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1947
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The Ford Yacht Club
was begun by a small group of Ford Engineering
employees and presented to the Ford Recreation
Department early in 1947. Formal organization
took place with fifteen charter members.
The objective was to establish a yacht club
to foster boating activities for families
of moderate means. A constitution was adopted
and William C. Vincent elected as our first
Commodore.
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1948
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Vacant land at the
southern tip of Grosse Ile was selected.
Many days of planning followed before clearing
of the land and shoreline development took
place. The FYC burgee flew atop the Flagstaff
masthead for the first time at the dedication
ceremony held October 2,1948. The new Club's
first regatta was also held that day with
two races. A potluck picnic followed.
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1949
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The foundation for
the first Clubhouse (a 18x24 foot in size)
was started. The small building was completed
and a social program began. Annual dues
were $15.00!
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1950
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Many developments
took place during these years. Dredging,
docks built and work on Clubhouse.
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1953 |
A
Club for the women was started and the name
of "First Mates" chosen. Ford
Yacht Club applied for and was accepted for
membership in the I-LYA.
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1955 |
Purchase
of a trailer to haul boats. The first
steps taken to provide for non-Ford membership.
Work was started on the water system.
Up to this time, Members had to bring drinking
water from home.
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1956 |
The
shell of the new Clubhouse was erected.
The main Structure was 28x60 feet with a porch
on the Ease side measuring 10x60 feet.
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1957 |
Many
projects were finished from the previous years.
Water lines were completed. Our first
Regatta was held.
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1958 |
Low
water year and extensive dredging took place.
Internal Revenue placed an excise tax on all
members for an additional 20% of dues and
Club income.
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1959 |
Groundwork
for a five year development and expansion
program. |
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1960
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Construction began
on the new West Basin sea walls.
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1962
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Planning began of
new modern Clubhouse.
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1963 |
Clubhouse
work started and completed. Dedication
was held this year. |
|
1964 |
Extensive
landscaping and ground work took place.
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1965 |
Fifty-six
new docks on East side were built. New travel
lift was purchased. |
|
1968 |
Taking
care of repairs and maintenance, and careful
long range planning. |
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1970
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Steel wall on East
basin constructed.
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1971 |
Extensive study on
improvement and development to North end
of property.
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1972 |
Membership approved
purchase of Club Property. "G"
Dock built.
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1973 |
First
Annual Commodore's Spaghetti Dinner.
High water year.
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1974 |
East
basin expansion and floating docks.
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1975 |
First
Annual FYC Night race.
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1976 |
Approval for
$175,000 Mortgage. New tables and
chairs, and draft beer.
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1977 |
Clubhouse
security system installed
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1978 |
Purchased
wishbone trailer for small boats. New
carpeting and drapes in Clubhouse and solar
harbor lights installed.
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1979 |
FYC
joined A.Y.C.. Olympic style course used for
regatta.
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1980
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Extensive
shoreline protection work was done to the
front of the Club.
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1981 |
Engaged
outside computer service. Change in structure
from Executive Committee and Board of Trustees
to Board of Directors.
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1982 |
Security
gate at entrance installed Burning of
the Mortgage. Sodding West basin.
New windows in Clubhouse. First Annual
Blessing of the Fleet passing in review.
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1983 |
Asphalting
of roadway into the club, parking lot and
walkways along East/West basins and "G"
dock. Installed 710 feet of sheet steel
piling on the outside of Banana Island and
landscaped the entire island.
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1984 |
Repainted
interior of Clubhouse and remodeled restrooms.
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1985 |
Built steel
wall protection for East Basin harbor entrance.
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1986 |
Rock
wall protection for East Harbor. Purchase
of new Open-End travel lift.
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1987 |
Completed
sodding of the entire East Basin and added
to paved driveways.
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1988 |
Improvements
projects included: new electric pump-out,
Banana Island protection, rocks walls at the
West Harbor entrance, winter bubbling of docks,
paving. Low water was a concern. With
565 members, new memberships were closed.
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1989 |
Clubhouse
addition and renovation approved. Clubhouse
closed in November to "pack-up &
move-out" prior to demolition in December.
Dock bubbling systems and new sewage pump-out
installed. FYC joins Yachting Clubs
of America (national reciprocity organization
for yacht club facilities).
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1990 |
Demolition
began in February. FYC Regatta held
August 11th with food service from a tent.
FYC office in a rented office trailer.
The new FYC Clubhouse was opened on December
2nd with over 500 in attendance.
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1991 |
The
Clubhouse front deck was rebuilt and parking
lot paved. New basketball court built in the
relocated playground area and a magnetic card
gate entry system installed. The FYC
Florida chapter met in February with 80 attending.
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1992 |
The
Commodore's Ball was held for the first time
in the FYC Clubhouse. The first old car show
was held on the Club grounds by the members.
East basin floating docks overhauled.
FYC's Maritime Art Collection grew with the
addition of "LaSalle's Griffin"
and Commodore Perry's "USS Niagara"
drawing.
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1993 |
The
main sewer line from the Clubhouse was replace.
New facilities included a horseshoe pit and
a lending library. The annual Commodores'
spaghetti dinner, a super bowl party, Easter
egg hunt, antique car show on the lawn and
regatta were but a few of FYC's activities.
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1994 |
The
revised FYC Constitution was approved.
FYC's large traditional ship's wheel was returned
to its place of honor over the fireplace.
