SAND BANK NOTES

December 1998 Table of Contents - Current Issue of The Abaco Journal - Abaco Bahamas' Home Page

SAND BANK YACHT CLUB NOTES
by John Lacey

Fifty-one members and thirteen guests of the Sand Bank Yacht Club sidles nervously to the Haunted House Tent next to the Shelly house in Treasure Cay for an eerie evening of fearful fright, fun and festive feasting on Hallowe'en Eve, October 30th. Witching hour was 6.30 pm. The attendees arrived cautiously and with great trepidation, amid ear-piercing wails and screams of un-departed spirits, to find the air rife with vampires, ghouls, ghosts, skeletons and myriad other evil creatures of Hallowe'en.

Failing to divulge their identity under threat of dire consequence for even the most minor infraction, the visitors sought to dress anonymously as kindred spirits in a multitude of esoteric disguises, dominated by ghouls, vampires, witches, skeletons and, in lighter vein, Casper the Friendly Ghost. Among the rarer aliases seen that night were a covey of Arab chieftains and their harems, Adam and Eve, Fidel Castro with cigar, a playful pumpkin with loose leotard, Casanova, the Phantom of the Opera, a caveman complete with club and compliant companion, the Mayor of Treasure Cay, the Governor of Abaco, Riff Raff and Magenta, a very saucy French maid and Bobo the clown.

The attendees' initial anxiety was soon assuaged by the quaffing of tankards of Witches' Brew and hors d'oeuvres of shrimp in garlic and white wine sauce, salami, brie and Cheddar cheeses, red and white grapes, roasted red peppers, meatballs in red wine sauce, French bread, olives and pickles.

The serious feasting then began: lasagne; romaine and mezculm lettuce salad with balsamic vinegar dressing; barbecued green peppers, tomatoes and zucchini; garlic bread; vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce; chocolate chip cookies and chocolate bars; burgundy and chardonnay wine, with even more Witches' Brew and other beverages of individual choice.

Mike and Gae Meeson, disguised as Riff Raff and Magenta from the Rocky Horror Show, entertained us with a most amusing and innovative dance to the tune of 'Time Warp'. Bill Bulger, with special effects skilfully executed by Marge Janke and Dave Buchanan, and with much uninvited but uproarious audience participation, treated us to a spirited rendition of 'The Shooting of Dan McGrew', Robert Service's infamous tale of the wild Canadian north.

Commodore Brian Sheehe organised the search for the evening's best costumes, ably assisted by Sam and Ben, the delightful teenage grandchildren of Noel and Sylvia Lester. Paradoxically, the best disguise was the least disguise! The courageous and very deserving winners, complete with strategically positioned fig leaves and very little else except a half-eaten apple, were Buddy and Linda Gerald in the roles of Adam and Eve.

By common assent, this was the best SBYC event in an outstanding schedule of parties in 1998. In addition to those previously mentioned, our special gratitude is extended to Helen Shelly, who masterminded the cuisine, ably and creatively assisted by Paul Vernall, Nadine Sheehe and Jean Buchanan; and to Cynthia Vernall, who produced the entire evening's activities and worked tirelessly to assure its success.

We also thank Club officers, past and present, and several other members who volunteered to assist with the multitude of tasks associated with a production of this scale. They laboured mightily to create and furnish the Haunted House Tent. Next morning, they removed it and cleared away the debris before those that had haunted the prior night could rise from their tombs to greet the new day.

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