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From Left to Right, Bing Crosby and Cal McDonald, Fishing in Alaska

I interviewed Cal McDonald and his wife Flo aboard their Yacht Naut-Cal during a cruise to Oro Bay on Anderson Island, WA Labor Day 2006.  Of course I was intrigued by Cal’s famous connections with two well-known crooners, Bing Crosby and Phil Harris.  Cal’s Uncle had a Charter Yacht service for fishing expeditions in Alaska that was based in Seattle called Mack’s Alaska Service and during the Summer Cal would take a month off and join his uncle and crew consisting of a Steward, one Captain, one Mate – Cal, one Deck hand, a Chef and Fish Guide (another position filled by Cal) Bing Crosby, singer and movie actor often brought his employees, ranch hands and relatives for fishing expeditions with Cal and the crew. I asked what it was like to have Bing aboard and if he did any singing. Cal said he was just one of the guys when he was fishing and he treated his staff to vacations.  Every year Cal and Flo received a Christmas card with a picture of Bing and his family up until Bing passed away.  I was honored and thrilled when Cal brought out his “Memories” photo album showcasing photographs of Bing, Cal, Phil and the guys fishing aboard his Uncle’s Yachts, Onawa and Pasada Manana a 98 foot beauty. Phil Harris, married to Alice Faye was a 1940’s bandleader who also had several radio shows and was in film as well.  Harris loved to tell stories aboard ship.  Phil and Cal would awaken early to fish and Phil told story after story, and never the same one twice.  Phil was fond of downing a bottle of Crown Royal before breakfast and the stories were really forthcoming during this time, but Cal, said you would never know Phil had even taken a drink. Cal joined the Bremerton Yacht Club in 1958 because he had friends in the club and he knew it was a “good place to be.”  After spending his early childhood in Bremerton Cal and his family lived in Seattle, prior to Cal’s return to Bremerton for employment.  Cal has had 5 boats to date, the first boat was made for him by is uncle when Cal was just 16 years old.  Next he had a 28-foot Rowing Cutter that was made into a powerboat that was used for a training vessel for the Navy College Crew. Cal and Flo have a family, which includes 2 daughters and 2 sons, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Cal sharply recalls that his first job in Bremerton started on July 1st 1941 working in the sheet metal field.  In 1947 he worked for a private contractor in the sheet metal industry and worked his way up the ladder from shop foreman, estimator, purchasing agent, to project manager. McDonald adds with pride that he enjoyed his trade up until his retirement in 1980. I asked Cal if he has any advice he would share with those working Today and he cheerfully said what he recommends is to pay attention and work at whatever you are doing. Cal’s passion for boating is matched only by his passion for hunting.  In fact his motto is “Let’s go Fishing.”  His favorite place is the River’s Inlet in Canada or the far side of Queen Charlotte Place.  Cal also said he loved to cruise and fish most anywhere.  Cal enjoyed commercial shrimping on Hood Canal for many years. Often times he has brought overflowing bags of plump juicy shrimp down to Oro Bay for everyone to enjoy.  McDonald said the largest Salmon he ever caught was 80 pounds. Cal didn’t care for hunting fowl, however; he was fond of hunting most game animals. When in Canada, his prey was moose, in Eastern Washington; he sought Elk, Deer and Bear.  He shares that he definitely prefers bear that forage among berries to bear near rivers, because the berry eating bear have much sweeter meat, naturally.  Once McDonald tried a porcupine and when I asked him how it tasted, he quipped it tasted “like hell” When I inquired how he would clean the animal he said very carefully and he mentioned once a porcupine’s quills went right through his leather shoes. Cal said that over the years he has seen a lot of changes and progress at the Yacht Club and although not all of it he has agreed with - he has gone along with it and he recognizes and appreciates progress.  I was impressed at Cal’s positive attitude and flexibility.  Cal added that one thing he misses about when he was in the Yacht Club when his children were young is that he doesn’t see a lot of children at Club events. Cal pointed out, of his own accord, that mainly the children at the club are visiting grandchildren and he would like to see the club go in full circle and become family oriented again. McDonald recalled that he brought his family everywhere and he particularly liked going to Tacoma Yacht Club for Daffodil and to Seattle for Opening Day. TYC held dances just for kids downstairs while the Adults had recreation upstairs.  He said his children often brought friends along on the family’s 42-foot boat and there were a lot of parents with children along during the cruises.Cal observed that throughout the years BYC has mainly been a “working man’s club” with very little participation from professionals doing the work needed and that we are fortunate to have so many members taking part in restoring and building up the facility.  McDonald said that the camaraderie gained by teamwork has been rewarding. McDonald, a progressive and innovative man said that he favored and suggested that a list of members identified alphabetically by boat would enable members to identify each other and that he was glad to see this change implemented in the BYC publications.  Cal summed up his multitude of experiences, boating, hunting, fishing and enjoying family life by concluding he has no regrets.   

