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THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE OLD DOMINION BOAT CLUB •
news
ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA •
ORGANIZED 1880
MAY 2017
FROM THE HELM
Richard Banchoff, President
The Club held its first annual
“LBLED” (Late Breakfast, Lunch,
Early Dinner) on Easter Sunday. Club
Manager Isabelle Zorro and the rest
of the staff (as well as Bar Chairman
Marion Moon) all worked very hard
to make it a success, and their
efforts were much appreciated by
the 100 members and guests who
were in attendance. We are looking
forward to an even greater success
next Easter.
The Grounds Committee led by
Herb and Maria, along with Ernie’s
House Committee, supervised
dozens of club volunteers during our
Annual Cleanup Day on April 29th.
As always, our annual sock burning
and pig roasting was held the same
evening (all the volunteers were
comped, as usual, for their hours of
manual labor), and a good time was
had by all.
The month of April (the first 20
days, anyway, the date of the
submission of this report) saw
continued progress by Forrester
Construction. I was able to look
over the property in late March with
our architect (photo top page 2).
The Board, Officers, and the Retail
Chairman got to tour the property
on April 18th. You can see (photo
bottom page 2) that a lot of
progress had been made in those 3
weeks, and everyone on the tour on
the 18th felt the building really looks
like it will be great! There is a
tremendous amount of work still to
do, of course, and we will keep you
apprised of all developments … good
and bad … but so far it looks very
promising.
In May we have the Flag Raising and
Blessing of the Fleet, and almost as
important, the opening of the TIKI
BAR on May 19th. Things are
definitely looking up!
Please attend as many Membership
and Board Meetings as you can.
Read the LISTSERV blasts to stay
informed. With your continued
involvement and a little luck, we
will celebrate the end of 2017 in the
new Clubhouse.
THE OLD DOMINION BOAT CLUB • P.O. BOX 1245 • ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA 22313-1245
TELEPHONE: (703) 836-1900 • FAX: (703) 836-5764 • WEB SITE: olddominionboatclub.com
2 The ODBC News May 2017
Top: President Banchoff tours site, late March 2017.
Bottom: Site on April 18, 2017. Photo by Jim Brown
EDITOR’S COMMENTS
Eleanor Criswell

We heartily thank Patrick Boyd and Jim Brown for construction photos
and annotations again this month. The various photos from the street
and also from Jim’s boat provide views all around the building. Patrick’s
comments put the photos in context and help you imagine being in the
building. This section makes you feel eager for move-in!

Recently we put out an eblast looking for a volunteer to pick up
hardcopy newsletters from the printer each month and deliver them to
the taproom. Kristin Caruso is going to work that for us. Thank you to
all who offered to help; we might call on you in the future.

One of the folks who volunteered, Amy Fries, was an experienced writer
and editor. One thing lead to another, and, beginning next month, Amy
will write a regular column with brief introductions of new members.
For the June 1 newsletter, submit “Letters to the Editor” (200 word max),
“Op-Eds” (400-600 words), “Member Personals” (short items with a photo or
two), and “Bulletin Board” items by May 20, 2017. We are looking for items of
general interest, slices of life at ODBC, concerns, constructive criticism, points
of view, ideas, praise; respectful tone. Must be signed by a member. OK to
submit even if you have submitted before. Send to [email protected]
The ODBC News, the official publication of the Old Dominion Boat Club, is published monthly. A
subscription to The ODBC News is included in membership dues. All submissions should be
emailed to the Editor-in-Chief, Eleanor Criswell, [email protected] or mailed to Old
Dominion Boat Club, c/o Eleanor Criswell, P. O. Box 1245, Alexandria, VA 22313 (703-8361900). All submissions become property of the Old Dominion Boat Club.
CONTENTS
Page 1-2
Page 3
Page 4
Page 5-6
Page 6-9
Page 10-11
Page 12-14
Page 15
Back Cover
From the Helm
Editor’s Comments
Letters to the Editor
Member Personals
Construction Photos Annot.
