BONNET
SHORES BEACH CLUB
BONNET BEACON
Issue 1
April 2013
FROM THE OVAL CABANA . . .
The very best thing about this time of the
year is that the entire summer lies ahead of us. We will open the
Beach Club in just five weeks! And just in case anyone is
wondering, let me assure you that we will, indeed, open on time and that
the devastating effects of Hurricane Sandy will be a distant memory.
Our beloved Beach Club will be all put back together by the time you
visit on opening day, and in many respects will be better and stronger
than it was before Sandy.
Thirty new pilings make the main structure
stronger than ever. Electrical infrastructure destroyed by Sandy
has been rebuilt in a manner that will hopefully keep it out of harm’s
way next time. The heating and cooling system for the main offices
that was washed away by Sandy has been replaced with a new system that
sits fourteen feet above ground. These are just a few examples of the
ways in which we have tried to take the lessons learned from Sandy and
use them to improve our infrastructure. Most importantly, the
beach is coming back. Let there be no mistake, you will notice
differences in the beach, but overall it looks good and we should
consider ourselves lucky.
In addition to Sandy related restoration, the
staff has also been busy with our planned offseason improvements.
This winter’s main projects were the completion of the new surface and
railings of the main deck and the complete rebuilding of the pool.
I am confident that you will love the way both of these projects have
turned out.
As always, this first issue is full of
information about the coming season and all that we have planned.
It also contains the details of some important changes to rules and
fees, so make sure to read all of it. I look forward to greeting
you on opening day.
John A. Coletti, BSBCCA President
BE THERE OR BE SQUARE . . .
Yes, we’re a beach club. So thoughts of
the Beach Club elicit thoughts of fun and relaxation. But you
spend beaucoup bucks to be an Owner here, so why not participate in
Beach Club business? The absolute easiest way to do that is to
attend our Annual Meeting which will take place on May 1st at
7pm at the Rhode Island Shriners’ building in Cranston (right next door
to Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet). It’s an evening full of smiles and
hugs as everyone resumes friendships and catches up on news. And
we always open the discussion to any topic that the Owners would like to
discuss, so sometimes you can get the real “dirt” on what’s happening at
the facility at this meeting. So please make every
effort to join us. But, if you just can’t make it, it’s imperative
that you send us your proxy (that blue piece of paper which accompanied
this missive). We need 517 weighted votes in order to conduct
business.
HUMPTY DUMPTY WOULD BE PROUD
. . .
Here are the dates you’ve been waiting for
---- the Beach Club will open (yahoo!!) on Saturday, May 18th
and will close on Sunday, September 29th. This year, the
opening will be especially sweet in view of the fact that so much damage
occurred last October during Hurricane Sandy. Our Management Team
and our Crew have outdone themselves this winter putting the facility
back together. Last October, some of us couldn’t imagine how we
would ever be able to open on time this season. Kudos to our Team
for doing such a great job! Maybe you could express your own
appreciation to them when you first see them at the facility?
And we have this secret to share too ---- we have it on very
good authority that it’s going to be a sunny, hot, storm-free summer!
OUR OWN ROYAL BIRTH . . .
Yes, we’re all awaiting the birth of the
first child of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. We Yanks have
such a fascination with the British Royal Family. But do you know
that we’ve had a happy birth in our Beach Club Family? Yes,
indeedy, our General Manager and his wife are the proud parents of a
healthy and gorgeous baby girl who was born on March 6th.
Scarlett is bringing much joy to her devoted parents. Our most
heartfelt congrats to Zack and Layla!
LESSON YOUR WORRIES . . .
Here’s the scoop on Swim Lesson Registration.
Owners get “first dibs” and can register their children for our swim
program between Saturday, May 18th and Friday, May 31st
from 10am to 4pm. Then registration opens to all Members on
Saturday, June 1st and continues through Friday, June 14th.
All unit assessments and fees must be fully paid before swim lesson
registration can occur. Parent and child must both present current
Membership IDs at the time of registration. Lessons must be paid
in full (cash or check only) at the time of registration and they must
be booked in person.
LET THE GAMES BEGIN . . .
Our Management Team --- Zack, Michael, David,
and Michelle ---- have put together a summer of one event after another.
They’ve hired some new bands for weekend entertainment ---- they’ve
tweaked some favorite events to give them a new spin ---- Chef David has
been in his kitchen creating new recipes for your gastronomic delight
---- and they’re excited to get the summer rolling. Some of the
highlights will include Fireworks, three Movie Nights, a Pig Roast, Wine
Dinners, Cigar Nights, Italian Night (with an Italian crooner and an
eight piece band), Irish Night (with Irish step dancers on the beach), a
Country Fest, New Year’s Eve, Halloween, and the Big Nazo Puppets have
been booked for a return engagement. We’re giving new meaning to
“fun in the sun.”
