Lake Charles Yacht Club

Lately here on my blog, I usually write about clubs and organizations that interest me (or potentially my readers), but I am not involved with them. This week, I'm featuring a group that I indeed belong to.

Bob joined the Lake Charles Yacht Club (LCYC) soon after we moved to Louisiana. He had an interest in sailing even while we lived in Pennsylvania, but his hobby back then was limited to reading sailing blogs and magazines, and online boat shopping (aka, dreaming). We bought our sailboat, aptly named About Time, in 2011. She's a Hans Christian 34.

LCYC is an active organization that welcomes anyone with an interest in sailing. During daylight savings time, they meet Wednesdays around 5:00 for racing. They hold regattas and races one or two Saturdays a month. And they host monthly socials. Boat ownership is not required. The club owns several Sunfish and Flying Scots that members are welcome to use. Other members own a wide range of styles and sizes of sailboats -- Hobie Cats, Stilettos (these are both catamarans) and various other boats. They offer both wet and dry slips.

Every year, LCYC offers free sailing lessons to interested persons age 13 and up. And they're not just for kids!

This year's dates are June 1-5, 5:30-7:30 at the LCYC, which sits in the shadow of the I-10 bridge on a spit of land west of Lake Charles' North Beach.

Aerial view of the LCYC

Pre-register by calling Ship to Shore Co at 474-0730 or email info@shiptoshoreco.com. Bring a personal flotation device (life jacket), towel, and wear clothing and shoes that can get wet.

Class size is limited so call soon!

The Good Time Brewers

I like beer, but I'm rather picky about it and have a very narrow range of brews I appreciate. I'm mostly fond of amber or dark beers with a hint of sweetness -- Michelob Amber Bock, Killian's Red, Penn Dark all work. My current favorite is Alien Amber.

Back when we lived in Pennsylvania, my husband Bob brewed beer as a hobby. He occasionally talks about getting back into this pastime, so we visited the Brew Shop in Lake Charles today.

Southwest Louisiana is home to a very active home beer brewing community. There's even a club of home brewers called the Good Time Brewers, also called Les Brasseurs Bon Ton, because we are, after all, in Louisiana.

The Good Time Brewers meet once a month at various members' homes. These beer connoisseurs bring home brews, have beer tastings, discuss beer types, styles, "notes", brewing methods, upcoming competitions, and they share a meal. There are currently around 40 club members. Membership is by invitation only.

The Brew Shop at 2915 Common St. sells supplies and kits for both beer and wine making.

Ira Sawyer opened his shop in Sulphur in 2008. They moved to the Common St. address last year.

Ira's son Marcus, who works in the shop and is also a club member, says some of the more popular beers among home brewers include milk stouts and pale ales. The club participated in the first annual Louisiana Winter Beer Festival this past February. (Read that post here.)

For more information, call the Brew Shop at 337-656-8849 or check out the Shop's website here, on Facebook, or the Brewers website here.

What's your favorite beer?

Mustangs in Southwest Louisiana (and I mean cars, not horses)

One of my favorite cars is the Mustang. When I was around two years old, my dad had a little red Mustang coupe, and I've loved them ever since. The very first car I owned was this 1976 Mustang. Not their best year, but it was special to me, nonetheless. I was in college; my mom bought it for me from my grandmother for $2000 and a waterbed. It's the only Mustang I ever owned, but I still drool over them. Just a bit.

Bob and I went ga-ga over a photo of a blue Mustang we saw on Facebook recently. Simply put -- they are cool cars!

Did you know Lake Charles has two Mustang Clubs? The Cajun Mustangers have been around for many years. The club meets the first Tuesday of each month at Ryan’s Restaurant on Ryan St. Lake Charles at 6:30. All Mustang enthusiasts are welcome. Owning a Mustang is optional. They enjoy socializing together. They talk about cars and restoration, swap stories, and plan events like "pony rides" (when a group of people travel somewhere together in Mustangs) and car shows.

A newer younger crowd of fans call themselves the Mustangs of Lake Charles. They frequently meet up at Buffalo Wild Wings, Sonic, or Starbucks and then cruise around town in one big long line of Mustangs. They do make a statement!They also do some charity work as a group, raising money for worthy organizations and collecting candy and gifts for kids at holidays. You can find them on Facebook here, 

What is your favorite car? Are you sentimental about a car you have owned? Have you ever belonged to a car club?