November 2025

Commodore Clawson

Message from the Commodore
As the boating season winds down and the cool fall air rolls in, I find myself reflecting on what an amazing year it’s been for our club. From Opening Day all the way through our fall gatherings, 2025 has been full of laughter, good food, calm seas, and wonderful memories shared among friends.
Thank you to every member who participated, volunteered, or hosted this year — you’re what makes SYC more than a boating club; you make it a family.


Upcoming Events
🍽️ Fall Membership Meeting and Dinner – November 8th
Join us at the clubhouse for our annual fall meeting at 4 pm. We’ll review the season, share updates, and enjoy a hearty potluck dinner together. Please bring a main dish, side dish, or a dessert to share. Meeting at 4 pm, BYOB Happy Hour at 5 pm, and Potluck dinner at 6 pm.
🦌 SYC Reindeer Romp – November 21st
Let’s get this party started! Ladies will meet at COA at 3 pm for $5 margaritas and tacos, followed by local shopping in downtown La Conner. Guys and gals will gather at the clubhouse at 7 pm for dinner and prizes. RSVP to [email protected].
🎄 Holiday Decorating Party – December 7th
Bring your sparkle and spirit as we decorate the clubhouse for the holidays beginning at 9:30 am. Friendship, snacks, and Christmas tunes will make it a fun and festive! Lunch provided.
⚓ Christmas Boat Parade – December 13th
Add some bling and light to your boat and join in the annual Christmas boat parade. Theme this year is I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas! Captains meeting at 5 pm; parade at 6 pm with dinner and Santa to follow. RSVP to [email protected].


Club News & Announcements
• Rear Commodore Selection: The Nominating committee has finalized nominations for this important position — thank you to everyone serving on the committee. Additional nominations will be accepted at the Fall Membership Meeting.
• Boating Family of the Year: Our 2025 Boating Family of the Year will be revealed at the Fall Membership meeting in November — stay tuned!
• Event Hosts Needed: The 2026 cruise and event calendar is being built! If you’d like to host or co-host an event, reach out to any bridge or board member. Hosting is one of the best ways to meet new members and give back to the club.


Member Spotlight 🌟
This month we want to recognize all of our 2025 event hosts! You’ve made this season one of the best yet — full of creativity, camaraderie, and fun. From Fisherman’s Bay to Roche Harbor, Anacortes to Ganges, every event was made special because of you.
Thank you for putting in the time and effort to keep SYC traditions alive and thriving.


Closing Note
As we head into the holidays, I hope you all take some time to rest, reflect, and enjoy the company of family and friends. Whether your boat is tucked away for the winter or you’re still chasing those crisp November sunsets, know that you’re part of something special here at SYC.
Here’s to another great year on the water — and to the adventures waiting just over the horizon.
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Fair winds and following seas,

Tyler Clawson
Commodore, SYC
NJoy More ⚓



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Vice Commodore Jensen

A Warm Welcome from the Holidays Ahead
As the crisp November winds sweep across the Salish Sea, we at the Swinomish Yacht Club turn our thoughts to the joys of the holiday season. With Thanksgiving just around the corner and the twinkling lights of winter festivities on the horizon, it's the perfect time to gather with loved ones—both on land and at the dock. Whether you're hosting a cozy turkey dinner aboard your vessel or joining club members for a holiday gathering, let's celebrate the bounty of the sea and the warmth of shared traditions.

The Heart of Our Boating Family
What truly makes the Swinomish Yacht Club special is the deep friendships and common bonds that tie us together as a boating family. From sunrise cruises spotting wildlife in the Puget Sound to late-night stories on the dock under the stars, we've weathered storms and chased sunsets side by side. These shared adventures—maintaining our moorings, organizing cruises, and supporting one another through every tide—forge connections that last a lifetime. In this season of gratitude, we honor the laughter, the helping hands, and the unbreakable spirit of our community.

