Page 88 - PCYC 75th Anniversary Book

The Commodore’s Ball The Commodore’s Award for In the Club & Community Ye Olde Wassail Bowl

Outstanding Contribution
In the past, spring time was ushered in at the Port Credit Yacht Club with an annual party, • The many fund-raising events held by the First Mates allow them to purchase items to The Wassail Bowl tradition at PCYC goes back many years. It takes place every year in
generally in conjunction with launching. In the days of the first two Clubhouses, this was enhance the club as well as support needy charities and local community groups. early December following the Annual General Meeting.
one of the few occasions of the year when women were allowed on the premises! After In, 2006 Commodore Don Lounsbury started a new tradition with the Commodore’s Wassail Bowl is an event where all members are invited to meet the new Board of
the relaxation of the rules and later at the 25th anniversary in 1961, Commodore Green Award for Outstanding Contribution. At PCYC there are many members who volunteer • For over 25 years, PCYC in conjunction with the Rotary Club have hosted an Easter Seals Directors, and drink a toast to each other’s good health. Dinner and dancing follow.
arranged to have an anniversary party which was the forerunner of the Commodore’s Ball. incredible amount of their time for the benefit of the Club – serving on committees, Kids cruise in mid-August. In 2010, over 82 generous PCYC members and 6 Rotarians Wassail is a greeting, meaning “Be in good health!”. Its roots all seem to point
Commodores from various yacht clubs around the lake were invited to this party. Thereafter, organizing events, decorating, gardening…the list goes on and on. Typically these donated their time and 34 yachts, plus the Peel Marine Police Unit and Staff to host 133 towards Great Britain, but the stories are many. One custom in olde England is that the
the Commodore held an annual Spring party. In 1967, Commodore Gollings held the first individuals don’t look for recognition and the Commodore felt that the annual Easter Seals children and their families on the water for a few glorious hours. It’s a day host proclaims, “Wassail,” to which all reply, “Drink hail.” Then the cup is past with a
official party in the new Clubhouse in our location at the mouth of the Credit River. And, in Commodore’s Ball would be a very appropriate time to take the opportunity to truly enjoyed by all! kiss to the next person and it continues until all have drank from it. This later became
1991 Commodore Donald Cooper hosted the first event in our newly completed Clubhouse recognize their efforts and say thank you on behalf of the entire membership. Past known as “the loving cup” with the introduction of Christianity.
at Lakefront Promenade. winners of this award include Ian and Marilea McAllister, Jane and Paul Messenger, Wassail is associated with caroling too, so it’s a great start to the Christmas holiday season.
Mark Searle, Jim and Sue Currey, John and Margaret Williams and Robin Ball.
86 The Way We Are Port Credit Yacht Club History 87