Commodores Update: Urgent - Do not use any faucets or toilets at the club house

WRBC Members:

Due to a pump failure for the water system at the club house we are asking that you not use any of the sinks or toilets until further notice. The city has been contacted and we are hoping this will be resolved in the next few days. Once this is resolved, another message will be sent out to update everyone.

Thank you for your understanding with this!

Mike Hill

WRBC Commodore

SUBJECTS: NO MORE MEETINGS UNTIL JANUARY 26, 2021- WRBC TO MEET WITH THE CITY OF WHITING - IN MEMORY OF BOAT CLUB MEMBERS: JOHN D. BRECLAW AND JEFFERY J. SLIVKA - ELECTION DINNER 1-26-2021 - SUPER BOWL PARTY 2021

TO:    WRBC MEMBERS

RE:    NO MORE MEETINGS UNTIL JANUARY 26, 2021

Another year has come to an end. For most of you who are season Boat Club Members you know that we do not have scheduled meetings for the Months of November and December do to hunting and holidays.  But remember, you can continue using the Boat Club building during the Months of November and December.

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RE:    WRBC TO MEETING WITH THE CITY OF WHITING

As most of you know and some don't, this is our 5th year that we have had possession of our Boat Club Building at Whiting Parks Whihala Beach.  We will shortly be meeting with the City of Whiting to discuss our next 5 years rent agreement and any changes that may effect us during that time period.  We will also be discussing the issue of our 24/7 drive in access to Whiting Park and the Boat Club Building, as we have had this access for the past 66 years.

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RE:  IN MEMORY OF:  BOAT CLUB MEMBERS JOHN D. BRECLAW AND JEFFERY J. SLIVKA    

I am sad to announce we have lost 2 Boat Club Members not to the virus but do to existing medical conditions. John D. Breclaw and Jeffery Slivka were Boat Club Members for many years.

John D. Breclaw passed on October 18, 2020.  He was a retired Attorney.  A card was sent to his immediate family.

For those of you who remember Jeffery J. Slivka, might have fond memories of him being involved with our club. He passed away on October 29, 2020 at home peacefully. We have sent a donation and card In Memory of Jeffery to the Whiting-Robertsdale Food Pantry as was requested in his obituary.  

You can find both obituaries on-line by clicking the below websites.

John D. Breclaw - https://www.hillsidefhcares.com/obituary/John-Breclaw

Jeffery J. Slivak - https://www.baranfh.com/obituary/Jeffery-Slivka

2020 has not been a very kind year to any of us and our country included. We have experienced devastating consequences from the Covid-19 Virus.  Hopefully there will be a vaccine developed for use in the near future so we can put a close to an end of this devastating disease.

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RE:   TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2021 ELECTION DINNER

This note is especially for all you newbies who have just recently joined our Boat Club. Boat Club Members will meet again in January, 2021 for our Election Dinner at the American Legion, Post 80, 2003 Indianapolis Boulevard, in Whiting, Indiana across from the Walgreens Parking Lot. Per management, please do not park and overload the Walgreens Parking Lot, for the manager will have vehicles towed at your expense.

The doors will open at the Whiting American Legion, Post 80 at 6PM.  Food and drinks will be provided.

At the Election Dinner you may pay your WRBC Membership dues and receive your City of Whiting Parking Sticker. Again, Adi Cruz from the City of Whiting will be in attendance with our City Parking Stickers for anyone who is going attend the Election Dinner 2021.  In addition, if you have any desserts that you would like to donate or bring to the Election Dinner, that would be appreciated.

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RE:    WRBC SUPER BOWL PARTY IN FEBRUARY, 2021

We again will try to have a Super Bowl Party at our Boat Club building in February as we have had in the past few years.

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Hope to see you all on Tuesday, January 26, 2021 at the Whiting American Legion, Post 80 for the Election Dinner.  Doors open at 6PM.

I will keep you all to date on any and all changes that effect our club between now and January, 2021.

Yo and I, the Board of Directors and Officers would like to wish you all a HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON!

Take Care & Stay Well,

Mike Hill

WRBC Commodore

COMMODORES UPDATE: KIDS FISH DAY - MONTHLY MEETING - PARK ENTRY & EXIT - NEW TRANSIENT PIER - RIP: MICHAEL "MIK' WISNIEWSKI

 TO:    ALL WRBC MEMBERS

RE: KIDS FISHING DAY - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2020 AT 9AM TO 12 NOON AT THE HAMMOND MARINA

Just a reminder that this coming Saturday, September 26, 2020, at 9AM at the Hammond Marina will be our 6th Annual Kids Fishing Day Event.

It will start at 9AM and end at 12 Noon.  We can still use any and all volunteers who are willing to help.

If you can help, please be at the Hammond Marina by 8AM to help set up and get this event started.

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RE: MONTHLY MEETING TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2020 AT 7PM AND PARK ENTRY & EXIT

We have been given permission to hold our meeting at our Club Building.

If you are going to arrive BEFORE 6:30PM, you can still come through the 117th Street, Whiting Park entrance.

If you are going to arrive AFTER 6:30PM, you will have to come into Whiting Park from the Front Street, Whiting Park entrance off of 119th Street, by Mascot Hall.

We will discuss at the meeting some further updates and it was asked that we all leave as a group when our meeting agenda is complete. After the meeting, we will all have to EXIT Whiting Park from Front Street, by Mascot Hall.

