179 party-goers enjoyed a memorable evening at Richmond’s historic Commonwealth Club on November 17th.

The event started off with a Cocktail Reception with passed hors d’oeuvres.  Members then attended the Annual Meeting to hear year-end reports followed by the election of the 2019 Board of Trustees.  A seated gourmet dinner came next, followed by a Viennese Dessert Buffet.  The 2018 Flag Officers Rob Whittemore, Paul Wash, and Tracy Schwarzschild officiated Awards Ceremony.  Evening entertainment was provided by the Alex Crain Band.

Professional photographer Aaron Sutten took some great pictures.  Follow this link to view the photos.

Schedule of Upcoming Events:
Sat, Dec 1 - YAM Holiday Parade (in Richmond)
                  - Offshore Winter Series 3
Wed, Dec 5 - GM goes on vacation (Virgin Islands)
Wed, Dec 19 - GM Returns from vacation

This Week’s Update:
- 2018 comes to a close this weekend with two events.
- The YAM's are gathering everyone for the Richmond Christmas Parade at 10:00 Saturday morning.  Event contacts - Blake and Julia Kimbrough
- The final offshore race of the year will also be held on Saturday at the Club.  Race contact - Mike Karn.   
- I will be in St. Martin on vacation from December 5th through December 18th.  I will not be available by phone while out of the country.  But I will be checking email daily …

As of this morning we have nearly thirty folks registered for our fun-filled parade day and cozy get together in Richmond!

Starting this Saturday morning, at 10am, we will meet up with hot cocoas & coffees to watch the Richmond Christmas parade. We will then retire to a nearby member’s home at Noon for potluck treats, drinks and a little holiday themed arts & crafts for the kids to enjoy! Be sure to rsvp via reply email or our Facebook event page here: 

https://www.facebook.com/events/332354224225761/?ti=icl

Rain or shine we will have a great time...Looking forward to seeing you this weekend, and don't forget to sport your FBYC burgee wear!

Schedule of Upcoming Events:
Sat, Nov 22 - Thanksgiving
Sat, Dec 1 - YAM Holiday Parade (in Richmond)
                  - Offshore Winter Series 3

This Week’s Update:
- Tomorrow is Thanksgiving!  There will be no events held at the Club this weekend.
- We've winterized the water going to the Jackson Creek Docks, Fishing Bay Ramp, and Pump-Out.  The Bathhouse has also been winterized and is locked for the winter.  Please stay tuned for further off-season maintenance and project updates.
- Please take some time in the coming weeks to prep your on-site boat and equipment for the winter.  Don't forget to tidy up storage spaces and lay out pest deterrents.   
- I will be onsite daily during the week during the Off-Season.  You can find my …

Join the FBYC YAMs as we celebrate the season at the Richmond Christmas Parade followed by a family friendly holiday party at the home of Katie and Arch Durham on Saturday, December 1st.  We will be at the Richmond Christmas parade from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., at the intersection of Lombardy and W Broad Street with continued festivities 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Durham residence on Grove Avenue.

In addition to festive food and drinks for all, we will have arts & crafts for the kids to enjoy!  Members are encouraged to wear their FBYC burgee gear proudly so we can find each other at the parade; and don't …

Schedule of Upcoming Events:
Sat, Nov 17 - Commodore’s Ball
Thu, Nov 22 - Thanksgiving
Sat, Dec 1 - Offshore Winter Series 3

This Week’s Update:
- Thanks go out to all the Fall Clean Up volunteers - especially Helen and Dacre Walker for leading the event last weekend.
- The Commodore's Ball is finally here!.  Don your fancy duds and head over to the Commonwealth Club this Saturday - doors and bar open at 5:30.  Event Contacts - Geoff and Allene Cahill.
- Please take some time in the coming weeks to prep your on-site boat and equipment for the winter.  Don't forget to tidy up storage spaces and lay out pest deterrents.   
- I am on-site for every scheduled event and throughout the week.  You …

Schedule of Upcoming Events:
Sat, Nov 10 - Offshore Winter Series 2
Sun, Nov 11 - Fall Clean-Up Day
Sat, Nov 17 - Commodore’s Ball
Sat, Dec 1 - Offshore Winter Series 3

