On Saturday, January 25^th, the northwest Florida FCA chapters of Bay Point, Ft. Walton, Navy, Pensacola, and St. Andrews Bay Yacht Clubs met for a regional meeting / social get-together.  Thirty-eight FCA members of the aforementioned yacht clubs gathered at St. Andrews Bay Yacht Club in Panama City, Florida.  St. Andrews Bay Yacht Club’s well known southern hospitality was on display as the staff treated attendees with coffee, donuts, cocktails, and hors' oeuvres during the morning social get-together.
   

During this social time, attendees were able to visit and catch up on what others were doing at their respective yacht clubs.  Beverly Plummer, FCA Quartermaster, was present with the Ship’s Store so that attendees could buy items needed for their uniforms, and peruse all of the unique clothing, jewelry, and accessories that she has provided for their enjoyment. 
 

Don Hardy and his wife, Kathy, of Ships of Glass, were also present with their exhibit.  Don enlightened attendees with his process of using recycled glass to create replicates of ships and boats.  He had many Christmas ornaments, wine stoppers, and night lights from which to choose.  He is also able to create a replicate of one’s boat if a picture of the boat is provided.  Both Don and Kathy serve on the Board of the Governor Stone.  He had a salvaged piece of the ship and a display showing the damage from Hurricane Michael.

Lunch was served in the lovely dining room that has a spectacular view of St. Andrews Bay.  Chef Jeff had prepared scrumptious luncheon selections with a special entrée that was most popular with attendees.  During lunch, FCA Commodore Jack Kennedy, of Bay Point Yacht Club, introduced those attending that are on the current 2020 Board: Vice President Ray Dewrell of Ft. Walton Yacht Club, Rear Commodore Bob Sutton of Pensacola & Navy Yacht Clubs, Secretary Lynne Reynolds of Frt. Walton Yacht Club, and John Matthews of Pensacola and Navy Yacht Clubs.  Past Commodore Tom Reynolds and his wife, Lynne, of Ft. Walton Yacht Club were also recognized for their contributions that they have provided to the FCA throughout the years.

FCA Commodore Jack Kennedy introduced the current 2020 Commodore of St. Andrews Bay Yacht Club (STABYC), Chris Cramer.  Commodore Cramer welcomed everyone to the club and provided an update on the recovery progress of club.  According to Commodore Cramer, while much has been repaired, there are still areas that need restoring.  The current 2020 Rear Commodore of STABYC, Jason Crowe, apprised attendees about the upcoming GYA Centennial Opening Regatta to be held at the club in May.  Plans are under way to make this event truly special.

After lunch, attendees adjourned to return to their respective homes nutritiously satisfied, more knowledgeable of their neighbor’s yacht club, and looking forward to the next get-together.

Southwest Regional Meeting at Isles Yacht Club - February 1, 2020

The first regional meeting for southwest Florida took place Saturday, February 1 at Isles Yacht Club in Punta Gorda. It was a unique opportunity for the forty-three in attendance representing at least five different yacht clubs in the area.

The exuberant talk about the 36^th America’s Cup race and its new “flying machine” was presented by VC Tom Pace, Vice Commodore of Pensacola Yacht Club. A PowerPoint presentation and short video gave everyone a taste of the novel design and how very fast it moves both in the water and just above the water.

The American Magic team is currently testing, training, and evaluating in Pensacola Bay!  Tom Pace has been instrumental in getting American Magic to come to Pensacola. He helped convince the New York Yacht Club, the principal sponsor of American Magic, to send their team to Pensacola. They can be seen on the water almost daily.

Posters picturing Defiant were available for purchase. Numerous, very positive comments from those who attended confirmed that excitement is building for the next race which will take place in 2021.