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North Channel Yacht Club is truly the finest, Private, Member’s only Yacht Club on these Great Lakes, from the tip of the cupola on the historic Clubhouse to the unique boating community that makes up its membership. The “Spirit” of the North Channel Yacht Club is in fact characterized by strong Fellowship and Camaraderie of the people associated with this Club both in the past as well as the present.
Jill and I were married in late fall of 1994 where we receive a wedding card from long time member and my cousin Ed and Diane Romatz a name known to many from the NCYC Family. Inside that card was a check made out to North Channel Yacht Club for the amount of the initiation fee so we immediately turned in our application and were added to the waiting list and became members in March of 1995. We had many friends at NCYC we jumped right in with both feet getting involved in club events and the many theme parties and rendezvous and enjoying the camaraderie the club had to offer. In the fall of 1998 I was elected to the 1999 Board of Directors where I served as Membership Director until 2002 when I was elected to Rear Commodore and moved through the Flag seats until I was Commodore in 2004.
My mission is to support the continuation of this club’s respectful tradition, to promote health, safety, fun, and respect for all participants in its membership and most of all to maintain The North Channel ‘Spirit”. My motto is “People who play and work together . . . stay together” therefore my wish for this year is that we have some good, clean and heartfelt fun while relaxing on our “Island in the Sun!”
Here We Go Again! Jill and I along with our family would like to express our appreciation to the Flag, Board of Directors, and the Membership for their continued support Thank You for giving us the opportunity to serve on the Flag and Board of Directors for a 2nd time. “Even more in 2024”.
I could not be prouder than to represent this Awesome Club as Vice Commodore in 2023.
We will Cherish the many Friendships that we have made and continue to make for the rest of our lives.
Respectfully
Commodore/ PC Rick Romatz
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Bill BurkhardtViceCommodore@ncyconline.com
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Susan and I recently got re-acquainted with boating PK (Post Kids). We always loved the lake and being out with friends on the water. We had been by and/or visited the North Channel Yacht Club, (NCYC) and were always taken by the beauty and charm of the island. Never did I think we would ever become members. Then one fateful day, then Commodore Randy Pagel invited us to the island for a visit. Shortly thereafter hounded us relentlessly to join. Looking back we were nervous and really not sure if we were “Yacht Club” people. Once we joined we found the people were warmer and more welcoming than we could have ever imagined. We were both amazed at the comradery and teamwork displayed by the membership.
One of my first memories would happen during, and directly after a storm. That evening, once the storm passed, the island looked like a war zone. Yet the next morning when we awoke, (rather late I might add), it was “like it never happened”. We were so impressed with the community that is NCYC that at that point we were all in.
This has led to both Susan and I serving on the First Mates and NCYC Boards. Our membership has been a rich and rewarding experience for both of us. As your Rear Commodore, I vow to keep the welcoming and fun spirit of the club alive and well. If you are a newer member, get involved you won’t regret it. Start small if you want, the rest will come naturally. The rendezvous’ is a great way to get to meet people and have a lot of fun. I promise the friendships you will make will last a lifetime.
Looking forward to a great 2023.
Bill Burkhardt
Vice Commodore
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Terry Steinmacher
Rear CommodoreRearCommodore@ncyconline.com
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I found out about the North Channel Yacht Club through friends of mine. They constantly spoke about this place they would go to hang out on their parent’s boat. He was the up-and-coming Commodore and enjoyed this island type setting called the North Channel Yacht Club. I found it very intriguing and started asking questions since I was starting to get back into boating and was a single father looking for a place to go other than the bays. I have heard about all the friendships that were formed and the comradery at North Channel. So, in 2012, I filled out my application, was interviewed, I was very impressed with the process and the team that performed my interview. I was accepted shortly after and became a member. My son and I immediately started to enjoy this little piece of heaven called the North Channel Yacht Club. With a fishing pole in hand, my son would cast out and catch pikes, a few walleye, and net an occasional turtle that linger in the depths around the club. I was amazed when he returned that he said a member taught him to use this lure, that bait, and so it begin. I started to participate, offered up my services to cook corn at an event that they called Smoke on The Water. Little did they know I was going to turn it into a corn roast and was welcomed to do so. Prior to the event as I walked around the island as members started showing up on the fins with their BBQ’s/Smokers crated up so they could compete in the rib cook off. I was truly amazed that they went through all this trouble just to do some cooking on the island. It didn’t take long to figure out that these people meant business at this rib cook off event. I was impressed by the club members and how collectively they come together to work either at a club event, or a work party. I have met so many lifelong friends from either being out on the dock cooking on my George Forman, or behind the 5’ grill with my partner in crime Kathy Fowler, dishing out corn, wings, legs, or tending bar. The comradery is second to none when working side by side with members at North Channel events.
I have been known for introducing new cocktails to people I probably shouldn’t have as well as the corn roast, soupy Sunday, matching outfits, shoes, and watches. The supplies Director knowing somehow that Steinmacher was on the island over the weekend by the stock in the liquor room, and another member introducing me to peanut butter and jelly with jalapenos, the first mates persuading me to cook 150 baked potatoes for their event. As I was thinking I was making my mark at North Channel Yacht Club, it was actually making a lifelong mark on me.
I have served as Safety Officer and Harbor and Grounds Director since 2021. When I asked how I should go about this position, I was told to think of it as your own backyard, with a budget to boot. Well that’s all I needed to hear, then the transformation began. I was Elected Rear Commodore in 2023, and looking forward to serving the members. I promise to bring the same passion to the position as I did when serving as Director.
Each member is unique and brings their special talents to the club, so get involved as much as you can and start making your own mark at North Channel Yacht Club. Bring your family and your friends to enjoy this slice of heaven that we call North Channel Yacht Club.
2024 Rear Commodore Terry Steinmacher
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Brian Fringer
2024 Past Commodore
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The North Channel Yacht Club is a little piece of Heaven just up the Channel. “The Island” is what many of us call it and its beautiful four acres provide a warm, welcoming sanctuary. North Channel Yacht Club has something for everyone, from the family atmosphere, to the Clubhouse, the full year- round calendar of events, themed parties, kid’s activities to just relaxing on the back of your boat or an evening socializing at the bar.
I first experienced North Channel Yacht Club on a brisk, Saturday morning when I was invited to come to a work party. Like me, you may be thinking work and party don’t usually go hand in hand, but everyone was so welcoming and friendly and although it was hard work, it really was a party. I was impressed by the North Channel Yacht Club and the members that day as they collectively came together to work on a project to improve their beloved club.
Participating in and contributing to the North Channel Yacht Club has become one of the most rewarding experiences I have had in my life! As a working club, the members have great pride and working toward a common goal creates strong bonds and lifelong friendships.
Welcome to those of you who are first-year members, I am anxious to meet and get to know you. I encourage you to immerse yourself in the wonderful offerings and activities this boating season. Each member of North Channel Yacht Club brings their unique talents and contributions that are essential to making the club successful and enjoyable. Here at North Channel Yacht Club there are no strangers, only friends you haven’t met yet!
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