HAPPINESS IS A LONG LIFE --- AND A SHORT
LINE . . .
Please remember that as part of the
registration process, the office needs to see the license of every
person (16 years and older) who is to get a membership pass and the
registration (or lease agreement) of every vehicle that is to get a
parking sticker. Having both --- as well as a totally completed
Pass Request Form --- will hasten the process. And a speedy
registration process will make you happy --- not to mention all the
people standing in line behind you.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT . . .
Ok, let’s get our priorities straight.
Pool is good. Beach is better. Food and drink is best!
So here’s the scoop on what opens when. On Opening Day Weekend,
beverages (both alcoholic and non) will be available at the Pit Bar,
pizzas will be available at the Pit Grille, and free coffee and Danish
will be available in the Restaurant. The Pit Bar will be open only
weekends in May and then will open full time on June 1st.
The Pit Grille and the Snack Bar will be open on Memorial Day weekend
and then will open full time on June 1st. The
Restaurant will open for the season with Pasta Night on Thursday, June
20 and with a la carte dining on Friday, June 21st.
NANCY DREW MY ATTENTION . . .
Yes, it’s time for spring cleaning.
Washing walls and windows. Cleaning out the closets.
Discarding all the stuff that’s accumulated over the winter. But
wait! What’s that in your hand? You’re not throwing those books
away, are you? We’ll gladly take them for our Book Exchange.
Please put all your unwanted books in a bag and drop them off in the
Office.
SPLIT PERSONALITY . . .
The rest of this issue will discuss rule
changes. These changes came about as a direct result of some 30
Owner Suggestions. Every summer, we keep a list of suggestions
that Owners make to the Board either during the Open Discussion Session
that is held at the beginning of every Board Meeting or during direct
conversations with various Board Members. Then during
the off-season, the Board discusses each and every one of those
suggestions. And each year, some of those suggestions lead
to changes in policies or rules. This year, we devoted one entire
Board Meeting to discussing only the suggestions which were made last
season. See? We really do listen to you!
FRANK SAYS, “START SPREADING THE
NEWS” . . .
It’s really so very important that you share
the following rule changes with every member of your unit. And
that also means any member of your unit who buys a season membership
from you --- and also anyone who rents your unit. Those folks need
to abide by the rules and they can only do so if they know what the
rules are. Perhaps you could direct the attention of the members
of your unit to the website where this issue has been posted.
Remember, if a member of your unit breaks a rule which
results in a fine, that fine will be assessed to you, the Unit Owner.
So it’s in your best interest to be sure that everyone associated with
your unit is aware of our policies. You can see the result of a
breakdown in this communication when you read another section (entitled
Fee-quent Fliers) later in this issue.
BEDTIME STORIES . . .
It’s nice to sit on the beach and have a
campfire (in an enclosed fire pit, of course). Or perhaps you just
like to sit at your cabana and play cards all evening. But then
this happens . . . Zack or Michael will approach a group at 3am
and will ask them to consider leaving the facility. The response
has too often been, “You can’t force me to leave. As long as I’m
not sleeping in my cabana, I’m entitled to stay here all night.”
In one case, the Owner actually stayed until 8am, forcing our Assistant
Manager to stay all night too. Far be it from this writer to tell
you when to catch your Zs, but do we really need to sit at the Club
until the sun rises?
Henceforth, the Beach Club will close at 1am
Sunday through Thursday and at 2am Friday and Saturday. Please be
advised that the gate will be locked at that time, so you should plan on
being out of the facility by that time.
FOUR DAY WORK WEEK . . .
You probably think that Fireworks Day is our
busiest day vis-à-vis guests. Or maybe you’d vote for July 4th
for the honor of having the most guests. Well, in actuality,
Fridays have become our busiest day with 700 guests on some Fridays.
Now let’s put that into perspective --- we only allow 400
guests on Fireworks Day and we all know how crowded it is here on that
day. So imagine what it’s like with 700 guests! Holy Moly!
Talk about a crowded beach!
This season, Fridays will be considered part
of the weekend and will have weekend fees. So the Friday guest
fees will be the same as on Saturdays ---- $16 guest fee during the day,
$8 After-4 guest fee, $15 parking fee.
AFTER FOUR PLAY . . .