This permission for us to meet is only for the meeting day. We still have to abide by the City's timeline for the Whiting Park which is 7AM to 6:30PM. 

We have one more meeting in October before we adjourn till next year, January 26, 2021, which will be our Election Dinner.

Hope to see you all at next week's meeting.

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RE:    NEW TRANSIENT PIER

If anyone has been through Whiting Park recently, you may have noticed that the City of Whiting has purchased and installed a brand-new transient pier that models the old pier.  The big difference with this one is that it can be put in place in the Spring and removed in the Fall.  Each section has wheels so it can be completely removed and stored in the Winter. It really is an extremely nice pier.

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RE:    RIP:    MICHAEL "MIK" WISNIEWSKI

                                          

Unfortunately we have lost another long term WRBC Member, Mike "Mik" Wisniewski. He passed away on Sunday, September 20, 2020.  He was a long time Boat Club Member in good standing. Mik contributed greatly to our club as the Boat Clubs cook.  In the past, he cooked most of our meals, dock party included, and Mik took care of making sure everything was cooked to order.  He will be missed.

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Thank you for your cooperation in these matters.

Mike Hill

WRBC Commodore

COMMODORES UPDATE: DOCK PARTY - WHITING PARK NOW OPEN - BOAT CLUB MEETING 9-29-2020 & PARKING

TO:    ALL WRBC MEMBERS

RE: DOCK PARTY

Just a short note to thank everyone who attended this year's dock party on Saturday, September 12, 2020. Even though the weather was not the greatest we managed to pull off another really fantastic event. For all of you who attended and for those who did not, we actually did get a break in the weather and it really turned out to be great. The food was fantastic and as always, we had many great prizes and the raffle.

I want to especially thank everyone who helped set up and especially the ladies as they always do a great job at this event. Thank you for all who stuck around to help clean up and put everything away.

I want to also thank everyone who brought desserts and salads as this was a very important part that makes this event a success.

I hope you all had a really good time.

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RE: WHITING PARK NOW OPEN FROM 7AM to 6:30 PM BUT WHIHALA BEACH STILL REMAINS CLOSED

I was informed by the City of Whiting that Whiting Park is now open to vehicular traffic starting Monday, September 14, 2020 7AM to 6:30PM every day. Whihala Beach still remains closed.

As you all know, gates have been installed at the entrances to Whiting Park for what I have been told is for the park's security.

The Whiting Park gates will be open from 7AM to 6:30PM every day of the week. This includes boat launching and access to the ramps. I was informed that the Boat Club will have to follow this time frame for the time being. So please comply with this request. For now, if you do not comply with these times, you will be subject to having your vehicle towed at your expense.

Also, please make sure you have your boat club parking sticker on your vehicle.  You will be subject to having your vehicle towed at your expense.

Whihala Beach will still remain closed till probably next year 2021.

When there is an update to these requirements, I will inform everyone.

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RE: BOAT CLUB MEETING TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2020 at 7PM & PARKING

As a reminder our next meeting will be held at the boat club building on Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at 7PM. We will work with the City to ensure that we have access to parking at our building for this meeting.

If anything changes, I will let you know.

Mike Hill,

WRBC COMMODORE

COMMODORES UPDATE - SUBJECTS: DOCK PARTY WILL BE HELD - THE KIDS FISHING DAY

TO: ALL BOAT CLUB MEMBERS RE: DOCK PARTY WILL BE HELD SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2020 AT 2PM

For those of you who attended the last Boat Club Meeting on August 25, 2020, we put to a vote that this years dock party would only be held if there was a minimum of 50 members who submitted their attendance forms indicating that they and their guests would attend. As of this date, we have received 56 responses of Members and Guests who will be attending. So this years dock party will be held.

Again, for everyone who is going to attend, we are asking that you bring a dessert and/or salad. We are working now on insuring that everyone can drive in and park at our club building parking lot.

In addition, we are looking for a few volunteers to come to the club building to help set up at around 10AM Saturday, September 12, 2020.

If you still have outstanding raffle tickets, please get them either to my office in the Boat Club building and slide under the door or mail to: WRBC P. O. Box 749, Whiting, IN 46394. We will accept them also the day of the dock party prior to 6PM.

Just a reminder the party starts at 2PM. Dinner at 4PM and the Raffle Drawing at 6PM.

With the Corona Virus, if you feel that you need to wear a mask, please bring one. The Boat Club WILL NOT be providing masks.

IF YOU ARE NOT FEELING WELL, PLEASE DO NOT ATTEND THIS EVENT.

We will do everything to attempt social distancing. Temperatures will be taken for everyone as you sign in. The Boat Club has purchased a thermal temperature gauge and we will be taking everyone's temperature at the check in. You and Guests will be asked to sign a sign in sheet as you are checked in.

This has been an extremely strange and difficult year for the entire nation as you are aware. We would like to finish our year as in the past with our annual dock party.

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  RE: ANNUAL KIDS FISHING DAY - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2020

We are again this year going to hold our Annual Kids Fishing Day outing on Saturday, September 26, 2020. We do need a good turn out of volunteers for this event to be effective this year. So please, if you can volunteer, be at the Hammond Marina by the launch area at 8AM the morning of Saturday, September 26, 2020. We are expecting approximately 30 children and parents.

As in the past we will supply food, drinks and snacks for all.

If you have any questions, or would like to volunteer, please contact Jim Madison at (219) 776-0335 or Bob Mehok at (219) 644-9454 or Myself at (219) 937-2211.