Commodore Report
Committee Reports
Bulletin Board
Future Events
2017 OFFICERS
President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Commodore
Richard Banchoff
David Wilkes
Bob Waters
Jim Lavery
Bill Gard
2017 BOARD OF GOVERNORS
Carolyn Bell, Chair
Dee Beresford
Herb Berg
Marianne Caulfield
Ernie Dauray
Marion Moon
Doug Wood
4 The ODBC News May 2017
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
LET’S VOTE ON LIQUOR BY THE DRINK
The idea of offering liquor by the drink (LBTD) has been discussed for many
years now. After the strong showing of interested members at the last general
meeting, I would like to see it put up for vote at the general membership
meeting in May. In fact, many of the members at the last meeting were there
because they thought we would be voting on LBTD. Why wait any longer?
It was suggested that we should wait until after we move to the new clubhouse
and are settled in. That would most likely mean it wouldn't be put up for vote
for another 9 months to a year. That is unnecessary. Based on what has been
discussed and published, we can offer LBTD any time, so why should we wait?
Let's vote on it now. If the members say, "Yes, we want LBTD", then we
could get the necessary requirements in place by June or July. No reason to
miss the whole summer season.
This is a club for the members. It is evident the members want to see a vote
for LBTD, so let's have the vote on May 1st and move forward. It would be a
nice benefit to our members, and their guests, if we could offer basic rail
liquor. Let our officers and governors know your thoughts. As I keep saying,
why wait?
Charles Hulfish (Member since 1992)
**********
EASTER BRUNCH WAS WONDERFUL
We had the pleasure of taking our family to the Easter Brunch on Sunday! 14
people...including children, grandchildren and in-laws.
The tables were nicely done, the food was excellent, and the service perfect.
A special thanks to all who helped, the volunteers, the kitchen staff and
particularly Nicole and Ron who made it run smoothly.
Finally Marion Moon went the extra mile...up and cooking at the crack of
dawn, eggs Benedict, lamb, and a fantastic corn pudding!!!!
All in all a wonderful Morning!!!!
Dan (member 2014) & Martha (member 2013) Mica
MEMBER PERSONALS
ENJOYING THE GOOD LIFE ON DEJA BLUE
From left to right: members Jennifer Leonard and her husband Bill
Nicholls, Jennifer's brother Mike Leonard from out-of-state,
member Pamela Viola, club bartender Robyn Kaplan.
Photo by Jim Brown, captain of Deja Blue
6 The ODBC News May 2017
COMMODORE GARD’S COLUMN ABOUT FLAGS IN The ODBC NEWS
(April 2017) ENLIGHTENED US
What an excellent article shared with us from Bill Gard, our Commodore, about
flying the American Flag from a gaff-rigged pole. I truly appreciated the indepth history he provided about the tradition, and proper etiquette,
for displaying the flag. The details Bill provided about how the tradition
began, as well as why, were very interesting.
I, for one, am proud to know we are carrying on a long-held maritime
tradition.
Submitted by Charles Hulfish
CONSTRUCTION PHOTOS ANNOTATED
Patrick Boyd
Jim Brown captured this beautiful night view of our building from Strand
Street. It highlights the interior framing of the building and suggests the rapid
rate of visible progress now being achieved.
The most aesthetically pleasing view of the new clubhouse is going to be from
the water. The similarity of the river end of our building to the best face (the
east face) of the old Beachcomber building is becoming clear. This part of our
design gives cheer to those who cherish the look of the past that gives Old
Town its charm. The design is also advantageous to the club because the echo
of the old Beachcomber porches enables a wide, glass-sided taproom in an
otherwise narrow building.
The top-most structure on the building is part of the elevator shaft that will
allow the elevator to rise to the roof level. The roof of the taproom will be a
great outdoor seating area accessible by the elevator.
View from the river, mid-April 2017.
Photo by Jim Brown
8 The ODBC News May 2017
This view of the river end of the building shows how the clubhouse site meets
the riverside walkway, long the goal of the City’s waterfront plans. The
concrete blocks in the foreground, with pieces of steel re-bar protruding, are
part of a low wall and decorative iron fence that will extend the width of our
lot. This wall/fence will separate our building and parking lot from the City’s
walkway, but the steps will allow us to enter the walkway. The wall and
masonry fence posts are shown in project drawings with stone veneer.
