From The Archives - 1993

VOL 3 18 MAR 03

Just before I retired from UAMS, I was sitting in a meeting with the chancellor who turned to me and said; “No one in the room will remember this but Bob Donaldson.” It took me back a little and then I thought, it’s not so bad being around long enough that people look at me as an icon. The same goes for GFLYC. With the exception of a few “old timers,” some of whom we don’t see enough of these days, I am not the only GFLYC icon. The “GFLYC ICONS” represent a select group of individuals of which I take great pride in being a member.

Over the years I have see good and bad times for GFLYC. I have seen just about every controversy one can imagine. I have seen many good and wonderful times at GFLYC. I hope they will never end. But most of all, I have made life long friends who have and will continue to be such an important part of my life.

I remember the first time I met Carey, Dodd, James, Sony and Vince. Curt Perwolf had scheduled a movie night in the sail school to show movies from their sailing trip (GFLYC) to the Caribbean and his interpretation of New York from the air. Dodd entered first carrying his ice bag with plenty of libations. Vince sashayed in with James and Sony following. Dodd had been imbibing a little and when he tried to sit down in the director’s chair…he missed. We spent the entire evening laughing and watching movies like the one of the fat lady trying to get back in her boat with the help of four locals who had been hired to sail her around the Virgin Islands.

From that moment until now, laughs and good times have been the order of business. Sure, we all have moments of disillusionment. The same happens with any long-term relationship. But when you sit down and really think things through, there just ain’t a better place to be.

There are two types of sailors. One is the cruising sailor who occasionally likes to race and the second is the racing sailor who occasionally likes to cruise. I guess you all know which one I am with my keen focus on racing. My point is, there is room for both at GFLYC. We have the largest open water area in the state for racing and enjoying quiet protected coves to relax and watch awesome sunsets. GFLYC offers the “people component” with camaraderie at what ever level you choose.

So, my message is simply, come on out and enjoy what exactly “floats your boat.” It’s all here waiting for someone to come and enjoy. I hope the laughter never stops and the friendships continue to grow with many new memories flourishing until forever.

Bob Donaldson, GFLYC Secretary