July 2023 Newsletter

The Big MIYC Annual Meeting

On a beautiful summer morning of July 1, a new tradition for the Madeline Island Yacht Club was born — brunch!

The club’s annual meeting, usually cocktails and dinner, convened this year over eggs and french toast. And attendance grew to 75 people. Commodore Tom Penn looked around the Lightkeepers Lodge at the Pub, smiled, and said, “I think we’ll keep doing this. Brunch!”

The main business on the agenda included election of the board.

Ballots were filed by 92 of the 140 members. The results: Incumbents John Gregerson, Nathan Towslee and LeRoy Wilde were elected to new three-year terms; and former board member Phyllis Jaeger was elected to a new two-year term. Most of the leadership — Commodore Penn; Vice Commodores Nick Eoloff and Matt Burton; and Secretary Christie Soderling — were voted back in. John Gregerson is the new Treasurer.

Tom’s annual report included these highlights:

The club is financially sound — on budget, virtually without debt, and with savings.

He was particularly proud of the fact that the club elevated Elena Erickson to the General Manager position; that Nick Colberg became Service Manager; the successful overhaul of the store; and the increasing certification of the shop crew.

The principal challenges for the year ahead can be summarized in one word: infrastructure. Financing the fuel tanks project will reach a critical point next year, along with repair of the roof, an upgrade of the ventilation system, and ongoing dock and launch ramp repairs.

And there’s the fence around the bone yard, which has partially collapsed. Tom wanted members to know the board has not ignored the fence problem; it has just had to delay a solution until siting of the new fuel tanks is complete.

Another highlight:

A moving tribute to retiring Commodore-for-Life Stan Cory, complete with stories, tears, and multiple ovations.

Big Boats

Elena has made it known that she would take it as a profound personal favor if members would please let her know as soon as possible if they are planning to get — or even thinking about possibly getting — a bigger boat.