2009 was another good year for the Whitefish Chain Yacht Club. Our membership remains strong (about 200 member families) and our financial situation is solid. We expanded our programs in support of our mission “to promote boating and water safety…on our chain of lakes” with the addition of boating safety classes.

We place and maintain almost 100 buoys on the Chain. These navigation and hazard marking buoys are placed at the direction of the Crow Wing County Sheriff's Water Patrol, with locations actually specified by County ordinance. Waterfront Services continues to do an outstanding job as our service provider. WFS at 218-692-2760 is the point of contact for reporting buoys that are out of position.

We place and maintain almost 100 buoys on the Chain. These navigation and hazard marking buoys are placed at the direction of the Crow Wing County Sheriff's Water Patrol, with locations actually specified by County ordinance. Waterfront Services, under new owners Craig and Troy, continue as our service provider and do an outstanding job. When the buoys were removed in October, WFS recorded GPS coordinate locations to help with proper placement in the future. WFS at 218-692-2760 is the point of contact for reporting buoys that are out of position.

The 2009 version of swimming lessons, led by Vickey Leonard at the Corps of Engineers Campground, had 79 students. There is always room for more. 2010 lesson dates are the three weeks between July 5 and July 23. Registration information will be announced in April. In recognition of economic conditions and thanks to our strong financial position we offered swimming lessons at no charge in 2009 and will do so again in 2010.

At our Fall Board meeting Amy Fleming was elected to the board as a new member at large. A very special thanks goes to Marilyn Hobbs, who is stepping aside as Treasurer after many years of service to our Club. Marilyn will remain on the Board.

Information on all of our Club activities, including the Spring Dinner (June 5) is online on our website at www.WCYC.info. We are now publishing an email newsletter to better communicate with club. Please subscribe at www.WCYC.info/subscribe.html

A Club directory will be compiled after members return their 2010 dues and published this spring. Please send you dues in promptly to be included. One of the benefits of membership in the WCYC is reciprocity with other member clubs in the Yachting Clubs of America. You can now request your reciprocity card on our website, or by simply including a note with your annual dues.

We hope to see you on the water this summer!

Safe boating,
J. Robert Nelson, Commodore

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