Nauti Ladies

In April, 2001, a group of lady members of the Yacht Club of Hilton Head Island met for the first time. They organized and called themselves “The Nauti Ladies”, a name suggested by Chris Maxim, one of the founding members. They adopted the mermaid as their logo.

Ever since that time, they have met year-round on the third Friday of every month. The organization is open to all female members of the Yacht Club. New members are always welcome.

Originally they founded for fellowship, having interesting programs for women, and service to the Yacht Club. Eventually, they became the official Social Committee for the Club, doing the planning, decorating and clean-up for the Club’s monthly social events. At present, the group has also become a source of fund raising for improvements at the Yacht Club, with activities such as the Friday raffles, rummage sales, and auctions. The Nauti Ladies act as official hostesses for the Club at Friday night dinners, greeting members and guests. They also plant and maintain all of the floral planters on the Club grounds.

Along the way their activities have included hosting an English High Tea (with Wendy Kennedy’s assistance) at our yacht club for our sister group at the South Carolina Yacht Club. They also assisted one of their members, Jeanette Cram, also known as the “Cookie Lady”, making, packaging, and mailing home-made cookies, and in addition sending packages crammed with other needed items for our troops in Iraq. They have collected for the United States Marines’ “Toys for Tots” program.

Past presidents have been Connie Walsh, Marsha Christenson, Suzy Priegel, and Joni Drayton. The current president of the Nauti Ladies is Betty Y. Bush. Judy Safay is the president-elect for 2008.

The money that the Nauti Ladies provided the club for improving the kitchen has been put to good use. Not to be outdone, the gentlemen have gone to work. Ken Priegel, Don Robbins, Dennis Foley and George Kedrowksy have been busy rehabbing the kitchen. Our talented new club manager, Carter, is volunteering his time and is doing a lot of cleanup. Work continues and the club should know that the money the Nauti Ladies provided is nothing compared to the hours of labor these guys have put in. Well earned kudos to them.

Our organization is finding new ways to raise money to help the club--who knows what talents we might have to call on next! Plans are under way for a Bingo night. Not to let the social side down, the Mardi Gras party looks to be THE event of the year. The trip to Charleston for the home and garden show is being finalized. The varnishing crew of Sue Hoots, Edie Thiele and Mary Ann Compher have finished their work on the cupboards under the trophy case and the north area of the bar. Thanks, ladies.

Trips - Several special sojourns are in the works, and Joni Drayton will keep you informed. She puts in a lot of work organizing events and would appreciate additional support.

Club Maintenance - Continued maintenance of the club has not been forgotten. Two volunteers will come to the club each week for a month to check to see that everything is ship-shape. Carol Kedrowsky and Marsha Christenson will do these duties in January, and Betty Y. Bush and Betty Walton are in line for February.

All these doings are a collective effort. It goes without saying that we actively want more members and more participation. The Nauti Ladies want YOU.

Meeting Schedule (second Friday); noon lunch; meeting at 1:00 p.m.:

The Nauti Ladies get together for a social hour and lunch at 12:00 on the second Friday of every month, followed by our business meeting at 1:00. We exchange books every month too, and the $1.00 we pay is added to our treasury.