IN THE BEGINNING
(A Chrono-Log written in 1980 by Flora Atkin)

As you cruise up the South River from Chesapeake Bay, if you turn your wheel to port at red buoy six, you are headed for Selby Bay, a pleasant sheltered expanse of water, rimmed with marsh grass, tree lined shores, and waterfront homes. Large clusters of boats cling to the landscape ahead, and to either side. Taken all together, these marinas probably harbor well over a thousand boats of varying sizes and kinds.

The WATERWAY GUIDE, Mid-Atlantic edition, describes Selby Bay as "a popular harbor with full service facilities for cruising visitors, a yacht sales concern, and a yacht club.

"By the time you spot the six-mile marker, you are approaching red buoy four, and are almost parallel to a very special complex on the bay, ----SELBY BAY YACHT CLUB.

You'll know it by its gracious white clubhouse atop a tree-shaded knoll. You'll know it by its tri-masted flagpole proudly flying the national ensign; the club burgee with its distinctive comet insignia; and the Commodore's flag. You'll know it by its fleet of seventy-five handsome impeccably maintained yachts, mostly powered by gas or diesel, but interspersed with tall spire-like masts of sailing yachts. You'll know it by its wide docks, its well manicured lawns, and its salt water swimming pool. You'll know it by its friendly members and quiet family atmosphere.

IN THE BEGINNING, there was a bay. A bay teeming with minnows, spot, croakers, and rockfish. No one had heard of blues.

As recently as 1946 , this pristine paradise was hardly disturbed by human intrusion. Thirty-four years ago there were fewer boats harbored throughout the entire Selby Bay than now belong to our yacht club. Crismond's 'ESSO', the only appreciable marina, was one small dock. What are now called Holiday Point Marina and Anchor Yacht Basin were hardly more than specks on a chart.

The piece of land on which the Club now stands was a small island. Ramsey Lake -- called Ramsey's Gut years ago when it held the last grain-grinding mill in upper Chesapeake Bay -- joined Selby Bay through the culvert east of what is now the guest parking lot as well as under Turkey Point bridge.

A small residence, with two screened porches off the main room, stood on the club site. It is reported that the cost of building the original house ran about six thousand dollars. The Baltimore Brick Company donated the bricks to keep its bricklayers employed. An especially skilled Italian bricklayer built the impressive fireplace. There are conflicting rumors about how the owner made use of the bedrooms in each of the two wings.

Nineteen forty-seven: Thirty-three years ago: Five men, Lee and Richard Harris, Irving Herman, George Meyerson and Walter Podrog wanted to purchase this property for a boating club. But community objection discouraged them. Fred Crismond, who owned the Esso dock at Selby-on-the-Bay, on the other side, came to the small group's rescue. He provided dock space and gave the Club its first home.

Selby Bay Yacht Club was founded August 7, 1947, with seven male members. Motor Boating magazine, in January, 1948, reported: "Several functions have been held by the recently organized Selby Bay Yacht Club, Inc. of Selby Bay, Edgewater, Maryland, including a daylight cruise to Eastern Bay, and an oyster roast at the clubhouse grounds." Rudder magazine in the same month announced the formal incorporation of the Club.

The Club grew rapidly. In 1949 it requested its twenty-five members for pledges to help purchase a site for a club house. The site being considered is today the Holiday Point Marina. The records mention that entrance fees were raised to twenty-five dollars. That same year, the official burgee was selected, and the social committee arranged a public dance and several cruises. The dock rules reminded members that only one fifteen amp electric line was permitted into a boat, and that all boats were subject to inspection by the Club's flag officers at any time.

The year 1952 was a benchmark year. Walter Podrog and George Meyerson initiated the purchase proceedings of the present site, then owned by a supposed old recluse. After three years of hard work, SBYC laid claim to the property ---three years during which members talked individually to the protesting Turkey Point residents, sweated through a rezoning hearing, and raised money through the sale of bonds.

