Commodore's Note : Annual Walleye Stocking

 TO:   WRBC MEMBERS

Perch America is holding their annual walleye stocking this Wednesday November 8th around noon.

Mike Hill
WRBC Commodore

COMMODORES UPDATE: FALL HARBOR DREDGING AND LAUNCHING AVAILABILITY

TO:   WRBC MEMBERS

FALL HARBOR DREDGING AND LAUNCHING AVAILABILITY

I have been informed by the City of Whiting's Joe Franko, that he is going to begin dredging in the next week for a week or two.  He just wants to keep what was accomplished in the Spring open.

While dredging the harbor and launch, as in the past, it will be closed. You can still launch from the Hammond Marina.

 

The other issue is they have removed the concrete center pier due to a failure of some of the flotation, which resulted in allowing styrofoam to creep out into the harbor. This was reported by an environmental activist to the DNR and EPA. It was claimed that this would endanger migratory birds that tend to occupy the harbor.

The pier has been removed, BUT will be replaced early next Spring with a new pier, similar to the transient pier, that still remains in the harbor.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Mike Hill

WRBC Commodore

COMMODORES UPDATE: SUBJECTS: FRONT DOOR LOCK WORKING - LOOKING FOR A WRBC SECRETARY - RESCHEDULED PERCH DERBY - UPDATE ON WEATHERBUG CAMERA - DOCK PARTY - KIDS FISHING DAY

TO: WRBC MEMBERS

RE: FRONT DOOR LOCK WORKING

As many of you are aware, we had fixed the striker on the door a few weeks ago, and it failed. We have now installed a second new striker

that seems to be working so far.

Please use the new code that is on the back of your membership card to gain entrance into the club. Thank you for your patience.

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RE: LOOKING FOR A WRBC SECRETARY

Unfortunately, our current WRBC Secretary, Mike Zralka, announced at our last meeting that he is resigning his position as WRBC Secretary. He has offered to stay in his position until the end of this year, if needed. It is time now for some of you newer members to step up and help this

club continue forward.

Anyone interested in this position, please contact Board Member in Charge of Elections, Bob Egan at (773) 447-6451 OR Myself, Mike Hill at (219) 937-2211.

Please help this historic club to continue to exist. We need you.

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RE: RESCHEDULED PERCH DERBY TO JULY 8, 2023

Our Perch Derby that was originally scheduled for June 24, 2023 was postponed. We will have our annual Perch Derby on:

Saturday, July 8, 2023

STARTING TIME: 6:30AM to 1:30PM

WEIGH IN: 2PM SHARP - NO EXCEPTIONS

You must bein line by 2PM or fish will NOT be weighed in for the contest.

If you intend to fish the derby, please either get your application in ASAP OR contact WRBC Board Member, Wally Kimmich at (219) 743-6992.

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RE: UPDATE ON WEATHER BUG CAMERA

I have been in contact with our WRBC I.T. Web Manager, Norm to get our WeatherBug camera access back onto our website. He informed me that the City of Whiting changed these cameras to high-definition cameras. This has caused a problem for our website, as it will not accommodate high-definition cameras unless we are willing to pay $41.00 per month for the use of these cameras. That equates to $492.00 a year for us just to be able to see the lake condition. Norm is currently working on finding a way to get this convenience reactivated at little to no cost as we previously had. 

Please be patient and occasionally check the website to see when and if it has been activated.

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RE: WRBC DOCK PARTY - SEPTEMBER 9, 2023

As we have stressed in every meeting and in my Commodores Updates the importance of getting your Dock Party applications in the mail to us.

This is extremely important, as we want to have a good turnout but not to over or under spend for food and beverages. The sooner you can get this information to us, the better. You can mail your forms to our Boat Club address at: WRBC, P. O. Box 749, Whiting, IN 46394 OR contact Boat Club Treasurer, Bob Mehok at (219)644-9454. Hope to see you all there.

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RE: WRBC KIDS FISHING DAY - SEPTEMBER 23, 2023

Just a reminder, our annual WRBC Kids Fishing Day will be held on September 23, 2023 at the Hammond Marina as in the past. If you are interested, you can sign up at the Whiting Chamber of Commerce Office on 1417 119th Street, Whiting, IN OR contact Barb Maul at (219) 743-3231. In my opinion this is one of the best

activities that the club does for the future of our young fisher people.

We do need many volunteers for this activity to make it a success. So please give a few hours of your time and help us make this a huge success as it has been in the past.

Hope you all have a great & safe 4th of July.