View from the future riverside walkway, April 19, 2017.
Photo by Patrick Boyd
The latest street-view picture of the building shows the completed exterior
walls. The Tyvek material covers the plywood sheathing of the walls in
preparation for the exterior cladding. The project drawings show a kind of
latticework as part of the cladding, and soon we will understand how that is
built.
View from Prince Street, April 20, 2017.
Photo by Jim Brown
10 The ODBC News May 2017
COMMODORE’S REPORT
Bill Gard
May brings a number of boating-related events at the Old Dominion Boat Club.
Flag Raising
On Sunday, May 14 at 1pm ODBC will celebrate its 137th anniversary with the
annual Flag Raising ceremony. A local clergyman will give the invocation and the
United States Coast Guard Color Guard will present and raise the American flag
while ODBC member Keith Harmon leads the membership and guests in singing
the National Anthem. Patriotic songs will be performed by the Alexandria
Harmonizers and City of Alexandria Mayor Allison Silberberg will raise the City
Flag. ODBC President Richard Banchoff traditionally raises the Club burgee and
another selected public official raises the flag of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Because we no longer have a flagpole in King Street Park, (it was knocked over by
high winds several weeks ago) the ceremony will be held inside the Club Grounds,
on the Tiki Deck and the docks. We will be raising the flags on the masts of three
sailboats, one a two-masted yawl while the others are single-masted sloops.
Refreshments will be served after the ceremony.
Blessing of the Fleet
On Saturday May 20 ODBC Boaters will assemble into a flotilla for a trip up the
Potomac River to the Washington Channel where the Port of Washington Yacht Club
will host its annual Blessing of the Fleet. While many yacht clubs and boat clubs
along the Potomac take part in the blessing each year, ODBC is usually the strongest
participant in the event, normally sending anywhere from seven to twelve boats or
more. Each vessel passes a reviewing stand near the Gangplank Marina where it is
blessed and the captain and crew are invited to greet the crowd on shore.
Boaters who would like their boats blessed but cannot make the trip up river, may
ask a participating boater to take along a cushion, pillow, or other object
representing the absent boat to have it blessed by proxy.
After the blessing, the boaters return to the ODBC clubhouse grounds for
refreshments.
Rolling Thunder Raft-up
On Memorial Day weekend, Sunday May 28, several ODBC boaters normally cruise
up river to raft up near the Memorial Bridge to observe the Rolling Thunder
Motorcycle festivities. The Rolling Thunder event starts at noon and proceeds from
the Pentagon to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. A couple of hundred thousand
riders typically ride (approximately 350,000 motorcyclists rode in 2008) to show
respect for all who gave their lives to protect our freedom, to call for a full
accounting of all POWs-MIAs, and to speak out for veterans’ rights.
For more information on Rolling Thunder see: http://www.rollingthunder1.com/
As each of these events gets closer, look for e-blasts for additional details.
The last flag raising ceremony at 1 King Street, May 2016. This flagpole blew
down in 2017.
12 The ODBC News May 2017
M&B COMMITTEE
Keith Harmon, Sublets
Have a boat and want a slip at the ODBC piers this season? Temporary
slip sublets can be assigned to members on an as-available basis for two weeks
or more. Don't let a slip go unused!
Contact Keith Harmon ([email protected] or ‪571 -237-5023‪‪) with
details about your vessel, current contact info, and when you would want a
large or small sublet slip. You may get use of a slip for two weeks or more
based on availability. Immediate availability is expected to continue at least
until May 15 when slip holders are expected to have their boats in their slip.
Now for the fine print:
 Members subletting must provide Proof of Insurance to Kim Rogan
Weitzel: [email protected] prior to occupying a slip,
 Slip subleases for more than 5 days are billed at the monthly member
rate for a month or partial month, and
 Sublet assignments are prioritized by your position on the appropriate
(large or small) slip waiting list.