Also in 1952, the wives of the members organized themselves into an auxiliary group called the MATES, with Mickey Harris as the first president. The stated objective of the organization at the time was to carry out the social side of the Yacht Club. Activities included a welcoming party for new members, and the sale of shirts. By June, 1955, settlement on the property was completed, and a permit to build new docks was approved. The Club authorized an expenditure of $5,700 to build a 225 foot dock, with slips and finger piers. The following year, the Club had its first cruise to Oxford.

Two years later, after the lawn mower had slipped into the brink just one time too many, a bulkhead, was approved, but no money allotted. So, after Eisenhower's inauguration, some wood from the grandstands was sort of "appropriated." Phil Julian contributed several old ten foot telegraph poles, which Mel Spitz delivered on his tractor trailer. A jet pump on the dock was applied to blow holes into the sand, and the telegraph poles had a second life as pilings. Myron Loewinger, Al Simon and the Simon boys personally and physically put in 210 feet of bulkhead.

In 1958, there were fifty members in SBYC, one third of whose wives were paid-up members of the MATES, the objectives of which had expanded to include maintenance of the clubhouse and grounds. Yacht club members, in 1958, twenty-three years ago, who are still part of the Club today include Maury Atkin, Sid Fellman, Irv Herman, Ed Katz, Myron Loewinger, Ted Litovitz, Virgil Pence, A1 Simon, and Mel Spitz. But the club experience was quite different then from that of today. Most of the boats were day cruisers made of wood. None had diesel engines nor air-conditioning. Pressure water systems were rare. For the day-cruising family, an overnight at SBYC was possible by renting a small hot bedroom at the club house for a dollar a night. Bring your own sheets and be ready to spend a sweaty night tossing on sagging mattresses to the music of murmuring mosquitoes and tapping termites eating floors. Autos were parked on a pot-holed dirt lot, rimmed with exquisite Japanese maples. Children played on rickety playground equipment, but were able to swim off their boats right in Selby Bay. Women took turns showering in a single tin stall shower in an airless closet-sized ladies' room. And the men? They showered on the dock.

In 1958, a SBYC sponsored Coast Guard Auxiliary flotilla was started at the Club, with Al Goldblatt as the first commander. Before the fifties ended, the club season included a preseason shake down cruise, a boat parade, five club cruises, four U.S. Power Squadron rendezvous, and a Coast Guard Auxiliary Cruise.

In the early 1960's, the Club continued to add new areas of endeavor, and members contributed time, sweat, and energy to its welfare. The Club House was improved. The screen porches were enclosed with window glass from the chipped tops of Myron Loewinger's pin ball machines. Members and their wives cleaned the toilets, donated furniture, made the curtains, and dug the septic field. Doctor and dentist, lawyer and policeman, builder and physicist, economist, entrepreneur, and artist pitched in with plumbing the heads, painting the house, wiring the electricity, and building the docks. Art Zimbro was excused from paying dues for ten years because he contributed enough tile to finish the new heads. Carl Freeman donated wood from his building business to complete the Club House. Beryl Hirschman contributed the stepping stones, and Jack Isicson's truck did the hauling. Ted Litovitz fought tooth and nail for a swimming pool.

By the mid-sixties, the appearance of the Yacht Club began to change. We forfeited a small fruit orchard for a much needed swimming pool in 1965, the jelly fish having extended their season. In '66, a clubroom for the juniors was added, and soon after, a new dock for large boats and an apartment for the steward. Then the MATES refurbished the main room of the Club House, and SBYC took on a country club sophistication that would have been impossible to imagine a decade earlier. The good old days of hanging bed sheets out to dry on the aft of Monsein's little "OURS" were soon over.

Women in angora sweaters, and N.M. Cohen's fifty-seven foot ZEBULON with its gold spickets symbolized the beginning of a period of high-style boating clothes and accoutrements that lasted through the nouveau-riche period of the Club, and only began to subside and relax with the large influx of rag-haulers in the seventies.

