ABYC is hosting the LYRA 2014 Regatta and as part of our plan to expand LYRA participation, we have developed a $20,000 sponsorship and fundraising goal in our budget.  While we have several key sponsors on board already, we are also looking at other ways to raise funds to meet this budget.  We have already run one successful 50/50 raffle at Awards Night and we will be running 2 or 3 more 50/50 raffles.   In addition, we are hosting a LYRA Fundraising  Dinner on Saturday March 29th.  The dinner will be a 3 course dinner featuring Osso Bucco and there will be a vegetarian alternative.   We will have a silent auction and a live auction in addition to a 50/50 draw at the dinner.

The dinner will feature a key note presentation by Ontario boat designer  

Steve Killing.  Steve has been designing sailboats, canoes, kayaks and classic powerboats for over 40 years now, starting with a solid training in the design office of C&C Yachts.  Since 1979 Steve Killing Yacht Design has been involved in 5 America's Cup challenges (2 for Canada), but enjoys designing for  local owners in Ontario. Current projects include an 8 Metre restoration, a 23 foot mahogany runabout, and a 40 foot Olympic rowing shell.

Emirates Team New Zealand seemed to be unbeatable in the 2013 America's Cup and yet Oracle somehow pulled ahead to victory.  Steve Killing will be sharing his stories and photos of  this event as a member of the New Zealand design team.  The connection between his design of Fred Eaton's Toronto-based C-Class catamaran and the America's Cup is a fascinating story of being in the right place at the right time

Please mark your calendars for March 29th and come out and hear Steve's fascinating story of the 2013 Americas Cup.

Tickets are $65 each with $25 going to the LYRA Fundraising program.  Only 100 tickets will be sold, so make your reservations early.

Reservations can be made by contacting the ABYC office at 416-698-4498  ext. 221.

Roger Van Vlack

LYRA Regatta Chair

Jim Allen

LYRA Sponsorship and Fundraising Chair

Having trouble fitting all that lovely new clothing into your closets?  Wondering if that dress still suits you?  Well here's a good reason to clean house!  We're having a clothing swap!

Here's how it works - bring any clothing, shoes, purses, hats gloves, scarves, belts, coats, boots, (well you get the idea!) to ABYC.  Try to bring at least a bag full and please make sure it's in wearable condition (clean, with all the buttons, working zippers - if you couldn't wear it don't bring it!).  Then the fun begins.  We all try on, sort through all the stuff and can leave with whatever "new" treasures we've found!  Whatever is left over will be donated to charity.

So come join the fun, clean out your closets and give to charity!  What more can you ask for!  See you Sunday, January 19th starting at 1:00 pm.

You can start bringing your bags of stuff down and leaving them with the office staff from now until the day of the swap.  Or bring your bag of goodies with you the day of the swap.