Mike Hill

WRBC Commodore

COMMODORES UPDATE: SUBJECT: PERCH DERBY - SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 2023

TO:    ALL MEMBERS

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RE:  PERCH DERBY - SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 2023 (6:30AM to 1:30PM)

This year's Annual Perch Derby is still on.  Wally Kimmich has volunteered to run this year's derby.  Mike Zavesky who normally runs all our derby's is going to be out of town.  That being said, we are still going to proceed with the derby. 

Perch Derby Date and Time is as follows: 

Saturday, June 24, 2023 - 6:30AM to 1:30PM.

Weigh In: 2:00PM SHARP.  NO EXCEPTIONS.

Rain Date will be:   Saturday, July 8, 2023

Even if you have not sent in your application, we will be accepting any and all members who want to participate the morning of.  If you can, please mail in your application as this will help us to determine the purchase of food and beverage. 

Let us have a good turn out as we have in the past.

Hope to see you at the derby.

Mike Hill

WRBC Commodore

COMMODORES UPDATE: FRONT DOOR KEYPAD LOCK, HARBOR LAUNCH AND DREDGING, WHITING PARK CLOSING HOURS, WEATHERBUG CAMERAS, MEMBERSHIP DUES & PERCH DERBY

 TO:    WRBC MEMBERS

SUBJECTS:  FRONT DOOR KEYPAD LOCK, HARBOR LAUNCH AND DREDGING,                WHITING PARK CLOSING HOURS, WEATHERBUG CAMERAS, MEMBERSHIP DUES & PERCH DERBY

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RE:    FRONT DOOR KEYPAD LOCK

Our front door keypad has been fixed. You may use it as normal with the access code provided on the back of your membership card.
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RE:    HARBOR LAUNCH AND DREDGING

Joe Franko from the City of Whiting has completed his springtime dredging for this year.  Fortunately, Joe was able to get us open at a decent depth to the main lake.  Please feel free to launch your boats now. You should have no problem getting in or out. But I would still recommend at least for the
first few times to go slow, and maybe raise your motors, as I am not sure how deep it is. Joe will dredge more again in the fall.
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RE:    WHITING PARK CLOSING HOURS

Please be aware that again this year, for whatever unknown reason, the City of Whiting has decided to not allow vehicles into the Whiting Park after 6PM. I do not understand this and we are currently pursuing a meeting with the mayor and his council to give us an answer. For now, please abide by the City of Whiting's rules.
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RE:    WEATHERBUG CAMERAS

The City of Whiting has installed new high-definition WeatherBug cameras. They replaced our old WeatherBug cameras that allowed us our live viewing of the harbor, lake and beach. Unfortunately, for now, we have no access to this system.  I have contacted the City of Whiting's I.T. Manager, and he will be sending me the current link to get us all our views back.  When this happens, I will transfer the information to Norm, our I.T. Specialist and we will be back in business.
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RE:    MEMBERSHIP DUES

Anyone who has not currently updated their dues as a member and are currently wanting to continue to be a member of the Whiting-Robertsdale Boat Club (WRBC), I strongly encourage you to get your payments in either to the WRBC, P. O. Box 749, Whiting, Indiana 46394 address or to Bob Mehoks home address at: 9838 Redbud Road, Munster, Indiana 46321.  We need you all to keep this club going.
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RE:    PERCH DERBY - SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 2023 AT 6:30AM

Just a reminder to all that our Annual Perch Derby will be on Saturday, June 24, 2023starting at 6:30AM and ending at 1:30PM.

YOU MUST BE IN LINE FOR WEIGH IN at 2:00PM SHARP, NO EXCEPTIONS OR FISH WILL NOT BE WEIGHED FOR THE CONTEST.

Rain date will be on Saturday, July 8, 2023. Please contact Mike Zavesky at (708) 259-9009 or get your application in ASAP.

Let's have a good turnout for this event.
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Thank You All,
Mike Hill
WRBC Commodore

COMMODORES UPDATE: PARK BEACH CLEAN-UP - FREE BOAT INSPECTION - DAMAGE TO BOAT CLUB PROPERTY

TO:    ALL WRBC MEMBERS

RE:    PARK BEACH CLEAN-UP

I just want to thank boat club member Steve Arnam and his Surfriders group for again coordinating our annual Spring Whiting Park & Whihala Beach Clean-up.

This year and last year we combined efforts with the City of Whiting and were able to get 63 volunteers to help clean refuse from Whiting Park and Whihala Beach East to West.

We ended up collecting a little over 1300 pounds of garbage. This exceeded last year's effort and is amazing.

The event took place Saturday, May 6, 2023 from 10AM to 2PM and we will again do another clean-up in September when the park closes.

