As I write this, the water level is coming up almost at the pace it is supposed to. Fern Ridge Reservoir should be full by April 15 and if all goes well, it just might be. If not exactly then, it will be soon thereafter. We have probably five feet of water over the toe of the north ramp at the moment and people are sailing dinghies already. Keith Kincaid had his new (to him) fishing boat in a week ago, new members Emory Brown and Claire Lender had their sailboat out last Sunday, and the UO Sailing Team is out practicing weekly. Kudos to them all!
Covid is still in control of the schedule, so the Board has moved a bunch of spring events into the summer. We are optimistic though that we can do most of the social events we usually do this year, if not exactly on the traditional dates. As with everything in the Covid era, dates are in pencil, not ink. The latest version of the calendar is always on the website. I recommend you bookmark it, or you can add our Google calendar to your personal calendar if you wish.
We will be expanding our Youth Program this year. The Board has not quite decided what it is going to look like yet, but we have bought a bunch of boats sized for kids and a new power/coach boat. If you have interest in being part of this program, please contact me or Janell Skeen or Chris Thomas.
A year ago we closed the clubhouse. We have now opened it again but only to one "bubble group" at a time—and you have to clean and disinfect as you leave. One of the new Optimist sailboats is set up inside so you might take a glance at that if you are out.
Remember that we are requiring all members to get in 20 hours of work party between August 1, 2019 and July 31, 2021. Believe it or not, that due date is not really all that far away. Port Commissioners Marji Clune and Bob Pritchard are good at making it fun and safe. Please contact them them if you have questions. The March 20 work party projects include assorted dock projects, old tire float disassembly and removal, and tons of smaller projects to get the club ready for the season.
One of the work party projects is installing the new floating docks that we envision for Lasers. If you are interested in one of these spots for your Laser, please let Port Captain Gordon Mattatall know. You can do this most easily when you fill out your moorage request online at the Members Area of the EYC website. If you have trouble getting in there, please call me (541-321-0332).