Membership Corner
Hello WRYC Members!
It’s hard to believe that Summer is in full swing, and that we are more than halfway through the year! That means the Club’s signature event, the Virginia Governor’s Cup Regetta is coming up soon. And, as we do each year, we need volunteers to help to provide breakfast and lunch for the participants. Last year we fielded a great team to support the event. I’m hoping we can count on our members to step up again this year.
Helping with the Governor’s Cup is a great way for members - especially new members to experience what the Club is all about. If you would like to help, please contact me at membership@wryc.org or 312-543-8220. The schedule is as follows:
Friday afternoon, 8/1
Assemble sandwiches from cold cuts provided by Nuttalls
Pre-cook bacon and breakfast sausages
Set up tables and warming trays for breakfast
Saturday and Sunday morning, 8/2, 8/3
Set up coffee, cereal, fruit, utensils, etc.
Put out sandwiches, condiments, chips, etc. for lunch
Cook scrambled eggs, home fries, biscuits
Warm up bacon and sausage
Deliver food to serving line
Serve breakfast to sailors and race officials
Clean up
Speaking of new members, please join me in welcoming the following families to WRYC!
Dan and Jennifer Smullen, and daughters, Madelyne and Daphne
Hannah and John Pearson, and children, Emma and Matthew
Shannah Kendall, Adam Bair, and sons, Peter and Fred
Cheston and Cameron Harris, and children Bennett and Jane
Paul and Thelma Hellebrandt, and granddaughter, Emma Lynch
Finally, and very sadly, we have just learned of long-time member Tish Grant’s passing. Will and Tish Grant have been very active and supportive members of WRYC for many years, known for their sponsorship of the fall Oyster Roast, one of the club’s most popular events.
From Becky Meeker via email:
Letitia Montague Grant, a long-time member of the Club, died last night surrounded by family at her beloved home, Cottage Point. A Remembrance of Life will be held at a future date. Andrews Funeral Home is handling details. Will Grant’s address is PO Box 36, Ware Neck VA 23178. The family appreciates the many cards and messages she and they have received during her illness.
Ray Mazzocco
Membership Chair
From the Helm
Summer is off to a fantastic start—Junior Sailing is in full swing, the Sea Scouts are underway, and our social events have been a hit. A big thank you to Josh for organizing the latest low-key social, and to everyone who came out to enjoy it. It was a great time—exactly the kind of easygoing, no-fuss gathering we should do more often!
The Sea Scouts have begun their introductory sailing training, and the club has officially gifted them Wagtail to serve as their “ship.” If you or someone you know is between the ages of 14 and 21 and interested in seamanship, leadership, or just having fun on the water, let them know about the Sea Scouts. And if you’d like to get involved yourself, you can learn more at wryc.org/seascouts. They're a wonderful group doing meaningful work.
Fun Fact: Did you know that the Sea Scouts trace their origins back to 1912 in the United States, just two years after the founding of the Boy Scouts of America? Their nautical traditions are inspired by centuries of maritime heritage—many early Sea Scouts even trained aboard decommissioned naval vessels, continuing a long tradition of youth seamanship training that dates back to the age of sail.
The 61st Annual Virginia Governor’s Cup is coming up fast! Information for that can be found at https://www.wryc.org/governors-cup .
Looking forward to seeing you at our upcoming events!
Fleet Scuttlebutt
Greetings sailors and all club members! We’re looking at a weather forecast that includes most days in the low nineties (on land). This makes being on the water more welcome, and those temperatures can strengthen our afternoon sea breeze that makes sailing more enjoyable. If you’re not receiving our bi-weekly emails to Adult Sailors, please email me at sailing@wryc.org, and we will include you.
With water temperatures now mild if not downright warm, we are looking to activate our Albacore fleet for the benefit of adults. Our club is the recipient of a third Albacore due to the generosity of West River Yacht Club in Edgewater, MD. Depending on your sailing experience, handling a smaller boat such as a Laser or Albacore can offer immediate feedback in response to changes in sail trim and rudder position. This responsiveness really helps to emphasize the basics of sailing, which can then be transferred to handling any size boat under sail, as the principles are identical. As long as you’re OK getting wet, dinghy sailing is great way to enjoy the river.