Masks are recommended but WILL NOT be supplied by the Boat Club. We will be taking thermal temperatures of everyone as they are signed in.

Lets make this strenuous year end on a positive note for our club and the future of fishing "the children".

Thank you in advance for anyone willing to help with this event. Be safe and thank your for your cooperation in these matters.

Hope to see you there,

Mike Hill

WRBC Commodore

COMMODORES UPDATE: SUBJECT - WRBC DOCK PARTY 2020 & RAFFLE TICKETS

TO:    ALL WRBC MEMBERS

RE: WRBC DOCK PARTY SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2020

For those of you who were not at our last meeting of August 25, 2020, it was voted on and determined that IF WE DO NOT have a minimum of 50 people interested in attending this years WRBC Dock Party, then IT WILL BE CANCELED for this year and it will be rescheduled for next year 2021. Currently we have only received and acquired at the meeting a total of 28 confirmed responses.

YOU HAVE UNTIL TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2020 TO GET YOUR RESPONSES IN IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO ATTEND. 

 After Tuesday, September 1st, I will give a 2nd update as to if we are going to hold the Dock Party this year or not.

If you are planning to attend and need to confirm, you can also call Bob Mehok at (219) 644-9454 or Mike Szralka at (773) 852-4136 or the Myself at (219) 937-2211.

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RE: RAFFLE TICKET STUBS

We will still conduct the Raffle this year since seeing that everyone has turned in their Raffle Ticket Stubs and any extras that have been sold. If it is determined that the Dock Party will not be held, the Board Members will conduct the Raffle and the winners will be notified.

If you are still holding Raffle Ticket Stubs, be sure to have your Raffle Ticket Stubs submitted to the Boat Club by Friday, September 11, 2020.

You can either MAIL the Raffle Ticket Stubs to: WRBC P.O. Box 749 Whiting, IN 46394 OR BRING the Raffle Ticket Stubs to the WRBC Building in an envelope and slide them under the Commodores Office door. I will ensure that the Raffle Ticket Stubs will be placed into the raffle ticket mixing drum cage.

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This has been an unfortunate year with the Covid-19 Virus and there are many concerns with holding an event of a large gathering of participants. 

 I appreciate everyone's patience concerning this event. Thank you all for your cooperation in this matter.

Mike Hill

WRBC Commodore

AUGUST MEETING - BUILDING CLEAN UP - KIDS FISHING DAY - WRBC DOCK PARTY - PARKING UPDATE

TO: WRBC MEMBERS

RE:  AUGUST MEETING

We will again have our regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, August 25, 2020 at 7PM at the WRBC building. As of now you will still have to park at the football field and walk in. I will call tomorrow Monday to see if anything has changed, and will let you know if it has.

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RE:    BUILDING CLEAN UP SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 2020

We have planned to have a building clean up like we do every year for next Saturday,  August 29, 2020. There has been a sign-up sheet at the boat club building which many of you have signed up for. This is still on. Please plan to meet at around 10AM to do a thorough inside and outside cleaning. This always helps us keep the club in the same condition as when it was handed over to us. I appreciate any and all help that we can get.

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RE:    KIDS FISHING DAY

Unless there is a drastic change, we are still planning to hold our Annual Kids Fishing Day Event at the Hammond Marina on Saturday, September 26, 2020 from 9am to 12PM-Noon. We really need as many volunteers as we can get to make this a great success. If you can help, there is a sign-up sheet at the boat club building or contact Jim Madison at (219) 776-0335 or myself at (219) 937-2211 or Bob Mehok at (219) 644-9454. Also, this will be Jim Madison's last year in totally running this event. We are desperately looking for a volunteer to take over the Kids Fishing Day.  Once a new volunteer takes over, Jim will help guide the person through everything and anything that is required to run this great event that he initiated. It is one of the boat clubs best public events that we give back to the community.

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RE:    END OF YEAR WRBC DOCK PARTY - RAFFLE AND VOLUNTEERS

The date of the WRBC Dock Party is Saturday, September 12, 2020 beginning at 2PM.  Dinner will be served at around 4PM and the Raffle at 6PM. The City has allowed the Boat Club to park in the Whihala Beach Parking Lot in front of the WRBC building for our event.  Please make sure you have your WRBC Whiting Park Parking Sticker on your vehicle drivers side windshield. 

If we are going to have a successful WRBC Dock Party this year, we need to have you all send your confirmation slip with number of guests asap so we can get an accurate count of how many attendees are going to be at this event. The Boat Club Member and 3 guests will be free to the Dock Party.  Additional guests will be a cost of $10 per guest. We currently have only 3 responses. Without these confirmation slips we cannot order an accurate amount of food. If there is not a strong response for this party, we will cancel it until next year. We are asking Boat Club Members that attend to either bring a salad or desert. Please make a note of your choice on the confirmation slip you are submitting. If within the next week or two we get a good response and decide to go forward with the Dock Party, we again will ask for volunteers to help with set up, running and clean up.  I will let you know in advance whether this event will take place.

Again, if we do not receive an ample amount of confirmation slips we will probably choose to cancel the the Dock Party until next year.  If the Dock Party is canceled, the Board and Officers will meet to conduct the Raffle that everyone has submitted tickets to.  Winners of the Raffle will be contacted.