Let’s talk about late afternoon at the Beach
Club. It’s a delightful time of day --- the weather is still warm,
you can have a tasty morsel from the Pit Grille or you can cook on the
beach or you can have a fine dining experience in the Restaurant or you
can enjoy a special dinner event under the tent, you can have a drink at
the bar, you can enjoy the weekend entertainment, and you can watch the
sun set. Many people will attest that a great time can be had for
many hours after 4pm ---- and for a much reduced guest price. Hmm,
perhaps too much of a reduced priced!
This year, there will be an After-4 parking
fee of $5 seven days a week. So the entire guest parking fee
schedule: $5 Monday through Thursday --- $15 Friday, Saturday, Sunday,
Memorial Day, Labor Day --- $20 July 4/5 --- $5 after 4pm every day
(except July 4/5). Moreover, there will be no guest parking fee at
all Monday through Friday after Labor Day.
PERK TEST . . .
Last season, we had two Members Only Days.
The feedback that we received, both verbal and via emails, was
supportive of the idea. Indeed, most of the feedback suggested
more such days. Ask and you shall receive.
This season, there will be three Members Only
Days, all of which will be held in July and August. Because we
want to give our Members special attention on these days, each Members
Only Day will be held when a special event or entertainment is
scheduled. Check out the dates on the summer preview on the last
page of this issue. Be sure to jot these dates in your calendar
because absolutely no guests will be allowed access to the facility on
these days.
FOR YOUR EARS ONLY . . .
Ever set up on the beach, sit down for a
relaxing afternoon of sunbathing, and then find yourself serenaded to
the tunes of heavy metal music blasting from your neighbor’s radio?
Or maybe your neighbor is listening to the baseball game and has it loud
enough so that everyone sitting in his circle can hear the game ---
including you?
Henceforth, the volume of any radio or cd
player must be at a level low enough so that it will not be heard by
neighbors on the beach. Be still, my heart. And my eardrums.
KINDER GUARDING . . .
We have many little ones who are learning to
swim, either in formal swim lessons in the pool or with their parents in
the pool or in the sea. Of course, these little ones use flotation
devices. They rely on these devices to keep them afloat as they
are learning. Life-saving theory is that an inflatable flotation
device is dangerous because it can be punctured and can then deflate,
all the while with the child depending on that device to keep him / her
afloat. We’ve always prohibited inflatable flotation devices from
the pool and now we’re applying that same rule to the sea.
Henceforth, inflatable flotation devices are
not permitted. Period.
IN A MANNER OF SPEAKING . . .
Etiquette is always a touchy subject.
But we have to admit that sometimes the heat of the sun combined with
alcohol consumption can have a negative effect on what would be
considered acceptable behavior. This writer has been accused in
the past of “preaching” via this publication. Well, here goes!
Some folks around here lose all common sense in their effort to have a
good time. Whatever happened to moderation? To maturity?
To plain old good manners?
This just has to be said ---
henceforth, no person shall engage in violent, threatening, or
tumultuous behavior. Anyone in an intoxicated condition may be
asked to leave the Club at the discretion of the Manager. Failure
to comply will result in being removed by the Narragansett Police Dept.
FEE-QUENT FLIERS . . .
We need to talk about guest fees. Last
season, various guest fees were levied to the understandable dismay of
the unit owners involved. We on the Board greatly dislike levying
these guest fees, so we’d like to have a detailed discussion in the hope
that they can be avoided in the future.
Last season, one Unit Owner was charged a
guest fee of over $900. Yes, you read correctly --- over $900.
The fee was imposed because the renter of the unit had more than the
daily guest allotment on three days within a five day period.
Indeed, on one day there were seventeen guests on that bathhouse unit.
In addition, one particular guest visited the facility more than eight
times.
Another Unit Owner was charged a fee of $200.
This unit had guests during the day and then more guests after 4pm.
However, the unit had reached the daily guest allotment in the morning.
Accordingly, the guests who arrived after 4pm were all above and beyond
the normal number of guests for that day. Sadly, the Unit Owner
thought she was bringing four After-4 guests at $1 each for a total of
$4, but in effect those four guests actually cost her $200.
So let’s look at the main rules that govern
guests: 1.) The total daily guest allotment should not exceed the
unit’s number of entitled memberships (eight per cabana, four per
bathhouse and mini-double, etc). 2.) That daily guest
allotment is a total of the before 4pm guests plus the after 4pm
guests. 3.) A guest should only visit the facility eight
times per season, no more than four of which on a weekend or holiday.
It must be noted that this is a per season rule, not a per unit rule.
4.) Any guest above the daily allotment or above the eighth visit
for the season or above the fourth weekend visit for the season will
have a guest fee of $50. And here’s a special caution --- if
someone is a guest of my unit eight times and then is a guest of your
unit, you will receive the $50 guest fee. These rules are not
new; the first goes back longer than anyone can remember, the third goes
back to July 2001, and the fourth goes back to May 2000.
