Club News and Activities

Platinum Point Yacht Club…The Changing of the Watch

  • January 2025
  • BY GRAHAM SEGGER, MEMBER

TOP – MANNY PEREZ, BILL LANGER, GEORGE STAPLES MIDDLE – PAUL CHLAN, MIKE KOKINDA, HELEN CLAUSSEN, HANS BOERMA BOTTOM – SUE SMITH, MARY ANN SARNO, DREW MYERS, DIANE SEGGER, KATIE SAUER, GREG BROXTERMAN

The Changing of the Watch is a time-honored maritime tradition. The term “watch” can refer to a shift worked on a ship, or in yacht club parlance, it is the term of office for the volunteer Board of Directors. November 9, 2024 marked the Annual Meeting of Platinum Point Yacht Club with reports on the prior year activities and the changeover of the Board. Greg Broxterman, who has very ably led PPYC over the past year, has assumed the role of Past-Commodore. The new PPYC Commodore is Diane Segger, who has previously filled the roles of Vice-Commodore, Rear-Commodore, and board member, and has led many initiatives at the club including the Shrimp Boil, Commodore’s Ball, Golf Cart Poker Run, Landscape Committee and many more. Drew Myers is the new Vice-Commodore (water activities) and Katie Sauer has assumed the Rear-Commodore role (land activities). Mary Ann Sarno is the new Treasurer replacing Greg Jordan, who has served in that position for a number of years. Sue Smith continues as Secretary, rounding out the Flag Officers (executive committee).

Special thanks were extended to Vanessa Jordan, Greg Jordan and Cynthia Ramsey, who have completed their terms on the Board of Directors. The annual meeting was also an opportunity to confer the Distinguished Service Award, which this year went to Clarke and Sharon Mundhenke. In the evening a fun “Home in Paradise” themed dinner and dance was held at the clubhouse.

Some of the on-water activities at the club were slightly curtailed this past fall due to lingering hurricane related challenges, but the kayak group had a couple of successful outings. There were successful cruises to Sanibel Marina and Pink Shell Beach Resort. The sailboat racing season got off to a great start, and a number of members decorated their boats for Home for the Holidays. The Golden Conch Regatta will be held on the weekend of January 18 and 19, and we expect many boats to come down from Punta Gorda and Charlotte Harbor for the racing and awards luncheon.

Fortunately for all PPYC members, the majority of monthly activities are land based. In November there was an Education Evening where we learned about Bitcoin and Crypto Currencies, just in time to watch them take flight again. Music evenings are a key feature at the club, and this past fall we had two evenings with Trop Rock phenom, John Frinzi, several with member John Sauer, and the popular Jam Night where members get together to entertain their fellow members. Look forward to Music on the Lawn, which is open to the public on February 2. Art and stretch classes, Friday morning tech support, Bridge, Mah Jongg, Bunco, book club, grill nights, sunset socials, Friday happy hour, golf scrambles, and movie nights were enjoyed by many.

Other recent signature events included the Shrimp Boil, Adopt a Child charity initiative and Trim-a-Tree. It’s also not too early to start planning your attendance at the Annual Valentine’s Day Pancake Breakfast. Ticket prices have been held at $8 in advance ($9 at the door), and are now available at the club Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. The Progressive Dinner will be held this year on January 25.

The next Membership Committee Open House will be held from 3 to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, January 12. All are welcome

NOVEMBER 20, 2024 PPYC SHRIMP BOIL