Bird Key Yacht Club celebrates new leadership

Bird Key Yacht Club was in a New York state of mind last weekend for its annual Change of Watch ceremony on June 22. 

The newly instated Commodore Michael Landis picked the theme for this year's ceremony. With his wife being from New York, he had to pick his favorite city to usher in this new era at the club. 

The Change of Watch ceremony celebrates the new leadership as it hits a new year for the yacht club. After his year of being vice commodore, Landis is filling former Commodore Steve Horton's shoes. Another former commodore, Jim Chadwick, swore in Landis to his new position with the tradition of the passing of the gavel.

Former Rear Commodore Tony Britt became vice commodore along with Saul Landesberg stepping up into the rear commodore position. Working with them is John Havasy as secretary and Colin Wood as treasurer. Former Commodore Martha Schantz swore in these four officers. 

The rest of the board of governors includes Dennis DeWitt, John Falk, Michael Hunter, Patti Lowe and Curt Nothstine. The appointive officers are Bob Keagy as fleet captain, Michael Travis as the Florida Council of Yacht Clubs (FCYC) director and Debbie Landesberg as the FCYC alternate director.

Landis said he has a lot to look forward to in this upcoming year. He is excited to work with his right-hand men, Britt and Landesberg.

This year, the club plans to demolish the clubhouse and build a new building for all activities and events. Landis plans to work closely with the board of governors to maneuver the club through the construction so that most club activities will continue. He also hopes to build the club's membership based on its strong value of camaraderie. 

"This club is all about the friendships and the great times that we enjoy," said Landis. "Though with construction, it will be a bit harder to organize but we will still enjoy many of our activities. We may not be at this spectacular location. But in short order, we will be back and it'll be better than ever."

The party ended with an international feast by Chef Richard Mendoza. Inspired by the many cuisines one can eat in New York, Mendoza provided a selection of the most famous foods people think of from the city. There was a Chinatown station, an oyster bar, a shawarma cart, a steakhouse station, pastrami on rye and New York-style cheesecake for dessert.

Guests said the menu made them feel like they were in the city that never sleeps.