott Wahlberg this year as assistant judge, and between the two pulled it off with great success. Jim is also responsible for creating and procuring all the competitors choice and ACBS awards given at the show. Jim's wife Diana has taken on a challenge of her own with the kid's program that is put on at the show every year. This challenge entails procuring the little wooden sailboats that we give each child that wants one, as well as coordinating the setup and staffing of the program. Jim and Diana have also struck relationships within the marine industry that sponsor their efforts, and help with the costs of this program to the point where it doesn't cost the club anything. As I mentioned earlier, there are others that deserve our thanks. Chuck and Linda Wamer whose experience and advice is a solid asset: Lois Duffy and her husband what's his name (just kidding Jim) who handle our biggest revenue stream at the Festival with vendors. John Ford and the Chesapeake Bay Museum staff that lend their support and effort to enhance the Festival year after year; Cindy Sherman who keeps track of the minutes as Secretary. Cindy von Gogh who has done a fabulous job with the clubs' website www.chesapeakebayacbs.net; Safety Officer Bill Scott, who is working to make the Boat Festival a safer place; and Vice President Marcia Auth and Mike Kirby who handle the publicity that helps to increase the foot traffic at the Festival. If I missed anyone I apologize but your efforts are appreciated and deserved. I would like to conclude that if anyone happens to see any of these individuals out and about, stop and offer your appreciation. In an all-volunteer organization it's the least we can do.
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