The Annual Christmas Banquet for 1996 was once again held in the White Rock room of the Holiday Inn in Richardson, Texas on December 14th. Sixty members and guests enjoyed the evening dinner party which included an awards presentation and the swearing in of officers, followed by a night of dancing and entertainment. Each arriving couple received an embossed club ditty bag at the door and additional Door prizes were drawn throughout the evening.
Following the Prime Rib and Chicken dinner, Commodore Larry Featherston kicked off the awards banquet by first having Al Barboza, Racing Director, present trophies for the Spring, Summer and Fall Series of races. The trophies for the Spring and Fall were original works of art consisting of modern wood sculptures for the Spring and active copper sculptures for the Fall selected by Juanelle Barboza, with framed certificates on colorful backgrounds created by Carol McKenzie for all participants in the Summer Series. Larry Featherston was awarded the traveling Commodore's Cup for the second straight year as the 1996 Club Champion based on total points from the combined racing series. Congratulations Larry! See the 1996 Race Results for the order of finish and the many trophies which were presented.
Ray Pryor next presented a special award to Al Barboza. This 2XL size tiller extension will permit Al to steer from below deck when nature calls and avoid future mishaps (this is one of those "you had to be there" events!). Mike Jones (last year's recipient) next presented the annual Sportsmanship Award to Steve Hanes. I am honored to receive this award and be associated with the likes of our Founder Gus Gusler, Dick & Beth Hardin, Larry Featherston, Marshall & Carol McKenzie, Al Barboza, Jim & Margie Hutchison, Mike & Shirley Kmita, Charles May, and Mike whose names appear on this traveling award from the last ten years!
Larry next had each of the outgoing 1996 Officers and Directors come forward to receive a jacket emblazoned with the club logo and office as a service award for 1996. Thank you Larry for a beautiful jacket that we will each wear proudly! Larry was then presented a collector's edition replica of the Cape Hatteras lighthouse with engraved base to add to his lighthouse collection as a gift of thanks from the outgoing board. Larry proceeded to bring some additional levity to the program with a special "emergency cruising kit" for Jim Wallace to take on next year's Labor Day Cruise. The kit included an assortment of items including a back scratcher, reusable toilet paper, emergency beacon for the "point(?)" of his boat, and a pair of waders. Again, "You had to be there." Larry's last official duty was then the swearing in of our 1997 Commodore, Dave Taylor, before turning the program over to him.
Dave introduced the 1997 Officers and Board members who then pledged to uphold the Bylaws and execute the duties of their offices for the coming year. The official program ended with the drawing for our monthly cash door prize. Jim and Sandra Wallace ended the drama of the growing pot by winning the accumulated $110 prize. Congratulations!
The remainder of the evening once again comprised of several hours of dancing, refreshments, and the sharing of memories to wrap up another exciting year and set the stage for new adventures in 1997!
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