And please remember this also --- the gate
staff will never say to a guest “You are not allowed to enter the
facility because the unit has already reached its daily allotment.”
An Owner is indeed allowed to have as many guests in one day as s/he
wishes; the stipulation, of course, is that every guest above the daily
allotment will have a guest fee of $50. The office keeps track of
every guest who enters the facility; when the office concludes that a
unit had more guests than its daily allotment or that a particular guest
entered the facility more than eight times or more than four times on a
weekend, the office will charge the unit $50 per incident and will send
an invoice to the Owner.
We strongly urge all Owners to become very
familiar with these rules; and please be sure that your renters are
aware of them also. Rule Books are always available in the
information center which is outside the main office. Moreover, if
you rent a unit and if you’re willing to buy guest passes for your
renter, you might want to monitor the use of those guest passes very
closely; perhaps you might want to give your renter only ten guest
passes at a time --- or perhaps you might want to keep a list of every
guest pass used with the name of the guest and the date of the visit.
CHART YOUR COURSE . . .
Ok, we admit it --- our guest and parking
fees are just a teensy weensy bit confusing. So maybe this will
help.
GUEST PASS RATES:
Monday through Thursday Daytime $8
Monday through Thursday After 4pm $1
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Memorial Day, Labor
Day Daytime $16
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Memorial Day, Labor
Day After 4pm $8
Sunday from July 1st to Labor Day Daytime $24
Sunday from July 1st to Labor Day After 4pm $8
July 4th
All day $24
No After 4pm guest passes accepted on this
day
July 5th (Fireworks Day)
Special Event Pass All day $30
No After 4pm guest passes accepted on this
day
GUEST PARKING RATES:
Monday through Thursday Daytime $5
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Memorial Day, Labor
Day Daytime $15
Every day (except July 4th and
July 5th) After 4pm $5
July 4th and July 5th
All day $20
SPECIAL GUEST PARKING INFO:
No guest cars allowed in our lot before 4pm
on Sundays between July 1st and Labor Day
No guest cars allowed in our lot on July 4th
and July 5th
The Nardolillo lot is only available if there
are no services in the Funeral Home
Saturday Entertainment --- 8pm to midnight
Sunday Entertainment --- 5pm to 9pm
Children not allowed under the tent after 8pm
on Saturday evenings when there is Entertainment
Sunday, June 16
Italian Night with Chris Jason and The Sinatra Live Big Band
Wednesday, June 19
Wine Dinner
Sunday, June 23
Irish Night with Irish Step Dancers
Saturday, June 29
Entertainment --- Deluxe Edition
Sunday, June 30
Entertainment --- Steve Anthony and Persuasion
Thursday, July 4
Pig Roast & Entertainment --- High Definition
Friday, July 5
Summer Cookout & Fireworks
Saturday, July 6
Entertainment --- Roger Cerisi and The Allstarz
Sunday, July 7
Entertainment ---The Driftwoods
Friday, July 12
Movie Night
Saturday, July 13
Entertainment --- Mac Odom and Chill
Sunday, July 14
Members Only Day & Kids Sand Art in the Pit & Entertainment --- World Premier
Wednesday, July 17
Wine Dinner
Friday, July 19
Red Sox vs. Yankees
Saturday, July 20
Kids’ Carnival with the Big Nazo Puppets & Entertainment --- The
Complaints
Sunday, July 21
Entertainment --- Back to Back
Saturday, July 27
Entertainment --- High Definition
Sunday, July 28
Entertainment --- Malloi
Wednesday, July 31
Cigar Dinner
Friday, August 2
Movie Night
Saturday, August 3
Members Only Day & New Year’s Eve & Entertainment --- Steve Smith and
the Nakeds
Sunday, August 4
Entertainment --- Eight to the Bar
Friday, August 9
Hypnotist
Saturday, August 10
Entertainment – Steve Anthony and Persuasion
Sunday, August 11
Entertainment --- Stormin’ Horns
Friday, August 16
Karaoke Night
Saturday, August 17
Country Night & Entertainment --- Shotgun Still
Sunday, August 18
Members Only Day & Sand Sculpture Contest &
Shore Dinner & Entertainment --- Metropolis
Wednesday, August 21
Wine Dinner
Friday, August 23
Movie Night
Saturday, August 24
Halloween & Entertainment --- Prymal Funk
Sunday, August 25
Entertainment --- World Premier --- No after-4 passes
Saturday, August 31
Entertainment --- The Rock
Sunday, September 1
Entertainment --- The Complaints