We Won First Prize!!!

Awards for 4th of July boat decorations were handed out at our recent Lake San Marcos Yacht Club party on July 17th.  The boat we were on, owned by Pat and Don Kreutzberg, won first place as the "Founding Fathers-1776". 

Here are some pictures taken when we were afloat in the parade.  My previous post only had pictures I took when we were moored in the Kreutzberg's slip.

Dian Pedersen got this picture right before the parade began when our cast was getting in character.

She also got a photo of me on the bow photographing their boat.

Jeannine Wittmayer got this marvelous picture of the men, now fully in character, enacting the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  Those coats they are wearing are aniques that belong to Pat.

Norma Beall took this splended picture of Nancy Broach and Gerri Sweatt just before the parade began.  They won second place and paddled the entire perimeter of the lake to do it!!!  All I can say is WOW!

Here we are, minus the Engerts who were at another event, having just been named first place winners.  (Don and Pat are running out of space on their boat, the "Pond Tune", to display all the awards they've won over the years).

And here are the second prize winners from the "Sassie Lassie".  They're just as adorable on land as they are on the lake, aren't they?

Lake San Marcos 4th of July

There's nothing like the 4th of July here.  Like last year, I have a lot of video but here are my favorites of the picture highlights thus far.

Once again, we're on the Kreutzberg's boat.  You really can't recognize it.  The title of the boat this year is "Founding Fathers-1776".  The pictures that follow depict that.

I couldn't resist passing on this photo of Eli taken in our living room just before we left to get on board.  This one went to his mother.  Won't she love it?

This is the cast of our boat (that you would want to see).  That's Pat in the Betsy Ross apron and cap from a previous 4th of July theme.  I got that neat replica of the Declaration of Independence from an internet website.  It's a treasure.  Pat drove the boat for most of our journey and we have to give her a lot of credit.  There were more than 30 boats in the parade and it was very difficult to see with 4 men and a 3x5 flag obstructing your view.  She was masterful at the helm.

I suppose this is what they looked like to viewers on the shore and in other boats.  I have no way of knowing, actually, as I was inside.  We did receive lots of cheers and at one point, some viewers stood out of their chairs and applauded as we passed.  It was quite inspirational.

The Brennan's boat is full of a very lively group of people like always.

We all hailed Ed and Georgianna Burkart (he's a former Commodore) as we passed.  They never miss a parade.

That's Tony and Theresa Giralamo's new boat which they share with Gene and Evie, former owners. Gene and Evie originally named it "Not-A-Yacht".  Tony and Thereas, after a great deal of refurbishment, renamed it "Still Not-A-Yacht". Mark Geneau waves from the bow.

This is Norma and Ken's boat "Run-A-Muck", crewed by Captain Tom Strathairn with Terri.  On board are Carol and Don Alexander and Art and Dian Pedersen.  Reports from the Parade Marshall claimed they were rather unruly.  Hard to believe, knowing any of these folks.

And speaking of the Parade Marshall.  You recognize the usual suspects.

This was a case of the criminals trying to run the prison.

The Official Lake San Marcos Papparazzi, Jesse Hogan, captures all the pagentry and color from in front of his home.

Renate poses with Herr John Adams or Herr John Hancock.  I forget who.

After the parade, we were treated again to a grand party at John and Katie Andrew's.  And she just had a knee replacement 5 weeks ago!!

Good Ole' Bill Briggs and Katie's friend, Annie, join Heide Warren for the good times.

Ken, redressed to the present day as himself, laughs about the fun in the parade with Don and Rich La Farge.

Our beautiful table decor, centerpieces provided by Renate, are embellished with the ubiquitous ducks.  This time the duckers are from out-of-town.  No, it wasn't the Strathairns, the Wittmayers, the Kreutzbergs or the Kreis's who did this.  It was Bob and Martha Logue, Katie and John's daughter and son-in-law.

They even filled the pool with little ducks.  It was a fun surprise for all of us.

Tom and Tink wore vibrant flag sweaters.

Sue Bubnack enjoys a fun moment with Tom Rhatigan and Carol Solomon in the cast.

What's a party without two cute Toms.

Lake San Marcos Yacht Club Pirate's Ball

The jolly event was held Saturday, June 19th at the South Shore Landing.  There were lots of pirate flags and everyone dressed up to fit the occasion. 

Ken, with a friend on his shoulder, with Corine La Joie and Norma.  We're on the Kreis's boat, Proud Mary.  It's a real beauty.

Pirate Eli is wearing a tux shirt and a gold watch.  He must have looted some rich gentleman.

Commodore, Janet Warren and First Mate, Bob Warren, greet the rowdy bunch.

"Aaarrgh!", they responded.

Cute pirate wenches, Terri Strathairn and Theresa Giralamo.

Of course there was line dancing.

Even more line dancing (they can never get enough).

Just in from the Barbary Coast is Dennis Wittmayer with his pirate ducky.

Our able DJ, Pirate Brenda.

Pirate Lee Herzog.  I don't know what happened to his hand (maybe it was eaten by one of the lake's many catfish).

Norma took this very good photo of Corine and Geri Sweatt (who looks like she'd be quite a handful).

That's Edgar's earring in Renate's nose.  As you can see, pretty much anything happens at these parties.  We don't embarrass easily.

Pirate Mark Geneau with the lovely Fran.

Ken and Mary Kreis who is always the hostess with the mostess.

Pirate Marilyn Malloy with an unsavory cohort.