Let me first say THANK YOU to Joy Clayton and Marty Chrisman for another OUTSTANDING party. You always put together a celebration to remember. Marsha Teague and Joy worked hard to collect the food items and ran around San Antonio all day in the rain and heat to make sure we had another fabulous party. I salute you and kiss your feet for the work you do every month. And to think, this one event nearly killed me! I would like every member to remember to thank these ladies and their friends for letting us have a night of fun and relaxation every month and not have to worry about preparing our own meal. I know Jesse appreciates it! It’s the only real meal he gets.

Because the social directors provide parties that bring so many members to the club, the results of the night are exciting to announce. Our distinguished auctioneer Bryan Lindsey and the SPURS Coyote got the fun started by autographing some items that set the pace for the entire night. First up, a used napkin with the Coyote’s signature brought us our first SOLD ITEM and it was up hill from there. Bryan was both entertaining and brilliant. THANK YOU is not enough.

NONE of this could happen without the generous support of all the members and the outstanding donations from both members and businesses in our own communities. We were able to gather more than $12,000.00 in donations and see results of more than $8,500.00 in bids and ticket sales. Not to mention three new members to the Yacht Club.

The kids made awesome auction bid paddles, which proved to be very sturdy. Even our more active bidders could not destroy them, though I think some may show the wear. I was asked by so many for “that lucky number”. As far as I can see for our benefit, they were ALL lucky numbers.

The Auction, and raffles brought in enough money to not only take care of this years expenses for the youth committee but also gives us money to ensure we will be able to buy the new equipment necessary to bring our three Sunfish sailboats to the water and provide easy access to them so all members can enjoy. Because we have the funds available we are meeting with the kids to hear ideas they have that will make their days and nights at the lake safe and fun.

Vickie Earle and I would like to thank the kids for letting us have so much of their time and talents for signs, paddles, ticket sales, distributing items during the auction and serving ice cream and cake. We needed every hand available and they came through with enthusiasm and smiles. They are wonderful kids and I loved every second I got to spend with them. We should all be proud of our future Yacht Club directors. Give them a few more years and they will be running the place with the same integrity and care as their parents have been and are still doing.

As for working with Vickie Earle, words cannot describe the respect I have for you. You are not only a blast to be around (I’m cracking up just remembering Saturday), you are a genius. I am exhausted! I love you and bow to your greatness. If you ever have another weak moment and sign up for a project sign me up too.

Special thanks to Carol Teat, Carol Berkovich, Joy Lindsey (bid cheerleader) Jesse Murphy and my good friends Gary and Jan Carlson for your help and the use of your fingers and toes while we were counting money. (Hey kids maybe we should buy a calculator). There are so many more to thank. Please know you were appreciated.

Everything Jesse and I have attended or been lucky enough to be a part of at the Yacht Club has been over the top. I may not tell you all THANKS enough. Now that I know how hard everyone works, now and in the past, to keep us all happy let me say one more time, THANK YOU! THANK YOU! We are lucky to have so many friends that gather for no other reason but to enjoy life.