Editor Note: This is the May 2015 article that was not published in Mainsheet
Will this winter ever end? The cold roared in in early November, and although today is a one-day wonder of warmth, the ice and 20’s return tomorrow. How are we surviving? Several of our members have their boats on a coast in a warmer clime, and they have extended gracious invitations to the rest of us to join them as they tour the Bahamas and enjoy the traditions on the various islands. The Wilsons and the Whytes are the generous hosts who have made it possible for others to escape the cold and to explore the islands, as most of us have dreamed we would someday do. This experience has motivated at least one of our group to sell his boat and buy a bigger one for use on similar adventures.
As you can see, this is a sailing fleet not bound by land boundaries, dams, and bridges on our lake!
Andy and Angelia Wilson install a sign giving distance to Lake Lanier from Georgetown, Bahamas
Fleet 13 and other boating friends enjoy Fleet Captain Dottie Tony’s Wedding in October
Our Christmas party was a smashing success, hosted again by the Robichauxs, the Whytes, and the Mitchells. The Ugly Sweater theme brought out the creativity of the partiers, and the food, as always, was extraordinary. Favors for those attending were sturdy wine glasses etched with “Fleet 13.” A slide show of our past years’ activities, created by Bruce Whyte, ran constantly, projected onto a sheet outside and visible from rooms on the back of the Robichauxs’ house. Our January soup/stew party, hosted by the Burroughs and the Penzs, was a big hit. More than 20 of us cozied up to the fire and devoured delicious soups, salads, and stews. We got to actually talk with each other and enjoy the company of our fleet members who are more than just other boaters. We are close friends who support each other in our lives on and off the water.
As warm weather returns, as surely it will, we will enjoy a Cajun dinner on the marina deck on May 2, and we will have our annual business meeting and brunch on Memorial Day. This very important meeting is the one time we determine what activities we can look forward to in the coming year. Every member participates at some level in a fleet activity. This is the key to our success.
I was thrilled last week to receive an email from someone who is moving to the Lake Lanier area. He is eager to meet our fleet and is looking for a Catalina 34! Wow! The power of this means of communication! Thanks go to all who help create this magazine, especially Jack Hutteball and Stu Jackson.
Dottie Toney, Scarlets Way #1614