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RE:    PARKING UPDATE & 24-7 ACCESS

Over the last month I have been in contact with Mayor Joe Stahura about the issue of allowing our Boat Club to not only park but to have 24-7 access to the parking area and the launch. I was given a specific contact, Mike Nastav, Supervisor of the Parks. I have met with him on several occasions. The Boat Club has provided 2 Marine Brass Locks and 2 six-foot Heavy Aircraft Cables. Until the gates are installed at the Park, we are still required to park at the football field parking lot and walk to the boat club building.  Once the gates are installed, Mike Nastav and I will determine how to manage Boat Club Members access that we have always had 24-7 to the parking area. At this time, I don't want to make any promises. Once I know what we have agreed to, I will inform everyone how to proceed and the rules that will be involved in allowing us access. I am asking you at this point to be patient with me, as this is a very sensitive issue. I want to thank you all for your patience through these unsettling times. 

I would like to thank City of Whiting's Mayor Joe Stahura for his continued support of the WRBC. Thank you for your cooperation in these matters. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Mike Hill

 WRBC Commodore

SUBJECTS: 2ND UPDATE ON CLOSURE OF WHITING PARK AND WHIHALA BEACH - ALTERNATE FREE PARKING FOR WRBC MEMBERS & WALKING TO THE WRBC BUILDING - 2020 WHITING PARK STICKER OR 2020 WRBC PARK STICKER - WRBC MONTHLY MEETING 7- 28-2020 - NEW SKID PIER & CURRENT LAUNCH PIER - ACCESS TO HAMMOND MARINA BOAT LAUNCH DURING WHITING PARK CLOSURE

COMMODORES UPDATE

TO:    ALL WRBC MEMBERS

RE:    2ND UPDATE ON CLOSURE OF WHITING PARK AND WHIHALA BEACH
        
After speaking with Whiting Mayor Joe Stahura, he has informed me that there will be no vehicle traffic allowed into Whiting Park or Whihala Beach area for at least 2 to possibly 4 weeks. BUT all bike and walking trails will remain open for pedestrian use. Within 2-4 weeks, I was told that the vehicular traffic will be allowed back in the park, but again, only vehicles with current 2020 Park Stickers on them either City or Boat Club will be able to enter and launch at our facility again. I understand and so does the Mayor that this is a short-term inconvenience, but it will be resolved as he stated to me, he has to gain some sort of control for all the influx coming in to the park from our neighboring state of Illinois. The good news also is that the Mayor has confirmed that he realizes that we do have 24-7 access to the boat club building, launch and the park, but he will have to figure out how to manage this.  There are 4 gates being presently installed for traffic control In and Out of the park.  From what I was told, one gate will always be open.  He will get back to me in a few weeks on exactly how we will manage our 24-7 access.

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RE:    ALTERNATE FREE PARKING FOR WHITING-ROBERTSDALE BOAT CLUB (WRBC) MEMBERS & WALKING TO THE WRBC BUILDING

The Mayor has also informed me that as long as you have a 2020 Whiting-Robertsdale Park Sticker or a 2020 WRBC Park Sticker attached to your vehicle windshield, you will be able to PARK FOR FREE in the Whiting High School football stadium parking lot area and at the baseball field parking area which is located across the street from the Whiting High School football stadium parking lot located before the Whiting Park entrance by the railroad tracks. This being said, you are allowed to park in these areas during the parks closure, but you will have to walk across the railroad tracks, enter Whiting Park and walk to theWRBC building if you want to use our facility.
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RE:    2020 WHITING PARK STICKER OR 2020 WRBC PARK STICKER

I want to reiterate the importance of having a Whiting Park Sticker on your windshield.  If you have not picked yours up yet from the City of Whiting, City Hall, please do so.  You will have to show your current 2020 WRBC Membership Card in order to receive your 2020 WRBC Park Sticker from City Hall.  Once you get your sticker, adhere it onto the driver's side, lower left edge part of the windshield. The park employees and security have been notified that there will be NO ACCEPTIONS to this rule from here on out.  If you do not have a 2020 Park Sticker on your windshield YOU WILL BE TICKETED, NO QUESTIONS ASKED.  This ticket will now cost you $200.  The Boat Club will not reimburse you for any parking violations occurred. So please be sure you have your sticker adhered on your vehicle's windshield.

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RE:    WRBC MONTHLY MEETING 7-28-2020

We are going to hold this month's Tuesday, July 28, 2020 meeting at 7:00 at our Boat Club building. But again, you will have to park outside the Park's entrance in the lots provided and walk into the building area in the Park.
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RE:    NEW SKID PIER & CURRENT LAUNCH PIER

There will be a new skid pier put in within the next couple weeks to help the congestion that has been experienced, especially on weekends for launching. The current launch pier that is there will stay in permanently and the Mayor said he is going to attempt to raise the concrete gang plank that is currently under water to get it above water.

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RE:    ACCESS TO HAMMOND MARINA BOAT LAUNCH DURING WHITING PARK CLOSURE

More good news, I spoke with Port Authority Director, Milan Kruszynski, at the Hammond Marina about our situation.  As he has always done in the past, he will again work with the Boat Club, and we have permission to launch at the Hammond Marina FREE OF CHARGE till the end of the year if needed. This launching is for all 2020 WRBC Members in the State of Indiana and Illinois. I have given him a complete current 2020 WRBC Membership List, and you will have to show your current 2020 WRBC Membership Card to gain access.  If you forget your card or for any other reason they don't want to allow you in, please do not argue with the employees at the booth entrance at the Marina.  Give me a call and we will work this out.

