2010 Board of Directors
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Commodore - Karen Hermanson
Vice Commodore - Bob Horin
Secretary - Mary Kress
Treasurer - Nancy Widener
Membership Director - Patricia Somers
Sailing Director - Charles Biancardi
Social Director - Dot Castell
Newsletter Director - Max Goldstein
Boat Owners' Representative - David Witczak
Web Master - Gary Mayes
Commodore
Karen Hermanson

I was raised like a vagabond all over the midwest but spent glorious summers on the water at the family Lake House in northern Minnesota . We had a boat for water skiing, but I most liked rowing the canoe out to the middle of the lake and just laying quietly in the bottom of the hull feeling the sway of the water.  Whether I am under the water (scuba diving), in the water (swimming), or on the water (boating), I just love it!

I started sailing in the 1986 during a trip to the Bahamas and quickly became a serial charter sailing guest throughout the Caribbean . Immediately upon moving to  South Florida  I joined the Sailing Singles of South Florida so I could meet people who liked to sail and so that I could sail even more.  My love of sailing grew stronger so I bought my own boat, "Najimi" in 1999, went to a sailing school to formally develop my skills, and over the next few years, achieved my Captain's license. I took a year off to sail throughout the Bahamas (where it all began) and I look forward to cruising throughout the world when my work days are over.  As the name of my boat signifies, for now, sailing keeps me in a "perfect state of balance". 

I hope my involvement with the club inspires others to find their joy on the water, be open to adventure and make new friends. 
Vice Commodore
Bob Horin
I was born and raised in Jamaica, New York. From the time that I could remember I was attracted to the water. - High school and Duke University swim teams, lifeguard for the City of New York, and the Navy. Served on Destroyer Escort type vessels in the U. S Atlantic and Pacific fleets .- Became very familiar with heavy weather operations, Ugh! Owned smaller sail boats both on Long Island sound and Lake Geneva,Switzerland. Taught the piloting certification course at the Calypso Sailing  Club in Marina Del Rey, California PADI   scuba diving instructor and Florida Licensed Emergency Medical Technician/diver medical technician.
Secretary
Mary Kress

I was born and raised in Drie, Pennsylvania. Summer months were always fun enjoying the beach and boating on Lake Erie. Power boating was a ll I ever did. Several years ago I took my family on a siling vacation inthe BVI. It was the first ime any of us had ever sailed and we loved it. For ten days we sailed and snorkeled through the BVI. We all learned a little about sailing on that trip. There is a sailing club in Erie and sometimes I woud watch their races on the Bay. What beautiful sight that was. I never thought I would ever be on a boat that heeled over like that. Boy, was I wrong. I was fortunate to have friends that owned a sailboat and raced with the club. They were gracious enough to let me join their crew even thou I knew nothing about racing let alone sailing. My sailing skills began to improve the more I sailed, but I still have much to learn.

I always knew I would move south someday, so when I was approached about a job in Fort Lauderdale I jumped at the chance. Although I miss my family and Erie friends, definitely made the decision moving here. I love waking up to the sunsine everyday and having the ocean at my back door.

I joined the Sailing Singles Club to meet new friends and start to sail again and I hve done just that. I have been a member for less than one year but I have met so many wonderful people and have been given many opportunities to sail. This club a great mix of social and sailing activities.
Treasurer
Nancy Widener

I was born and raised in New York and spent most of that time on Long Island .  My family vacationed in the Hamptons every year where I developed a love for the water.  We had a small power boat where I learned to water ski at about 10 years of age.  I went to college in New York City and worked there for several years before moving out west.  My sister and I decided to take a long vacation and started driving to California .  We made it as far as El Paso , Texas (long story).  I settled there and bought a small Texas bar (another long story).  I met and married my husband there.  He was transferred to Miami 7 years later.  I loved living in the desert but it was wonderful to come back to the ocean.  I got into scuba diving and eventually bought a 26’ boat.  He transferred again and I decided to go it alone here in Ft. Lauderdale .

I started sailing in the 1996 with some friends in Miami .  I joined the Sailing Singles of South Florida in 2000.  Besides being able to sail on a regular basis, I have met some of the best friends a person can have.  

