GENERAL MANAGER

Hi Folks
In this month I have put together some answers to some questions that I have received.
Renewal Notices: We have sent out all the renewal notices but have found that some members have not received theirs even to the point that one family member received theirs and the other did not. Some members have received them now but others have not. Incorrect addresses and area codes seems to be some of the problem, however if you have not received your invoice you can pay across the bar without it. The deadline for payment has been extended to take into account those that did not receive sufficient notice and if you have any enquiries do not hesitate to contact me.
Veteran Membership: Full members who have had continuous full membership for sixteen (16) years, or reach the age of sixty (60) or over and having been a Full Member of the Club for five (5) years, shall be entitled to veteran Membership. The subscription set shall be half the current full membership rate.
Loyalty Points: loyalty points were put in place to thank the members for using their Club. When you first arrive you receive 5 points just by swiping your card at the Kiosk, and then as you make your purchases during your visit, ensure you hand over your card to receive even more. The more you visit the more points you accumulate and you can redeem your points at any stage when making a purchase. They can be used to either pay or part pay your subscriptions or purchase a meal or drink. PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU USE ALL YOUR POINTS PRIOR TO YOUR ANNIVERSARY JOINING DATE AS THEY WILL BE DELETED READY TO START A NEW YEAR.
Members Draw: ( From Friday 10th February 2012) The Members Draw is made once a week on our Club Night being a Friday (7pm). Whenever you enter the Club (Saturday to Friday) and swipe your card at the kiosk, those that are entitled will receive a chit to place in the box provided for the weekly membership draw, this of course means the more you come to the club the more chances you have to win. You must be in the Club on the Friday Night to claim the prize and if it is not claimed the prize will jackpot to the next week. The prize will only jackpot to a maximum of $1000.00 and then it must be won. ALL PRIZES GIVEN OUT AT 50% CASH AND 50% LOYALTY POINTS WILL BE PLACED ON YOUR MEMBERSHIP CARD.
Happy Hours: Watch out for the notices to when the Happy Hours are on.
Monthly Draw: The monthly draw will continue, but with some great prizes and on the last Friday of the month a draw will be made and the person will receive what is on the chit. You need to read your chit to find out whether you need to be in the Club on the night of the draw to claim the prize.
That's all folks, Kind regards, Dave

NEW MEMBERS

Hi Folks..
Well, here we are again. Hope you all had a good festive season, despite the rather unseasonal weather..
2012 is well underway, and New Members is up and running for the new year..
At the time of writing this report (Mon. 23rd Jan), we have six new applicants for membership. A good start so far..
Over the past few years that I have been involved with the new members, it has been good to hear from some them how they have been made to feel welcome into the club..
Especially when they have turned up for the first time to join one of our many adjuncts..
All you folks who are involved in adjuncts have given them a place to fit into, and find their feet in the club..
Well done, and keep up the good work..
Our first New Members Day for the year is Sunday 5th February at 2.30pm..
As always, any representative from any of the adjuncts is most welcome to join us, and speak about their activity..
Here's to a good year for the Bays Club and all its members..
Bill McChesney..

CLUB WELFARE (CWI)CLUB WELFARE (CWI)

Hello Everyone,
For those of you who have taken your holidays and are back at work, the weather must have been a real disappointment. Let's hope if you have saved some 'leave,' that your break later in the year proves less restricting, enabling you to follow your favourite interests and pleasures with the subsequent health/psyche benefits.
It is probably timely to remind you and tell those of you who are new members, who perhaps are unaware that the Club is fortunate enough to have its own de-fibrillater, should the occasion arise to use it, and that a team of staff and Club members have been professionally tutored in how to operate it, not that this is particularly difficult. If necessary the machine will guide you through the process. So with our weather improving (so “they” tell us,) if you see a drama unfolding on the beach, or realise that there is an emergency within the Club –
1) First ask someone to dial 111 immediately (every moment is vital.)
2) Ask someone else to quickly locate the defibrillator – usually on a shelf behind the bar.
3) Ask a 3rd person to request the help of any of our medical members (e.g. Doctor or nurse, should you be lucky enough to have them in the Club at the time.)
Loosen any restrictive clothing (e.g. belts etc) on the patient, in readiness for the defibrillator
Meantime try to keep as calm as possible, for a cool, positive demeanour certainly helps to clear your thinking and also helps everyone (including the patient) operate more effectively.
It was with sadness that Jeff Wright and his family farewelled Winsome Wright their much loved Mother, Wife, Grandmother and great Grandmother, who had been a talented artist, musician gardener, a wonderful home-maker and hostess. Sadly, the ravages of dementia recently stole much of these abilities, but Jeff's dad, George (at 92 years,) with support from 'their boys' and families, rallied and cared for her at home with the devotion that few of us have experienced. A truly amazing commitment and a wonderful example.
After worrying us with their health problems it has been delightful to see some of our members at the Club again, looking really well – John Pedersen, Harvey Graham and Peter Hatwell. Then there is Kirsten (one of our hard working Chefs) back again and looking “in the pink”.
Perhaps you know this feeling?
If at first you don't succeed – deny that you were ever trying.
For now, take care.  Keep well and happy.
Kind regards – Lynette Sceats – 478 7969

