Here we are starting the sixth month of our dance with the virus. We have cancelled pretty much all of our social activities at EYC. The only things left on the calendar are Board meetings and the Annual Meeting which will probably be held virtually (hint: download the Zoom app). It is so hard to be a social club and not socialize! Visiting with our friends during the season is important for improving our mental health at the same time that the virus chips away at it.
Our country is going through a rough time right now. Not only is the virus doing its darnedest against the human race, but we face climate change, a zapped economy, demonstrations, riots, and the political season. My cure is to talk to my friends and family, and more often than usual. My community is what's keeping me sane, that and being on or at least near the water regularly.
The club is mostly open. The clubhouse and barbecue are closed. Restrooms are open (but they required your help to keep clean and sanitized). The water level is really low which is great if you like a big beach, but not so great if you have a big boat. Sailing remains an option for those with shallow draft boats, but just sitting on shore can be quite pleasant and peaceful. Club boats remain off-limits because of the virus. The club-owned kayaks and stand up paddle boards were placed in the Youth Building and we are missing one of each. If you know where those are, please let me know.
As you know, our Vice Commodore resigned. This week the Board decided to appoint Richard Johnson as a replacement. Rich is a long-time member and was actually Commodore about twenty years ago. He has stayed very involved and is an excellent choice.
For those who may have missed it, several projects are ongoing at the club. The big one at the moment is the clubhouse deck replacement which is turning out to be really nice. EYC is working towards getting the whole property ADA compliant and the new deck gets us closer to that goal.
The Work Party requirements were changed by the Board this year. Normally we ask members to do 16 hours, but this year we are asking members to do 20 hours between this year and next. If you'd like to get some hours taken care of, there are projects that could use your help, in a safe and socially distanced way, of course. Please contact Port Commissioner Marji Clune to get started.
In other news, the Youth Sailing Program is being planned for next year, as are many other sailing and social activities that we're hopeful will be held next season. The Board is working on figuring out how to have the Commodore's Ball as soon as possible, so watch for that announcement.
At the risk of sounding like your grandmother, please, be safe. Clean your surfaces (there are cleansers and paper towels in the rest rooms), wash your hands often and for 20 seconds, don't touch your face, stay six feet away from people outside your household, use hand sanitizer (there are dispensers outside both port--potties), stay at home if you are sick, cover your coughs and sneezes, and especially, wear a mask (and we are selling EYC face masks—email me). And at the risk of sounding like your preacher, keep your passion alive, your values strong, and love your community. That is how we will beat this.