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UPDATE#06
02/12
thru 02/14
Howdy
Everybody, The
adventures of 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009 through 02/11/09 have been published on
the website. We continue with the
latest edition. UPDATE
2009 #06 02/12/09 thru 02/14/09 At
last update, we were aboard AMARSE at the Abaco Beach Resort and Boat Harbour
Marina in the Bahamas. 02/12/09
THURSDAY BOAT HARBOUR
Jim and Kathy Fenn took some of
the folks out fishing in FENNDERS. They
make the passage out into the Atlantic Ocean through North Man-O-War cut.
The conditions were perfect and they had a red-letter day out in the
blue-water and reeled in the yellow/green-ones.
Judy Williams is an avid
fisherman. If it is out there,
she’s going to catch it. She
reeled in this giant Dolphin fish that was as tall as she.
Nice going, Judy…
The father and son duo of Nick
and Dave Bluto hit on the lucky streak with this nice pair of Dolphin fish.
The commercial marketing people have renamed these wonderful fish as Mahi
Mahi to avoid the common confusion with the mammal species of dolphins.
That sure is a nice fish,
Nick… If you notice closely, Nick
is wearing a Miami Dolphins T-shirt (mammal species) and he is proudly holding a
Bahamian Dolphin (fish species) in hand…
Now here is a happy
fisherman’s smile if I ever saw one… Nice
catch, Dave…
Jim Fenn holds up a nice
tuna…
Judy Williams displays this
beauty of a tuna…
The tuna has such a wonderful,
streamlined shape…
Two tuna, one Wahoo, and seven
lovely dolphins…
Kathy Fenn (right) operates the
boat controls when they get hit on the lines.
They call it a team effort to bring in this kind of special catch.
This is an example of the great
neighbors here at the RMHYC docks. Ray
Vallerie (LAST DANCE) is brightening up the beautiful signboards for SHADE MOR
while Judy was out fishing.
It is a good thing that Jim is
so strong to be able to toss all those big fins into the cooler box.
Now, that’s what I call some
“bigg‘uns”. They were kind
enough to share some of the succulent filets with us.
Wow… delicious, fresh, and tender!!!
At 6pm, we made our way up to
the Angler’s Restaurant here at the Abaco Beach Resort. It’s Thursday night and that means another “Talent
Night” session for our local performers.
Henry Jamrozinski (OH HENRY) has a great voice and sings a lot like Neil
Diamond.
It is a great time to be with
friends and dine out at the Angler’s Restaurant.
Judy Law (AMARSE) gives a big
hug to David Crone (JAFTICA)…
Bob and Rita Wieczorek share a
table with visiting members, Tom and Pat Comber (LISA MARIE).
Tom and Pat flew in for some vacation festivities.
Hopefully, they will be able to bring their boat back again next year.
Everybody loves it when
“Della-licious” take to the microphone…
Ed and Shirley Zellers (M/V
TALLY HO) enjoy the evening with their visiting company.
Gretchen Dirksen-Cronkhite (KINJA
KAT) and Judy Law (AMARSE)…
Carolyn Wilson (SEA ISLAND
GIRL) came to the front to sing us a wonderful song.
She has the amazing ability to remember the exact words for lots of songs
and can recite verse after verse of poetry. I don’t know how she does it…
Kent and Gretchen (KINJA KAT)
couldn’t resist the urges to dance, dance, and dance…
02/13/09
FRIDAY BOAT HARBOUR
The big day has finally
arrived. Tonight the members of the
RMHYC will be delighted as they “eat, drink, and be merry” at the fabulous
Commodore’s Ball and Mardi Gras Theme Party.
Throughout the day, committee groups worked to transform the big tent
into an atmospheric gem that will convince everyone that they are in the heart
of New Orleans for Mardi Gras. We
owe a debt of gratitude to all the artistic volunteers and especially to Brenda
Baker (BRENDA J) for chairing the memorable fiesta.
Her leadership was essential to the overwhelming success.
Linda Thompson (TOMLIN TOO)
puts some finishing touches on table #6…
After turning over the reigns
of the Commodore role, Robert Wilson (SEA ISLAND GIRL) removed the official flag
pennant of the office and replaced it with a more suitable symbol of his
ideals… A close look at the
proudly flying burgee ought to bring a big smile to almost everyone’s face…
The late afternoon was full of
fun as we prepared ourselves for the masquerade ball with the Mardi Gras theme.
Judy Law (AMARSE) was absolutely stunning in every way…
Backlit by the colorful sun
setting directly over the Marquee Tent at the Abaco Beach Resort, Fred Reed
poses on the bow of AMARSE.
Sherry (CHIPKA FIRE III)
displays a wonderful air for the theatrics in her charming eveningwear…
As soon as we walked in to the
big tent, we were thoroughly amazed at the wonderful transformation resulting
from all the efforts of the event Krewe.
