Lido Isle Yacht Club christens new season

Deepa Bharath

LIDO ISLE -- A colorful parade and a classic ceremonial opening marked

the beginning of Lido Isle Yacht Club’s 75th yachting season Saturday.

For members -- both longtime and new -- the club is all about

friendship, camaraderie and community.

“It’s a wonderful way to meet your neighbors instantly,” said Brad

Smith, who along with his wife, Marion, chaired this year’s opening day

festivities.

The club has a fleet of 300 powerboats and sailing crafts and was

recognized on the special occasion of its 75th year by the city and

county, among others.

Commodore Stephen Sutherland said the club is a “metaphor for our

lives, neighbors and community.”

Describing what he called his “Lido habit,” Sutherland said every day

as he drives back home from work and crosses the bridge to enter Lido

Isle, he pushes the button to roll his window down.

“You listen to the harbor sounds,” he said. “Notice the intense marine

colors. Your senses come alive and you leave the rest of the world on the

other side of the bridge.”

The ceremony ended with the hoisting of the flag and the firing of the

canon, traditionally done by Marty Lockney, a longtime member who passed

away in December. The canon has been donated to the club by Lockney’s

family and will continue to be a part of opening day, Sutherland said.

The club has grown in membership over the years, but it’s the growth

in friendships that matters more than the numbers, said Carter Ford, a

member for 14 years.

“The base of the club is in its community spirit,” he said. “We

continue to grow meaningful, deep, caring friendships. That’s really what

this club is about.”

Wyvonne Newell, club historian, agreed.

“We take great pride in it,” she said. “We have several volunteers who

willingly give their time to our programs and events.”

The club’s primary focus is to instill in the younger generation a

love for the ocean and help them find their passion for sailing, said

Willis Longyear, a member for more than 40 years.

“It seems to me that there are so many distractions that take young

people in different directions,” said Longyear, who served as the club’s

commodore in 1990.

“Parents need to teach their children. There’s nothing more important

than that.”

* Deepa Bharath covers public safety and courts. She may be reached at

(949) 574-4226 or by e-mail at o7 [email protected] .