The Chowder Chatter Monthly Newsletter of the Caloosahatchee Marching and Chowder Society

Next Full Moon: December 20 December 2006

DON'T LET THE SHIP SAIL WITHOUT YOU! (Translation: Send in your membership renewals NOW.

Mail to Purser Jo Ann Nucifora TODAY).

DEADLINE: December 1, 2006 in order to be listed in the 2007 CMCS Calendar/ directory. DO IT NOW! (Drive to her house if you must). OK, enough said!

October & November have been FABULOUS cruising months! We went to Danger Island for Halloween and Sanibel Bight (with dinghy trip into the Double Nichol for Bob Macomber's famous Annual Book Signing Party). Speaking of Bob-- he is/ was our speaker for November 21 Monthly Membership Meeting. He's always a SPELLBINDER! We honored his commitment and long term membership to CMCS by giving him the HONORARY CMCS Membership Award. Thanks, Bob, for all you support & participation throughout the years! November 9-12 was the Ft. Myers Boat Show. Steve Romaine outdid himself with an excellent display for our CMCS booth. Thank you’s to the many volunteers who worked a shift. The weather was perfect and lots of new folks learned about our club. Many of us participated in the Marco Island Yacht Club Fall Regatta November 18-19. This is special place to visit and a well-run race. Mark your calendar for next year if you missed this one! It's a great price and also a BOTY (Boat of the Year) event. DECEMBER WILL BE TONS OF FUN!! Hope to see EVERYONE out on the 9th for the Commodore's Cup Race. Just think of it as a cruise in a triangular pattern, ok? My wonderful chef-husband, Ray Gherardini, will be cooking a special "Spicy Meatball" meal for our Commodore’s Social at 1800 hours (6:00 p.m.). Christmas/ Holiday party is on December 19 at 1800 hours (6:00 p.m.) We have some surprises planned PLUS our own CMCS Band will be entertaining us. Al Eastman will have the Annual "12 Days of Chrismas" sing-a-long. Please bring an UN-WRAPPED gift to the party for a child. As we did last year, the Harney’s Point Kiwanis Club (Cape Coral) will help distribute to needy children. They also like donations of gift wrap and boxes. Thanks for giving! Your help will be much appreciated. The Holiday Cruise will be leaving December 26 -- and that wraps up MY year! I am spending time getting the 2007 calendar jam-packed with FUN events. We have a dynamic team ON DECK to keep the fun going in 2007. So, don't "miss the boat" -- send in your CMCS membership renewal and volunteer for a Committee!

COMMODORE Diane Fowler 540-0016

Commodore’s Cup Social

“A Taste of CMCS Italy” Saturday, December 9, 2006 at 1800 hours

Cape Coral Power Squadron

Names of Persons Attending: ___________________________________________________________ Amount enclosed @ $9.95 per person: $_________________ Make checks payable to CMCS and mail to: Diane Fowler, 2540 Eldorado West, Cape Coral, FL 33914

The Deadline Date is Tuesday, December 5, 2006

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COMMODORE’S CUP RACE Saturday, December 9, 2006

The next and final race this calendar year is the Com-modore’s Cup Race on December 9. This race will honor our Commodore, Diane Fowler, and may deter-mine which boats get the trophies for top boat in her class for 2006 . There will be a skippers’ and crew meeting at the Clubhouse on December 7 at 1900 hours. In addi-tion, the Commodore’s Social will be held that eve-ning. I encourage all who are able to attend this race. It should be a good one. Some of our members who have been in the north have returned and will be joining us. Welcome back and hope you haven’t forgotten how to race !

Rear Commodore of Racing Tom Gore 334-0673

CRUISE REPORTS Fourteen (14 boats) club boats participated in the Halloween Cruise: Judy and Charles Tomlins did a

great job as our Cruise leaders. The entertainment flag found a new home! The pres-entation will be made at the November 21 meeting. Fifteen (15) club boats made the Sanibel Bight/St. James City Cruise. Cocktails were enjoyed on Island Time on Friday night. Thanks again to Waite and Mary. A great time was had at Bob Macomber’s Book Signing on Saturday. Many CMCS land cruisers arrived too. The event was well attended and the bands were great. Fourteen boats are signed up to do the Thanksgiving Cruise starting November 22 through November 27. Gordon Coffman will be our Cruise Leader for our Holiday Cruise. The cruise will start on December 26th. We will head towards Hurricane Hole at that time. The tides will again not be favorable to anchor at Matlacha Pass unless you have very little draft or nerves of steel (plus towing insurance.). Gordon has 15 slips reserved at Burnt Store Marina for the 31st. You need to make your reservation through him. The first 15 callers get in. If you wish a slip earlier, you need to call the Marina yourself and make ar-rangements. See you on the water, Ron Maddix

Rear Commodore of Cruising Ron Maddix 482-0281

COMMODORE’S CUP SOCIAL Saturday, December 9, 2006

Cocktails: 1800 hours

Dinner: 1900 hours

Join us for “A Taste of CMCS Italy”

A Spicy Meatball Dinner for only $9.95

Please mail coupon with check payable to

CMCS to Diane Fowler Deadline: Tuesday, December 5, 2006

Diane & Ray

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RENEWAL REMINDER

A friendly reminder to all those CMCS Members who have not sent in their renewal forms and due.

