New Director Dave Waldo and Work on the Ida May Make the Future Bright
The WaterFront Center for Marine Education and Recreation has just published its 2009-2010 Log. It includes a farewell to Gaye Verdi who has been their executive director for four and a half years. It states, “With calm and understated authority, she always put issues in perspective and did careful homework before reaching a conclusion. These attributes gained her the respect of the staff and board.”
Gaye penned a beautiful memorial for Fritz Coudert, of whom she wrote, “Frederic R. Coudert was unique, ever generous, and always genuine. An epitaph he deserves and on that, having known him, I will aspire to myself.”
Editor and graphic artist Jamie Deming has done a beautiful job in creating this log. It includes art and photography by young sailors. It has lovely stories, educates you about the sea, boats and even the stars. It includes a tide table, a great item if you like to swim at high tide! There is a lovely article about Harvesting Oysters and Clams at Frank M. Flower & Sons, by Jamie Deming.
Things are getting exciting at the WaterFront Center. The WFC has just gotten the key to “J” building on West End Avenue on the Western Waterfront and the ship will soon be safely inside the wooden boat repair/museum facility. The Town of Oyster Bay concluded its work on the building and the NYS DEC gave their approval for the certificate of occupation. The Ida May, a retired Frank M. Flower & Sons, Inc. oyster boat, will find a berth inside the building, which is the wooden boat repair/museum facility. The Ida May will be a great addition to the waterfront fleet especially since it was designed by the late Butler Flower.
“So the wheels are turning,” said a WFC staff member. The log also has mention of the new WaterFront Center executive director David L. Waldo.
It states, “The board of directors welcomes David Waldo to the WaterFront Center as our next executive director. An avid sailor, Dave brings to the center much experience in sailing as a boat owner, racer, coach and head instructor at a large junior summer program on Long Island. His most recent career in commercial real estate gave him experience in communication, sales, marketing and forming contractual agreements with many parties with diverse interests.
“The son of a school teacher, Dave is passionate about the marine environment and committed to providing meaningful educational experiences and access to the water for everyone,” it concludes.
On Monday, June 22 at 10:30 a.m., Dave set sail in the Block Island Race Week. Mr. Waldo’s first day at the WFC is Monday, June 29. “We’re sad to see our old executive director go – Gaye Verdi – but we are happy to have a great replacement in Dave Waldo – a sailor has come aboard,” said a staff member.
The Storm Trysail Club’s Block Island Race Week, one of the premier regattas in the USA, has fielded 153 boats that will compete in IRC, PHRF and One-design classes. The regatta will include the J-122 Inaugural North American Championship, the J-109 East Coast Championship, and the Farr 30 East Coast Championship. There will be starts for the large J-105 class, J-80, J-120, Swan 42, Farr 40, Beneteau 36.7, and the J-44 Class. New this year will be a class start for Sport Boats.
This year proceeds from the raffle will benefit the Rescue squad and the North Light. The grand prize again will be a Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner timepiece with additional prizes supplied by Mount Gay, Gill, Vineyard Vines, Heineken, Bitter End Yacht Club and other Block Island Race Week sponsors. The Storm Trysail Club expressed its appreciation to all the sponsors who donated prizes for the raffle.
With luck, Mr. Waldo will be among the top finishers at the race.
Copies of the log are available at the WaterFront Center office in the brick building at the end of West End Avenue on the Western Waterfront. For more information please call 922-SAIL. The WFC is on the Internet at www.thewaterfrontcenter.org.
