Nestled on the southern edge of Oyster Bay Harbor, just a breeze east of Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park, sits the Sagamore Yacht Club. Sagamore is hosting an open house on Sunday, March 19 from 2 to 5 p.m. to share its clubhouse for the day to anyone interested in joining or curious about a yacht club experience.

Sagamore offers safe dockage for your moored vessel, relaxation for captain and crew, and a beautiful setting for your social events and leisure. You can be on the bay in minutes and back at the clubhouse at the end of a boat race or cruise just as quickly. There is free parking on site for members and virtually no wait for club tenders. It has a cozy clubhouse with a dining area, members' kitchen, atrium enclosed bar, terrace, barbeques, and a second story deck that provides superb views of fireworks, on the water activities, and magnificent sunsets over Oyster Bay Harbor. Members also have exclusive rental privileges for private parties.

Memberships are available at a variety of levels for boaters, non-boaters, intermediate members, and out of area members. There will be an introductory special offered to first time boating members who join for the 2006 season. Jane Groene, membership chair, said, "We are having a Try Us Out special for boating members. The discount is half the regular dues for the first year."

Dot and Bill Titus of Locust Valley had this to say, "We've been members of Sagamore Yacht Club for over 30 years. The friends we've made and the fun we continue to have at the club are a major reason why we're not moving south. We've cruised, raced, and worked with all kinds of people over the years and feel that the members are Sagamore's greatest asset. The younger folks are bringing a revitalized excitement to the club where good things are happening."

A small amount of house memberships are available this year to those who do not have boats. There are a number of activities to keep the non-boater busy. House members can rent space to store a kayak or a small sailboat like a Sunfish. There are weekly dart and card game nights, monthly potluck family dinners, and winter activities. Several times a year the club hosts theme parties and social gatherings. Some past event themes have included: Great Gatsby, a lobster and clambake, men's fashion show spoof, and a cigar and scotch tasting. There is also the popular annual Friends of the Bay Race, which will be held on June 24 this year. The casual party after the race traditionally includes live music and lots of prizes while it benefits Friends of the Bay and the restored Christeen oyster sloop.

House member Leslie Collins of Oyster Bay who often volunteers to help run the club's functions remarked, "I joined Sagamore to have a beautiful, peaceful haven to enjoy our breathtaking harbor, both with my family and for myself. I imagined learning more about boating; I never imagined the wonderful friendships that have grown here. We truly are a family of friends..."

The open house is a great opportunity for the public to meet both new and longtime members and start the process of joining. Chris Haggerty of Hicksville joined a few years ago. He said, "At Sagamore friendships begin with a shared love of the sea. People come down to the club to be near the water and to experience the friendly, social atmosphere at the clubhouse. The neat thing about fitting in at Sagamore is that it is a great club with a lot of events. Most events are casual, but even the formal ones are fun to get dressed up for. We also have a diverse membership. Sitting side-by-side watching a comforting fire in the fireplace or hanging out on the docks could be a builder, banker, attorney, stay at home parents, or a teacher who all enjoy being together at the clubhouse."

For more information about Sagamore Yacht Club you can contact Captain Phil Rhoads at 922-0555, visit www.sagamoreyc.com, or look up SagamoreRacing on Yahoo!Groups on the web. For more information about boating and water-related activities throughout the Oyster Bay area you can also email the author at Jaime.VanDyke@gmail.com.