On Sunday, January 20, members of the GYC gathered on a bitter cold morning for brunch at the Four Seasons Hotel.  It didn't take long for us to warm up, though. The hotel lobby is elegant and welcoming and we spent about an our chatting and getting to know some of the new members - Ray and Carol Teske, Charles and Joanne Jerrehian and George and Evvie Coates.  We also caught up on the doings of some of the old timers-George and Jackie Axilbund,  Len Howe, Jay and Ruth Finkel, and Len and Ginger Rickert.  When it was time for brunch, we were ushered to a secluded area of the dining room where we feasted on the most fabulous brunch ever devised by any chef.  All of you  received a copy of the menu when Len Howe was  putting this event together, so there is no need to go into detail. What a great time!  This was the  first part of a Triple Crown of events that Len  has put together as the Winter  Cruise. There is no doubt that the remaining events will be just as fantastic.

The destination for the second winter "cruise" was the Renault Winery near Egg Harbor City, NJ.  Eleven members and four guests assembled at the Tuscany House bar/lounge and then proceeded to tour the winery where we participated in several wine tastings. With the wine tasting complete we were immediately seated for the six course dinner.

Len Howe handled the introductions with his usual flair and reminded all of the upcoming third and final winter cruise at the Hotel Dupont in Wilmington, DE.  The noise level in the semi-private room was substantial as we chatted with new members, Gayle and John Johnson & Ray and Carol Teske, and guests, and renewed dock-side friendships. While many subjects were discussed, the topics always came back to something relating to boating......what a surprise!!!

The food was delectable, the presentation of each course was exquisite, and the service was notable. The atmosphere was relaxed and casual with a touch of elegance. We all passed on the seventh and final course, desert, and finally called it an evening around 9:30. 

Outside the wind and the rain raged, causing >75 accidents on I-95, but on March 8th and 9th a small band of Georgetown Yacht Club members and guest were snug and warm inside Wilmington’s Hotel du Pont, enjoying the best that city has to offer.  On the 3rd and final Winter Cruise of the 2008 season, Annette Aronson, George and Jeanne DiFrancesco, Scott and Bettina Jones, Elinor Miller, Jim and Ruth Nixon, Len Rickert, and Dave and Sally Ross joined GYC Rear Commodore Len Howe for a fabulous getaway weekend at the Hotel. 

Saturday afternoon the group attended a dazzling performance of Rita McKenzie’s one-woman recreation of Ethel Merman's Broadway in the DuPont Theater, followed by an exquisitely perfect dinner in the Hotel’s renowned Green Room.  All this was capped by a Saturday night spent in one of the country’s most elegant hotels. 

Thus was enjoyed the last of the three remarkable Winter Cruises organized this year by our resourceful Rear Commodore, Len Howe.  Sunday morning dawned dry, sunny and warmer, making it seem far more believable that for the next GYC cruise we will be able to use our boats, after all.  Kudos to RC Len for helping keep us in a Cruising mood over the long winter!