Westlake Yacht Club in the News

Conejo Valley Life, Nov 26, 2004 Yacht Club's Gene Morrow Hosts 64 Events Think your daughter's wedding was expensive? Gene Morrow has hosted 9 weddings and 7 Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, and that's just this year! As Westlake Yacht Club (WYC) Rental Manager, Gene is our official host when outside groups rent WYC for their special occasions. He's hosted 41 parties and 23 meetings this year. If you want to throw a great party in a great place, Gene's the man. As one happy customer said, "If I rented a hotel, we'd be paying a lot more and staring at four blank walls. Here we can look at this beautiful lake." Need a caterer for your party? A magician or a hypnotist? A minister or a rabbi? Need a cannon? Just ask Gene. Two years ago, a couple asked Gene to marry them. "I'm not a minister" he replied. "But if you take us out on the lake, can't you marry us as the boat's captain?" Gene found them a preacher. He also found a rabbi for a Bar Mitzvah. At one Jewish wedding, Gene shot off WYC's cannon just as the groom stomped on the wine glass - bet that woke up any dozing guests. Throwing a kids' party and need to keep them occupied? Gene can recommend a hypnotist - "he kept them busy for two hours, watching all the crazy things their friends were doing." How about a glass blower, or a character artist? Compared to those, it's a snap to find the right florist, photographer, caterer, DJ, special decorations or wedding cake. Gene works with clients to find an open date (he has bookings up to a year in advance), discusses decorations, number of guests, event duration, level of service, and rental cost. As a community service, Eagle Scout ceremonies, charities, police and firefighter functions get reduced rates. WYC members also get preferential access. Gene and WYC's bartenders ensure all functions comply with state liquor laws. Gene says "fake ID's have gotten so good that sometimes even God couldn't spot them, so we talk to younger guests and try to decide if they're really as old as their ID's say. Still we have to be courteous because this is a very important day in their lives". Gene's been Rental Manager for seven years. He has been a Staff Commodore since he was Commodore in 1986. Earlier, Gene was Vice Commodore, Rear Commodore and Fleet Captain. He says "The Rear" was the best job - directing all the Club's boating activities and working closely with kids learning to sail in our junior programs and racing in regattas. "Working with the kids is the best; they're so excited and have so much fun sailing." Although he's been to scores of weddings, Gene has said "I do" only once, when he married Dee 54 years ago. Dee and Gene have lived in the Conejo Valley since 1968 and have three children and a granddaughter. Dee and Gene are active in WYC and in their church. They also run Bingo once a week at a local assisted living center, Dee is very active in the Westlake Women's Club. Before retiring, Gene was head of manufacturing engineering for Amphenol, a maker of electronic components. To reach Gene Morrow about a rental call 818-991-4228. For information about WYC call 818-700-5257 or visit www.westlakeyc.org. -- Robert Piccioni, Rear Commodore