A note about water safety – in addition to wearing a life jacket or other floatation, please be aware of the risk of a Vibrio vulnificus infection. This is a rare infection, but it is more common in warmer months and may cause serious issues. An open wound or a break in the skin can allow the bacterium to enter the body, and it can spread rapidly. Fortunately, treatment with antibiotics is very effective if it’s caught early. Since it’s much more prevalent in warmer months, consuming raw oysters in months with ‘r’ reduces the possibility of food-borne transmission. Meanwhile, be aware of any cuts or scratches that don’t heal quickly, and don’t delay seeking treatment if you suspect this infection.
For what it’s worth, I don’t let the remote risk of that bug to interfere with my enjoyment. Stay cool and healthy, and we look forward to seeing you on the water!
John Dudley, Fleet Captain
Social Scene: A Look Back at a Sizzling Start to Summer!
What a few months it's been at the WRYC! Your Social Committee has been hard at work, and we've kicked off the summer season with some truly memorable events.
First off, you might have noticed some extra bounces of joy around the club! The board recently voted to purchase a bounce house for socials and other WRYC-sponsored activities. It’s already been a huge hit, giving our youth an extra dose of fun during events.
Speaking of fun, our recent Flag Raising ceremony saw a fantastic turnout. It was wonderful to see so many of you there, and the event was truly enjoyed by all.
Our first-ever "Summer Happy Hour" on June 19th was an absolute blast! We had a fantastic turnout, with many members bringing friends for an afternoon of relaxation, delicious food, and lively games. The new bounce house was a huge hit with the kids, as was the slip and slide. We had so much incredible food brought by members that we needed two extra tables to hold it all – thank you for your amazing contributions! Watching the storm roll across the Ware River was an unexpected, but beautiful, bonus. We're already planning another happy hour for July and August, so keep an eye out for those dates!
A quick note on upcoming events: Our July 4th social has been moved to July 19th due to a lack of hosts. We're still actively looking for volunteers to host this event, so if you're interested in helping make it a success, please email socials@wryc.com.
We're all set for our Labor Day social hosts, but it's never too early to think about our Fall socials. If you, or a few couples, are interested in hosting a future Summer Happy Hour or a Fall Social, please reach out to Josh. We truly rely on our members to volunteer their time to keep our vibrant social calendar going strong.
Don't forget to check out the WRYC Socials calendar for all upcoming events: https://www.wryc.org/wryccalendar
See you at the club!
Warmly,
Josh ~ WRYC Social Chair
Governor’s Cup Help
The 61st Governor's Cup Committee needs your help! We need help both on the water and off. Ray Mazzocco has graciously agreed to take lead on hospitality (food and bev). He'll need plenty of help. Please reach out directly to Ray or to Scott if you can help with meals. We need folks to man the registration table, work with the race committee, and assist with traffic control, to name just a few positions. The regatta is Aug 2&3. Email vice@wryc.org if you can help. Remember, this event only survives by the help of our club volunteers! Thanks, Scott Titus
WRYC 2025 Calendar of Events
June 30-July 3 Junior Sailing Session 1 Week 2
July 3 Junior Sailing Banquet
July 4/5 Independence Day Social (Host choice)
July 7-10 Junior Sailing Session 2 Week 1
July 14-17 Junior Sailing Session 2 Week 2
July 17 Junior Sailing Banquet
July 21-24 Junior Sailing Session 3 Week 1
July 28-31 Junior Sailing Session 3 Week 2
July 31 Junior Sailing Banquet
August 1/2 61st Governor’s Cup & Junior Regattas & Awards
August 30/31 Labor Day Social (Host choice)
TBD Anchor On The Ware
October 11 Oktoberfest / Harry Sindle Memorial Mobjack Bay Regatta
November 8 Oyster Roast
December 6/7 Christmas / Holiday Social (Host choice)
Rental Report 2025
The WRYC Rental Calendar is just about full for 2025. Here are the numbers by month:
April 1 Member Wedding Rental
May 1 Social, 3 Non-member Wedding Rentals
June 1 Social, 3 Non-member Wedding Rentals, Jr Sailing Camp Starts 6/23
July 1 Social, 1 Member Rental, Jr Sailing Camp Continues
August 1 Social Governor’s Cup, 1 Non-member Wedding Rental
September 5 Non-member Wedding Rentals, 2 Member Rentals
October 1 Social-Harry Sindle Memorial Regatta & Oktoberfest, 3 Non-member Wedding Rentals, 1 Non-profit Rental
November 1 Social Oyster Roast, 1 Member Rental
December 1 Social Holiday