Opening Day Week-Ends Are Winding Down … Only A Couple Week-Ends Left.

This past Holiday Week-End had Yapewi AC, Delaware River YC and Bridesburg OC Opening their boating season. Our Queen Siobhan again was available to wish everyone well and wish everyone a safe and happy boating season. Queen Siobhan and her parents arrived at Yapewi AC on their new boat with other officers from Westville PBA speaking of the excellent ride up river to this club that was founded in 1892 and of course Bordentown YC again attended yet another Opening Day by boat - really I think they just floated with tide from their dock to the Yapewi dock J The ceremony went off without a hitch with many visiting club Officers from down river as Yapewi AC is one of our furthest north club in the league. After the ceremony, which was highlighted when this year’s Yapewi AC Princess sang The National Anthem – Commodore Kovacs Opened The 2009 Boating Season for Yapewi AC. With the aroma of homemade fried chicken emanating from the kitchen onto the front porch and out into the front yard it was very easy to follow your nose to the food that was prepared for the picnic lunch.

Mary & I ventured down to the Starlight (Al & Stella Erickson beautiful 42 ft. President) and as always we were made to feel at home on their boat. After relaxing on their back deck and chit chatting we had to make our move to Bridesburg OC for their Opening Day.

We arrived at Bridesburg OC along with other Officers in whites from clubs from up and down river – kudos to Bridesburg OC for waiting as long as possible to start the Ceremony as the Queens parents boat experienced some problems while in route to Bridesburg OC. While the crowd waited for the start of the ceremony many of the visiting Officers gathered around the walls of the new huge clubhouse to admire what Bridesburg has envisioned and worked so hard for many many years. The well maintained dark green landscaping and the colors of the flowers was very eye catching. With one of the biggest crowds of any of the Opening Days we had attended this year (with Westville Power BA being right there as well) the ceremony was performed right outside the large waterfront pavilion. The fleet was blessed by Father Olsen (formally of All Saints Parrish) , the Officers and Princesses were introduced and Commodore McGrath spoke on the how Bridesburg OC battled with Rohm & Haas and miraculously came away with their new property which is 50 yards north of their old clubhouse and property. As balloons were being handed out to the crowd our Queen Siobhan arrived and was introduced. After her well spoken thank you’s and her well wishes to everyone Commodore McGrath asked that everyone make a wish or think of someone special and release the balloons to the heavens. Over the many years that Mary & I have attended Opening Days , each club does something during their ceremony that catches your eye or attention – but this ritual is one of my favorites. The site of green & white balloons floating up into the sky is amazing – this year they added red balloons to the mix - for the Phillies! J After everyone watched the balloons floating into the blue sky Commodore McGrath opened the 2009 Boating Season with promises to wait for the next Opening day when their clubhouse will be finished! Trilby String Band then took to the lawn and performed a few tunes and kicked off the afternoon events. With a moon bounce in the background, the future Officers and Princesses of B.O.C. played and ran the grounds – surely a day they will all remember.

As everyone got comfortable and prepared to the enjoy the food and the afternoon by the river’s edge under the pavilion Mary & I had to run to our boat to change into formal wear so to attend the Wedding of our Past DRYL Queen Jenna Andrusko to her long time beau George Plotts. After a long drive to Centeron Country Club which is a stunning and gorgeous estate that is located IN THRE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE !! LOL we finally were able to sit and relax with members from the Bride & Grooms Clubs - RYC, NPBC and NHYC. Jenna was NHYCs Second Queen and represented RYC, NHYC and The DRYL for 5 years – Mary & I witnessed first hand how this shy young lady who trembled the first time she took the mic and watched her become a lovely and sweet young woman who handled her DRYL Crown, her Sash and her public speaking very elegantly - she is truly a very special person not only to Mary & I but to many others who know her.

She was absolutely stunning in her white gown and tanned skin – her beauty was always present from the first day she was introduced as RYC Princess close to 7 years ago. And let me not forget George – the always well mannered son of NPBC Past Commodore George Plotts & wife Jane. George is preparing to start his career in Law Enforcement. The parents of these two fine young people should be very proud as should the members of RYC , NHYC and NPBC. They made a great couple over the years and I am sure they will have a wonderful life as husband & wife.

May we all wish them the very best in life !!!

Pictures of the Bride and Groom will follow shortly …