Page 16 - Jan-Feb 2020

THE SHELLBACK CLUB
CELEBRATING 85 YEARS
Dianne Leggatt, Skipper
The Shellback Club is celebrating 85 years and, as usual, we have selected speakers presenting a wide range of nautical and maritime topics. We plan for 24 meetings loaded with good food, friendly men and women who like nautical topics and interesting informed speakers.
The Shellback Club officially started in February 1934 and met at Eileen Bradley’s Tea House on Adelaide Street but had its roots earlier. Starting in 1924, some of the crews of large racing sailboats from RCYC met weekly in the summer to organize crew duties.
By 1934, these crew meetings had morphed into The Shellback Club as other sailors from Clubs in the area liked the idea of sharing lunch and sailing lore...and even singing a shanty.
To be “Shellback” today only requires attending a lunch meeting and joining everyone in singing a sea shanty.
Website: http://shellbacks.weebly.com/
Many thanks to Ron Jenkins for creating and maintaining our website. Well done, Ron! Take a look here for our speakers, history, current updates. Ron now also videotapes our speakers, so if you miss one, you may go to the website to watch the session.
Location: The location, as in past years, is the RCYC at 141 St George Street at Prince Arthur (West exit of the St. George TTC station). The walk-in entrance is off Prince Arthur.
Timing: We start promptly at 1215 hours and finish about 1330 – 1345 hours. The guest speaker starts about 1245 hours.
Come early to enjoy the company and a beverage. All the usual beverages are available at Club prices.
Seating and Dress: There are no prearranged tables and dress is mostly smart casual.
Costs: Lunch costs are the same as last year - $25.00 including all taxes and service. Lunch is three courses of soup or salad, a main dish, desert and tea or coffee.
We suggest $2.00 for the Dory, which includes a ticket to win, if you’re lucky, a nautical book in the weekly book draw. There are no annual fees or initiation fees.
Once a year, we suggest a $20.00 contribution to pay for basic communication costs and the minimal costs of operation. Funds not needed each year are donated to local youth sailing charities.
“Keel Laid 1934”
Guests: Guests are always welcome. Membership at the RCYC is not necessary and confirmation regarding attendance is not required for Shellbacks or guests. Come when the spirit or the topic moves you but come often!
January 8th: Melodie Ridge: will tell us of her time spent aboard as crew on the Southern Ocean Leg of the Clipper around the World Race.
January 15th: Sue and Dave Williams will share the story that Sue wrote about in Ready to Come About, a compelling memoir of an improbable adventure on the high seas.
January 22nd: Mary-Margaret McMahon, Director of Community at Sidewalk Labs, and Kate Festeryga will join us from SIDEWALK LABS, to speak about the master- planned community that is currently being planned for twelve acres of the Toronto Waterfront.
January 29th: Richard Hudson joins us for the second time this year to speak about his experiences Sailing Newfoundland.
February 5th: Were you aware of the Metro Marine Modellers, the oldest model boat club in Ontario? David Allesbrook, Sail Captain of that club, will describe the many opportunities for folks to enjoy this hobby – designing, building, racing and preserving all types and sizes of model ships, boats and craft.
February 12th: Paul Henderson, has agreed to provide us with a video of ‘Maiden’, the tale of the first all- woman crew to sail the Whitbread Round the World Race; it thrills and educates.
February 19th: Ron and Pam Mazza will share their recent adventures in Vietnam and Hanoi.
February 26th: Rob Mazza returns again this year. He has documented his Tour of the Canadian War Memorials at Vimy, Beaumont, Hamel, Dieppe and Juno Beach, the Five Canadian Pilgrims in Northern France.
Be a Shellback, come often, bring friends and enjoy the combination of good food, friendly people and interesting and often unique presentations about nautical and maritime topics and sometimes outdoor adventures.
The Shellback team is Dianne Leggatt, Skipper, Alf Jenkins, Purser, Elspeth Fanjoy, Mate, Graham Dougall, Second Mate, Ron Jenkins, Webmaster, Philip Morton, Music Director and many others who help throughout the year. Volunteers welcome!
Call or write Dianne Leggatt, Skipper, for any reason: 416.486.6025 or dianne.leggatt@gmail.com
16
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 • KWASIND
SAILING