On The Bay: March 1, 2013

Anton Community Newspapers • 132 East 2nd Street • Mineola, NY 11501 • Phone: 516-747-8282 • FAX: 516-742-5867

On The Bay: March 1, 2013

Written by Andrea Watson Friday, 01 March 2013 00:00

On a bitterly cold Sunday in late January, the Port Washington Yacht Club held its annual meeting, which included the installation of new officers. While this annual event at all yacht clubs is important for the future of each club, the one this past January at PWYC was significant. With a vote of total confidence, the members of the PWYC elected their first woman Commodore, Theresa Capoziello. She is the 50th Commodore of the club. The first Commodore was H.B. Rankin.

The PWYC has a long history in our area. The very first members numbered 16 businessmen who started the organization and called it The Cow Bay Skiff Club. The first real meeting, at which nineteen charter members were present, took place on April 26, 1905. At that time it was arranged to rent an old shack as a clubhouse located on the waterfront at what is now the north end of Bayview Colony. It is interesting to note that “the by-laws provided for no spirituous or malt liquors being sold by or for the club.” (PWYC website) The original Constitution of the club, 1905, stated, “The object of this Club shall be the encouragement and promotion of yachting and other recreational and social activities by its members and their families. “ In 1908, the club moved its headquarters to the present location at the end of Yacht Club Drive and had a permanent home for the next 40 years. In 1910, the club’s name changed to the Port Washington Yacht Club and President and Vice President titles changed to Commodore and Vice Commodore. In the late 40s, a Land Company was formed and stock was sold to club members. And on Dec. 22, 1951, the Land Company purchased the property, which is their present location.

PWYC Past Commodore Dr. Michael L. Fried, who appointed Theresa to expand, develop and run the junior activity program at the club, had this to say about the in-coming commodore, “Theresa took on the responsibility for all the junior activities. Over the next years, under Theresa’s able hands, the programs at the club continue to grow every year…. Hardly a day went by that Theresa was not at the club. This devotion to PWYC has continued through the years.”

Upcoming events that readers may be interested in attending: Feb. 28, at 7:30 p.m., North Shore YC is hosting a seminar called “Protecting Yourself and Your Boat: A Penal Discussion with Insurance, Legal and Salvage Experts.” The panelists include Don Rave, Maritime Attorney; Tom Mott, Insurance Broker; Matt Meyran, Meyran Marine. The focus will be on the best strategies to insure yourself and your boat RSVP: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Saturday, March 2, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Oakcliff Sailing Center, Oyster Bay, will present an Art Show and Reception called “The Fragility and Resilience of our Dunes.” Artist Betsy Lawrence painted a study of the dunes of Fire Island before the tempestuous power of Sandy took the sands away. For one day only, her large-scale installations will be on display along with the work of other local artists. Info: www.oakcliffsailing.org.

News

Five J’s Jewelers Closing

Saturday, 18 May 2013 00:00

Joan Hutchinson’s Five J’s Jewelers will be closing its doors after 34 years in town. Currently at 155 Main Street (located in Mini Mall Shops), Five J’s has been located in different spots around Port such as the Soundview shopping center and four different Main Street locations. Five J’s has lost its lease, but will be here through the end of August. The store will be liquidating inventory of jewelry. Hutchinson’s newest venture will include a web-based business from her home, where she will continue to provide her customers with quality merchandise at wholesale prices. For more information, please email jsjewelers@aol.com or call 516-567-4142.

The Great Gatsby Director At Soundview

Friday, 17 May 2013 00:00

Baz Luhrmann, the internationally acclaimed writer, producer and director of the new 3-D adaptation of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, captivated the invitation-only audience at the Long Island premier of the film last Wednesday night at Soundview Cinemas.

“It’s touching for me to be here in Port Washington,” said Luhrmann, a native Australian. “I grew up in a small town where my father had a cinema for a short time. It’s like inviting people into your lounge room to sit in the dark and experience something together.” Luhrmann took notice of all the care that went into refurbishing the Soundview Theater, telling the guests that there really is so much buzz out there about the reopening.

Sports

“PYA Never Stops…It’s For The Kids”

Thursday, 16 May 2013 00:00

The fact that Port Washington Youth Activities (PYA) is celebrating its 50th year of working with area boys and girls is quite an accomplishment. Ron Henderson, its executive director for the past 20 years, also has a long history with PYA’s Lions Field that extends all the way back to 1958.

“I played in the first games ever held at the field back then when it was the Port Washington Little League,” said Henderson. “That was before the field was renovated.” The renovation, which began in 1999 and forced the PYA to relocate for two years from its Glen Lane site, now features four Little League fields and one major league field, all on pesticide-free, natural grass. During the fall, the fields are converted for lacrosse and football programs.