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Thank you all for your patience, if there is any change or update, I will let you all know.

Please continue to access the Boat Clubs Website to keep updated on current matters, photos, etc.

Thank you for your cooperation in these matters.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me.

Mike Hill

WRBC Commodore

SUBJECT: CLOSURE OF WHITING PARK & WHIHALA BEACH DURING COVID-19

TO:    WRBC MEMBERS

It has been brought to my attention today Monday, July 13, 2020 

from the City of Whiting, that as of Wednesday, July 15, 2020 Mayor Joe Stahura has decided to close all vehicular traffic from entering Whiting Park and Whihala Beach. This includes all trailers and launching at the dock.  

All bike and walking trails will remain open for pedestrian use. I don't know how long this closure will last.  I was told probably a week to maybe longer.

So this closure may affect this months meeting on Tuesday, July 28, 2020.

I want you all to know, that I have attempted to contact Mayor Stahura today and am awaiting his return call. I understand his concerns with all the traffic that has been coming in from Illinois.

I am hoping to speak with the Mayor soon.  As I get more information I will keep you all posted.

Here is a link to the Mayors decision to close Whiting Park and Whihala Beach.

http://www.whitingindiana.com/news/whihala-beach-closed-beginning-july-15-2020-notice/

Thanks,

Mike Hill

WRBC Commodore

COMMODORES UPDATE - SUBJECTS: BEACH CLEAN UP - PERCH DERBY - BUILDING CLEAN UP - KIDS FISHING DAY - MEMBERSHIP DUES - 2020 WHITING PARKING STICKER

TO:  WRBC MEMBERS

RE:    WRBC BEACH CLEAN UP

I have been in contact with Jim Hoop and Mike Turnipseed about the upcoming Beach Clean Up. It has been decided that we will conduct a beach clean up on Whihala Beach scheduled for Saturday, June 27, 2020 at 10AM. Rain Date will be on Sunday, June 28, 2020 at 10AM.  Please meet at the Boat Club building. There is a sign up sheet currently at the Boat Club building, but if you want to participate, please just show up as this will help our continued support for the City of Whiting.  Bags will be provided and a lunch. Lets have a great turn out because the North winds have really piled up a lot of junk along the entire beach.

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RE:    WRBC PERCH DERBY

After speaking with Mike Zavesky we have decided to proceed with having our annual Perch Derby on Saturday, July 11, 2020 at 6:30AM to 1:30PM.  Rain Date will be Sunday, July 12, 2020. Please disregard the date that you may have received in your Membership envelopes. That date is wrong. All the other information on the form is correct. I am sure Mike will accept any boats who are interested in being included in this contest the day of the Derby. For more information or questions regarding the Perch Derby, please contact Mike Zavesky at (708) 259-9009.

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RE:    WRBC BUILDING CLEAN  UP

 

As we do every year we want to keep our Boat Club building as clean as possible. I am asking for volunteers who are willing to spend a little time helping clean the inside and the outside of our building. I am sure anyone who has been in the building can see that the dust and dirt is beginning to accumulate and is needed to be scrubbed down, cleaned and decontaminated especially with this Covid-19. There is a sign up sheet for anyone who would be willing to volunteer.  There is no current date set at this time, but it will most likely be at the end of August or early September.  So please keep your calendars open.

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RE:    WRBC KIDS FISHING DAY 

Kids Fishing Day is still scheduled for Saturday, September 26, 2020.  It will be held at the Hammond Marina.  Again, there is a sign up sheet for anyone wanting to volunteer.  Do to this years pandemic, we truly need as many volunteers as possible.
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RE:    WRBC 2020 MEMBERSHIP DUES

Bob Mehok has informed me that only 109 WRBC Members have paid their dues.  We have an outstanding number of 49 Members who are delinquent.  We will not assess any late fee for anyone who has not paid so far. 

Please mail in your dues/payment to: 

Bob Mehok, 9838 Red Bud Road, Munster, IN 46321 OR  pay your dues in person at the next Boat Club meeting on Tuesday, June 30, 2020 at 7PM. 

When you receive your new 2020 WRBC Membership Card, please go to Whiting City Hall to pick up your 2020 Whiting Parking Sticker. Please keep in mind without a strong membership this club could be on the brink of dissolving.

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RE:     2020 WHITING PARKING STICKER

Whiting City Hall is now open for business. If you have not picked up your 2020 Whiting Parking Sticker from Whiting City Hall, please do so as soon as possible. 

Please make sure you have your 2020 WRBC Membership Card on your person to show the City Clerk. Without the WRBC Membership Card, you will not be permitted to get your current Whiting Parking Sticker.

The City of Whiting is ticketing vehicles with old 2019 Parking Stickers that are no longer valid.  

If your vehicle does not have a current 2020 Whiting Parking Sticker on it, you may be ticketed with a fine and or worse your vehicle will be towed away.
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I want to thank you all in advance for anything that you may be willing to volunteer for.

Please keep in mind that we are at this point back to normal conducting meetings on the last Tuesday of every month at 7PM held at the WRBC building. Hope to see you all on Tuesday, June 30, 2020 at 7PM.

Mike Hill
WRBC Commodore

COMMODORES UPDATE 5-21-2020 - RE SUBJECTS: THIS MONTHS MEETING 5-26-2020 - THE HARBOR - BOAT INSPECTION - KIDS FISHING DAY

RE:    THIS MONTHS MEETING 5-26-2020

I have decided that at this stage of the Covid-19 virus that we should be safe enough to finally hold a monthly meeting.  We will meet at the Boat Club building on Tuesday, May 26, 2020 at 7PM.