See Mooring and Berthing (M&B) rules on the ODBC member login web site for
details.
http://www. olddominionboatclub.com/page- 18112
Note the T-Docks may also be reserved by members up to 30 days in advance,
and only the daily rate applies for T-dock usage.
**********
Flag Raising 2005.
FROM THE SPRING DECK OF THE SOCIAL CHAIRMAN
Bob Waters
By the time you read this we will have had at least one planning meeting for
our June 3 Lawn & Dock party. If you are interested in helping with this event,
please contact me, and I’ll be sure to include you on future meeting notices.
Planning for our July 15 Luau will soon be on the horizon.
Since the beginning of 2017 we have had around forty new members inducted
in the club. If you are one of these lucky folks, I’d like to invite you to join the
Social Committee. This will give you a perfect opportunity to see how the club
operates, and you get to meet other great members to create new friendships.
Reminder: your club operates mainly with members volunteering their time
and efforts. Our members are involved as volunteers in the day-to-day
operations of the Club, and the events put on by us assure enjoyment for all
members and their guests.
For new and old members not already on the social committee but want to
join, please contact me so that you can be a part of our history. We are
probably going to need some new social event ideas once we move to our new
clubhouse; however we will deal with that once we get in and situated. For
now though we still have our 2017 events that we want to be memorable ones
as they will be the last ones in our current clubhouse.
**********
For the June 1 newsletter, submit “Letters to the Editor” (200 word max),
“Op-Eds” (400-600 words), “Member Personals” (short items with a photo or
two), and “Bulletin Board” items by May 20, 2017. We are looking for items of
general interest, slices of life at ODBC, concerns, constructive criticism,
points of view, ideas, praise; respectful tone. Must be signed by a member. OK
to submit even if you have submitted before. Send to [email protected]
14 The ODBC News May 2017
MEMBERSHIP UPDATES
Pamela Viola, Membership Committee Chair
Welcome Aboard to 18 new members who were voted in by the membership at
the April 3rd meeting:

Douglas S. Ellis
 Gordon M. Speed
 Caroline Jolly
 Lynda Mallow
 Daniel Poretz
 Edward A. Lenz
 John (Jody) Manor Jr.
 John Winston Williams
 Witney Wright Schneidman
 Mercedes Carter LeGrand
 Eugenia (Nina) M. Middleton
 Gayla Reed
 Janet S. Eissenstat
 Jan Sarah Amundson
 Ian Northrop
 Frank M. Jolly
 Maxine McLeod Miller
 Susan Musella
As of March 31 when the Waiting List was updated last, there were 197 names
on the list. Four applications were processed in April.
BULLETIN BOARD
BRIDGE AND CANASTA Wednesday May 31
Noon. $15. Have lunch and play cards.
Love to have men as well as ladies.
You do not have to be a member to put a table together
or play.
WE ARE STILL LOOKING FOR 2 PEOPLE TO PLAY
PINOCHLE.
WE HAVE 2 INTERESTED, NEED 2 MORE FOR A
TABLE!
Contact: Sally Z. Harper 703-517-2849
LOOKING FOR SUNDAY BRUNCH?
The Tap Room is providing the popular
SUNDAY BUFFET BRUNCH
from 10:00AM to 1:00PM
ATTENTION POKER PLAYERS: SUNDAY POKER GROUP
We are playing HORSE on Sundays:
Hold’em, Omaha, Razz, seven-card Stud, and seven-card hi/lo Eight qualifier.
We play on Sunday afternoons, exact time TBD.
Same rules and structure as the Wednesday night group.
EVERYBODY IS WELCOME!
For more information, contact Paul Mookie Borden at
mookie,[email protected] or 571-239-6677
16 The ODBC News
2017
OLDMay
DOMINION
BOAT CLUB
P.O. Box 1245
Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1245
FUTURE
EVENTS
Mon May 1
Monthly Membership Meeting
Sun May 14
Annual Flag Raising
Fri May 19
Opening of the Tiki Bar
Sun May 28
Rolling Thunder Raft-Up
Sat June 3
Lawn and Dock Party
Sat July 15
Luau
Every Friday
May 19 until Fall
Tiki Bar with Entertainment