Boating Clubs

Mariners of PGI

Lynne Matthews, Commodore
505-5747
www.marinersofpgi.org

July, 2008

Even though the “dog days of summer” are now upon us, quite a few Mariners are still out and about, cruising and socializing with other Mariner friends.

For our June social event, a local wine supplier was on hand at the PGI Civic Association to talk about different wines.  Everyone got to taste six different types of wine.  Many thanks to Carol Cox and Barb Colby for chairing this event!   In July, we will be treated to a fun evening of dinner and laughter at Visani’s Comedy Dinner Theater.  We’re looking forward to a delicious dinner, while enjoying the humor of two very funny comedians.

The Mariner cruising schedule for July includes a two-night anchor-out and/or a two-night marina stay at Fisherman’s Village to enjoy the 4th of July festivities!  There is also a lunch cruise planned at the Isles Yacht Club and a “special” anchor-out lunch at Sunset Lake hosted by our very own “Chicken Man & Chicklet”, Alex and Eileen Hughes.  They will be cooking up their special Algerian Chicken, so this is a lunch cruise not to be missed!

The Mariners currently have a waiting list for membership.  However, for anyone interested in joining us, we encourage you to visit our website at www.marinersofpgi.org for more information.  We also invite you to join us on Wednesday evenings for our traditional Happy Hour at Mamma Nunzia from 5-7 p.m.  Hope to see you out on the harbor – let’s go cruising!

PGIslanders Cruising Club

Jim Roe, Commodore
575-2321 or bigjimroe@aol.com
www.PGIslanders.org

July, 2008

As you read this commentary, I am sitting on my deck in Estes Park, CO looking at the snow capped peaks of Rocky Mountain National Park.  Even though it is a bit cooler here, oh how I miss the smell of salt water!  I really love our home in Punta Gorda and the wonderful friends we have made through the PGIslanders.  I look forward to returning home.

Even though many of our members are like me and head to cooler climates during the Summer months, the PGIslanders did manage a couple of events in June.  Ken and Karen Rolland led a lunch cruise to the Lazy Flamingo on June 16, and Kathi Crump organized a unique lunch at Prepped & Ready where folks prepared gourmet entrees side by side with fellow PGIslanders.  Great fun was had by all.  Special thanks to Ken, Karen and Kathi for organizing these events.

Our club has two very special cruises scheduled around the 4th of July.  Harvey and Marianne Goldberg are leading a cruise to Laishley Park Marina for the evenings of July 3 and 4.  These two days will be filled with entertainment, games, food, beverages and of course fireworks displayed from Laishley Park.  Since there is a limited amount of slips available at the marina, there will also be a raft up off of Gilchrist Park where sail boaters and power boaters can tie up and watch fireworks with a great view from the water.  Thanks to Sam and Tina Shirck and Tom and Carolyn McAlear for leading this cruise.

August is by far and above the quietest month when it comes to cruising.  As I write this commentary the PGIslanders Boat Club does not have a formal cruise scheduled for August.  People seem to be traveling escaping the heat in spite of higher fuel prices.  Things change in September however as folks start returning from their summer escapes.  I look forward to reporting those plans.

Our initiative to “clean up” the Punta Gorda Isles canal system is still on target for October 15.  As I stated in my previous commentary, we welcome members from any other club to assist in the clean up effort.  If interested please contact Gary Anderson at 575 7863 or Steve Kapin at 575 3515.  They can give you all the information about our plan to spruce up the canal system and the picnic that will follow.

If you would like more information about our club, checkout our website (www.pgislanders.org) or join us for our social at St. Andrews Country Club on the 1st  and 3rd Monday of each month from 5-7PM.  We would love to see you there.

Seafarers Cruising Club

Barry Jollett , Commodore (575-7617)
www.pgiseafarers.org

July, 2008

The Seafarers Burgee has been seen far and wide this year!  Despite high fuel prices Seafarers have been cruising with the club and individually in record numbers.  The Lady Grace is underway for the Great American Loop.  This cruise heads North to New York, up the Hudson to Troy, through canals to the Great Lakes and down the Mississippi to the Gulf and ultimately home.  Other Seafarers have cruised to the Bahamas, The Keys, and points North to Venice, Sarasota, St Petersburg,  Clearwater, and Tarpon Springs.

With the Summer weather setting in our local cruising is slowing down but out social schedule is not.

The Seafarers are a fun bunch with a balanced cruise and social program.  The club is currently at full strength and we have a short waiting list.   If you are looking for a fun boating club that does not take itself too seriously (except when partying), take a look at our websitewww.pgiseafarers.organd fill out the online application.

Please accept my invitation to attend one of our Socials at 5pm on the 2nd and 4th Thursday each month at St Andrews South Golf Club and experience the Seafarer camaraderie for yourself.

PGI Cruising Club

Steve Oswalt , President  (639-5851) 
www.pgicruisingclub.org

July, 2008

The Cruising Club wrapped up the spring season with an hors d'oeuvres potluck in place of a June business meeting and although weekly Happy Hours and a few assorted land and water activities will continue at a leisurely summer pace, we're officially on hiatus for the summer.

I like that word “hiatus.”  It seems to imply a whole lot more than simply “on break” or “doing nothing,” and we're certainly not “doing nothing.”  We've members en route to Alaska by truck camper, and others off to Baltimore, New York, and various Midwestern and western destinations.

All the shuttered houses throughout the Isles are a good indicator that a whole bunch of us are on hiatus, but there are still a lot of us summering over here in PGI as well. 

Summertime is a good time here.  Traffic is lighter, the restaurateurs are friendlier, and the daily rain rejuvenates the land.  But other than quick trips to the freezer section of the supermarket or the always ice cold Town Center theaters, most of us hang by the pool saving our expensive car and boat fuel for the generator, “just in case.” 

But there's the Happy Hours, yes the weekly Happy Hours, when we all pop out of our cocoons for that sharing the good time with our friends.  We can talk weather or baseball or politics, or the price of gasoline, or simply enjoy each other's company and the affirmation that life is good here in PGI in the summertime.

You're all welcome to join us, you know, just show up July 1, 9, 15, 23,or 29 (alternating Tuesdays and Wednesdays) at 5 PM, St Andrews.  You can also check us out at   www.pgicruisingclub.org.