An elaborate signboard guided
the 175 fortunate attendees to their assigned table by boat or cottage names.
AMARSE was seated at table #18.
The music was playing and the
mood was truly festive. The theme was emphasized with Cajun and Zydeco tunes
emanating from the sound system.
John and Gail Thomassen (OUR
TIME) and their guest from Canada…
The outfits were awesome!
Robert Wieczorek (MAGNUM OPUS), Bette Bauereis (TAR HEEL), Judy Law (AMARSE),
Kathy Sales (LO KEE), and Rita Wieczorek (MAGNUM OPUS) were costumed delights.
Stunning in their Mardi Gras
garb, Robert and Patty Mitchell (ORINOCO)…
Judy Law (AMARSE), Lilly
Jamrozinski (OH HENRY), and Judy Williams (SHADE MOR)… WOW!!!
That’s Carolyn Wilson (SEA
ISLAND GIRL) in front, John Mitchell (FANNY BAY)(L), Bob and Nancy Solomon
(MERGANSER), Robert Wilson (SEA ISLAND GIRL), and the white-bearded wonder is
Steve O’Brien (CHRISTMAS)… Oh,
what fun…
Bette and David Bauereis (TAR
HEEL)… Although you can’t see
it in the picture, David put lots of fun into his formal tuxedo by wearing
stylishly elegant, Bermuda shorts…
Sue and Paul Graham
(ODYSSEY)…
Dave and Barb Bluto (CHABLIS).
Dave’s outfit was complete with King Neptune’s spear and a colorful
cloak. Notice the shells on the
mask that he made totally by hand for this special event.
It looks like a sure winner to me. In
her handcrafted mask, Barb looked extremely charming as King Neptune’s
“Queen of the Seas”.
Vanessa Benjamin (S/V TALLY HO)
and Judy Law (AMARSE)… A couple
of “Hot Babes”…
Pat Comber (LISA MARIE), David
and Audrey Crone (JAFTICA)… Our special appreciation and thanks to Audrey for
all her input, efforts, and guidance as Co-chairman for the event.
Linda Thompson (TOMLIN TOO)
took on the responsibility for all the ticket sales and seating arrangements.
She is to be highly commended for the absolutely magnificent job of keeping
everything organized and providing the opportunity for so many to enjoy this
tremendous party.
Lilly and Henry Jamrozinski (OH
HENRY) were amazing in their elegantly festive, Mardi Gras Ball clothes.
Three beauties… Judy Law (AMARSE),
Kathy Sales (LO KEE), and Sue Graham (ODYSSEY)…
Before long, Shirley Zellers
(M/V TALLY HO) had the bouncing flow of the “Conga Line” prancing joyfully
around the “Bourbon Street” environs…
The accomplished dancing
partners, Wink and Wilma Thornton (JOHN HENRY), showed the world how to step out
with a little “swamp-stomp” footwork.
Judy always enjoys a hug from
Bob Williams (SHADE MOR).
Ray Vallerie (LAST DANCE)
deserves our most sincere gratitude for setting the mood for this Mardi Gras
event. Not only did he prepare and
organize the entire musical entertainment program, he also designed and
implemented the overall lighting to set the truly festive tone. Thank you, Thank you, Ray…!
You are an amazing gentleman!
Joan and Jim Elliott
(CHRISTINE)…
Judy and Fred (AMARSE)…
Sherry and Fred (CHIPKA FIRE
III)…
Sidonia and Fred St.Germaine
(DOUBLE TROUBLE)…
Sherry (CHIPKA FIRE III)…
The dinner was excellent and
everyone raved about the delicious choice of Cajun Chicken stuffed with
Andouille sausage dressing.
Oh, Yah… Fred (AMARSE) always
welcomes a hug from Wilma (JOHN HENRY)…
The lovely and stunningly sexy,
Judy Law (AMARSE)…
Wilma Thornton (JOHN HENRY) was
a star-studded beauty in her masque and beads…
Costumes ranged from stylishly
conservative to brilliantly unusual…
Robert obviously has an
“eye”, or maybe two, for a pretty gal…
Our RMHYC Commodore, Jim Fenn,
was the Master-of-Ceremonies tonight. He
had Ray Vallerie crawl out from behind the DJ’s station to accept the
accolades for all of his extensive efforts.
Jim extends all honors and
thanks to the Co-Chairwomen of this hugely successful event, Audrey Crone (JAFTICA)
and Brenda Baker (BRENDA J). This
wonderful Ball and party has certainly exceeded everyone’s possible
expectation.
Jim announced that the RMHYC
corporate jet had just flown in a very special guest all the way from the Bayou
Abeer in the swamplands of ‘Nawlins’, Lauw-wheez-E-anna… Yep, it was our Ol’ Cajun Buddy, Boudreaux LeBlanc.
