COMMODORE’S
COMMENTS
December 2, 2025
_________________________________________________________________
Dear Pettipaug Yacht Club Members,
I want to express my gratitude to each of you for the privilege of serving as your
Commodore over the past two years. It has been a pleasure to lead this incredible
organization and work alongside such a talented and dedicated group of individuals.
I am grateful for the opportunity to have served and I’m confident that the club will
thrive wonderfully under new leadership. I know, oh my lord, the emails have ended!
I want to share highlights from the Annual Meeting for those who were both in
attendance and all Pettipaug Yacht Club members who were not.
Any questions, I may be reached : commodore@pettipaug.org until December 15, 2025.
- FINANCIAL 2026
2026 Membership fees: $215.00
Included are Dues, Capital Fund and Special Assessment
2025 dues were $212.50
Please remit membership payments by
MARCH 1st. Important and appreciated!
We are operating in the black .
- SLATE OF OFFICERS for 2026 PYC BOARD
We began assembling names in July of those who we (officers, Board of Directors and
nominating committee member) thought would comprise a formidable group for present
and future years at Pettipaug Yacht Club.
I did not have a chance to properly introduce each of the nominees at the Annual Meeting ~
Tom Atkinson-engineer, life- long sailor, former ECYC Commodore, Chuck Poindexter- a century
of being a member of PYC and PJSA alum , owner of Sound Yacht Rigging. Rick Terrell-
CT State Architect, sailor, major contributor to PYC work parties. Roman Daniels- pilot, sailor,
Essex resident, PYC member and PJSA alum. Adam Fritzsche- life-long sailor, big-boat racer,
retired financial advisor now helping seniors with Medicare and retirement needs and
Maggie Guidotti, attorney, mother, PJSA alum with great praise from Sandy Sanstrom.
The 2026 PYC Board will consist of:
- OFFICERS
Commodore: Tom Atkinson
Vice Commodore: Interim~ Jeff Going, Priscilla Robinson, Sandy Sanstrom
Offering Tom support and guidance if and when needed.
Rear Commodore: Jeff Going
Secretary: Joanna Roemhild
Treasurer: Peter Charbonnier
Membership: Mary Lee Schroeter (not a Board position)
- BOARD OF GOVERNORS
Sandy Sanstrom
David Courant
David Courcy
John Walsh
Adam Fritzsche
Chuck Poindexter
Maggie Guidotti
Rick Terrell
Roman Daniels
I asked Doreen Joslow in the fall of 2023 to join me on the Board as I would become Commodore
2024-2025. She said OK for 2 years. She brought to the table her knowledge of PYC with over 20
years of sculling and a founder of the Pettipaug Scullers. Every request, she left no stone unturned.
Doreen’s commitment and passion were evident in each and all tasks she undertook and the small
voice with the very large heart will be missed . THANK YOU for all your time and effort and worthy
accomplishments.
There are few really unique characters in this world, David Wemett is certainly one of them. Sandy
once did a slide show centering a cascade of frames on David...on the roof, under the club-house, in
the over-head area over the PJSA room (who knew?), in a hammock , out of the hammock, on the dock,
in the water, sculling, sailing, always sharing whatever was in his car...what wasn’t in his car? A terrific
athlete, a devoted father and a beloved husband. God bless David and his family.
And God Bless Jeff Going for all that he brought to the Board, all that he has done for the boat yard, the docks,
the shed, the safety ladders, Whoof and so much more. The
TEAM- Bob, Sandy, Joanna, Peter, David 1, John,
Doreen, David 2 and David 3 and dear Kathryn , Ali ,Mary Lee~ such an enormous amount of time, effort and
commitment. Thank you for your kindness, your support and tremendous work ethics. To all at the breakfast of
champions booth.
AWARDS
US SAILING SPORTSMANSHIP PERPETUAL TROPHY: Bob Cashman
WALTER ROWE TROPHY: Joanna Roemhild and Stephanie Taylor
LIEUTENANT ROYAL E. GRANT: Sandy Sanstrom
Steve Dix won 2 MC Scow Awards, Carl Caruso was awarded The Sunfish Trophy and Most Improved
were Blue Jays- CJ & Finley Rizza
To the amazing members who gave so much of their time, ideas and joy these past two years. Such
a wonderful experience shared with so many of you: Stephanie T, Pam and Bill, Jerry and Lisa, Bill and Liz,
Kurt and Jo, Cameron, BOB J’s Beautiful sign ~ MLG, Sally, Mark & Fran, Sarah Bean, Tanya, Lucy and all the sailors:
Sunfishers, Scows and Blue Jays , EBC, Liza and Carl, JB & Bell, Bill and Julie, Nancy Devens, Pat & Peter, Mark
Kondraky, Bob Robinson, Rosie, John Scholes, John and Amy and all of race committee...all of the never ever ready
for prime time singers, dancers, judges and David and Roz for everything! David & Diane, Jon & Annie, Lindsay &
Sabrina, Amy Pullin for her “plants in tree stump” idea. Hutch for his poems and prayers. The Merricks, Gusty & Bob,
Valerie & Peter, Mark & Mindy, MJ and the scullers John & Courtney, Brian D. Shoutout to ECYC Commodore Bill
Robinson. For all the suggestions and ALL who made the magic and all who appreciated the magic!
Never intentional- I know I have left out a ton. SPECIAL THANK YOU to Tod Johnstone for all his creative trophies
and contributions to PYC.
They say when you leave the dining table, you become the menu! Yikes!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS to ALL
Priscilla