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April 8-10,2008
Useppa Island proved once again a delightful, even luxurious venue for an island cruise adventure. This mini-vacation was all about eating, lounging, gaming and enjoying the company of fellow Islanders. The social area under the Dock Master’s office provided us with a special opportunity to snack and visit during our stay. Tuesday evening’s Burger Buffet on the veranda of the Tarpon Bar was yummy but more enjoyable was watching Noel McDonald and Dick Oberle standing ankle deep in water in the pouring rain grilling burgers and brats! Check out the gallery of photos and you’ll get the picture.
A gorgeous brunch buffet at the Collier Inn on Wednesday morning was preceded by tennis on the new Har-Tru courts (Alexanders and Taits were the early birds) followed by an afternoon of lounging, and napping (John Corso wasn’t the only one sawing wood) around the Useppa pool, walking the beautifully landscaped island and beach, and pumping a few weights in the fitness center (or at least Karen Clark did). The Mackeys toured the island by rental golf cart just as the Useppa home owners do.
Many of us (including the McIntires, Washbuschs, Eitenmillers and Schmuhls) visited the newly enhanced historical museum, which never ceases to educate and entertain. Included was a visual re-telling of the destruction of Hurricane Charlie that brought tears to more than one eye, and reminded us of the tremendous work and effort that has gone into re-building our communities.
Dinner at the Collier Inn was scrumptious; the quantity of food could have fed an army. We were only forty Islanders, which allowed everyone an opportunity to mingle and get to know one another even more over the course of the two and a half days. Wallaces treated themselves to a “real” vacation; they had a room at the Collier Inn! After dinner Wednesday evening, it was Mexican Train (Tom Foster and Tina Shirck proved willing and able learners), Rummy Cub and other games on the dock. Thursday morning dawned bright and the departure was leisurely. The weather was so unbelievably beautiful that Powers, Oberles and McDonalds retired to Pelican Bay. The Housers went on to Captiva, the Crumps went fishing and Klarens continued their island hopping with guests from California.
Cruise Captain: Richard (Dick) Oberle
Co-Captain: Noel (Mac) McDonald
April 1,2008
The cruise to Cabbage Key was a great success. We had twelve boats leave their docks late Tuesday morning, April Fools' Day, and arrived at Cabbage Key around one o'clock in the afternoon.
Cabbage Key accommodated us on the porch with 48 of us sitting together watching all the people come and go. They were very busy and their boat basin was full of boats. The "Cheeseburger in Paradise" was very good and the service was great. The water was smoother on the way back home. We watched the storm over PGI as we were coming back towards marker five. We arrived home with no rain or wind until later that evening.
Submitted by,
Roger and Pat Weatherly
March 28, 2008
Seven boats and seventeen PGIslanders were on hand Friday, March 28, for the Cayo Costa Park Cleanup Project. Bob Peterson and Al Alexander were the co-captains of the event.
Starting a 9am we broke into three groups. Jim Roe, Penny Kapin, and Almut Haswell went by dinghy and started beach cleanup in the area where boats typically were grounded on shore for picnics, swimming, etc. Two Islanders went from cabin to cabin and checked the smoke alarms, replacing batteries if needed, and replacing smoke detectors if they were not working. The rest of the group went to the west shore beach, with half the group heading north on the beach and the other half heading south.
Each group covered about one and one-half miles collecting several hundred pounds of trash. All the trash was put in one place and will be disposed of by the rangers at the state park.
Following the collection, we all met for a picnic and then headed home. Winds were very light, seas were nearly glass, and it was a wonderful day for all who participated.
Bob Peterson, Co-captain
Cruise to Laishley Marina and Dean’s South of the Border
March 13, 2008
On Thursday, March 13th we had seven boats and 40 people on a cruise to Laishley Marina. Once secured at the transient docks at Laishley, we walked to Dean’s South of the Border for lunch. The weather was outstanding with temperatures in the mid to upper 70’s and little or no wind.
The staff at Dean’s did a great job of providing fast and efficient service and the food was excellent.
This is a great lunch venue and is particularly well suited to our members with smaller boats. I want to thank all of the captains and guests that participated.
John Benande, Cruise Captain
March 10, 2008
A cool but breezy day greeted a dozen sailboats at Marker one on March 10.
Less than 2 hours later the PGIslander contingent had, once again represented themselves well in competition with boats fro the hosting PGI Cruising Club. First across the finish line was Yorkshire Rose with Gene & Sue Fuller in full command of the course. They were chased closely by Roger Rommel who tested the waters with his Corsair and Barry Nielson on C S Cape (who recovered nicely from a two minute starting penalty awarded as a result of his first place finish last month). Rounding out the PGIslander flotilla was Tim Crimmins and his stellar crew aboard Photon IV. Tom McAlear bravely competed aboard his little S2, Spare Change, but found the competition a bit much and finished the day with fishing pole rather than whisker pole in hand.
Everyone reported having a good time.
We will give it another try in April.
Anyone interested in being added to our race boat list or as a crewmember, please contact Bob Glidden bnlinpgi@comcast.net .
February 21 and 22, 2008
On Feb. 21 and Feb. 22, 11 boats with 26 PGIslanders left Punta Gorda on the 2008 Naples Art Cruise.
Friday night’s activity was hearty hors d’oeuvres on Traveler at the Naples City Dock. The main event on Saturday was walking at leisure through the famous national Art Show in Cambier Park to view and maybe buy some fantastic art. The evening’s highlight was dinner at the fabulous Nektar Restaurant. Sunday morning we took part in the Sunday Brunch at the Dock.
Some boats departed on Sunday others left Monday. Overall, the weather could not have been better.
Cruise Captains: Paul and Gaby Mackey and Toby Haswell
February 15, 2008
Four boats from the PGIslanders joined seven boats from the PGI Cruising Club in a race around the harbor on February 15. We were invited to participate as guest racers but may have done little to garner a repeat invitation. George Buckingham, in “Learning to Fly”, smoked both fleets, crossing the finish line soundly ahead of even the larger boats. Barry Nielson, in “C S Cape”, and Roger Rommel, in “Desert Fox 2”, battled it out for the lead in the “Big Boat” fleet with Barry winning the duel by a slight margin. Bob Glidden, in “Breezin’”, was somewhat less competitive.
Following the race, participants gathered for discussion, race results and refreshments. It was a light wind day but all concerned seemed to have a good time. We have been invited to join the competition again next month. Race will be March 7, weather permitting. Any other sailors interested in joining us, please contact Bob Glidden at bnlinpgi@comcast.net . This is a very laid back event and a great reason to get out and sail.
See you on the water
Bob Glidden: Cruise Captain
February 10, 2008
On Sunday, February 10, 11 boats and 58 PGIslanders and 7 guests braved the winds and waves and traveled to Burnt Store Marina for their Sunday Brunch. We all arrived around 11am, and somehow the staff at Porto Bello’s restaurant was able to get us all seated, fed, and out the door by 12:15pm.
The view overlooking the marina was quite nice. The harbor master staff was able to get most of our boats docked very close to the restaurant.
Roger Weatherly set a new record for the number of strawberries and amount of whipped cream he was able to get on his plate of waffles.
Following lunch, many people went into the new Pignoli’s Deli and gaped at their delightfully delicious desserts.
Shortly afterwards, everyone headed to their home ports.
Captains: Bob Peterson and Bill & Lois Bolger