February 26, 2023

Leaves are just beginning to come out on our trees.  The grass is beginning to grow and magnolia blossoms are just  starting to bloom.  SIBC's official opening to the 2023 boating season will be be celebrated at our annual Sock Burning, Burgers & Hot Dogs at the Dockside Bar on March 24th.

Until then, there are still many beautiful days that we can be on the water, enjoying the low country.  My wife and I have taken advantage of the warmer weather and ventured out on the Wilmington and Vernon Rivers.  For those of you who own boats, now is the time to get them ready for the season.  If you are looking to buy a boat or are an avid fisherman, the Savannah Boat show is your ticket! 

The Savannah Boat Show was started in 2003 and this year was its 20^th anniversary.  It was held Friday, February 24^th, Saturday, February 25^th and Sunday, February 26^th at the Savannah Convention Center.  Prior to the COVID Pandemic as many as 7000 boaters enjoyed the Boat Show.  2023 attendance was better than last years but short of the 7000 that attended in the past.  This year’s boat show primarily show cased powerboats.  Because there is a large number of salt water fishermen in Savannah and the surrounding area, there were fishing experts on hand giving fishing seminars and demonstrations.   In the Convention Center there were interesting maritime displays and exhibits.  The Boat Show also featured boats on the outside lawn of the Convention Center overlooking the Savannah River. The weather made for a great day for a family outing.  The Boat Show makes both boaters and fishermen long for boating season to start since we have had to endure a cold and rainy Georgia winter.  We look forward to the longer sunny days and warmer weather that Spring and Summer bring when we can be out boating!

The SIBC Board of Directors has initiated a review and update of the By-Laws that governs SIBC.  After a detailed review of our current By-Laws it was evident that the current By-Laws do not reflect how the Club does business and are in need of a complete revision.  In order to accomplish this, the Board formed a By-Laws revision committee to bring a draft of the revised By-Laws to the Board for review and approval by the end of March.  Once the Board has approved the revision to the By-Laws, SIBC members will be asked to vote to accept or disapprove the By-Laws revision.

As part of our By-Laws review, it also became apparent that we were not regularly publishing a schedule of our Board meetings.  The SIBC Board meets every third Tuesday of every month at 5:00 pm (usually) at 16 Middle Marsh Retreat.  

SIBC members need to be aware that the SIBC Board meetings are open to all Club members to attend.  Any Club member who wishes to attend a regularly scheduled Board Meeting must give the SIBC Secretary (Richard Bayard) notice of the members intent to attend the Board meeting at least 4 days before the meeting, to enable the Board to choose a suitable time and location for the meeting. 

February 28th - Rancho Alegre Lunch & Visit to Grays Reef  Discovery Center

March 24th - Boating Season Opener:  LHM Sock Burning and Burgers & Hot Dogs

April 4th - Ebenezer Creek Kayak Trip

May 16th - Boat Trip/Tour of Daufuskie Island

June 16th - Fathers Day Potluck and Grilling at the Dockside Bar

Dockside Bar Happy Hours (5 to 7pm): March 24th, April 7th, April 21st, May 5th, May 19th, June 6th, & June 30th

• UGA - Finding Meaning in the Marsh: Photography
  
  March 2, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm More Info: https://gacoast.uga.edu/event/finding-meaning-in-the-marsh-photography/

• UGA - Estuary Trawl

• UGA - Aquarium Community Supper

• UGA - Finding Meaning in the Marsh: Art