Another Great Year and Another Great Party!

2024 End of Year Party- 1 Feb 2025

Northern Maryland Model Yacht Club’s 2024 season officially came to a close on Saturday, 02/01/2025 as 15 members of our sailing family got together and had a great time at the Ragin’Reef Restaurant.

Everyone was in great spirits! Bart opened the meeting with a welcome message and highlights of our great season, and then presented the “Founder Awards” to Connie and Mari. The award was presented to members (present at the party) that had been with the club from the first sail day, which was three years ago (2022).

When Bart was finished, he was surprised by Mari, as she presented him with a boat painting that she commissioned her daughter to paint.  This was a way of thanking him for all the work he does for OUR Sailing Family.  Bart was very appreciative of the gift!  The meeting was then turned over to this year’s MC, Kyle Russell.

Kyle discussed an overall view of all the events that will be happening in 2025 and the club’s vision. The individual regatta organizers talked about their events which consisted of Andy and Mike’s Greatest Fun Day, Kyle’s Krazy Race Day, Club Race Day #1, the State Championship (Club Points #2), DF65 Regionals and the Around the World Race. Walter House volunteered to be the RD for this year’s Regional Championship.

We then all took part in a “Rules of Racing Class” presented by Jarl Wathne. It was very informative and lots of questions were asked and answered.  Great job Jarl!

The Club Championship Trophies were then awarded with Bart winning the championship followed by Mari and Kyle.  The points were derived from five races from throughout the season.

The chevrons for the West Virginia Adventure Ride’s “Around the World Race” were given out with Mari taking first and followed by Bart and Rob.

Then the most sought out awards were given out.  The Hero Award is given to the club member that most typifies what a club hero should be. The vote, as voted by our members was close and this year’s Hero Award went to Braulio Mercader.  Congratulations!  We look forward to another great season of his rescue fleet.

It was now time to present the highest award that our club gives out.  The “NMMYC Sportsperson of the Year Award”.  This award is determined by the club members, as they vote for the person that represents great sportsmanship, commitment to our club and support for the hobby.  The “2024 NMMYC Sportsperson of the Year” was awarded to Mari Spina!   Well done, Mari.

We then learned that Connie’s little wooden sailboat won the contest of the “most creative” that consisted of 10 competitors this year.  She was awarded 20 extra raffle tickets.  Great job!

The last stage of the party was really fun as 47 gifts were raffled off.  The most coveted gifts being the autographed photos of Sandy Pondwater. Jarl won the grand prize which was a really neat survival backpack that was sponsored by West Virgina Adventure Rides.

In closing, 2024 was a great year for our club and we all are expecting this year to be even better! We are ready for all our great sail days that are coming up, starting on April 5th with “Mike and Andy’s Greatest Fun Sail Day”.  All our event organizers are spending a lot of time ensuring that their event as going to be great!  So, mark your calendars and don’t miss out on every one of these fun events! Remember, the most important thing you can do as a member is to show up.

See you guys at the pond!

Bart