The first sailboat in the Club was the EAGLE, owned by Ed Stevenson who made it his full-time home along with his pussy cats -- four-legged and Siamese. Other early sailors were the Cohens (LOCO), and the Newmans (JUDY-GAIL). Then, in the sixties, there was the Atkin sampan, the PETER POON, with its easily spotted red cotton sail. The first houseboat in the club, Hal and Lib Goodwin's outboard-motored SPINDRIFT had appeared in 1957. The first trawler was owned by the Chambers family. The first sailing cruise was led by Toby Konigsberg, the first sailing commodore.

Before the decade ended, yearbooks, newsletters, and commodore parties were initiated.

Simultaneously with the growth of the Club itself, was a parallel program which enriched and enhanced the Club. It was the MATES organization which over the years furthered the educational and social projects of the Club, and assisted in maintaining the Club's property. These major projects were accomplished through individual and collective creativity, hard work, and fund-raising.

Did the Club need pots 'n pans? - The Mates will take care of it.

Shouldn't we have a Junior Fleet? - the Mates will organize it.

Playground equipment? - Leave it to the Mates.

A painting of the Club for the salon walls: - Lee Loewinger will provide.

A lecture on safety in the galley? - Jackie Simon can do it.

Flag Raising buffet? End of season parties? Ad infinitum? - The MATES came to the rescue.

THE NINETEEN SEVENTIES: Economic problems and inflation! Increased demand for electricity and spiraling costs! Energy and conservation! All of these plagued the officers and board. And before the decade was finished, there were problems of theft, fires, electric meters, incorporation, and dog runs.

Nevertheless, Selby Bay Yacht Club, by 1970, had become the most beautiful yacht club on the entire Chesapeake Bay, and was in demand by clubs and individuals for the use of its facilities. A long waiting list for membership developed. The first season of the decade got off to a wild start with a mystery cruise June 13 to Shaw Bay. It almost ended in disaster. While SBYC members were living it up at a gourmet cocktail party on board the chartered PATRIOT in Shaw Bay, suddenly a group of rafted together SBYC boats slipped their moorings and began to drift down upon the PATRIOT. Amid screams from some of the women, the quick-thinking agile and skillful know-how of several members rescued the boats and members, and saved the day.

This was the decade of poolside omelet parties and commodores' lavish cocktail receptions, and the duck invasion. This was the decade of the big freeze when the water blew out of the Bay, and we walked under the docks standing up straight. These were the years when the docks buckled from freeze-thaw conditions. Also in the 1970's, the MATES, reflecting the times, objected to women not being permitted at Club business meetings. They wanted in on decision-making activities for the Club, along with the men. During Rhoda Simon's presidency, in 1973, the women disbanded the MATES organization, and submitted a petition to Commodore Curtis Wagner, requesting that SBYC become a family club in which women as well as men could participate actively in the Club. About that time, Elaine Selwyn, recently widowed, became the first woman member when she took over her husband's membership.

In 1974, the Constitution was amended to permit women to attend all regular meetings, to participate in discussion and decision making policies, and to permit them to serve on and chair committees. In 1977, Dorothy Cooper became the first woman to hold a Board position. Today, women have all the rights of full membership.

On July 3, 1976, under the leadership of Fleet Captain Joel Hurwitz, twenty boats from the Club went on a BICENTENNIAL CRUISE to the brand new Baltimore inner harbor. This meaningful Club event intertwined Frances Scott Key, the Bicentennial, and Entebbe with cruising.

A year later, three flag officers, their wives, and a group of other members and friends went on a SBYC YACHTSMAN'S TRIP TO ISRAEL. Led by Vice Commodore Maury Atkin, the group was welcomed at Israeli yacht clubs and naval installations.

SBYC members have always taken responsibility in the field of boating beyond the Club itself. Active participation in BOATING SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS started early in the life of the Club. In the sixties, Jack Isicson's JARA II won the Potomac River Power Squadron's navigation contest. After Jack retired from competition, SAC-KAM, skippered by Herb Sacks and Stanley Kamerow, won the Potomac River Power Squadron navigation contest two consecutive years. Everyone on the Chesapeake knew Morris Manchester could not be beaten in the Chesapeake Cruisers' Association predicted log contests. Al Simon became commander of the Potomac River Power Squadron, won its Dupont trophy with zero errors, and was appointed to the Maryland Boat Act Advisory Committee.