Indiana has relaxed many of their regulations regarding this virus.  Please if you feel that you are not comfortable with attending the meeting in a group, feel free to stay at home.

Prior to this meeting we will wipe down all of the counters, chairs, tables, door handles, etc. with a bleach solution. We will also attempt to separate seating to comply with social distancing. I would like to thank Boat Club Members Steve Rys for donating the hand sanitizer dispenser and Mike Zavesky for the installation of the dispenser at the Boat Club building.  We now have hand sanitizer solution for everyone's use, but we will not provide masks at the meeting. If you want to bring and wear a mask, please do so.  Most importantly, if you are not feeling well, please do not attend this meeting, we still do not want to spread this virus to any of our members.
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RE:    THE HARBOR

I am sure at least some of you have driven through Whiting Park and noticed changes to the harbor. A contractor was hired through the City of Whiting to remove all the damaged piers. This includes all the transient piers, the pier that was tied to the side of the main launch pier and the pier that had washed up into the rocks.  I spoke with the contractors about this removal and they informed me that they were hired to remove all of those damaged piers but to leave the main launch pier in tact.  They finished the project two days ago.  Main launch pier is still intact and usable for all of us.  From what I have been told, the City of Whiting has also ordered a pier on skids. This pier can be put in the Spring and removed in the late Fall so that this kind of damage will not reoccur.  More details to follow as I get them.
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RE:    BOAT INSPECTION

I have been in contact with the Commander of the Coast Guard Auxiliary.  We are still going to attempt to set a date probably in late August or early September for vessel inspections.  No promises for this year, but I will keep you informed.

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RE:    WRBC KIDS FISHING DAY

Jim Madison who runs this event has been in contact with me about still attempting to hold the event on Saturday, September 26, 2020. The Rain Date will be Sunday, September 27, 2020 at the Hammond Marina. We definitely this year will need many more volunteers to help pull this off.  When the event gets closer, we will be asking WRBC Members to volunteer to do their part to pitch in to make this again another successful event.

Let us teach the future of fishing instilled in all these little new fishermen.
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Please continue to follow recommendations in place for your health and well being according to the CDC. This includes frequent hand washing and social distancing of up to 6 feet.  I am sure you have all been attuned to all these recommendations, so lets all be safe and considerate during this pandemic. Hopefully this will end soon, as others have.

Can't wait to meet again and hope to see you all on Tuesday, May 26, 2020 at 7PM.
Sincerely,

Mike Hill
WRBC Commodore

CANCELLED MONTHLY MEETING, SALMON CLASSIC FISH DERBY & BOAT INSPECTIONS - CLUB MEMBERSHIP DUES - 2020 PARKING STICKERS - OPEN BOAT RAMPS & CLUB BUILDING

TO:    WRBC MEMBERS

SUBJECTS:    CANCELLED MONTHLY MEETING, SALMON CLASSIC FISH DERBY & BOAT INSPECTIONS - CLUB MEMBERSHIP DUES - 2020 PARKING STICKERS - OPEN BOAT RAMPS & CLUB BUILDING                       

Unfortunately as I am sure you are all aware, this pandemic is still with us and our governor of IN has extended the stay at home order at least thru May 1st.  With this order in place we are going to have to cancel our April meeting on the 28th, 2020.

I spoke with Mike Zavesky (Derby Coordinator) concerning the Salmon Classic Fish Derby and he felt at this point he did not want to extend it again. So we will be canceling the derby for this year.

I have spoke to the Commander of the Coast Guard Auxiliary last week and he has informed me that they are on lock down and will not be able to perform any boat inspection until further notice.  He did assure me that as soon as they get permission to again conduct their inspections that he will contact me and we will set a date hopefully some time this summer.  Future date to come.

Hopefully in May they will start to relax these quarantine orders and we will finally be able to have a monthly meeting. 

At this point, I am still hoping to have the Kids Fishing Day Outing on June 6, 2020.  This of course will depend on conditions at that time.
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RE:    CLUB MEMBERSHIP DUES

WRBC will be extending the club membership dues payment date by at least one month to August 1, 2020. Anyone who still owes dues to the WRBC may send dues payment via mail either to Bob Mehok or to the WRBC Post Office in Whiting.  

The addresses are as follows:

Bob Mehok, 9838 Redbud Road, Munster, IN 46321
OR
WRBC, P. O. Box 749, Whiting, IN 46394

Membership dues for Current Members are $100.00 unless you are one of the few $1.00 Members, your dues are $21.00.  Your packets and Membership Cards will be mailed back to you once payment is received.
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RE:   2020 WHITING PARKING STICKERS

Please be aware that the Whiting City Hall is still closed, so you will not be able to obtain your new 2020 Whiting Parking Sticker.  If you do not have your new sticker, I was informed by the Mayor that you are to keep your old sticker in place on your windshield so you are not ticketed when parking at Whiting Park and Whihala Beach. Your old sticker will be honored until City Hall is reopened. If you have your new parking sticker, please immediately put it in place on your windshield.
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RE:    OPEN BOAT RAMP & CLUB BUILDING

The Whihala boat ramp is still open, as is our club building.  You can still launch and use the club as in the past, but please keep the occupancy at a 10 person maximum, as we don't want to be shut down like most other clubs in Whiting have been.

