Kicking Off the Boating Season in Style

America’s Boating Club of Lake Murray closed out April by participating in the District 26 (D/26) Cruise & Rendezvous on 21-25 April and also hosting our annual Oyster Roast 24 April at Flotilla Island on Lake Murray. As if that wasn’t enough – particularly with boating season here and growing numbers of members having been vaccinated against COVID-19, we celebrated Cinco de Mayo on 1 May.

Six boats and 12 members participated in the D/26 Cruise & Rendezvous, hosted by our sister squadrons in Beaufort and Hilton Head. All but one boat towed to Charleston to cruise to Beaufort. The sixth boat opted to tow directly to Beaufort due to weather predictions for high winds and a full day of rain on Saturday.

A great time was had by all. It was an exciting trip with high winds, especially crossing the Coosaw River – P/C Fred Ruinen experience damage to his canvas, but was able to have it repaired locally before that all-day rain event hit Saturday. But the good news is that was the only issue encountered the entire weekend (over 200 miles on the water). The group stopped in Beaufort, toured Daufuskie Island, spent the night at Harbor Town on Hilton Head, and enjoyed a history tour of Port Royal Sound before returning to Beaufort where some made it in time for the D/26 Oyster Roast, and everyone got to see the Blue Angels practice - the air show was cancelled so it was like a private air show over the marina!

One boat towed home Saturday, two boats towed home Sunday and the rest of the group stayed the night at Isle of Palms before towing home on Monday.

While those on the coast were having a big time, 71 other members turned out Saturday 24 April for the squadron’s annual Oyster Roast. The event was a huge success despite the weather prediction for 100% rain! The best part – attendance matched our RSVPs; very important when you buy that much oysters and shrimp. Once again, Past Commanders Lee and Janice Ayers made this one of the premier events on our calendar. Check out the photos below and you will see a happy crowd enjoying excellent oysters and shrimp.

The Cinco de Mayo party hosted on 1 May by Lt Kelly Turner and Carol Gaylord was another awesome event on our calendar of activities at Flotilla Island. The 51 members present enjoyed amazing Mexican cuisine. Thanks to Carol and Kelly's generosity, this event generated $675 (including raffle proceeds) for the squadron’s budget, which will help offset our dock repair and maintenance expense this season.

A special thanks to Scott Stambaugh for donating the Mexican beers, some swag for raffles and the decorations. By the way, P/C RJ Becht also secured donation of a gift certificate from Lafogatas located on Highway 76 off I-26 Exit 97. Anna Klein was the lucky winner of the Lafogata gift certificate.

Kelly said Carol was preparing food for the party weeks in advance, making daily trips to grocery stores for supplies and ingredients. Can you believe it was her first endeavor cooking for this large of a crowd! Please remember to thank our great cooks like Carol and Lee, as well as all their helpers. Kelly and Carol had guests in town for the party and their friend Pat Siderits along with LMPS member Debbie Becht gave Carol a hand with last minute preparations and serving. The menu included beef tacos, pork carnitas, chicken enchiladas, Spanish rice, black bean fiesta, refried beans and all the fixings. There was plenty of food for all, with many coming back for seconds and thirds.

The weather was absolutely beautiful and the event lasted into the evening as everyone enjoyed good music, Jinga on the back deck, corn hole competitions, and lots of good fellowship among new and old friends!

Thanks to our members who submitted the following photos. Click on the first thumbnail to open the full-size slides.