President's Corner

by Eric Danneman

To the Members:

Here are a number of items which came before the board on Wednesday night, the 11th of July.

Proposal for a Hopkins rowing program: The following resolution was passed: “The board has decided to tell Hopkins that we cannot respond to their proposal in a timely fashion for this September. The consideration of this proposal has started a vigorous conversation among the members in regard to the possibility of a future youth program and the direction of the NHRC. We would like the dialogue to continue which may or may not include a youth program exclusive to Hopkins.”

Work Day: There will be a work day on August 4th, and all members are encouraged to attend.

Buildings and Grounds: The board has decided to lay down a bed of stone on the parking lot to improve the appearance and to keep the dust and grit from entering the boathouse, and getting in the boats. Once this is done, during the off season we will refinish the wood floors of the upstairs of the Boathouse and the staircase. Some plumbing repairs also were authorized in the kitchen and the women's showers. Note: all are reminded not to park on the lawn adjacent to the parking lot! Let's all try to keep our property nice and beautiful.

Racing news: The Narragansett Regatta is next weekend, and entries have closed, unless as they say on their website, there still are spots to fill.

For the Canadian Henley: Entries are closed, but they also are saying that late entries are possible, at an additional cost (see item below.)

And sign-up sheets will be posted in the Boathouse for the Masters Nationals on Oakridge August 9-12; click here. The Entry Deadline is Monday, July 23.

Tomkowitz property: This is the club-owned land and structure to the south of the Boathouse. A planning committee has been established to address the issue of the future of this property, and make recommendations to the Board as to what needs should be taken into consideration and how those needs might best be met. The members of the committee are Norm Thetford, Dick Thackaberry, Eric Dannemann and Stuart Lathers. Members are encouraged to offer their opinions to the committee on this issue.

Membership: we have a number of new members: Alix Carter, Beth McGill and Claire O’Donnell were accepted on Wednesday and they join Anne Oechtering, Donna Stannis, Brad Martin, Charles Cumming and Sidney Bogardis who were admitted last month along with student members Sara Beddow, Amy Jean Porter and Becky Grove. To all of you: welcome to the New Haven Rowing Club!