The Marco Bay Yacht Club was proud to participate in the Holiday Street Parade this year. Naples Marine generously donated a 26’ pontoon and trailer for us to decorate and show off during the parade.
Sixteen club members and one club dog came together to decorate and/or accompany the float on its journey. We chose a theme of Fun on Land & Sea since we are the ‘FUN’ club of Marco Island. From whimsical octopi to lighted pelicans and marlins, the float really glowed. Even the Gagnon’s truck was decorated with a fun scene. We had lighted Christmas trees, Octopi and a Shark walking alongside the float with candy for the kids. Although we did not win a prize, we were definitely one of the best floats in the parade!!
On December 11th, twenty Day Fleet participants enjoyed a lunch outing at the historic Rod and Gun Club in Everglade City. For those who have visited Everglade City know that nothing moves fast there, including fulfillment of our lunch orders, allowing extra time for catching up with other members. Having said that, the staff was as friendly as always, and the food was good. Despite being a beautiful Fall day to be outside, the forecasted wind and water conditions led to a cancellation of the boating portion of the event. That turned out to be the right decision. While in Everglade City, a couple additional dining options were explored for future event consideration.
Stay tuned!
November brought back perfect autumn weather to Marco, along with more seasonal members. The Herndons, Engstroms, Taylors, Whites, Hubschers, Grahams, and Wilsons joined us, the year-round members, for a wonderful time sharing stories about our summer adventures.
Deb Lowell, channeling Betty Barter’s enthusiasm, was actively selling 50/50 raffle tickets. Marcia Orsolini won first place with a prize of $40, Jo Herndon took second place with $30, and Vern Graham secured third place with $15.
Be sure to mark your calendar for this month’s Monday Madness on December 30 at 4:30 PM at the Star Bar, CJ’s on the Bay.
The December Monday Madness took place on the day prior to New Year’s Eve. The weather was ideal for an outdoor gathering.
Despite the Star Bar being crowded and service being slow, it did not put a damper on our time together. We relished sharing holiday stories with friends and discussing our plans for the upcoming year. Monday Madness serves as a great opportunity to meet new members and reconnect with long-time members you may not know. If you don’t usually attend, come join us on January 27th, at the Star Bar at CJ’s on the Bay for January’s Monday Madness.
See you there!!!
We kicked off the holiday season with a fabulous party at the beautiful Island Country Club of Marco Island. A good time was had by all with wonderful food, cheer and friendship. Members danced the night away to an amazing four piece band Geezers N’ Paradise.
Sally Orth did her annual raffle for Toys For Tots and raised over $1,000 for the non- profit organization. Sally also generously made a stunning holiday tree which one of our members won with the winning raffle ticket. It was a memorable night of laughter and fun which got everyone into the holiday spirit
Mother nature, contrary to several preceding events, smiled and gave us near perfect day for boating.
MBYC cruisers from the Caxambas area, meet Steve Stark in the Gulf near the Cape Marco towers for a 10:30 departure to the North.
Steve Stark, and boaters joining from the Caxambas area, met up with boaters from the northern portion of the island at the Jolly Bridge around 11:00 before heading to Paradise Found for a 11:45 lunch.
Upon arrival the flotilla was welcomed by Brent Cook and other land cruisers, who had arrived early, assisted boaters with docking at the restaurant. The flotilla consisted of
Mini-Me Mike & Maria Adamson
Paradocs Howard & Kate Lipkin
Summertime Barry & Claudia Gelfand
Jack Bruinsma JacLyn
Muddy Water Jeff & Pattijo Wilson
Barletta Todd & Cari Humphrey
After a delicious lunch boaters continued on, navigating around the southern portion of the island with Steve, before heading home.
Our Welcome Back/New Member Party was a huge success. Most members dressed up as flappers and gangsters and danced the night away to the Z Street Speakeasy band. We welcomed new members and long time members as they gathered for a memorable evening of wonderful food, drinks and most importantly camaraderie. Our three raffle baskets which included a Speakeasy Basket, MBYC Basket with swag, and a Date Night Basket made $770.00 which is the most money made at this event thanks to our generous members. It was truly a magical night enjoyed by all.
Twenty MBYC members participated in a meal packing event at Marco Island Charter Middle School on Saturday, November 9th.
Members wore MBYC shirts/hats to represent the club.
The overall goal of the event was to pack 200,000 meals.
Our team packed 1,393 meals in roughly two hours.
This event’s meals were distributed to the following SWFL food banks and pantries:
• Harry Chapin Food Bank
• Feeding America Food Bank
• 15 Meals of Hope Mobile Food Pantries
After two weather related cancellations last season, the Third Time’s A Charm certainly rang true for our October Day Fleet outing to the HavAnnA Café on Chokoloskee. We couldn’t have asked for better boating conditions. Sunny, mild temperature, elevated tide, and super smooth water conditions made for a perfect day for boating in the Gulf and meandering through the mangroves into Chokoloskee. The staff was friendly and accommodating of our group as usual. Despite some late cancellations due to unexpected schedule conflicts, mechanical issues with a boat and a dock, we still enjoyed a great kickoff to the season with twenty-one members.