The Sagamore Yacht Club held an open house on Sunday, March 25 to show members and guests their newly renovated first floor. On the first floor, new windows have been installed to take full advantage of the "million dollar views" of Oyster Bay Harbor. The walls have been painted a dark blue. Upstairs the meeting room will be expanded, again with new windows.

"The upstairs expansion will allow club members to fully enjoy the facilities while the downstairs area is rented out for a private gathering or wedding - which is becoming very popular. Jaime Van Dyke had her wedding at the club with a tent set up on the terrace," said Jerry Lalonde, a board member who attended the event in spite of just getting over the flu.

There were a lot of interesting people to talk to including Nancy Haggerty of Hicksville. She and her husband Chris have been members of the club for three and a half years. Their boat is called Nancy's Summer Wind, after her favorite song by Frank Sinatra.

Attorney Jack Bernstein's boat is called Luff Story. "I've been a member for 35 years, since 1972," he said. Captain Bernstein enjoys the challenge of racing his boat.

Member Marion Yeager and her husband Don named their boat Cojak, after their grandsons Cole and Jack. They have been members for three years. "They've done a nice job decorating," she said. "There's still the upstairs and outside and the kitchen to do."

SYC Rear Commodore Darren Martin said opening day will be on May 1. They expect all the work to be completed by then. He joined the club 15 years ago. "The real benefit of belonging to the Sagamore Yacht Club is in the friendships you form. As you get older in life, it is harder to find friends, and we found them here. We went skiing and recently sailed to the British Virgin Islands with friends from Sagamore."

Mr. Martin introduced Joseph Kenavan as the newest father in the club. His son was born on Dec. 13, 2006, and was enjoying the afternoon at SYC. His wife, Caroline Kenavan is active with Friends of the Bay. She is a board member and is working as co-chair of the FOB barbecue - with Dee Jaediliberto.

The club is looking for new members, and you don't need a boat to join. SYC, established in 1944, is a casual, family-friendly yacht club that features numerous activities for boaters as well as non-boaters. SYC offers, among other activities, formal and informal events, a racing program, winter skeet, waterfront dining, adult and junior fishing derbies and club cruises.

Their membership dues structure includes: regular (boating) and house memberships (non-boating) starting at $1,200 and includes their "Try Us Out Special" membership program.

For more information visit their website at www.sagamoreyc.com or call Jane Groene, membership chair at 922-3208. SYC is located west off Route 106 and Bay Avenue and east of Teddy Roosevelt Memorial Park.