A new game room was established in the board
room with pool table donated by the First
Mates. FYC purchased a spinet piano for the
bar area. The first Annual Women's Regatta
held. Record numbers participated in
FYC's annual Double Handed Race. A tractor
was replaced.
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1995 |
The
dining room service was acquired by the Club
and all operating decisions were place under
the direction of the House Committee.
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1996 |
Sections
IX through XII of By-laws revised. First
AYC Poker Run with over 150 boats visiting
the club. Repair and upgrade of small
boat launch ramp. 20 new picnic tables
purchased. Built the barbecue gas grill.
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1997 |
50th
Anniversary of FYC Photo yearbook published.
Regatta reorganized into a three day event.
Euchre Club started up again. Change
of Watch held at the Christmas Dinner Dance.
High water peaked in June at three feet above
average.
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1998 |
Clubhouse
redecorated with a new dance floor and three
leather sofas in front of the fireplace, along
with new carpet, paint wallpaper and window
treatments. Pole barn constructed behind
the garage. New electrical upgrade installed
on grounds, light poles removed. Moved
dinghy storage area and built 18 x 30 shelter
with asphalt pad.
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1999 |
For
the first time sailboats were stored in dry
dock with their masts up. A Committee
was formed to study the future of Round Island.
A 16 x32 shelter was built by the gin pole.
New playground equipment and nine picnic tables
were purchased along with seven new tress
being planted. New cash register equipment
and a satellite dish for the Lounge TV were
installed. The new electrical system installation
was completed. Regatta was held in conjunction
with the AYC Poker Run. Jackie Cortis
retired after many years as Club Manager.
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| 2000 |
A new flagpole was installed complete withlandscaping. New landscaping was also putt in front of the docks. The FYC web site is up and running. The east harbor was dredged along with some of the west basin. East harbor entrance buoys were installed. A large storage area was created in the back to replace the land where the dredging material is being placed. A furnace was added to heat and cool the club office and game room. Smoke eaters were installed in the bar area. Sand now covers the riprap on the lakeside of the club to improve the appearance. Benches and lounge chairs were put on the new beach area. New playground equipment was added to the refurbished playground area. New commodore signs were put in the parking lot. During dinner hours the dining room is now non-smoking. The hallway received new ceiling tiles and a bench; new wallpaper was put in the board room, men's and ladies rest rooms.
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| 2001 |
As dredging continues, new harbor buoys were placed in the east and west channels and trees were planted on the hill built from the dredging. Pavers were installed on the seawall and riprap was added to Round Island. A sprinkling system was put around the clubhouse and a new tractor was purchased. The winter storage bidding process was used for the first time. Our new cook is Susan Modiano of Truly Gourmet Inc. and Robbie Tucker was hired as our new Bar Manager. A freezer and pizza ovens were added to the bar area to allow food service when the kitchen is closed. The ladies room was redecorated. The game room age limit was changed from 18 to 13. The Board began giving Plaques to all Life Members. A Bylaw Committee was established with Bob Everhart as Chairman.
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| 2002 |
Plants were added to the dredging pile in the back forty to control erosion and improve the appearance. The brush was cleared on the southwest side of Round Island to give it a park like atmosphere. D dock's main pier was repaired. The club's outside balcony was remodeled with new railing and staircase. Patio furniture was donated for the new outside wood patio on the west side of the club. The dock bidding period was changed to September through March. A picnic shelter on the east basin was built. A new utility vehicle was purchased along with a gas powered golf cart. The first woman Rear Commodore was elected to the bridge. |
| 2003 |
Yearbook was published, Denise Wagner - Chairman. Nacho's, pizza and other quick foods are now available at the bar when the kitchen is closed. A free birthday drink and dessert are now offered by the club within one week of your birthday. Charles Hartline became a Lifetime Member. The Euchre club donated a mosquito catcher for the patio. A member survey was conducted with the results published in the Signal Hoist. |
| 2004 |
The small boat harbor with launch and single point lift was completed. FYC won first place at the AYC Convention for the best decorated room. A defibrillator was installed. A new chef was hired mid-year. The seawall was painted. A ten-year plan was adopted. |
| 2005 |
Block building erected west of pole barn for storage. Men's room refurbished. New furnaces installed in garage and pole barn. FYC e-mail policy established. New safety turning basin completed. Two 60' docks installed, East Basin Docks #0 & #1. Club received wireless internet and new phone service. Big screen TV purchased. |
| 2006 |
Jason Pearson became Ford Yacht Club's first Commodore of AYC. Board approved G.I. Township to cut down up to 15 of the tallest trees on Round Island . Replaced three exterior doors. Women's restroom partitions replaced. New canopy at club entranced installed. Banana Island steel seawall construction inside the West Harbor creates “H” Dock with electric and water utilities. Dues raised and quarterly's changed to a monthly charge. Pool proposal was defeated by membership vote. A no smoking ban in the clubhouse and children under 13 not allowed in the bar area or dance floor after 9 p.m. were both approved by membership vote. Fueling regulations were established on a trial basis. |
| 2007 |
Club celebrated its
60th Anniversary. Roster & By-laws on club website. Sale of air space over Round Island and cutting of trees complete. New countertop and faucets in ladies rest room. New wait staff area constructed. Club historical photos display in the bar area. Windows replaced on south balcony. H Dock seawall painted. Dock contracts are now permanent and do not require yearly renewal. Dock crawl is a first year success. Grosse Ile Free Bridge closed from May 15 – December 20. |
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