In the seventies, the SBYC-sponsored Coast Guard Auxiliary flotilla was active on the seas and at the Club. Virgil Pence chalked up countless Search and Rescue operations; Al Johnson was Commodore of the CGA Fifth District; and under Maury Atkin's Commandership, Flotilla 72 received the permanent Public Education Award plaque. The Boating Federation and the Federal Boat Safety Council of the Coast Guard benefited from Al Simon's dedication. John Fagan was commander of the Potomac River Power Squadron, as was Bill Garner, who also was on the executive board of the Maryland Boat Act Advisory Committee.

At the beginning of the eighties, Stan Rasberry was Commander of the Rockville Power Squadron, and Pete Nicols of the Prince George's Power Squadron. Bill Garner was secretary of the CBYCA, and Al Simon was chairman of the Maryland BoatAct Advisory Committee.

Our Club has exchanged burgees with other clubs on the Bay, and around the world as far away as Hawaii, Egypt, and Israel. A flag flown above the Capitol flies today from the SBYC mast.

As we begin the decade of the eighties, with the CHANGE OF WATCH from Commodore Don Friedman to Commodore Stanley Kamerow, let us reflect a moment. SBYC is an impossible dream come true. The projection of Walter Fodrog's thoughts, spirit, and enthusiasm were boundless. We are grateful to those of the past who have made the present and the future possible. It is to be seen whether in the eighties fuel rationing will turn us all into rag haulers or dock sitters, and whether we shall again enjoy clean waters. Let us all work together to meet and overcome the challenges of the new decade.


Part 2
(A continuation by Toby and Jean Konigsberg 1980-97)

Our chronology continues in 1980, which proved to be an eventful year under Commodore Don Friedman, as the existing mortgage was paid off. Our members continued to demonstrate their expertise in boating when, in 1981 Capt. Hank Wise entered his yacht, " WISE I," in the Marion Mass. to Bermuda Ocean Race. This was the first time a member of SBYC had entered a "big-time ocean race". Club members Toby Konigsberg and Stan Raspberry joined Henry as crew along with Hank's son and others. Hank, subsequently, entered a total of three times with members Stan Caplan, Frank Drohan, George Murray and others serving as crew. As the years pass and the parties become more elaborate, we continue to enjoy the friendship of our fellow members.

1982 was a banner year with the construction of new bulkheads and small boat ramp. Dinghy and small boat docks were constructed along B dock bulkhead. As the decade continued and the reputation of the Club grew, there was a constant waiting list of people who wanted to join. Don and Dot Umstot came aboard as the Club Steward in 1984 and proved to be a great asset to SBYC. They remained for many years and became part of the SBYC family. The David Konigsberg Memorial Sailboat Race was originated in 1984 and has been run for the ensuing years by his father, Captain Toby. The sailboaters of SBYC and even some power boaters look forward each year to this weekend event.

In the winter of 1984 there was a real deep freeze. It was made notable by the ice skating on Selby Bay! Women’s liberation at SBYC came into its own in 1985 when Captain Dorothy Cooper became our first woman Commodore. The times were a-changing. No Smoking became the rule rather then the exception. The change of watch in 1987 was moved to the new Lowes Hotel in Annapolis.

The first fashion show was held at SBYC in 1988. The merchandising of our club logo began in earnest as the logo began to appear on every imaginable piece of clothing. Early in 1988 the board voted to install ice eaters near the slips to reduce ice damage to the boats and docks. In the spring, under the leadership of Commodore Gerson Kramer, a permit was obtained for the remodeling of the Clubhouse (at the same time a new road bridge was started across the entrance to Ramsey Lake.) A loan was obtained to cover the remodeling in December (thanks to the efforts of Captain Burt Reiner) and ground breaking began in the spring of 1989 with Commodore Gerry Raine in charge. The building was completed in the fall under the watchful eye of Building Chairman Dan Norwitz.