This Week’s Update:
- Last Saturday's weather & crowd couldn't have been more pleasant for the Annual Oyster Roast.  Thanks again to Beale's Brewery for providing the beer! .
- The second Offshore Winter Series Race will be held on Saturday.  Race Contact - Allan Heyward.  Social Contact - Cathy Clark.
- The season is winding down and that means the Fall  Clean-Up Day.  Please come out to help on Sunday.  Event Contact  -  Helen Walker   
- I am on-site for every scheduled event and throughout the week.  You can find my contact information on the website …

The Laser Fleet finished their season on Sunday at the Laser Frostbite Regatta that turned out to be a perfect fall day of air and water temperature around 60 degrees. The wind started out of the east at 13 and shifted around to the north and dropped to 8 by the time 5 races were sailed.

14 sailors attended including guests from Alexandria, Washington DC, Eastern North Carolina, Virginia Beach and Richmond. PRO Henry Latell and his crew of Bob Fleck and Jerry Latell ran the races and kept up with the changing winds.

James Jacob was the most consistent of the group winning 4 out of 5 races. Charlie Brewer was a close 2nd overall winning 1 race and …

Schedule of Upcoming Events:
Fri, Nov 2 - Cruising Closing Dinner
Sat, Nov 3 - Closing Day Regatta (Winter Series #1) and Oyster Roast
Sun, Nov 4 - Laser Frostbite Regatta
Sat, Nov 10 - Offshore Winter Series 2
Sun, Nov 11 - Fall Clean-Up Day
Sat, Nov 17 - Commodore’s Ball
Sat, Dec 1 - Offshore Winter Series 3

This Week’s Update:
- This busy weekend starts on Friday with the Cruisers' Closing Dinner being held in the Clubhouse at 6:00 PM.  Event Contacts  -  John & Mary Galloway.
- The Annual Oyster Roast & Regatta open the Winter Season on Saturday.  Please bring a side to share for the pot luck.  We'll provide the oysters, burgers, hot dogs, wine and beer.  Thanks to Beale's Brewery …

Time is running out to sign up for this weekend's Annual Oyster Roast and the Commodore's Ball!

You can register here for the Oyster Roast.  We'll provide the oysters, hot dogs, burgers, wine, and Beale's beer - You bring the savories and sweets!

You can sign up for Commodore's Ball here.  Registration closes November 13.

There was some windy racing in the Piankatank for the final offshore fall series race day.  Results, Pictures and Video are posted.

Schedule of Upcoming Events:
Sat, Oct 27 - Offshore Fall Series 4
Fri, Nov 2 - Cruising Closing Dinner
Sat, Nov 3 - Closing Day Regatta (Winter Series #1) and Oyster Roast
Sun, Nov 4 - Laser Frostbite Regatta
Sat, Nov 10 - Offshore Winter Series 2
Sun, Nov 11 - Fall Clean-Up Day
Sat, Nov 17 - Commodore’s Ball
Sat, Dec 1 - Offshore Winter Series 3

This Week’s Update:
- The final Offshore series race of the Fall Season will be held on Saturday.  Event Contact - Mike Toms; Social Contact - Hal Starke.
- No other events have been scheduled for this weekend.
- We are down to our last few social events of 2018.  Please sign up in advance so we have enough food and sundries.  Upcoming …

Friday, November 2^nd at 6:00 pm in the FBYC Main Clubhouse.  We are celebrating the past cruising season with a Chicken Marbella dinner, with Apple Crisp and ice cream for dessert.  Wine, beer and soft drinks will be provided.  All FBYC cruisers are welcome, regardless of how many cruises you were able to join this year!

If you are able to attend, please register on the website (https://www.fbyc.net/events/2018/181102-cruising-cruising-closing-dinner/) as soon as possible, but no later than October 26^th , so that we can get an accurate head count for meal planning.  For those that have already RSVP’d, thank you!

We are still looking for a couple more individuals to put together …

Awarding Life Member status is an honor bestowed by Fishing Bay Yacht Club to recognize a member whose contributions are distinguished by their depth, breadth, superior quality and lasting impact.  Any Club member may nominate another member for Life Member status.

The following is an initial filter for identifying possible candidates:

- Long and distinguished membership at FBYC

- Greater than 3 major leadership roles

- A history of significant contributions to the Club (such as, fund raising, community service, national sailing organization roles, continuous service, etc.)