I have been informed that the Hammond Marina Launch is open.  I believe the Michigan City facility is also open to launch. I am not sure about Jeorse Park.
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I hope you all are doing well in these unique and uncertain times. Please be safe and stay healthy. I hope to see you all in the near future, as this virus now seems to be ramping down and we will be able to get back to some sense of normality.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact myself at (219)937-2211 or Bob Mehok (219)644-9454.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Mike Hill
WRBC Commodore

SUBJECTS: MEMBERSHIP DUES, PARKING AT WHITING PARK & WHIHALA BEACH, THE LAUNCH RAMP & FUTURE WRBC ACTIVITIES

TO:    WRBC MEMBERS

RE:    WRBC MEMBERSHIP DUES PAYMENT EXTENSION

DO TO THE STATEWIDE COVID-19 MANDATE:

WRBC will be extending the club membership dues payment date by at least one month to August 1, 2020. Anyone who still owes dues to the WRBC may send dues payment via mail either to Bob Mehok or to the WRBC Post Office in Whiting.  The addresses are as follows:

Bob Mehok, 9838 Redbud Road, Munster, IN 46321

OR

WRBC, P. O. Box 749, Whiting, IN 46394

Membership dues for Current Members are $100.00 unless you are one of the few $1.00 Members, your dues are $21.00.  Your packets and Membership Cards will be mailed back to you once payment is received.

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RE:    CITY OF WHITING PARKING STICKER

Please be aware that the Whiting City Hall is still closed, so you will not be able to get your 2020 Whiting Parking Sticker.  Keep your old sticker in place on your windshield so you are not ticketed when parking at Whiting Park and Whihala Beach.

Please do not remove your old sticker if you do not have your new one.  If you have your new parking sticker, please immediately put it in place on your windshield. The City of Whiting will honor your old sticker until Whiting City Hall is open and you are able to get your new one.

Also, it has been brought to my attention from several WRBC Members and from the City of Whiting, that they have started to monitor anyone parking in Whiting Park and the Whihala Beach launch parking lot area.

There have been many warning tickets issued as of April 2, 2020 from the City of Whiting. If you are issued a second parking ticket, it will cost you $100.00 and you may be towed.  This will be at your cost, not the Boat Club.

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RE:    THE LAUNCH RAMP

Our WRBC building is currently still open and so is the launch ramp.  I am not sure how long this will stay available to use.

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RE:    FUTURE WRBC ACTIVITIES

In the effect of updates on our future activities, you will be notified via the WRBC Website and Members Email if we have it on record. This will include in the near future the Salmon Classic Fishing Derby, Boat Inspection and possibly the Kids Fishing Day.

In addition, please do your part to follow the recommended request by our State Governor to avoid spreading illness by not congregating and practicing social and physical distancing.  Please stay at least 6 feet away from other people which lessens your chances of catching COVID-19.

As I get updated information, I will keep everyone informed via the WRBC Website and Members Email if we have it on record.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation in these matters.

Mike Hill

WRBC Commodore

RE: CANCELLATION OF MARCH 31, 2020 MEETING - CANCELLATION OF APRIL 4, 2020 SALMON CLASSIC FISHING DERBY - UPCOMING WRBC EVENTS

COMMODORES UPDATE & CHANGES:

SUBJECTS:

MARCH 31, 2020 WRBC MEETING CANCELLED

RESCHEDULED APRIL 28, 2020 AT 7PM.  MEET AT WRBC BUILDING -

                       

APRIL 4, 2020 WRBC SALMON CLASSIC FISHING DERBY CANCELLED

RESCHEDULED TO APRIL 25, 2020 - UPCOMING WRBC EVENTS

WRBC BUILDING CLEAN UP - WRBC BEACH CLEAN UP

TO ALL WRBC MEMBERS:

It has been decided in the interest of everyone's health do to this continuing coronavirus, and all the recommendations by our government, that the WRBC Officers and the Board have decided to cancel this months meeting on March 31, 2020 at the WRBC Building.  It will be rescheduled to Tuesday, April 28, 2020 at 7PM at the WRBC Building in Whiting Park.

Also, if you become ill prior to the meeting date, please do not attend for the safety of the rest of the Boat Club Members who do attend.

Hopefully we will be through this virus in the next 3 to 6 weeks. I hope you are all in good health and hope to see you at next months meeting on Tuesday, April 28, 2020 at 7PM at the WRBC Building NOT at American Legion, Post 80.  Hope to see you all there.

In addition, I spoke with Mike Zavesky (Derby Coordinator) regarding the upcoming WRBC Salmon Classic Fishing Derby on April 4, 2020.  He has recommended that we cancel the Derby do to the coronavirus and move it to the end of the month on April 25, 2020.  I have agreed with this recommendation.  All the same rules, start times, etc. will be in place for that day. If you are interested or if you want to participate in this Derby, payment is do by Monday, April 20, 2020. I am sure that he will accept anyone's entrance fee & sign up on the day of the contest.

If anything changes I will keep you updated.

Any questions or concerns, please contact myself at (219)937-2211 or Bob Mehok (219)644-9454.

Thank you all for your cooperation with this unforeseen pandemic.

Mike Hill

WRBC Commodore

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RE:    UPCOMING WRBC EVENTS

Please make note of the upcoming Events in the next few months.

