Announcements from the History Committee
- KBYC History Committee
- Apr 2, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: 7 days ago
June 2026
Honoring Retiring Employees
In June 2026 we celebrated two KBYC staff members who retired: beloved server Ramon Valencia and long-time cook Francisco “Chicho” Logo. Together, they provided nearly five decades of exceptional service, warmth, and culinary delight to our members. To watch their farewell videos, click here for Ramon's video, and here for Chicho's story.
May 2026
End of Year Youth Sailing Banquet
On May 5th, we honored our young sailors and presented two of our most prestigious trophies. You can read about the history and significance of these awards here:
The Gaston Family Sportsmanship Award (Opti Rudder): Award History.
The Hacker Family Top KBYC Female Award (Opti Centerboard): Award History.
Expanding Our Oral Histories
Our legacy collection continues to grow. We are currently planning a new series of interviews with our longtime employees who are nearing retirement to capture their unique perspectives on Club life. In the meantime, you can watch our Legacy Family Oral Histories here.
Committee Updates
We are thrilled to welcome Dushka Semsch and Katie Petros to the History Committee! As long-standing, active members of KBYC, their expertise is a welcome addition as we continue to expand our digital and physical archives.
The Archive Assistant (New!)
Keep an eye out for our new interactive search bubble appearing on the website this month! This tool is being implemented to provide you with quick, AI-powered access to the stories and historical files of the Key Biscayne Yacht Club.
Around the Club & Ongoing
These Walls Can Talk: Scan the QR codes located throughout the Club to see the stories behind our trophies and achievements.
Sunset Room Exhibit: Visit our first rotating exhibit featuring the KBYC Milestones Timeline, highlighting historic events from 1955 to the present.
Preserve the Legacy: We are always looking for old copies of The Key Cue, vintage photos, or documents to catalog. Contact historian@kbyc.org to contribute!
Anniversary Pins: A reminder that all milestone anniversary members now receive a commemorative pin along with a certificate during our yearly Club Anniversary Heritage Event.
April 2026
New Historical Digital Archives
Two major pillars of our Club’s history are now live and fully cataloged for your review:
KBYC Milestones Timeline: A closer look at the dates and events that shaped us since 1955. View the Timeline.
History of KBYC Governance: A collective portrait of service tracking every Commodore, Flag, Squadron, Board of Governors member, even Commodore boat names, and more - since our founding. View the Governance Chart.
The Battle of the Bay
Congratulations to the Coral Reef Yacht Club, winners of the April 2026 Interclub Challenge. While the trophy is currently at their club, you can learn about the competitive history and origins of this spirited rivalry here.
Ha Ha Tarpon Tournament