We all benefited from the significant improvements incorporated into the existing structure. The central space was enclosed to become a beautiful meeting and party facility. A new TV room and workshop were added. The interior was completely renovated and the furniture updated. At the completion of this major renovation, the members took advantage of the facility with a Black Tie Change of Watch party that established yet another tradition that has been followed to the present time.

Our members continued to be active in the boating community at large, with Al Simon continuing to receive recognition and awards including the "BUNSEL BOATING SAFETY AWARD", and the naming of the American Boat & Yacht Council Library, located in Parole, in Al's honor.

The docks were improved in the early 90s with the addition of cable television for every slip. The club also receives approval as a not for profit entity. But enough about docks and organization.

As in the past, cruises did not always go as planned. There was a mystery cruise led by Fleet Captain Barry Shugar. He passed out sealed envelopes with different directions for each boat to follow to the secluded raft up location. Unfortunately, no one could predict with certainty when an afternoon thunderstorm might hit. And it did just as sailing vessels were attempting to navigate to their intended destination. Once again, the camaraderie of the members led to all arriving (even though in tow) to have a wonderful time during the remainder of the evening. During this period, participation was high with 12 boats going on a long cruise to Cape May where they enjoyed side trips to the casinos of Atlantic City and dinner at the famed Lobster House. Cruises with 20 or more boats became the rule rather than the exception. Participation was the word at social events, flag raising, picnics and pot luck dinners. The thrill of participation continued. In 1994 Fleet Captain Paul Natkowitz, our current Commodore led yet another mystery cruise to Shaw Bay. We still have the shirts Paul gave us to refresh our memories. Once again it was one of those notorious storms that wreaked havoc and taught us to break up rafts early if there is a possibility of a storm.

Our Steward of 10 years, Don and Dot Umstot chose to retire in 1996 and the search for their replacement was the focus of considerable energy. Beryl Kramer became our second female commodore and directed the revival of the Junior Fleet. The fall of 1996, saw the highest tide in the history of the Club. The docks were completely submerged and many a dock box floated. But we survived, as usual, with members helping other members tie and retie their boats. As a consequence, there was no severe damage.

The Club continues with its members providing their time and expertise. A much needed new telephone system has been installed and the heads have been remodeled. In retrospect, It is interesting to note that the entrance fee to join SBYC was $25 in 1947; today the fee is $3500. In 1949 only one 15 amp electric service was permitted per slip; today in 1997 per slip electric can be 2-30s or 1-5O amp service. Starting in 1947 we utilized a septic tank on the property, which required pumping out every weekend during the season. In the early 90s, Anne Arundel County installed a new system which eliminated the problem of sewage water disposal. Although "holding tanks" have been required on boats since the early 90s, this year, 1997, is the first year yacht clubs and marinas with over 50 slips are required to have "pump-out" facilities; Every effort is being made to have a clean and safe Chesapeake Bay. Even though it may appear that we have a disproportionate focus on scatological matters, we seem to be able to continue to enjoy the facility and enhance our boating experience with the fellowship of our members

Our resident membership is determined by the number of slips we have, which is presently 70. Over the years, at times, we have had large waiting lists for memberships. As we approach our 50th year, we now have a full complement of members; no waiting list; no vacancies. We presently have 1 non-resident members; 2 honorary members (Rudy Isicson and Dorothy Cooper) and 19 Associate Members. Equally important, many of our members are second generation members. We look forward to the participation of the third generation.

Over the years our Commodores and their Bridge have done a superb job of keeping our Club financially sound and smoothly operating and our facilities up dated and excellent. We salute all of them and are proud to be members of one of the finest yacht clubs on the Chesapeake Bay where the camaraderie is exceptional.


We are pleased to include the following prepared by Pat Engel with the help of Beryl Kramer and Myrna Norwitz in honor of the 41st Anniversary of the Club. It was written to be sung to the music of the song "Those Were the Days"........

VERSE 1
It was the forties, friends
The war was at an end
A boating club began by seven men
At what was Ramsey's Gut
Crismond gave them a dock
And that's how Selby Bay Yacht Club began.