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Have you been thinking about what to wear to the next party you have been invited to. Is it a bon fire, benefit auction, wine tasting or maybe over to see the new neighbors, here is the place to write if you want to hear some suggestions. Thinking about planning a great Birthday Bash for a good friend or maybe your 7 year old, have you thought about a themed party? Themed parties are a great way for young and not so young to let their hair down, be creative and just have fun. You will love getting the food ready and focusing on a theme makes party planning a snap. Here are some ideas for planning the perfect party...

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When it comes to planning a party, where will your imagination take you? Recently my husband and I have had the good fortune to belong to a group that holds dinner dances with a theme every month or so. So far in the last year we have been to a traditional Halloween party. Being the sailors we are, we were of course pirates. Before that we attended a western themed party. Dressing up in cowboy and cowgirl garb is always fun and comfortable, too, I might add. One guy cracked all of us up and came as a horse. What party would be complete without props. An attendee brought his horse along so we could pose next to it for pictures. The tables were decorated with flowers in glass boots to take home and chocolate candy in the shape of cowboy hats were handed out as favors. VIVA Las Vegas made for a great party theme, with instructions to come as your favorite Vegas character. Tables were festooned with playing cards, chips and each one had a casino name. Guests had the chance to play games at this one and visit with Elvis. Nights in casa blanca was an elegant and memorable evening. To broaden the theme guests could also arrive in black or white formal evening attire. The movie was playing on the big screen and black and white pictures of bogey and Ingrid Bergman were everywhere. We danced to a big band swing band as lights swirled around. Our most recent soiree was a psychedelic 60’s soiree. I have never seen so many oldsters trying to look young again, myself included. There was so much tie die there; you would have thought it was a dead head convention. The walls were decorated with psychedelic flowers and Volkswagen van. You wouldn’t believe what were on the tables for guests to take home – bags of oregano and sugar cubes. If all of this sounds over the top, it was and there’s more.

A recent bash we attended had an all American red, white and blue theme. Stars and stripes decorated the walls and there were quite a few uncle sams there, too. We danced to the tunes of an oldies rock and roll band and did the hop. Here is an original I bet you haven’t thought of before: come as your favorite drink or cheers TV show character. There were plenty of cocktails and party mix and some of the best barbecue I have ever tasted, there. Guests were really creative with their costumes. Have you ever seen 2 people dressed up as beer and pizza? Well, now I have. Although these parties were held for a big group, why not plan one for you and your friends using a theme, with food, drinks, music and decorations to match. What about an outrageous eighty’s party or a Hawaiian paradise theme. I am already looking forwarded to the next party so I can morph into a another side of me, just for the night.

Oro Bay, Anderson Island, WA

A Recipe from Cammy Mowery, M.D. Seattle, WA:

From:  Pasta & Co: Apple Cake

3 c Sugar

1 Tbs baking soda

1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 1/4 tsp salt

3/4 c vegetable oil

3 eggs

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

6 c (4 apples) peeled, cored & sliced (granny smith work well)

1 1/2 c coursely chopped walnuts

3 c flour

Pre-heat oven to 325 degrees

Lightly butter  9 x 13 shallow metal baking pan

combine sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, oil eggs & vanilla in a large bowl. Mix well & stil in apples & nuts until they are coated with batter

Stir in flower - batter will be stiff

Spoon into prepared pan

bake 1 hr 20 minutes, remove and cool

Note: this cake will keep refridgerated 1-2 weeks

Delicious served with caramel sauce and or whipped cream

Nutrition-Health Matters

Fat facts:

Fats otherwise known, as lipids are not only valuable they are absolutely necessary to your health.

A gram of fat delivers 2x as many calories as a gram of carbohydrate.

Fats/lipids help you feel satiated when added to a meal.

Food fats (Triglycerides) increase blood cholesterol even more than food cholesterol will

Saturated fats raise cholesterol more than unsaturated fats

Coconut oil, butterfat, beef fat, palm oil are mainly saturated fat. 

Canola, safflower, sunflower and olive oil are lower in saturated fat and higher in monounsaturated fat.

One tablespoon of canola oil: 120 calories, 120 calories from fat

One tablespoon of olive oil: 120 calories, 120 calories from fat

One tablespoon of butter: 100 calories, 100 calories from fat

Whipped dessert topping: 2 tbsp 25 calories, 20 calories from fat:

Act on the fat facts:

Try butter spray: The label claims a serving is fat free:  The Aerosol and pump sprays are useful for making grilled sandwiches and grilling other foods like meat and vegetables…

The pump spray is also tasty on potatoes and steamed vegetables.

Want to use butter when you are cooking:  1st spray your cold pan with non-stick spray, then add a little olive oil and butter to lower the total saturated fat content

Increasing your fiber intake can help to counteract fat in your diet, especially if you are moderate in your fat intake. 

Combine skim and whole milk in recipes or use 2% milk

Be realistic: If a pat of butter is what you want, to eat on your bread, skip the pasta.  Trade off for what you really like & you won’t feel deprived of the “good stuff”

If you want pasta in cream sauce and buttered bread, try having a little bit of both and double your serving of green vegetables

Salad dressing can be almost 100% fat; test low fat and fat free varieties and find your favorites. 

Sprinkle your green salad with lemon or balsamic vinegar and a little salt and pepper, then add less of your favorite dressing.