The deadline to be included in the 2007 CMCS calendar is DECEMBER 1!!

You can still send in your renewal and money after that date (we always take money), but YOU WILL NOT BE INCLUDED IN THE CMCS CALENDAR ROSTER, as we must get the calendar shipped off to the printer. Points to remember: Check off your preferred method of receiving the Chowder Chatter and include a check for the correct amount. Crew rates are for one person only, without a boat. Write your name and address on the renewal form. YES, I have received a few blank ones…maybe they were donations to CMCS???!!!

ANNUAL CHANGE OF WATCH DINNER DANCE Put your dancing shoes on and bring your appetite as we host our Annual CMCS “Changing of the Guard”.

Mark your calendar for Saturday, Janu-ary 13, 2007, at The Landings Clubhouse. The Landings is located on McGregor Boulevard, just south of the Cape Coral Bridge in Ft. Myers. When you arrive at the gate, just give your name and the guard will direct you to go straight ahead, turn left, then turn right just after the tennis courts. The Landings Clubhouse will be on the right. A great time was had by all last year, and it was wonder-ful to see everyone wearing shoes. Festivities and Cocktail Hour begins at 6:00 p.m. with Buffet Dinner at 7:00 p.m. Awards and “The Change” will take place during dessert. Music by “Mr. Deke” throughout the evening for your dancing and listening pleasure. The price is $32.00 per person - same price as last year — such a deal!. (Cash Bar)

Change of Watch Chairperson Elise Missall

CMCS ANNUAL CHANGE OF WATCH DINNER DANCE Saturday, January 13, 2007, 6:00 p.m.

The Landings Clubhouse (located just south of the Cape Coral Bridge in Ft. Myers)

Names of Persons Attending: ____________________________________________________________ Total amount enclosed ($32.00 per person): _______________________________________________

Make checks payable to CMCS and mail to: Elise Missall 13163 Tall Pine Circle Ft. Myers, FL 33907

The DEADLINE for reservations is Wednesday, January 10, 2007 with NO EXCEPTIONS

as we are required to give a complete list of attendees to The Landings for gate admittance.

Purser Jo Ann Nucifora 437-9499

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Liberty Ashore Monica Smith 699-9678

Ladies Bridge Club Susan Reekie 540-5422

CHRISTMAS / HOLIDAY PARTY TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5 1900HOURS (7:00 p.m.)

The Annual Ladies Bridge Club Christmas Party will be hosted by Diane Fowler. Please bring a dish to share and your favorite holiday cheer.

“LADIES”, the highlight of the eve-ning will be the “Swashbuckler Swap”, so please bring a wrapped $15-$20 gift or appropriate re-gift and be ready to pillage and plunder. Diane’s home is located at 2540 El Dorado Parkway W Cape Coral, FL 540-0016

Directions: Cape Coral Parkway to Chiquita Blvd. - go south on Chiquita to El Dorado Parkway—make a right. Diane’s home is on the south side of El Dorado across from SW 25th Court. Smooth Sailing, Susan Reekie Ladies Bridge Club Committee Head

HOLIDAY PARTY Tuesday, December 19 at 6:00 p.m.

Please bring a snack or dessert to share will all of Santa’s Elves!

Also, please bring an unwrapped gift for a child (remember the teens) AND a package or can of non-perishable food for those in need. Don Czech, Past Lieutenant Governor, Division 19 of the Harney’s Point Kiwanis Club (Cape Coral) has been designated the recipient of these donations. This Chapter specifically has kids in mind for their fund raising and charitable events. Don and his fellow Kiwanis members are thrilled that CMCS has elected to make “their” children happy this holiday season with your gifts of toys and food. The traditional CMCS Christmas songs and ac-tivities have been pulled out of the attic and the props have been dusted off. So come with your hearts full of glee and merriment for Al East-man, as he leads the “choir” in holiday song. All good little boys and girls will receive a gift from SPECIALLY MADE BY THE LADIES BRIDGE CLUB and special raffle tickets will be sold for a chance to receive a choice of even bigger and grander presents! Tables will be decorated by CMCS volunteers and your vote will award the winner! We will be voting not just for the holiday decorations, but the slate of CMCS Officers and Board of Directors for 2007. So come, mingle and rub shoulders with your fellow mateys for some good times and holiday cheer.

CMCS BOARD MINUTES NOW AVAILABLE ON WWW.CMCS-SAIL.ORG The monthly Board of Directors Minutes will be posted (in PDF format) in the Membership Section of our website be-ginning with the October 2006 issue. After you log-on, click on the "CMCS Member Informa-tion" and then on "Board of Director Meeting Minutes." The minutes are listed by month. Note: the current minutes will always be a month behind because as they are presented to the Board in subsequent meetings, they must be approved without error. If you have not checked them out at the registration table at every membership meeting, you will find the reports of all officers and committee members, as well as old and new business discussions as they occur. Now you can keep abreast of what your elected officers are doing for you and the future of CMCS.

