Vice-President Bud Lyon opened our last meeting with the flag salute on Saturday, April 24th at the firehouse. Secretary Rosemarie Whelan read the minutes and Associate Treasurer Ernie Phillips gave the financial report.
VICE-PRESIDENT REPORT– Bud discussed the New Club T-Shirt that will feature an aerial photo of Strathmere and its landmarks. This shirt replaces the many tournament shirts that we have every year. This shirt is being worked on and hopefully will be available for sale in June.
Club Clothing– Our Club logo has been sent to an internet supply company called thread-logic.com that carries merchandise such as hats, golf gear, jackets and pocketbooks that you can order if you are interested. There will be women’s and children’s sizes available. Bud will let us know more about it next month.
SPECIAL ACTIVITIES OFFICER– Debbe Starr reported that everything is set for the HERB HOLLINGER SR. OPENING DAY FLOUNDER TOURNAMENT to be held on Saturday, May 29th. We heard from a reliable source that the Duke of Fluke is ready and looking forward to getting out there and bringing home the big one. Please see the flyer here for all of the details.
FISHING REPORT– We would like to feature a monthly fishing report which we feel would be helpful and interesting for our members. Bud asked for reports from the membership present at the meeting who informed him that bluefish, flounder and tautog are in. Also the early arrival of Osprey was noted. You can attend a meeting and tell us about your fishing experiences or e-mail us with your fishing news or comments that you would like to share. Send them to robin.sfec@verizon.net
TURTLE RELEASE-Last fall we were treated to a very interesting and informative program that outlined the details involved with saving the turtles. We learned that eggs can be harvested from the mothers that are killed on the highways, raised and then released. Sometime in June Dr. Roger Wood from Stockton College will release some of the head-started turtles at the Strathmere Boat Ramp. We will let you know when we hear more about this.
BOAT RAMP CLEAN-UP-The SFEC will be having a Boat Ramp clean-up on Saturday, May 22nd beginning at 9am. They will be picking up trash and also cleaning up around the bench area. Please come out join us, we need all of the help we can get. We would like to thank Quartermaster Rob Coffey and his crew for going out on Sunday and doing some maintenance and replacing fence in the boat ramp area. Good job guys.
BOATING SAFETY CLASS– On Saturday, April 17th, SFEC sponsored an “About Boating Safety” class. This class was taught by Flotilla 81 of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, based in Ocean City. The class met all of the requirements of the New Jersey Safe Boating Certificate. The 8 hour course taught the basics of safely operating a recreational boat or personal water craft (Jet Ski) on New Jersey waters. Bob Babezki acted as host of the event and coordinated all of the necessary logistics of hosting the class. All 17 people who attended the class passed the course and walked out with the New Jersey Boaters Certificate. Thanks to Bob for his efforts.
BOAT INSPECTION– SFEC will also be sponsoring a free US Coast Guard Auxiliary Vessel Safety Examination event to be held on Saturday, June 5th, from 9:00 AM to Noon at the dock of the old Corson’s Inlet Marina. The purpose of these examinations is to make sure everyone’s boat has all of the necessary safety equipment as required by the US Coast Guard and the New Jersey Marine Police. These examinations will also be provided by the USCG Auxiliary Flotilla 81 of Ocean City. For additional information, please contact Bob Babezki at 609-384-6225 or e-mail him at rbabezki@3bnetworks.com
SICK & WELFARE– We send our get well wishes out to club member Charles Doberstein who has been in the hospital recently. Hope you are feeling better. We send our heartfelt sympathy to the family of Jerry Bonsall Jr. Jerry’s death is a tragic loss and he will be greatly missed. Please keep the entire Bonsall family in your thoughts and prayers.
UP-COMING EVENTS
May 22 Boat Ramp Clean-up 9am
May 29 Herb Hollinger Sr. Opening Day Flounder Tournament 6am to 4pm; Awards & Refreshments at Whale Creek Marina 5pm
May 31 Happy Memorial Day
LOOKING AHEAD
June 5 Boat Inspections
June 11 Surf Fishing Tournament Begins 4pm Beach
June 12 Tournament ends 4pm; Refreshments & Awards 6pm (Location not decided on yet)
June 19 Flounder Tournament 6am Frank’s Dock