DARTS

Tuesday Nights 7.30

FISHING

Two years ago, in February 2010, a group of us from the Bays Fishing Club, spent four memorable days fishing the Ranfurly Banks, about 30 miles off East Cape. We caught plenty of fish in XOS sizes and released far more than we removed, but still came home with a bounteous supply.
The six Kingfish we kept, each well over the 1 metre minimum size limit, self imposed by the Bay of Plenty Charter operators, were left with a Whakatane Butcher for smoking and forwarding on to us by Courier. I can't recall the cost of this service, but for what we got, it was peanuts. The fish was beautifully smoked and vacuum packed and after giving heaps away, we all enjoyed several delicious meals
At that point, I became curious as to how long the smoked fish may keep, so tucked a few small packs away in a refrigerator which doesn't get a lot of use, but on occasions when the door was opened, I lifted the packs and looked them over, but have seen no deterioration. However after year one, I was a little nervous about sampling them, but then, my neighbour went away for several days and asked me to feed her two cats. When the 'jelly meat' stuff she had left, ran out, I thought “Well, if the Kingfish is 'off,' it is unlikely that the cats will eat it,” so I made a bold decision and included them in the experiment.
On removal from the vacuum pack, the fish smelt just as it should, the two moggies didn't hesitate to tear straight into it, and what's more, they were both on deck next morning , looking for more.
I think a third anniversary will be sufficient to prove a point, but in the meantime, if I swell up, turn blue and die, you will know that curiosity got the better of me.
Also thinking back a couple of months, I told you that Ken Ring, the weather predicting man, had said that summer would not really get under way until February, but then it should become a long Indian summer. He's been so right, so far. Apart from a few isolated days, and the last week or so, when the sun finally made its presence felt, the weather has not been conducive to piscatorial pursuits, but suddenly news is filtering through that the good Charter Operators are having no difficulty in achieving limits, not that that should be our aim – we should take what we can eat, not what we can catch.
In addition Game Fishing has suddenly sprung into life, with 22 marlin being weighed on the East Coast and in the past week or so, including a 261 kg 'Blue,' in addition to some other notable catches viz: a 95.8 kg Blue Fin Tuna at Whakatane and Yellow Fin Tuna of 52kg and 76 kg at Bay of Islands – these last two having apparently made their way past foreign vessels taking them before they got this far south.
On the local scene, afternoon/evening Charter trips are booked for 7th and 13th of February aboard “Kiwi Angler,” out of Gulf Harbour. The first trip is fully booked (but be alert for last minute cancellations, if any,) but there is still a bit of space available on the second.
In addition, a weekend trip to Whangaroa and two full days fishing for up to 8 anglers has been arranged. Sorry I don't have a date for that – check the Notice Board, but the first 8 people to book and pay will go.
Fish of the month is Yellowtail Kingfish, and the pundits say there are plenty of them out there. Don't forget the 750 mm minimum size limit.
The newspapers are claiming that Snapper are in shallow water. My view is that that may be so before daylight and after dark, but the average fisho, who can only get out there for a few hours during the day, should still position himself where there is a bit of current, and either drift (towing a drogue if the current is strong, or anchor up and deploy burley.)
However you go about it, get out there and have fun. I'll try not to be too jealous when you tell me how much you enjoyed yourself.
I'm afraid I'll be out of action for a few weeks; a bit of overdue maintenance which should have been winterised, but I'm happy for you to take the fish I may have caught.
Cheers - Bob Towersey

SNOOKER

Come and join us any Monday evening from 7.00 for a most entertaining evening of snooker. Everyone plays to realistically calculated handicaps to ensure a level playing field and to allow each and every player, no matter their individual skill levels, a shot at winning one of the two bottles of wine on offer for first and second place.
As an added incentive a $50.00 bar tab can be won for the most wins in a month together with a select bottle of either red or white wine for the member that attends for four consecutive weeks. (If more than one, this will be done by a draw.)
Regards
Colin & Peter

GOLF

Once again the Bays Club Golf Section had a rainy day for our monthly outing, with torrential rain to begin with and then turning to showers, for our game at Helensville on 22nd January. We ended up with about 32 players braving the conditions, after some pulled out before play commenced. The course was in great condition after all the summer rain, and again there were some very good scores posted.
Division 1 winner with 42 stableford was Brian Kidson, with the runner up being Rodney Allison. Division 2 was won by Chris Hernon with a fantastic 45 points, and runner up was Martin Folan. Chris also belted out a great drive to win the men's longest drive, and the ladies longest drive on hole 18 was won by Diana Elder who was playing as a guest.
The closest to the pin was on hole 14 for the men, which was a very long par 3, so congratulations to Ed Connolly for being the only man to get on the green, and to Diana Elder for winning the closest to the pin on hole 8 for the ladies. Rex North was the only player to get a 2 – well done Rex.
Our next outing is at Huapai on the 19th February, so we look forward to seeing you there. Remember that section fees of $24.00 are now due, and if unpaid after March there will be a $5.00 surcharge per game.
Happy golfing. Vicki Reid 

