This past several weeks your FMO Board of Directors has been working on next seasons event schedule. We again plan on having at least 6 fun runs between October and early April. Below you will find a draft of what is shaping up so far. Each year we invite membership input and we welcome any suggestions you may have, up until the end of this month. Please remember that both the restaurant and associated marina must be able to accommodate 100+ people and 30 or more boats if at peak or holiday periods or cannot be considered. You may post your suggestions here or e mail me at [email protected] It is our hope to publish and circulate the finalized schedule by early August.

2013 / 14 FMO schedule considerations

Draft only for comment

Event # 1 - Sat. October 12 / 13 - Season opener. Traditionally we have had a beach day for the October event as the water is still warm enough for swimming. If we are to continue that tradition, our recommendation is that we go to Cayo Costa. FMO attended Cayo Costa for the first time in April and we really enjoyed it. From feedback we received, those in attendance would like to see us return. We are open to other suggestions. Should a restaurant stop be included or pack our lunch a beverages? Note: We are aware that PRA has an event scheduled out of Cape Coral that weekend. The FMO board has discussed the possible conflict and decided since so few of our membership do PRA events that neither they nor us will be hurt by the two events. I think last year at this time they held their poker run at Tampa and we held our event which tradition FMO will continue. Any FMO’s wanting to do the PRA run are welcome to do so. We have no issue with that.

Event # 2 - Sat. November 23 / 13 - Traditionally held the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend. We are inviting suggestions on where you would like to go. Last year we went to Porto Bello Restaurant at Burnt Store. Time for a change or do we go back? The food was good and we were made to feel very welcome.*Porto Bello is one of the few area restaurants that have shown us they can handle a group our size on a holiday weekend.

Event #3 - Sat. December 28 / 13 - Our traditional New Year’s run to Marco Island. We are recommending that we have our run on Saturday December 28 / 13. This avoids a conflict with the Sarasota group that traditionally has their run on New Years Day. Also I would like to see us again return to CJ’s on the Bay at the Esplanade as they have been great hosts, it is a nice venue, and a chance for Hans and I to have FMO to “our town”. In the event that the weather is not co operating on the 28th, our backup rain / snow ( LOL ) date will be New Years Day, Jan 1 / 14.

Event # 4 - Fri. / Sat. / Sun. January 31 / 14 to February 2 / 14 - I have been in touch with the Hyatt in Sarasota and would like to see FMO return there for what has become a traditional weekend event.* This is the only date that the Hyatt can offer us at a reasonable rate. I have rooms and the marina being held. ( Please do not try and book yet ! ) If the group is wanting to explore other options for our weekend run we can do that, but would be for the following year.

Event # 5 - Saturday March 1 / 14 - Destination to be determined. Suggestions please. Lashley’s Crab House, Punta Gorda has been suggested.

Event # 6 - Saturday April 5 / 14 - Often we will have a beach visit as part of our season finale. Sometimes we have gone to Naples Bay Resort for lunch and then offered the option of going down to the beach at Keewaydin Island. It seems at least half the group does not go down to Keewaydin after lunch. Any ideas on how to fix that or maybe it is OK as is? Getting several spots together for our boats is always tough at Keewaydin it seems.

Places FMO has been to in the last 4 seasons:

2011 / 12:* Naples Bay Resort; Burnt Store ; CJ’s at Marco; Hyatt, Sarasota; Harpoon Harry’s, Punta Gorda; Big Game Club; Cayo Costa

2010 / 11: Burnt Store; Tarpon Point Resort; CJ’s at Marco; Hyatt, Sarasota; Everglades City; Naples Bay Resort

2009 / 10: Naples Bay Resort; Useppa Island; CJ’s at Marco; Lighthouse at Sanibel Marina; Hamilton Harbor.

2008 / 09: Naples Bay Resort; Harpoon Harry’s; CJ’s at Marco; Useppa Island; Lighthouse at Sanibel Marina.

Event dates to consider that we are aware of:

PRA season finale, Cape Coral - Oct 11 / 12, 2013

Ft. Lauderdale Boat Show - Oct. 31 - Nov. 4, 2013

Key West Boat Races - Nov. 6 - 10, 2013

Everglades City Seafood Festival - Feb 8 / 9, 2014 ( Note: do we want to put the Seafood Festival on our event calendar or just offer it if it works out? One problem I see is that it is just a week before the Miami Boat Show and a week after our Sarasota run and that may present a travel problem for me to do all three on consecutive weekends. )

Miami Boat Show - Feb. 13 - 17, 2014

Valentines Day - Feb. 14, 2014

Easter - April 20, 2014

Looks good to me Bob. Looking forward to attending most (if not all) of the events!!!!

Thanks for all of the hard work that you and fellow BOD's do!!

Craig and Nancy