BackYackers and Peeps,

At the end of another remarkable year at the Back Creek Yacht Club, it is with great pleasure and pride that I reflect upon the accomplishments and contributions of our event hosts and our esteemed membership. This year has been a testament to the passion, dedication, and unity that define BCYC. It’s all about the people - right JohnO?

First and foremost, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our diligent and enthusiastic event hosts. Your commitment to organizing memorable events has truly set our club apart. Whether it was the Season Opener (thank you Patricia and John Paris), the Lobster Fest (thank you Norm and Sherry), or the Annual Meeting (thank you Rosie and Viola), your hard work and creativity made each occasion a success. Your tireless efforts have not only enhanced the experience for our members but have also strengthened the sense of community within our club.

This year’s Gypsy Joe Spirit award went to Eileen Smith. Eileen has worked tirelessly to run our Silent Auction. Her efforts yielded significant and important revenues which support events and collateral extras such as tents for our major events. Those efforts reflect our BCYC membership spirit and willingness to get things done. Congratulations Eileen.

Additionally, I want to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of each and every member of our yacht club. Our club is only as strong as the sum of its parts, and you, dear members, have exemplified this through your active participation, generosity, and seamanship. From volunteering your time and resources to mentoring fellow sailors, to promoting sustainability initiatives and fostering camaraderie, your collective efforts have shaped a vibrant and welcoming community that we are all proud to be a part of. But, what does it all mean?

One of my corporate mentors (yes, I worked in corporate America for 33 years) stated that one should share a “war story” to engage your audience. So, here goes:

Several years ago, I agreed to cook chickens at an event held at Lankford Bay Marina. Madi and I had recently discovered a terrific dry spice in St. Michael’s and I wanted to use it on the chickens. You may recall that there is a very large charcoal grill nearest the pavilion. I got the grill loaded with charcoal and as I was starting the grill, Richard Ross volunteered to assist. I had heard of his reputation as a great chef and was happy to have his assistance. As the fire settled down to a perfect glow, we added the chickens to the grill. Almost immediately, the aroma reached the membership and drove them crazy hungry. We flipped the chickens and the food was progressing right along as planned. Then, I grabbed the Special Shit (yes, “Special Shit”) that Madi and I bought in St. Michaels and started shaking a generous amount onto the chickens. Richard was aghast. He was like - “John, what are you putting on the chicken.” And, I said “Special Shit”. “What,” Richard exclaimed. “Please tell me what you are using. You know that I’m a serious chef. I really want to know what you are using.” And I kept insisting that I was using Special Shit from the Big Cock Ranch out of Texas. I told him that it was especially good on chicken. So, Madi got the bottle for him to see the label and sure enough it was Special Shit. Richard loved it. Soon the members were getting really hungry. They started lining up before the chicken was ready to serve. If I recall correctly, Otto was first in line followed by Richard Sanger. Richard Ross and I held our ground and when the chicken was finally finished, we served nearly three dozen chickens hot off the grill. It was a memorable event highlighted by our master chef’s response to our secret ingredient. You can’t make this shit up. Oh sorry. But, it was certainly a stand out “war story” from the BCYC archives. I hope you all will have your own stories to tell. It’s what makes this club so special.

As we look forward to the coming year, let us continue to build upon these accomplishments, nurturing the spirit of collaboration and inclusivity that defines our club. Together, we will sail into a future filled with exciting adventures, new friendships, and shared experiences that will only strengthen the bonds that unite us.

Thank you, event hosts, members, governors and officers for your dedication and passion. Here's to another year of sailing, friendship, and growth at the Back Creek Yacht Club!
Fair winds and following seas.

Sincerely,
Past Commodore, JohnBoy
2023 Commodore, Back Creek Yacht Club