Holiday Boating Recipes: Galley Favorites

Warm up your crew with these easy, dockside recipes featuring fresh Pacific Northwest flavors:

• Salmon Chowder (Serves 4): Sauté 1 diced onion and 2 celery stalks in butter aboard your galley. Add 2 cups diced potatoes, 2 cups clam juice, and simmer for 15 mins. Stir in 1 lb smoked salmon chunks, 1 cup cream, dill, and salt/pepper. Heat gently—perfect for a chilly cruise!
  

• Hot Mulled Cider (Non-Alcoholic Twist): In a pot, combine 8 cups apple cider, cinnamon sticks, orange slices, cloves, and star anise. Simmer for 20 mins on low. Add a splash of cranberry juice for festive color. Serve in mugs while admiring holiday lights from the helm.
  

• One-Pot Cranberry Pilaf: Cook 1 cup rice in chicken broth with sautéed garlic and ½ cup dried cranberries. Fold in toasted pecans and fresh herbs. A hearty side for turkey or fish, prepped in under 30 mins.
  

Join the Magic December 13th: Decorate and Parade!
Members, dust off your holiday lights and get creative. It’s time to deck out your boats with festive decorations! Please plan to participate in our highly anticipated annual Christmas Lighted Boat Parade along the La Conner waterfront, where the community eagerly looks forward to seeing our dazzling fleet glide by. It's a sparkling tradition that brings joy to spectators ashore and strengthens our boating bonds. Details coming very soon— please sign up early!
Holiday Cheers from your Vice Commodore-​

​Cheers,
Aaron Jensen 
Vice Commodore 2025

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Rear Commodore Witzel

Last weekend I spent time going to many of the local businesses along La Conner’s waterfront to hand out information and hang flyers about this year's Lighted Christmas Parade. Everyone I spoke with was excited and couldn't wait to see all our boats lit up.
As I said in my email, we will be having our annual soup and salad dinner along with desserts. I am looking for volunteers to make soups and desserts. We will also have a special visitor for our young ones. If you plan on having little kids attend our party, please send me their name, age, and gender so Santa can address them properly.
If you plan on having your boat in the parade, or know of someone else who would like to join the parade, please email [email protected] so we can prepare. The theme is “Dreaming of a White Christmas". I can't wait to see how creative everyone is with their decor. I know I'm just wishing for snow.❄️☃️❄️ There will be a prize for the boat who best embraces the theme.
I’d like to end with a message of thanks. Over the past year, I've worked with a variety of members on different events. Each event has been fun to participate with but the real joy was getting to make new friends. That is something I am truly thankful for.

Rear-Commodore Witzel

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​Open Board Positions – we have 2 open Board positions.  We are still looking for a Communications Director and a Web Content Director.  Both these jobs sound like a lot of work but aren’t and can be very rewarding.  As Communications Director you would get to create the Newsletter and event flyers (as needed).  As the Web Content Director, you would work with our Webmaster to keep our website up to date and inviting to the public and our members.  Please reach out to anyone on the Board if you would like more information on either position.

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Craig and Milly Pollock - They heard about us from the Britts and just finished their first year cruising our waters after many years boating on SF Bay.

How to spread the word.

Want to send an email to the whole membership? You can do that using [email protected]

Want to send an email to the Flag Officers or the Board?  You can email [email protected] or [email protected] . Both emails go to the same place and are monitored by the Flag officers. Then the Flag officers would forward it to the Board. You can also email each Officer or Board member directly.

Join the fun and host an event.

Thinking of hosting an event this upcoming fall, there are many themed decorations available for use including: fiesta, Mardi gras, St. Patrick's Day, Hawaiian/ tropical, American, casino, and various others. There are also vases, table cloths, various rocks, stones and sand, lanterns, and flowers that can be used. If you feel like volunteering but aren't sure what can be used, please reach out to Aaron, our home event Commodore, for assistance.

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UPCOMING EVENTS