Dressed in his swamp boots and bayou finest, he came out a “swingin’”
and a “slingin’” those coveted Mardi Gras beads.
Lots of RMHYC folks have become acquainted with Boudreaux and
have been enjoying the thrice-weekly radio announcements being broadcast
‘live’ from his boat “Zydeco” down on the bayou.
In his distinct, Cajun French
and swamp/southern accent, Boudreaux apologized and explained why his wife, you
know, his wife Charmaine, could not be here tonight. It went something like
this:
OH,
YAH…AH JUST GOTZ TA TELL Y’ALL ANOTHER LITTLE STORY ABOUT CHARMAINE, YOU
KNOW, MY WIFE, CHARMAINE…
WELL,
CHARMAINE WAS A DRIVING US TO THE ‘NAWLINS AIRPORT TO COME ON OVER HERE and WE
WAS A RUNNING A LITTLE LATE… SO
NATURALLY, CHARMAINE HAD THE PEDAL TO THE METAL…
wELL,
JUST AS WE WAS A COMING OVER DAT BRIDGE AT WHISKY BAYOU, CHARMAINE DONE SAW DEM
FLASHING RED LIGHTS IN DA REAR VIEW WINDOW.
OF
COURSE, SHE PULLED RIGHT OVER AND UP WALKS DAT LOUISIANA STATE TROOPER WITH HIS
CLIPBOARD IN HAND.
THE
TROOPER AXED CHARMAINE, “DID YOU KNOW THAT YOU WERE GOING 80 MILES PER HOUR
AND THE SPEED LIMIT IS ONLY 40?”
wELL,
SHE COULDN’T LOOK HIM IN THE EYE BUT CHARMAINE DONE TOLD HIM… NOPE, THAT SHE
WAS A ONLY GOING 40…
dAT
TROOPER WAS GETTING FED UP WITH HER… hE SAID, nO MA’AM, I CLOCKED YOU AT 80
MILES PER HOUR…
WELL,
THEN HE LOOKs OVER To ME … OF COURSE, I’M TRYING TO STAY OUT OF IT all AND
waz Jez LOOKING OUT DA PASSENGER WINDOW…
DAT TROOPER SAYS TO OL’
BOUDREAUX, "SIR, I clocked thIS WOman GOIN’ 80 and SHe claims She was
ONLY going 40… Now you tell me… Was She going 40 OR WAS SHE GOING 80?"
NOW
Y’ALL KNOW WHY CHARMAINE AIN’T HERE TONIGHT, SHE’S DONE BEEN LOCKED UP IN
THE ‘NAWLINS JAIL… OH,
CHARMAINE…
CHARMAINE….UH HA, UH HA…
Boudreaux was brought in to
present the coveted awards for “Best Mask”.
A specially appointed, totally unbiased committee conducted the difficult
selection process. The results had
“been hermetically sealed in a
mayonnaise jar on Funk
and Wagnall's front porch
since earlier this evening...”
…and the winner in the
women’s’ category, Vanessa Benjamin (S/V TALLY HO)…
…and the winner in the
Men’s’ Category, wearing the impressive King Neptune mask, Dave Bluto
(CHABLIS)…
Boudreaux signed off with the
familiar “Laissez Les Bon Temp
Rouler”, which everyone now
knows means, “Let the Good Times Roll”…
But, of course, he bade
everyone a few “Merci Beaucoup,
Mes Amis” salutations along
with an “Au
Revoir” or two…
As he left the stage, it was
clear that Charmaine wasn’t around. That
Cajun rascal, Ol’ Boudreau LeBlanc, tried to hit on my Judy…
The crowd was in the mood to
dance, dance, dance…
Somehow, someway, Judy managed
to acquire Ol’ Boudreaux’s beret along with a large collection of those
Mardi Gras beads. I wonder what a
gal has to do to garner that many strands…
Our wonderful friends, Margo
Caldy and Dennis Krakow (PIZZAZZ)… It
is so great to see them here and dancing again after Dennis’s recent back
surgery. Way to go, Kidz…
Our DJ, Ray Vallerie had
skillfully arranged a wide variety of music suitable for every dancing pleasure
including the “electric slide” line dance…
…and the bead collection
continues to suspiciously increase… How does she do it?
Karen and Steve O’Brien
(CHRISTMAS)…
Our Commodore, Jim Fenn, hoists
the mike to croon us a tune…
The dance floor was the place
to be with all the great music…
Robert Wilson (SEA ISLAND GIRL)
had us reminiscing about the “King”, Elvis Presley…
Who is that “mystery man”?