- Leadership that produced new programs & services or took existing programs & services to a new level

- Significant contributions to the sport of sailing beyond FBYC

- Actions that result in greater recognition of FBYC

Awarding Life …

Be sure to sign up before the deadlines to save your place at the parties!

FIRST, is the CLOSING DAY OYSTER ROAST on Saturday, Nov 3 at the MAIN CLUBHOUSE.  Join everyone in welcoming back our Offshore sailors from their competition on the water and to celebrate a fantastic season.  All party goers bring the customary dish to share with others at our Buffet Table.  We’ll have oysters, of course—steamed, raw and fixed a variety of ways. Our grillmasters will offer burgers and hotdogs with all the fixings.  Enjoy ice cold beer brought to you by Beales, maker of fine Virginia craft beers.  CLICK HERE to find out more about their great products.  We’ll have a cash …

Schedule of Upcoming Events:
Sat, Oct 20 - Offshore Fall Series 3
Sat, Oct 27 - Offshore Fall Series 4
Fri, Nov 2 - Cruising Closing Dinner
Sat, Nov 3 - Closing Day Regatta (Winter Series #1) and Oyster Roast
Sun, Nov 4 - Laser Frostbite Regatta
Sat, Nov 10 - Offshore Winter Series 2
Sun, Nov 11 - Fall Clean-Up Day
Sat, Nov 17 - Commodore’s Ball
Sat, Dec 1 - Offshore Winter Series 3

This Week’s Update:
- Hurricane Michael didn’t stop last week’s Laster Master’s.  Thanks to Jon Deutsch, David Clark, and Alain Vincey for running a great regatta.  Special thanks to Mayo Tabb, Bob Fleck, and Wes Jones for resolving the Club energy needs while the power was out. 
- The third …

Fifty-One Lasers were in Deltaville at Fishing Bay Yacht Club for the Laser Masters Atlantic Coast Championship this weekend where Rob Hallawell (USSCMC) won the overall title.  Thursday night the remnants of Hurricane Michael roared through eastern Virginia knocking boats down in the dry sail area and leaving the club without power until Sunday morning. With some ingenuity, creativity and resourcefulness from Brian Akram, Eric, Mayo Tabb and Bob Fleck – generators were wired into the critical systems to inflate marks, lower boat lifts, refrigerate food, power kitchen appliances, light the bathrooms and power the water system.

The sailors were undeterred by the lack of lights, cold showers, no running water in residences they were staying at and not a single …

Hurricane Michael has come & gone.  Power has been restored and Club operations are back to normal.  Please note:

POWER  –  Power has been restored to the campus.

FISHING BAY ROAD  –  The road is dry again & easily traversable. 

BUILDINGS  –  All buildings are open. 

DOCKS  –  Power & water are back on all docks.

CLUB BOATS  –  Club sailing boats will be ready for reservation by next weekend.

EVENTS  –  All upcoming events are on schedule.

I hope everyone fared well through the storm,

  -    Brian James Ankrom, FBYC Manager

Hurricane Michael has come & gone.  The wind & rain were as bad as predicted.  But no facility damage has been found & we are in recovery mode.  Please note:

POWER  –  We are without power & no timetable for restoration has been provided.  We are prepared to power the water plant.  But please use water sparingly.

FISHING BAY ROAD  –  The road is covered with up to 8 inches of bay water. 

BUILDINGS  –  The Clubhouse & Fannie’s will reopen.  The Bathhouse will be locked & unavailable for use until water power is restored. 

DOCKS  –  Electricity has been shut off to ALL DOCKS until power is restored to the facility.  Water remains off to all docks as well.   We are replacing …

Hurricane Michael has been downgraded to a Tropical Storm and is still tracking toward Southeast Virginia.  Wind gusts up to 50, over 4 inches of rain and storm surge 2 feet above normal are expected.

We are in the final preparation stages at the club today in anticipation of the storm.  Please note:

BUILDINGS  –  The Clubhouse will be locked - access through the front door with keypad.  Fannie’s will also be locked – access through the back/porch door with keypad.  The Bathhouse will be locked & unavailable for use. 

DOCKS  –  Power has been shut off to the West and Center docks.  Water will be shut off to all docks this afternoon - we recommend unplugging shore power cords & double-checking lines …