POOL

With only three weeks to go we may have already found our Ladder Winner for the year. David Read, on 192, is 25 ahead of Peter Grime who is 9 and 10 ahead of Brian Davis and Barrie Eynon. Bill Bate and Paul Duncan complete the male members of the top ten. The remainder are Ladies, Glad, Annette, Marnie and Maureen. Some of whom will be collecting Trophies and Prizes at our AGM and Prizegiving which is on Wednesday 22nd February at 7 pm.
Raffle months this year for Pool are April and October.
Thankyou to everyone for your participation throughout the year and look forward to seeing you at the Pool section AGM on Wed 22nd February.
Regards, John Capon

WAGS
Wine Appreciation Group.

WEBSITE & NEWSLETTER

www.baysclub.co.nz

Don’t forget to use the Newsletter and website to promote your events.
Tony Nettleton tony@netart.co.nz

POKER





Tuesday nights

QUIZ NIGHT

Welcome all to another year of Trivia nights at the Bays Club. Just 5 of our regular teams to kick the year off .
A couple of Boo's were to be heard during the evening the first one being to Paul's opening comments 'The quizmaster's answers are nearly always right' and in fact our teams kept him on his toes with more than one steward's enquiries taking place – what a start to the year!
As expected Paul started the year on fine form the famous face round was famous cat breeds – we were even provided the answers so it was match the breed to the picture – sound simple enough? Not for The Weakest link who only managed 4 correct, however Liverton obviously know their pussies as they scored a full house of 16/16 – well done. How many teams will equal that during the year as we keep tallies for the 2012 Hall of Fame.
Round one got us off to a good start and the first of many laughs during the evening with an athletic picture of where a persons 'hammies' are apparently it wasn't a picture of Paul!
The scores on the board at the end of round one saw Liverton in the lead, Blackadders second and Cosmo third and in fact these placings remained unchanged for the entire evening – almost! The gap between the teams was narrowed during the quiz to the point after round three that only 1 point seperated first and second ditto second and third – nail biting stuff! At the other end of the scale The Weakest Link set off their bid for the first wooden spoon of the year – there were only three of them this month.
A few more laughs in round two to keep the evening going Cosmo celebrating big time when the answer engrish.com was announced – they must have got it right! Plus Liverton were heard to say that a gentleman in the team had a perfect question when Paul asked the correct order for ladies applying lip make up – never did hear if he got it right or not. This proved to be a tough round with three teams only scoring 12 – Liverton, Blackadders and The Weakest Link, not a bad effort though the high score for the round were our buddies Cosmo on 15, must have been the engrish.com! Cosmo in fact went on to rack up the highest score of the session in round four with 17 out of 20.
We were entertained by Paul as usual with two musical interludes and a Bill Clinton joke – it has to be worth attending the quizzes just for that!
The second huge groan and Boo of the night came in round three when Paul announced the answer to a culinary question as being that the cake ingredients he had described resulted in a Soufflé. The participating quizzers strongly objected to the fact that this is not a cake -however the steward's enquiry was overruled as our quizmaster had obtained the information from Wikipedia.
So we continued into round 4 at the end of which we had one of the closest result ever for our quiz. The Weakest Link held onto the wooden spoon, Blackadders came third but a tie for first place between Cosmo and Liverton at 72.5 points each meant the tie breaker was needed. Who would take away the $100 up for grabs for winning the night? Cosmo were 13 away from the correct answer to the tie break, Liverton were 12 away – so a difference of just one meant that Liverton emerged our first winners of 2012 – well done to them and our top three placings.
That left just two names Pegasus 6 and The Weakest Link to go into the Champagne bucket for a bid to with the $30 consolation prize on offer. After lots of mixing around and keeping the crowd in suspense – Paul pulled a name out who was it to be? – Pegasus 6 – so The Weakest Link left with nothing – but the three of them had a great time as we all did.
Our February quiz will take place as always on the last Thursday in the month which is Thursday 23rd. I did mention that we would have a quiz with a slight difference in February, this is still planned and will now take place in March – more details next month - it promises to be fun night.
I am sure the quizmaster's February tip will have you all scrambling for Google or your favourite search engine to find out the identity of the person – the clue being Mary Louise Gummer – oh of course it's!? I knew that!
Until February 23rd at 7.15 pm for a 7.30 pm start – be great to see lots of teams and get the money pot up!
Goodbye - The Weakest Link.

TRAVEL CLUB

Next meeting Monday 13 Feb, 7.00pm  (not 7.30 as in the Calendar in the printed Newsletter) 
(A week later than usual to avoid Waitangi Day)