They are as follows:

APRIL 25, 2020    WRBC SALMON CLASSIC FISHING DERBY

      Captains Meeting:  6AM at the WRBC building

      Fishing Time:  6:30AM to 1:30PM

      Weigh In:  2:30PM at the WRBC building

      Entry Fee:  $10 WRBC Member and $20 for Non-Members

      Entry Fee money is due by Monday, April 20, 2020.

      Any questions regarding the Derby contact Mike Zavesky (Derby Coordinator) at (708)259-9009.

MAY 2, 2020    FREE BOAT INSPECTION BY THE US COASTGUARD VOLUNTEERS

        Inspections will start at 10AM at the Boat Clubs Parking area. All types of powered water crafts inspected including jet skis. We encourage you to invite any friends or relatives who would like to have their crafts inspected to attend. Please lets have a good turn out as these Coastguard Volunteers depend on inspections to keep their status current.

JUNE 6, 2020    WRBC KIDS FISHING DAY OUTING

        Again we are looking for volunteers this year to help run this great event. There will be a volunteer sign up sheet or you can contact Jim Madison at (219)776-0335, if you can help in any way. This event again will be held at the Hammond Marina Pier North of the launch. Please be there by 8AM to help with set up followed by the event itself.

Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

JULY 11, 2020    WRBC PERCH DERBY

        Fishing Time:  6:30AM to 1:30PM

        Weigh In:  2:00PM SHARP - NO EXCEPTIONS

        You must be in line by 2:00PM or fish will not be weighed for contest.

        Entrance Fees: $10 for WRBC Members & Spouses

                                  $20 for Non-Members  AND

                                  $5 for Kids under 15 years of age for the "Kids Category".

                                  (Special Prizes will be distributed for Kids).

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RE:    ANNUAL WRBC BUILDING CLEAN UP

As a reminder we will again be asking for volunteers for our annual WRBC Building Clean Up. This will occur between late April or early May. This will include raking & picking up garbage, mopping floors, cleaning windows, dusting, etc.

There will be a volunteer sign up sheet for this event. This is our club, so lets all pitch in to keep it in as clean condition as we possibly can.

Thanks in advance for anyone who is willing to help.

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RE:    ANNUAL WRBC WHIHALA BEACH CLEAN UP

A date and time has not yet been decided. We will discuss the Whihala Beach Clean Up at next months meeting on Tuesday, April 28, 2020.  We always depend on our surfers for this event.

Any and all are welcome to help.

RE: ELECTION DINNER THANK YOU - FEBRUARY 25, 2020 MEETING LOCATION WHITING/ROBERTSDALE FOOD PANTRY DONATIONS - GAS LINE AND FURNACE - WHITING PARK INFRASTRUCTURE

TO:     WRBC MEMBERS

RE:  ELECTION DINNER THANK YOU

First of all, thank you for all who attended the 2020 Election Dinner at the Whiting American Legion, Post 80.  I hope everyone had a good time. It appeared to be a success as always.

A special thanks to Ali Cruz & Frank who attended from the City of Whiting to help in passing out the City Parking Stickers again this year for the Boat Club, and thank you again for voting us in for another term.

RE:    FEBRUARY 25, 2020 MEETING LOCATION

Our February 25, 2020 Meeting will again be held at the Whiting American Legion, Post 80, on Indianapolis Boulevard across from Walgreens at 7PM.  Dues will be collected but you will have to get your own City Parking Sticker from here on in at the Whiting City Hall.  Please make sure you have your Boat Club Membership Card available to show in or for you to obtain the sticker.

RE:  WHITING/ROBERTSDALE FOOD PANTRY DONATIONS

As was announced at the Election Dinner, we are asking all members to please contribute to the Whiting/Robertsdale food pantry at this months meeting on February 25, 2020. We do this as an annual event to help the needy.  Please be generous with your donations of non perishable food items.  We will also accept monetary gifts.  Everything that is donated will be delivered to the Whiting/Robertsdale food bank by Morty Demkovich. 

RE:   GAS LINE AND FURNACE

I don't know how many of you have been through Whiting Park or at the Boat Club building in the last few weeks, but it appears that the City of Whiting and NIPSCO are evaluating and possibly getting ready to run gas lines not only to our Boat Club building but also to their buildings.  There have been flags and painted lines indicating this activity.  I personally have not heard anything from the Mayor, but lets keep our fingers crossed that this is the reality.  This will greatly help our finances for the future.

RE:    WHITING PARK INFRASTRUCTURE

In general, as anyone who has been at Whiting Park knows that the last huge storms blew in the largest waves that I have ever seen which has caused so much major damage to the park infrastructure and the long fishing pier.  I do believe that the Mayor is committed to getting all repairs done to the park once the weather allows. We have also been pushing to insure that our dock and transient slips are being addressed. Future information will be available as I receive them.

Keep in mind that the Boat Club building is still open for anyone who wants to use it 24/7 during the winter, but you may have to use the snow shovel and some salt to obtain access which is provided for you to use in the Boat Club buildings atrium. 

Thank you all for now.

Mike Hill

WRBC Commodore

RE: WRBC SUPERBOWL PARTY - SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2020

Members:

The annual Super bowl Party will be held SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2020 at the clubhouse.

The party will start @ 4:00pm, game time is 5:30pm at the Fox Sports, Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Florida.

The cost is $10 at the door and that includes a $5 pool square and food with a cash bar.

Thank You All,

Mike Hill

WRBC Commodore