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Looking for a boat? What about gear? Great deals on used and barely used equipment. Want to sell your unneeded boating equipment? Email or call The Chowder Chatter Editor: mary-lou@swfla.rr.com / (239) 541-2479 to insert your ad, update your ad or have it cancelled.

CMCS CHANDLERY

Chandlery (n) chan”dler*y def: great place to spend money on the stuff you and your boat really need!

FOR SALE

• 55 foot spinnaker/snuffer sock for sale.

Good condition, $100. • 1992 Furono radar with radome. Mono-

chrome with 6’ screen and magnifier, user manual. Needs new radome/display connector. $450

Will Burton (239) 489-2135

WHAT A DEAL!!!

15 HP Evenrude Outboard FOR SALE

Has approximately 35 hours of opera-

tion. In like-new condition. Comes with a roll around stand and a 10’2” dinghy. All for only $1,700.00 Call Don at 565-7570

Betty Goodacre, HC’71 Past Commodore ‘88 463-6487

NORMAN GOODACRE MEMORIAL GOOD SAMARITAN

AWARD

Take a moment to consider nomi-nating a deserving CMCS Member for the Norman Goodacre Memo-rial Good Samaritan Award. Send Betty Goodacre, 474 Oak Street, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931, a note/letter describing the event and the person or persons who merit being recognized as a CMCS Good Samaritan. Betty will need all nominations by the first week of January. The Award will be presented at the Change of Watch Dinner on Satur-day, January 13, 2007.

CMCS Website: www.cmcs-sail.org Did you know The Chowder Chatter is available up to 5 days sooner on the CMCS Website than when snail-mailed? Did you know the $5 extra fee to help with printing and postage covers the expenses of LESS than two (2) monthly issues of The Chowder Chatter? Suggestion: The remaining ten (10) months are NOT covered, so help CMCS by continuing to access your Chowder Chatter FREE via the CMCS Website (in Members only section).

CALLING ALL HGTV VIEWERS NON-VIEWERS ALIKE! Liberty Ashore has established a tradition where Christ-mas/Holiday Party tabletop decorations are awarded a prize of their choice at the Christmas Party! We need fifteen (15) designers to decorate one of 15 din-ner tables--be it a nautical or Christmas/Holiday theme, a beach scene or Jimmy Buffett theme--you get the drift. A non-participant will be chosen to select the BEST Ta-bletop Display, and the winner will pick a prize of their choice on the "Santa" table from over a dozen unwrapped presents. First come--first served--you must register to participate--e-mail Dee Vaigl at d.vaigl@att.net.

PASSAGES S/V Alborado

Jay Light, S/V Alborada, with Dick Mullins and Dick McGann as the first crew, left Fort Myers Beach on Tuesday a.m., November 14 heading for Marathon then Nassau (arrived Friday at dawn after a “bumpy” crossing), and Jay continuing to head south towards Puerto Rico. Jay plans to be cruising approximately 6-7 months with crew changes periodically along the way. Passion III

Today, November 16 at 1200 hours, Ned Christensen aboard Passion III, with Eric and Alan cast off at their Cape Coral dock and set sail for the Caribbean. A cold front had passed through this morning and the winds were now blowing down our canal out of the north. It was just perfect timing for the first leg of the trip south. Janette received a call from Ned a little after 1400, saying they were just going under the Sanibel Bridge, making about 8 knots. They had their jackets on and were soon planning on exchanging shorts for long pants. If all goes as planned, they will go through the Yacht Channel in the daylight tomorrow morning. They plan to reach the USVI in 10-14 days or so.

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It's finally here!

An Affair of Honor is the 5th novel in the award-winning Honor Series of naval fiction

from our very own CMCS founder, former Commodore, and Governor Emeritus for Life of Danger Island

Robert N. Macomber

Order personally inscribed copies by calling his ship's store toll-free at 1-866-456-2687,

emailing the store at locotzinc@earthlink.net\ or attend the CMCS Meeting on November 21

Visit his website at www.robertmacomber.com for more details

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CMCS Chowder Chatter c/o Mary Lou Mullins 5010 SW 11th Avenue Cape Coral, FL 33914

CMCS Schedule of Events December 2006 and early January 2007

December 2 -3 Sunfish Challenge Cup Regatta

December 5 1900 hours Ladies Bridge Club Holiday Party Diane Fowler’s home

December 7 1900 hours Skipper/Crew Meeting Power Squadron

December 9 Commodore’s Cup Race

December 9 1800 hours Commodore’s Cup Race Social Power Squadron A Taste of CMCS Italy

December 13 1900 hours Board Meeting Power Squadron

December 17 1200 hours CHOWDER CHATTER DEADLINE

December 19 1900 hours Christmas/Holiday Party Power Squadron

December 25 Merry Christmas

December 26-

January 1, 2007 New Years’ Cruise Burnt Store

January 13* 1800 hours Change of Watch Dinner Dance The Landings

PLEASE NOTE:* EVENT IN BOLD TYPE IS A CHANGE FROM THE PUBLISHED 2006 CALENDAR!!