*Commodore’s UpdateMay, 2018Welcome Spring! Our first warm days of the year are finally upon us, and it’s like time to be get ready for the boating season. Commissioning May 12th Commodore’s Trophy Race is scheduled for 1PM. This race is open to a variety of centerboard sailboats, sailing a longer, single course. The top three places are awarded based on the Portsmouth Handicap System. The Commissioning party starts at 5PM and all are welcome and encouraged to join the fun, see old friends and meet new members. Bring a dish to share; beverages will be provided. A contribution of $5 per person is requested. Raise your Glass to Cure Blood Cancers Cocktail Party. All are cordially invited to a cocktail party at Essex Corinthian Yacht Club on May 19 to raise money to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. This event includes music and a silent auction. Spend an evening on the river raising money for LLS. Please follow this link to flyer and sign up for the event: http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07efaqmma720650d9a&llr=sxskahdab <http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07efaqmma720650d9a&llr=sxskahdab> Racing:The racing schedule is posted on our website, please consider joining us for these fun events. We are looking for both racers and volunteers to support our racing program. We had 18 members join us last Saturday for our Race Committee clinic; it’s not too late to join if you are interested. Please reach out to Kathryn Ryan at kmryan1995@gmail.com <kmryan1995@gmail.com> if you would like to find out more about joining the Race Committee. House and Grounds:Any boats stored at the club must be registered and have a PYC sticker affixed. Only boats 20’ or less may be stored on our grounds. Contact Jim Carey at jciaus@yahoo.com <jciaus@yahoo.com> if you need a sticker for your boat or want to register for a locker. We are still looking for an attendant for the club on the weekends this summer. If you know anyone interested, he or she can submit a letter of interest to Kathryn Ryan at kmryan1995@gmail.com <kmryan1995@gmail.com>. Applicants must be 16 yrs or older and must hold a CT Safe Boaters Certificate; experience with power boats preferable. Hours are typically Saturday and Sunday 9-5; salary is $11 per hour. Duties include assisting members with launching of boats and other general help, as well as cleaning of clubhouse and grounds. Junior Sailing RegistrationRegistration is now open for the 2018 season of Pettipaug Sailing Academy (PSA) for youth ages 8-16. The program runs between June 25th and August 3rd. Registration is on a first come basis, so encourage anyone interested in signing up to go to Junior Sailing on the Pettipaug web site, www.pettipaug.org <http://www.pettipaug.org/> and check out our program and application. Online payments accepted. Powerboat Safety ClassesWe are pleased to announce that we will once again be offering two powerboat courses throughout the summer, Basic Safe Powerboat Handling and Safety, Rescue, & Race Support Boat Handling. If you are interested in either course or know someone who is, you can find more information under the Powerboat Course link on our website or directly at: http://pettipaug.org/PDFs/Powerboat_Course_Information_2018.pdf <http://pettipaug.org/PDFs/Powerboat_Course_Information_2018.pdf>. All classes are open to the public. More news:Are you a two email family? Would you like PYC news sent to both members? If yes, send your second email to Amy Pullin at amygordonpullin@hotmail.com <amygordonpullin@hotmail.com> so both members may enjoy receiving our monthly newsletters and other relevant communications. We are happy to add additional emails so you can stay up to speed with exciting PYC news and events. Essex Corinthian Yacht Club has invited us to use their guest dining privileges in accordance with their guidelines found at http://www.essexcorinthian.org/dining.html <http://www.essexcorinthian.org/dining.html>. BJ Racing : Our BJ racing series kicks off this month on Wednesday, May 23. Please let Priscilla Robinson know if you will be joining us this night. probinson02@snet.net <probinson02@snet.net> Social Committee Meeting: If you are interested in joining the Social Committee, please attend a meeting at PYC at 11AM Saturday, May 5 to help plan the theme for our Midsummer Party July 14. Can’t attend but would still like to help the weekend of the party? Great, just RSVP to Mary Risseeuw at mrisseeuw@aol.com <mrisseeuw@aol.com> Save the dates - Commissioning – May 12, 2018- Mid-Summer Party – July 14th 2018- Leukemia Cup Challenge- August 11, 2018. Hosted by ECYC, this will be dinghy fleet racing at ECYC this year. Grab a boat and join us. More to details to come.- Decommissioning – Oct. 13, 2018- Annual Cocktail Party & Awards – Nov. 10, 2018Commodore Kathryn Ryankmryan1995@gmail.com <kmryan1995@gmail.com>Please do not reply directly to this email, any questions should be directed to me at email above.*