Milt and Kathy Sales (LO KEE)…
As a familiar song says, “…the look of Love is in your eyes…”
Ray and Susie Vallerie (LAST
DANCE) assured us that this was not the last dance of the evening…
Carolyn and Robert Wilson (SEA
ISLAND GIRL)…
Fred and Judy (AMARSE)…
Judy and Fred (AMARSE)…
Judy’s mask was handcrafted in Italy.
Fred’s shirt typifies the Mardi Gras theme, hot Dixieland Jazz, and
festive Carnival masks. His feathered mask hints of a stealthy, wild cat with a
slight twist toward the mysterious “Phantom of the Opera”.
The wonderful party went on at
full tilt until near the stroke of actual midnight.
In a place where “cruisers’ midnight” usually strikes at around
9pm, it is a testament to all the fun-filled excitement that everyone was having
during each and every moment. All I
can say is that this is such a great club and we are all such a great family of
fun-loving friends. 02/14/09
SATURDAY BOAT HARBOUR to
MAN-O-WAR CAY
The dawn had not fully broken
as TOURELOU eased away from her end berth.
Headed for Nassau, Tony and Fran Relow won’t be back until next year.
We all hope that they have a pleasant trip and we are looking forward to
their return next winter.
Still under the dusk of early
morning, the Captain, and his deckhands, Sue and Judy, readied ODYSSEY for the
run to Man-O-War Cay.
Precisely at 6:30am, Captain
Paul Graham maneuvered with astern propulsion to swing away from dock 4.
They were headed for the annual Man-O-War Cay Fair and Flea Market
Bazaar. Sue and Judy will set up to
sell their select line of island beaded jewelry to visitors from all over the
Bahamas and the World.
Frank Gavin (SEA SMOKE)
negotiated with the Albury Ferry Service to have a large ferry pick up a group
directly from Boat Harbour Marina. At
9am, the reserved group of over 100 folks seated themselves aboard DONNIE XII
for the trip across the Sea of Abaco. The
negotiated round-trip fare was $15 per person.
I’d be willing to bet that
Shirley and Ed Zellers (M/V TALLY HO) were still a bit tired from all their
dancing last night, however, that undeniable urge to bargain shop captured all
of our spirits this morning.
Kevie’s daughter, Robert
Wilson (SEA ISLAND GIRL), and Jim Elliott (CHRISTINE) positioned themselves at
the stern.
Jim and Joan Elliott
(CHRISTINE) enjoying the sun at the stern rail…
Robert, Jim, and Buck, somehow,
strangely remind me of that famous trio, “Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil, and See
No Evil”…
The full load of eager shoppers
disembarked on the dock at Man-O-War Cay.
Flea market booths and food
vendors lined the narrow streets of the little community…
Drawing lots of interest,
jewelry vendors Judy and Sue displayed their lovely works of art.
The annual event is a benefit
fundraiser for the local school with a percentage of every sale reserved for
that purpose. The weather was
perfect and sales were brisk this year resulting a highly successful outcome for
the charity.
Paul Graham had asked me to
help relocate ODYSSEY from the south bay to the north bay around midday.
Of course, I excitedly agreed at even the hint.
Their friend has a secure dock and a lovely cottage perched between the
Sea of Abaco and the protected bay of Man-O-War Cay.
This wonderful, classic wooden
rowing boat is in pristine condition.
Just up the rise, the airy
cottage sits strategically with spectacular views in all directions.
The main building was constructed a half century ago using natural Abaco
pinewood harvested locally. The
natural wood displays even more beautifully inside.
Gentle breezes cool the interior through the open design features.
Collecting rainwater to a cistern provides their main source of fresh
water.
Set on two acres, the flora and
fauna line the pathways to the sea. The
view on this perfect day was breathtakingly beautiful.
The view back south from the
dock shows the tranquil anchorage and mooring area in the northern bay.
At 3:30pm, the ferry re-boarded
the group for our speedy and safe return to Boat Harbour. Judy came back with us, as ODYSSEY would be staying the night
at that dock.
Back at Boat Harbour, Judy and I
joined the small group on the bow of LO QUE SE A for cocktail hour and some
humorous story telling. Of course,
at sunset, the conch horns had to be sounded.
CONTINUING
UPDATES ARE IN PROGRESS…
WATCH FOR THEM, COMING SOON… POST
SCRIPT:
We sincerely hope that you will review the previous years of compilations
to give context to the current editions. Please
let us know if you have any special suggestions and thoughts.
REMEMBER: The website
is now fully active and you can visit it at any time.
You can review any of the 2006, 2007, or 2008 logs and learn more about
the crew and our plans. Enjoy. ATTENTION:
SPECIAL NOTE:
You may contact us via email anytime. Thanks
for allowing us to share our life and adventures with you. Lotsa
Luv, Fred
Reed and Judy Law AMARSE MT40 "AMARSE"
is pronounced "AM-ARE-SAY".
Our
website is: www.amarse.net .
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