July, 2010
7/25/10
Boat Raffle to Benefit Tom and Roxie Madison
As earlier reported, the Madison's
lost their boat to an explosion and fire, on July 2. A couple of weeks
ago, folks gathered on M Dock, in a show of sympathy and support for Tom
and Roxie, and to enjoy another great M Dock dinner.
The Madison's were touched and grateful to find that over $5,500 had
been collected, to help them begin to get back on their feet. Several
individuals donated $500 or more.
Additionally, Stephen Bull (former M-docker, now at
Chandler's) very generously donated a boat, to the benefit of Tom and
Roxie.
The boat is a 28 foot, 1988 Wellcraft Antigua, and it will be
raffled on Saturday, August 14, after a
Spaghetti Dinner at 7 PM, on M Dock. Tickets are
$20 each, $100/6 and $200/13.
For the full details and pictures, see the
online flyer.
7/7/10
Al Osborne's Son Killed in Afghanistan
Remember Al Osborne, of 'M' dock, in your thoughts and prayers. Al's
son, Heath, age 20, was serving his country in
Afghanistan, in support of 'Operation Enduring Freedom'. On
July 4, our time (July 5, local), Heath and a fellow soldier, 19, were killed by an
insurgent I.E.D.
attack - as they worked and fought to protect the freedom we were
celebrating, back home.
Dept. of Defense news release
7/3/10
Houseboat Burns at Bayview
(Benefit 'Spread' on M dock, Sat., July 10 - see below)
On Friday afternoon, July 2, Tom and Roxie Madison suffered the total loss of their 43 foot houseboat,
Law and Disorder, to a fire. The boat was slipped on the
north side of 'M' Dock, about 2/3 of the way down, directly across from
John and Jeannie Miller.

John, Jeannie, Roxie and Tom - July, 2008
The fire began when Tom went to start the engines, checking them, in
preparation to take the boat out to watch the fireworks, that evening. After turning
over several times, there was an explosion in the engine compartment.
Roxie was on the dock, and saw parts of the interior and contents of the
boat flying forward, towards Tom. Very fortunately, Tom was not injured,
and was able to get out before flames spread through the
boat. The blast and the extreme heat blew out a window and blistered
part of the neighboring boat, and flames scorched and buckled the metal
dock roof, above the boat.
People on the dock fought the fire with some initial success, with hoses
and fire extinguishers, but once the fire extinguishers ran out, the
fire flared back, and the intense heat drove them away. The fire department,
and the fireboat Marine 1, arrived, after about 20 minutes.
Then, there was a further 10 minute delay - the dock's pipe for the fire
hose connection starts dry, and the system needs to be primed, first. By the time
they were able to suppress the fire, the boat had been gutted, and soon sank,
stern first, just outside the slip, between 'L' and 'M' docks. Only the
bow and front of the charred flybridge showed above the water.
Tom and Roxie are retired and spent most all of their time at
the marina. They had all their belongings on the boat, and lost everything but the clothes they had on.
All their personal belongings - including their computer, Roxie's purse, even her
wedding ring - all went down.
Tom and Roxie are kind and friendly folks - the type, as they say, that
"would give you the shirt off their backs". Only, now, that's all they
have left. Their close friends on 'M' dock
made sure they
had a place to stay, food and some clothes, in the immediate aftermath.
Please remember these
members of our marina community in your thoughts and prayers, as they
deal with the financial and emotional shock of their loss. If you
wish to contribute towards helping Tom and Roxie
get back on their feet, you can:
May, 2010
5/28/10
National Marina Day Event
National Marina Day will be celebrated on Saturday, June 12, in
Rockwall, with proceeds benefiting the
Shriners Hospitals
for Children, our own traditional
charity. The event, sponsored by Cici's
Pizza, and hosted at
Chandler's Landing Marina, runs from 4:00-9:00 PM, and features live
music, Shriner
clowns, a bounce house and various fun booths. Bring your kids or
grandkids and have a great time, while contributing to the mission of the Shriners
Hospitals.
March, 2010
3/30/10
M Dock Fish Fry and Easter Egg Hunt
Spring has finally sprung, and just in time for the
4th
Annual M Dock Fish Fry and Easter Egg Hunt, on
Saturday, April 3. Everyone at Bayview Marina is invited. John
and Jeannie Miller, and their fellow M Dock-ers, are building a
tradition that's fun for everyone, but especially for the kids.
Dinner on M Dock will be at 2:00 PM, with the egg hunt
to follow. Please bring along an extra dish, side dish or/and dessert,
to go with the fried fish and hush puppies, and BYOB.
Bring out the kids or grandkids for the Easter egg hunt - BYOEB (Bring
Your Own Easter Baskets) - and enough dyed or candy eggs to fill each
basket. Don't forget the camera! There will also be special prize eggs,
and every child gets at least one prize. Teenagers, they can sure use
your help hiding the eggs.
Don't have kids? Come anyway -the food and folks are great, it's lots of
fun to watch those kids going egg-crazy, all over the lawn, and the
Easter bunny (Jeannie)
can always use extra egg-hiding helpers.
3/2/10
Election Breaks Out at Commodore's Ball
Partiers were having a great time at the Bayview Boat Club
Commodore's Ball, last Saturday night, Feb. 27. But beneath the dining,
dancing, drinking, and general Mardi Gras merriment, ran an undercurrent of concern. Our club was in limbo, our future in
jeopardy. No one had run for office, the previous month, and the Officer
Election had been postponed, indefinitely. The current officers' terms,
and all regular memberships, would expire at the end of the next day. Was the club headed for
dissolution?
"We just can't allow this to end, this must not be the last
Commodore's Ball", was the sentiment in the room. So, amidst all the
laughter and dancing, conspiracy was afoot! Plots were hatched, and
schemes discussed among "press gangs" of three or four, with the goal of
recruiting nominees for office. The behind-the-scenes tactics employed ranged from
friendly encouragement (whilst plying the subject with liquor), to
heavy-handed arm twisting, and even to the issuing of conjugal threats!
Meanwhile, the microphone began passing, testimonials
were rendered, and speakers implored attendees to breathe life back into
the club, to answer the call to service. Each speech was more
impassioned than the last, and finally - whether from
enthusiasm, or if only to stop the
speeches - an impromptu election broke out!
Nominations were shouted - some declined, others accepted - votes were
cast, by hands and by acclamation, and our officers for the new season
were shanghaied..., uh, elected, I mean. And there was much
rejoicing.
Yes, the procedure was
unconventional , boisterous and chaotic, sometimes hilarious,
and sure to remain a topic of debate, decades from now, by Bayview Boat
Club historians and scholars. But,...
we have officers for the 2010 season!
Viva la Boat Club!
| 2010 Officers (terms began March 1): |
| Larry Nelson, Commodore |
| Randy Pritchard, Vice Commodore |
| Scott Fort, Rear Commodore |
| Bettye Ann Howell, Secretary |
| Richard Dalby, Treasurer |
Our thanks to outgoing Commodore Chris Menard, Vice
Commodore Mark James, and all those who helped them, for giving us a
great 2009 season of events.
And, our thanks to Commodore Larry Nelson, and his fellow
officers, for stepping up to serve the Club, in the 2010 season,... and
just in the nick of time!

Members, if you wish to have a news item or announcement posted, please email Lizard@BayviewBoatClub.com
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