Thank-you Notes: 8/22/24 BOG Remarks
Once again during the past 30 days we have had a mind-boggling bonanza of events and celebrations unmatched, I believe, by any beach association in America – and perhaps the world!
Among those many events:
On July 27th a funny time was had by all at the Comedy Night event sponsored by the Women’s Club here at the Clubhouse, led by an MC and 3 veteran comedians.
On August 3rd the Men’s Club and Women’s Club hosted the 50th anniversary of the Black Point Road Race. Over 185 runners and walkers participated in this event, showcasing the talent of participants from 7 and under….to 72. And the several hundred snow cones served were a new and added treat, thanks to the Men’s Club.
On August 8th we had the spectacular Trivia Night, followed 2 days later by the Beach Bash featuring the band Mass-Conn Fusion Band, joined by over 300 toe-tapping and dancing guests.
On August 9th we had the Rec Program Talent Show and Ice Cream Social, where talent galore along with 142 bowls of ice cream were served. In thanks for the fabulous Rec Program season which ended on Friday, August 9th, we were honored tonight to award Matt Reichelt, the Rec Program Director, a special $500 bonus check for leading this summer’s spectacular Rec Program season. Presenting that check tonight, Colleen Hayes, Liaison to the Board of Governors for the Rec Program, shared our community’s deep gratitude.
On August 15th we had the Story, Story Night program, featuring 6 memorably spectacular stories shared by local Members — and a special pasta dinner served, thanks to chef Jim Mastria.
On August 17th, Michele and Steve Albert, owners of the Black Point Market, hosted the free MaRS on Saturday cool jazz concert on the store’s patio, deck and front lawn.
Along the way, the Women’s Club sponsored a Craft Night: Fairy Light Lantern event on July 30th, followed by a Potluck Dinner on August 6th, and then followed by the intriguing Life and Magic of Harry Houdini program on August 13th.
Following up on the earlier, fascinating presentation, Dynamics of the Black Point Coastline, held on July 17th, another group of volunteers recently hosted a public meeting for Members on August 19th where they introduced the newly named Estuary Gateway Initiative, previously more mundanely named the “Backwater Kayak Group.” These volunteers have been working assiduously for these many past months to explore ways to rebuild the earlier and once popular walkway used by kayakers along Old Black Point Road. More to come on this both tonight at the BOG meeting, and in future presentations….
And coming soon….the Battle of the Beaches Cornhole Tournament on August 24th, preceded that same day by the Beach Wide Tag Sale…then the Dad/Mom Joke Night here at the Clubhouse on August 29th…..and then the Cardboard Boat Race on August 31st.
And then there’s the program to launch the new Black Point Cookbook. To share your family favorites, reach out to fretom@earthlink.net or 860-305-8138 for recipe entry guidelines.
Finally, one quick and special thanks to our Beach Association Manager and the Wrecking Crew for prudently and promptly removing the ramp at the boat launch deck ahead of tropical storm Debby’s threatening high winds on the night of Friday, August 10th, and then replacing that ramp the next day.
And one final observation about the unique nature of our Black Point community: If you’ve ever attended Clubhouse events, day or night, you’ve probably noticed the same thing….at the end of those events, the chairs and tables used at those gatherings are quickly stacked and racked. No one is asked to help. It just seems to happen spontaneously and with an unspoken commitment to service… a truly endearing custom.
It is always remarkable how creatively and ably our neighbors here in Black Point step up to volunteer to provide these enriching, engaging programs and events. For that, we all owe deep debts of gratitude.
Jim Schepker, Chair
Board of Governors