I have 3 children, 5 grandchildren.  My 2 sons live in Australia and New Zealand where they all are into boating, surfing and scuba diving
Sailing Director
Charles Biancardi

Raised and educated in Buffalo, NY, Charles Biancardi first set foot on a sailboat during his freshman year in college.  Anxious to escape the academic grind, he and several of his friends cut class to spend an afternoon sailing. After a few short hours, he was hooked on the challenge and adventure it brought.  During the next few years, Charles sailed regularly on Seneca Lake, Chautauqua Lake, and the Great Lakes - Erie and Ontario.  It was the latter where he also learned to race.   Once he moved to Pensacola, Florida, he graduated to sailing and racing on the Gulf of Mexico.  Eventually, he migrated further south to Boca Raton, sailing and racing on the Atlantic Ocean.

In 2009, Charles joined the Sailing Singles of South Florida, becoming part of a close-knit circle of 200 friends - kindred souls who enjoy sailing, rafting up, socializing, dancing, and just having fun.  They all share a passion for the seas, respect for each other, and a commitment to the club.  Involvement is the order of the day. 

And they all embrace Charles’ mantra as the club’s Sailing Director: “Come sail away with us.”
Membership Director
Patricia Somers

Patricia was born in Buffalo and had her first sailing experience and the tender age of six days old. As she recalls, it was a beautiful day in August.  She is the middle child of three and believes there were three children in the sailing family because that was the perfectly sized crew for the boat. Her parents were devout sailors and spent most of their free time sailing Lake Erie on weekends, and vacations.

Patricia happily left Buffalo and drove south until she got warm, ending up in east Texas for seven years.  Missing being near the water, she finally came to her senses and moved to Ft Lauderdale 20+ years ago.

Patricia always had a love of the water, but did not have the opportunity to sail often as an adult until joining the Sailing Singles four years ago. She reconnected with the great love she had for sailing, and was determined to learn as much as possible to become a competent crew member.  She will tell you that the Sailing Singles club has changed her life and given her the opportunity to experience adventures that she would otherwise not have had access to. The many wonderful new found friends are a bonus beyond expectation.
Social Director
Dot Castell

Bio needed
Captains’ Representative
Dave Witczak

Born and raised in Buffalo, NY where I developed my love of water and boating. From an early age we had a power boat and spent summers water skiing and fishing on Lake Erie and up north in Canada. I graduated into sailing about 20 years ago by crewing on a race boat and quickly shifted to sailing, sold my Sea Ray and bought my first sailboat, a Saber 30. The problem with Buffalo is the short sailing season so I quit my job at Cisco and moved to Florida three years ago. I started with the idea of spending winters here and summers up north at my Canadian summer home on Lake Erie.  I have learned that it is great here year round and I am now selling off that property and will go north only for short visits to friends and family. I have met so many wonderful people here through SSSF that it made my decision easy.
Newsletter Editor
Max Goldstein

Max Goldstein was born in Palisades Park, NJ and lived there for 12 years before moving to Boca Raton in 1971. He was a member of the Sea Explorers, and spent his teens learning about small powerboats and sailboats. He moved to Long Island and added to his knowledge of seamanship, but never on boats as large as the ones we have in the club. He has also taken Coast Guard Auxiliary courses, though he recalls that the sailing chapter was not mandatory.

With a background in technical writing and working on school publications, he took the job as newsletter editor for four of the five and a half years he’s been in the club. He’s also been learning how to sail better-- by not getting seasick so often-- and is always eager to learn more, even about knots, which are his specialty.
Web Master
Gary Mayes

I moved from Cape Canaveral to Boca Raton in the early 70’s with a little computer company named IBM. Being so close to the beautiful clear ocean waters of South Florida , SCUBA diving became a must. We had a close group of workers and friends and some of them found there way to Boca and we formed a tight diving group, diving the near by coast and down through the Key’s. We then started making trips to the near Bahamas in 20 foot center console boats for extended weekends. Well this was not enough and a couple of guys upgraded to larger boats, now we had more range along with our own air compressor, now we had much more freedom, except for having to go back to work. We started diving the out islands and have dove the Bahamas from the Abacos and as far south as Crooked Island. My favorite has to be the Exumas with it’s clear blue water. There are just too many islands but we have had lot of fun. This bio is getting way too long.
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