Fort Walton Yacht Club Letter Log
November 2018
30° 25.60’N 86° 35.58’W
Absolutely A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! The event was blessed with a beautiful, sunny, fall day. Wide-
spread participation in the Juniors Fall Festival was spectacular – by members, friends and
the surrounding community! The smiles and heartfelt laughter of the children with their fami-
lies were enough to make it a special day for everyone.
The back lawn of FWYC was packed. Tom Garner exclaimed that he had never seen anything
like it before and that he wished the photos were able to capture the spectacular attendance.
Colorful pennant streamers, strung from tree to tree, added to the festivities. Monster Mash,
Thriller, and other upbeat Halloween music permeated the air. A 20-foot ghoul guarded the
back lawn and added to the ambience. The photo station sprinkled with fall mums, hay bales,
scarecrows, made a perfect backdrop for many family photos.
Magical soap bubbles floated across the property beginning at the boat launch and danced
all the way to the entrance gate. Families colored together at the coloring station, little kids
played the carnival games inside the Castaway Room. Families played corn hole, lasso golf,
raced tiny sailboats, and participated in a water balloon toss relay.
Our special guests, the Krewe of Bowlegs, arrived by sea - in the only manner pirates should.
FWYC not only had one pirate from the Krewe of Bowlegs, but also was bestowed with FIVE
Pirates. All pirates stayed busy twisting balloons into toys for the kids, and handing out beads
and jeweled rings.
Giggles, the clown, was busy painting the many faces that were lined up from beginning to
end. The bounce house/slide was a hit, as many kids were still bouncing and sliding for an
additional hour when it was time to deflate the entertainment.
We had Junior members ranging in age from a few months through high school years. They
brought their friends. We had adult members who brought their friends. Carol and Al Stea-
rns and Dean Preston, “Junior at heart” members, came out to see what the kids were up to!
Other well known leaders in our community were also present including City Council mem-
bers, Realtor of the Year, and the GM of the Gulfarium just to name a few.
Many thanks to Nicky Mullis for suggesting the Fall Festival theme, designing the Castaway
Room’s many games, and providing a beautiful photo backdrop for family photos. Diana
Moore captured the hearts of the children at the bubble station. She was all smiles when
helping form gigantic bubbles and hand wand multiple bubbles to sail away in the breeze.
Our new General Manager and staff, made sure the food was readily available to all members
and their guests. The cotton candy, hotdogs, popcorn and lemonade were a hit and a perfect
match for the event. After all, who doesn’t like freshly twirled cotton candy?
Scott and Jenny Bailey came to represent the Membership Committee. VC Craig Stoldt
and Cece Stoldt brought their sailboat game and repaired the corn hole board for the event.
Cece, the club photographer, snapped many photos of the event and quickly posted them.
Thanks to our Juniors (and their families) Conlin Arrowsmith, Jamieson Clancy, Brett Peter-
son, Shawneen Todd, and Williams Wells for helping set up and break down.
A very, very special thanks goes to our FWYC pirates PC Bobby Dewrell, member Jim
McPherson, and the other Krewe of Bowlegs Leo Cissell, John Lysaught and Mike MaGee.
You made the event very memorable for the children, their families and the club.
As the Junior Activities Chairperson, I am left speechless by the fabulous response and turn-
out at all our events this year. I have been overwhelmed by the compliments from our mem-
bers, and the smiles from all. Thank you FWYC members and families for your support this
year and engaging in the fun!
- by Diane Wells
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