Special thanks to club member Shawn Turpin (Whiting's Councilman-at-large) and Nick Suarez (Whiting's 1st District Councilman) for helping to coordinate and getting the City's involvement.

Another special thanks to club member Jack Vetroczky, for not only doing a terrific effort in the clean-up but also supplying food for all volunteers for the event.

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RE:    FREE USCG AUXILIARY BOAT INSPECTION

Just a reminder that the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary will be conducting a vessel inspection at our facility this coming Saturday, May 13, 2023 from 10AM to 2PM for any power boat including jet skis for any residence.  Due to the continuing dredging, the inspections will be held at the West end parking lot of Whihala Beach.  This is just past the Lifeguard Station at Adi Cruz' Office. 

I am asking everyone who owns a boat or a jet ski to please participate in this event because it not only is for your safety but will help you keep safe boating.

Joshua Zajac, Division Commander, and his crew from the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary will get credit for every vessel that is inspected. 

Again, please let's have a good turnout.

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RE:     DAMAGE TO OUR BOAT CLUB PROPERTY

Anyone who attended our last meeting was made aware of damages that occurred to our refrigerator. Apparently, someone was distraught and decided to yank or pry the lock latch to the extent that it bent out and pulled out the clasp with screws.  I would hope this was not a member, but maybe a guest of a member.  But keep in mind, you as a member, are responsible for anyone you bring into the club.

We were in the midst of changing our lock codes when this occurred.  This based on our By-Laws and Rules & Regulations is damage to our club and will not be tolerated. I have and still am reviewing our inside cameras to see if I can determine who caused this damage.

Anyone intentionally destroying boat club property is grounds for termination.

If a lock does not open or if there is an issue that you find out of the norm, do not forcibly destroy our property.  You can always get in touch with me Mike Hill, WRBC Commodore at 219-937-2211 to discuss the issue.

We have a great club and let's keep it that way.

 

COMMODORES NOTES: DOOR & COMBINATION LOCKS CODE CHANGED - ICE MACHINE - DREDGING - PARK AND BEACH CLEAN UP - COAST GUARD AUXILIARY FREE BOAT INSPECTION

 TO:    WRBC Members

SUBJECTS:   DOOR & COMBINATION LOCKS CODE CHANGED - ICE MACHINE - DREDGING - PARK AND BEACH CLEAN UP - COAST GUARD AUXILIARY FREE BOAT INSPECTION

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RE:   DOOR & COMBINATION LOCKS CODES CHANGED

As of now all our combination lock numbers have been changed to the code number on the back

of your 2023 Boat Club Membership Card.  We have not yet been able to get the front door code

changed.  Bob is working with the locksmith to get this done.  Until we are able to get that new

code installed, please use the old number.  The alarm system code will remain the same.

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RE:    ICE MACHINE

Please be advised that our ice machine is now up and running.  Again, I will ask that you be

courteous and not take all the ice at any one time.  Also, please be careful when scooping ice out.

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RE:    DREDGING

If any of you have been through the park lately, you have noticed that City of Whiting's Joe Franko

and his crew have been continuously dredging for almost every day from the start.  There is also

a large machine resembling half a tank with a backhoe on top.  This machine and its operator has

been contracted through the City to assist in the dredging.  The machine goes out in front of the

cities dredge and scoops sand and material to be dredged up. This helps greatly in not only the

amount able to be dredged but also the time needed to get this project done.  They have until

May 1st and already have made good progress.  Hopefully come May, we will finally be able to

safely launch boats again.

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RE:    PARK AND BEACH CLEAN UP MAY 6, 2023 at 10AM

Our first annual park and beach clean-up this year will be held on May 6 starting at 10AM.  Again the

city has asked if they can join our efforts with the clean-up.  Steve Arnam again will be coordinating

the clean-up. He will have a tent set up in front of our building with buckets and bags available.  Let's

have a good turnout, as last year this time we collected almost 1100 pounds of garbage. 

The more volunteers, the better.

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RE:    COAST GUARD AUXILIARY FREE POWER BOAT INSPECTIONS ON MAY 13, 2023, 10AM-2PM

Again this year, the coast guard auxiliary will be conducting FREE vessel inspections at our club building. They will be there between 10AM and 2PM on May 13, 2023.  They do this on a volunteer basis and they get credit for every vessel inspected.  Please lets have a better showing than we had last year, as we only had 8 boats show up.  This is for your benefit to ensure that your boat is safe and sound. You will also receive a sticker after the inspection that you can post on your vessel which will let the Coast Guard, DNR, etc. know that your vessels have already been inspected in the past.

