Holland to get hoist to Crow’s Nest at Fisherman’s Ball

Posted 9/24/16

The Sakonnet community will mark the end of the summer season by celebrating the time-honored Fisherman’s Ball on Saturday, Oct. 8, at the Sakonnet Point Club from 6 to 10 p.m. The event, which is …

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Holland to get hoist to Crow’s Nest at Fisherman’s Ball

Posted

The Sakonnet community will mark the end of the summer season by celebrating the time-honored Fisherman’s Ball on Saturday, Oct. 8, at the Sakonnet Point Club from 6 to 10 p.m. The event, which is open to all, will also celebrate this year’s winner of the Crow’s Nest Award, Ray Holland. The Fisherman’s Ball enjoys a rich history dating back to 1939. Life Magazine featured a pictorial display of the event in October of 1940, when Dick Rogers, looking a bit like Beaver in the TV sitcom Leave it to Beaver, was made nationally famous.

In addition to celebrating the uniqueness of Sakonnet Point, the event has also kept alive the awarding of the Crow’s Nest Award. This tradition, established anonymously in 1967, trumpets the Point’s citizen of the year. Anyone may nominate a candidate — the recipient must be a resident, employed at the Point, a fisherman or regular visitor, and have made a significant personal difference to the well-being of the Sakonnet area.

Raymond C. Holland has been a key Sakonnet Harbor player for over 30 years. He has practiced law for over 47 years and is the managing partner of Leary & Holland in Tiverton. When the Richard Rogers family owned most of Sakonnet Point, Ray represented Dick in Point matters. In 1987, when Dick sold the Fo’c’s’le, the old marina, lot 433, the Cove Market, the Fish and Game Club, and the extra Point acreage, Ray represented Dick. Following this transaction, the new owners, HCM Properties, hired Ray to represent them. From 1987-1994, with Ray’s help, the new owners sold the Fo’c’s’le, Cove Market, and Fish and Game Club, developed the new wet marina, built the house at the Point, and donated the land to the town so a dock could be built at no expense to the town.

Later, after the bank foreclosed on the new Fo’c’s’le owner, Ray played a critical role in orchestrating the creation of Harbor Point Properties (HPP). HPP was the corporation formed in 1994 by 24 local investors, with no plan other than to preserve the Point. In 1994, HPP acquired the derelict Fo’c’s’le from bank foreclosure and assembled the other pieces of Point property necessary to launch what has become the Sakonnet Point Club.

When the Sakonnet Point Club was in search of its first 100 members, Ray and his wife Karen were among the first to sign up. Ray continues to represent the Point Club in financial matters including the recent refinancing of the club’s mortgage.

“Over the last 30 years, the personality of Sakonnet Point has changed dramatically. During this 30-year saga, in true Crow’s Nest fashion, Ray has provided steady and reassuring counsel for the various owners and played an enormously important role in helping the entire Sakonnet Point community keep its long glass in focus,” the award notice said.

The permanent award Crow’s Nest Award is mounted to the transom of an old skiff taken from the Fo’c’s’le and handcrafted onto a plaque. The committee of 1967 created the award featuring Ahab standing in the Crow’s Nest looking through the long glass hoping to sight the great white whale. The committee hoped the award would serve to recognize at least a few of those who keep their long glass in focus. The award is permanently displayed for all to see at the entrance of the Sakonnet Point Club bar where its anonymous creators would likely have been pleased to see it placed.

This year’s menu for the Fisherman’s Ball will feature a sea and land lover buffet. The cost will be $38 per person, children under 12 are $10. A cash bar will be available.

To keep with tradition, guests are encouraged to come in nautical/fishing attire. While open to the public, space is limited, so call 401-635-2582 x 406 early for tickets.

The Sakonnet Point Club is located at 11 Bluff Head Avenue, Little Compton.

Prior winners of the Crow’s Nest Award include:

1967 – Carl M. Wilcox
1968 – William H. Gifford
1969 – Eleanor F. Carroll

1971 – Gus Bounakes 1972 – James Blades
1973 – Tony Parascandolo 1974 – John Brayton

1975 – Edward Brayton
1976 – Ernest Rogers
1977 – Harry Woodbury
1988 – David Brayton
1989 – Nina Blades
1990 – Tom Haire
2000 – Bud Phillips
2001 – Jane Cabot
2003 – Richard Rogers
2005 – Gary Mataronas
2006 – Peter Sullivan
2008 – Trip Samson
2009 – Brett Haire
2010 – Friends of the Sakonnet Lighthouse 2012 – Hope and Mike Hudner

2013 – Ted Truscott
2014 – R. Kelly Sheridan
2015 – Margaret and James Mataronas

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