Boating Clubs
US Coast Guard Auxiliary
On the first Wednesday of every month, the US Coast Guard Auxiliary holds its’ monthly meeting at 7 pm at the Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association, 2001 Shreve Street in Punta Gorda. We are the volunteer civilian branch of the US Coast Guard and offer safe boating courses and vessel safety checks as well as numerous other public services activities involving boating. If you are interested in any of the courses we offer, or are interested in joining our flotilla, please contact Dick Kenyon at (941) 626.0641.
Keep a Clear Head Program
All boaters know or should know that it is against the law to empty their holding tanks overboard in Charlotte Harbor. The Keep a Clear Head program was created by the Punta Gorda Boaters’ Alliance to encourage boaters to protect their local environment. The program was inspired by Interlux’s nationwide challenge and competition for groups to develop programs that will make a difference in their waterfront environment.
For complete details
Jon Shattuck, Commodore
505.2122
June, 2010
Up north, the changing color of leaves forecasts the coming of winter, but here in Florida the hanging of storm shutters foretells the coming of summer and the departure of our part-time members. We will miss our snowbird friends for next the few months, but in the mean time, the good news for the full-timers is there will be faster seating in the restaurants and lighter traffic on the highways.
While there may be fewer Mariners in town, it doesn’t mean that our boating and social activities are in abeyance. There are lunch cruises and marina cruises on our cruising schedule, as well as an anchor-out. And our monthly social calendar is also full. There is a trip planned to the Southeastern Guide Dog Facility in Palmetto, FL (with an opportunity to play with the puppies) and our most enjoyable “Eat before You Meet” membership meeting.
Please join us any Wednesday, 5:45 p.m., the Fish House at Fishermen’s Village for cocktails. We will be wearing name tags and would be happy to introduce you to our members.
(This month’s column has been written by Hank Bauman, who is covering for Commodore Shattuck while he and Penny are cruising on the other side of the world.)
Lynn Olzacki, Commodore
639-6188 or diverlady2@aol.com
July, 2010
Weather and tides cooperated, making Boca Grande, Englewood Beach and Pelican Bay great spots for the Shelling Cruise. Shark’s teeth, starfish, chocolate tulip, scallop shells and oyster shells were a few of the finds. Karen Clark led the cruise. She and Sue Linehan helped shellers identify their treasures. That secret shelling beach I mentioned last month…well it’s still a secret. Seems you had to be on the cruise to be privy to that info. We do know it is on Boca Grande.
Almut Haswell led the Islanders inland to tour and lunch at the unique Solomon’s Castle, which proved quite an experience. Solomon Howard built the castle and spent a lifetime creating unique pieces of art from scrap iron and spare parts to create his museum.
Debbie Seter organized a fun mid-week get together for the ladies. A matinee for “Sex and The City” and a bite of lunch afterwards was the perfect fit.
Upcoming cruises include Laishley Marina for a barbeque to watch the fabulous fireworks on the 4th of July and Don Pedro Island. A cool down with an old fashioned ice cream social is in the planning stages.
Check the web site for details of upcoming events as well as pictures and reports of past events.
Come meet our fun and friendly group. We invite you to visit with us and enjoy our social hour on the second and fourth Mondays each month from 5-7 p.m. at St. Andrews South. Our General Membership meetings are on the first Thursday at 7 p.m. at the PGICA. You can also visit us at www.pgislanders.org.
Arnie Gievers
637-7407 or debacas@embarqmail.com
June, 2010
May was a good month, packed with activities. We had an overnight cruise to South Seas Island Resort for two or three nights, attended by eleven boats. South Seas has plenty of activities including golf, tennis, swimming and lounging at the beach or by/in the beautiful pool. We had dinner outings and social gatherings that made the trip truly enjoyable. The club also had day cruises to Tarpon Lodge and Burnt Store in May.
June will also be filled with activities, including day trips to locations around the harbor. We have a pot luck dinner scheduled June 24 to wrap up activities for the summer. Our formal general meetings start again in September with a pizza party, as fall begins and members return from their summer activities. Our weekly happy hours continue through the summer, which keeps members in touch and gives them the opportunity to share stories and experiences. Happy Hours in June will be every Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Saint Andrew’s South.
For more information about PGI Cruising Club contact Barb Tharp at 639.2065.
Bob Dorman
575-8789, bobtonid@yahoo.com
July, 2010
Seafarers have been enjoying an active cruising season this year. The Seafarer burgee has been seen in the Bahamas, Key West, Lake Okeechobee, Tampa Bay area, Fort Myers Beach, Cape Coral, Florida’s Big Bend Rivers and the Northern Gulf Coast. One member even made it to Perdido Bay, Alabama! While bigger boats cruised far afield, many of the smaller boat crews were enjoying themselves at Boca Grande, the Lazy Flamingo, the Nav-A-Gator, Portobello’s and Bert’s Bar in Charlotte Harbor. What a great season!
Upcoming Seafarer cruises will feature a Fireworks Raft Up on the July 4, a cruise to Pelican Bay on July 9 and a marina cruise to Palm Island on the July 23.
Our July General Meeting will feature a new “Summer Hours’ program. We’ll have a brief business meeting at 5 p.m. followed by an educational presentation and then socialize over free pizza and BYO beverages.
To learn more about Seafarers activities check our website at www.pgiseafarers.org. Please accept my invitation to attend one of our socials held at 5 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Thursday at St. Andrews South Country Club to learn more about the club that knows how to have fun.