The Coast Guard Auxiliary is also offering a boating safety class that will be held at the Hammond

Marina.  I will have a flyer posted at the boat club building and will hand out flyers and discuss at our

next meeting.

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Thank you,

Mike Hill

WRBC Commodore

COMMODORES UPDATE: RE: 2-28-2023 MEETING - FOOD PANTRY - SUPERBOWL PARTY 2-12-2023 - NEW ALARM CODE

TO:    ALL BOAT CLUB MEMBERS

RE:    MONTHLY MEETING 2-28-2023

First of all, the Monthly February 28, 2023 Meeting will be held at the Whiting American Legion,

Post 80, 2003 Indianapolis Blvd., Whiting, IN across from Walgreens on the corner.

It will begin at 7PM.

Please do not park in the Walgreens parking lot, for you will be towed at your own expense.

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RE:    FOOD PANTRY

At the Tuesday, 2-28-2023 meeting, we will be collecting donations for the Whiting-Robertsdale Food Pantry. We are requesting that everyone bring a donation.

Any non-perishable food items and cash are always welcome.

There is also a list I was given from the food pantry coordinator for items that are needed.

 

Asked for was:  Toiletries, Disposable Diapers, Sanitary Wipes, etc.

I know that the cost of everything especially food items has gone through the roof.

But please be as generous as you can be.  These people need our help.

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RE:    SUPERBOWL PARTY 2-12-2023

Again, this year we will be holding a Superbowl Party at the boat club building on

Sunday, February 12, 2023, starting around 3PM.

We do have squares available for the game. A donation of $10 will get you one square, food and snacks for the game.  Other squares are available for a donation of $5 each. 

If you can bring a dessert or salad, please do so.  Food and snacks will be provided.

Come and enjoy the game and some great comradery as in the past.

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RE:    NEW ALARM CODE FOR ENTRY DOOR & LOCKS

Please be advised that on April 1st, 2023 we will be changing the entry door and all combination lock codes. The new code is on the back of your 2023 WRBC Membership Card. Until then, our same alarm will continue to open the door and all locks.

We will not change the alarm system code itself. That will remain the same.

Thank you for your cooperation in these matters.  I hope to see you.

Mike Hill

WRBC Commodore

COMMODORES UPDATE: ELECTION DINNER, STOCKING THE LAKE, GAS FURNACE, DREDGING, SUPER BOWL PARTY, PERCH DERBY

 TO:    ALL BOAT CLUB MEMBERS

RE:    1-31-2023 ANNUAL ELECTION DINNER

I would like to welcome everyone to another new year at the WRBC.

This is a reminder for everyone that our Annual Election Dinner will be held on Tuesday, January 31, 2023. It will be held at the Whiting American Legion, Post 80, 121st Street & Indianapolis Blvd, across from the Walgreens parking lot on the corner. Cocktails will be at 6:00 PM, Dinner will be served at 6:30 PM, and the meeting will follow. Please do not park in the Walgreens parking lot. For they will tow your car at your expense.

Everyone should have received a letter in the mail about the Election Dinner and the times. If you can, it would be greatly appreciated to respond with the enclosed form in the letter as to if you are going to attend.  You can mail these responses to the

Whiting-Robertsdale Boat Club, P. O. Box 749, Whiting, IN 46394

or

call Bob Mehok directly at 219-644-9454.

This is important so that we know an approximate number on how much food to order.

In addition, if you can, please bring a dessert.

As in the past, food and drinks will be provided.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation in this matter.

Adi Cruz from the City of Whiting again this year will attend the Election Dinner to pass out parking stickers to members after you pay your club dues.

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RE:    STOCKING OF SALMON IN THE LAKE

The IDNR has proposed four different stocking strategies.  A couple of these would eliminate stocking of chinook salmon from East Chicago which would result in no new fish stock in Lake County.  Mike Zralka, our club's secretary, has issued a letter opposing this.  Anyone who has bought a Salmon Stamp last year should receive an email for input. You will also be able to access the survey on the Indiana DNR Facebook page posted at Facebook.com/INdnr. Our club is opposed to eliminating stocking these fish at East Chicago and Lake County. This would greatly affect not only the Charter business on our end of the lake, but also your ability to harvest salmon.  Thank You.

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RE:    TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION AT ELECTION DINNER

1- New proposed barge dredging for our harbor.

2- Installation of a new natural gas furnace replacing the old electric furnace at the boat club building.

3- Superbowl Party on Feb.12, 2023

4- Perch Derby on June 24, 2023 and Misc.

Hope to see you all at this year's Election Dinner.

Thank You,

Mike Hill

WRBC Commodore