97th Annual D.R.Y.L. Banquet
This year the affair was
February 26th and once again was held at Cannstster’s German Club in
Philadelphia.
The attendance this year was
the largest we have seen in many years. Close
to 200 people came out to spend an evening among friends from their own clubs
as well as to spend some time with friends from other clubs. Thanks has to go out
to the 22 clubs from the league that showed up in support of the league. Kudos has to go out to Wissinoming YC,
Neshaminy Harbor YC and Anchor YC who had almost 65 members attend between
these 3 fine clubs. What a great show of
support!
As always, the cocktail hour
flies by and before you know it, the DRYL Officers are being introduced and
sworn in, and the Prime Rib or Stuffed Flounder is served. After dinner the dance floor gets going with
the beautiful ladies from our clubs showing their abilities to ‘cut the rug’. Let me not forget to mention the guys as well
who showed they could dance with the best of them. One in particular – RWYC Commodore Ben Lewitt
shows all the guys up with his Line Dance and Cha-Cha moves. I hear Ben will be holding dance classes this
spring J
The ceremony
starts when our MC – the one and only IPP Bob Bocock introduces me and I
welcome our CBYCA guests and our club members.
I had the honor of presenting The Person of the Year Award to Nick Casey
from Yapewi AC for his efforts with the NJ Riparian Fee increase. GST President Mike Smith presented the GST /
DRYL Club Of the Year to West End BC for their work
with Yachtstock which benefits families with sickly children who have little or
no insurance. I gave thanks and my part
of the evening was done, at least I thought it was – before I could even get back
to my seat, I hear Denise Leo ask the Officers to come up. I was blindsided and floored when I was
presented The DRYLs First Humanitarian Award.
Took a lot of power to keep my eyes from watering while
Denise read from her notes.
Pageant Head, Toni Nespola
intro’d the Princesses and then our Queen Rebecca spoke to the group and proved
again how the judges always seem to pick the right Princess to represent our
league. She is a beautiful, smart and
sincere young lady who is doing a great job in her reign as Queen.
Picnic Head, Marie Housworth then
gave out the Von Nieda Picnic Club Tournament Trophies to:
Bridesburg OC – Horseshoes
Pennsylvania YC – Ladies Tug-A-War
Bridesburg OC – Men’s Tug –A-War
Wissinoming YC – Volleyball
Congrats to these clubs …. Oh-
wait a sec- did I forget one - ??? Oh
yeah Quoits - guess
who won this tournament?? The same club
that has dominated this event for DECADES !!! Yes, Yapewi AC once again won this years ring toss game. They are unbeatable at this game.
The fun and dancing continued
until the winners were announced of the raffle, door prizes and 50-50. After which, the dance floor was
jumping! You would have thought they
were taping a Dancing With The Stars show – some had some great moves – ala Ben
– and some, well, let’s say the nectar of the gods makes people do funny
things J
If you attended, I hope you
enjoyed yourself.
It was a GREAT evening and 2
people that have to be thanked are Joanne Coyne and my wife Mary for putting
this event together for us. They did a
tremendous job for us!
Below are some pictures from
the event.
Thanks to our on the spot DRYL
Photographers Candyce & John…..