VERSE 2
There in the early years
The summers hot and clear
We sailed and played and swam in Selby Bay
Back then our boats were small
No inside showers at all.
The friends we made back then we have today.

VERSE 3
And then there came a time a bulkhead was in line
The need was there, alas there was no dough.
Thanks to Myron and Mel
Al and his boys and Phil.
Selby's bulkhead was used telegraph poles.

VERSE 4
In the sixties, dear friends
Our yacht club did expand
The members gave and worked till it was done
Bathrooms were now installed
Improvements made by all.
Club room, new docks and to, a steward's home.

VERSE 5
The seventies cruised along
The ladies now belong
Thanks to Rhoda and Mates and Women's Lib
The women had it all, not just the Commodore's Ball
First mates are navigating on the Bridge.

VERSE 6
The com'radrie we choose
Is present on a cruise
From way back when, and even through today
The "Patriot" Episode
When Katz boat broke a hose
And gangsters' molls, in Nassau, made their day.

VERSE 7
These are the days our friends
Let's hope they never end
We all will sail forever and a day
And may the course we choose
Be ever straight and true
And always lead us back to Selby Bay!



ANECDOTE 1
Selby Bay Yacht Club was begun by five men who wanted to form a boating club: Lee & Richard Hams, Irving Herman, George Meyerson, and Walter Podrog. At the actual founding date, August 7,1947, it had grown to seven men. In two years, the club had 25 members and wanted to purchase what is now Holiday Point Marina. Dues were $25.00

ANECDOTE 2
In the early years, a makeshift shower for the ladies was set up on the dock. More than once the shower curtain was "accidentally' blown aside. The children swam in the water, which was clear. Where the swimming pool is today, a fruit orchard stood, and the ladies made fruit pies.

ANECDOTE 3
One lawnmower too many had gone over the side and it was time for a bulkhead. The Board approved it, but no money was allocated. After Eisenhower's inauguration, lumber from the grandstands was "appropriated". Phil Julian contributed 10 telegraph poles, which Mel Spitz delivered to be used as pilings. Myron Loewinger, Al Simon and his boys physically put in 210 feet of bulkhead. Members were reminded that electricity was limited to one 15 amp line.

ANECDOTE 4
The renting of rooms for $ 1.00 per night was no longer available. Neither were the cubicles with dirt floors and dubious reputation in our new clubhouse. Fruit pies gave way to THE SWIMMING POOL. Sailboats joined the fleet, boats grew larger and fancier. Yearbooks, The Deck Log and Commodores' Parties enriched life at Selby Bay.

ANECDOTE 5
The 'Mates" was the ladies auxiliary group, because women were excluded from membership. The Mates, however, accomplished major projects through their hard work and ingenuity. Supplies, playground equipment, parties, the Junior Fleet, drapes, furniture...and the list goes on. In 1974, the constitution was amended, giving women full membership. Dorothy Cooper was our first lady Board Member.

ANECDOTE 6
Myron Loewinger, on "Daddy's Girl", didn't know that the railroad bridge going to Bush River Yacht Club needed a week's notice to be opened. In order to get under it, he opened his sea cocks, nearly sunk the boat, got under the bridge and pumped her out.

On a cruise to Nassau, the Spitz', Cafritz', and Portens were docked next to some gangsters with their girl friends. One girl needed dental advice. She came over to seek Hugh Cafritz' dental advice, clad only in a mink coat. A few days later, one of the gangsters was shot in Chicago ...did Hugh ever collect his fee?

On a cruise to Indian Creek, Eddie Katz, in a 36 ft boat, broke a water hose. The wave action from the boats circling while standing by to help', almost swamped him.

As part of a raft out in Shaw Bay, the party boat, "The Patriot' was hired for a cruise. Some of our members were to fake a fight and jump overboard. However, a whole raft of Selby's finest boats were seen drifting toward The Patriot. The Gatorade "drink" wore off quite quickly as our boys jumped overboard and swam like crazy to save their boats. After the cruise, the Captain of The Patriot said..."If you ever see me, pretend we don't know each other."