ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS –
Growing community relationships, continuing to be stewards of the waterways and continuing the high standards set by his predecessors are Lou Melillo’s goal as he takes the reins from outgoing Commodore Frank Allsman of the Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club.
This will be the second time Melillo, of Middletown, has headed the popular and prestigious Yacht Club located on the second floor of the Shore Casino at the Atlantic Highlands Yacht Harbor. He was Commodore in 2004, after serving in all the other commands from board member in the late 1990s through Rear Commodore and Vice Commodore.
Melillo has been a member of the club since 1996 and lists numerous reasons why he joined. As a frequent and enthusiastic sail boater, he likes not only the location and activities as a club member, but also the ability to meet with other sailboat owners and other lovers of the waterways, as well as to enjoy new friendships among club members who are not boat owners. “That’s the best thing about the Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club,” he says enthusiastically, “they make us who we are as a club.”
Since he first joined, the Commodore has always been active in Yacht Club activities. He has be chairman of the insurance committee for more than two decades, until recently passing the torch to member John Flatley. He has served on the race committee for many years and actively participates in all the club’s programs and activities.
As a sailing enthusiast, Melillo keeps his sailboat, the Surface Tension, at the Atlantic Highlands Municipal Harbor in the same slip he has held for more than 25 years. He has cruised and raced for many years, including five Newport to Bermuda races as well as local races in Sandy Hook Bay. Currently, he owns a Beneteau First 44.7 racer/cruiser sail boat.
Looking towards his upcoming year as Commodore, Melillo said because of their popularity and the work of all club members, all the programs in the past, including the Youth Sailing program, the annual Blessing of the Fleet, and Blue Water Regatta, Wednesday night racing, the Ms Race and other events will continue to be highlights of the seasons.
A new activity, “Meet the Brewer” has started as a means to involve local business in club activities. The club is offering Jersey craft brews on tap and this month will have Carton Brewery from First Avenue for a Meet the Brewer event.
A new boating safety seminar series will be introduced this year with the Fleet Captain John DeFilippo in charge of that event.
While many of the racing and water-oriented events are eagerly attended by all club members, many club members are neither sailors nor boaters of any kind. They enjoy the socialization the club offers, the excellence of the galley and restaurant, as well as the cocktail hours, the bar, and other events.
There’s no doubt the members and officers have been doing everything right, Melillo continues. Under Allsman’s leadership last year, the club had a record number of new members, boaters, sailors and landlubbers. “We’re coming off a great year helmed by Commodore Allsman,” Melillo said. “We want to continue that momentum in 2023.”
“ Our town has grown to truly be the gem of the Bayshore, “he continued.. “The Yacht Club is just one element that makes Atlantic Highlands a “destination”. We have transients from all over the world stopping by with nothing but praises. It is all of our jobs to ensure we keep moving forward – one foot in front of the other – to steal an old cliche.”
It’s a family thing as well, the commodore pointed out. Both his daughters, Tara and Victoria, grew up sailing and were there for their father’s first year as Commodore and enthusiastically supported him once again at the gala that surrounded his taking the lead for the second time earlier this month. The new Commodore’s girlfriend, Katie, was also on hand to be supportive at the Change of Watch and is an avid sailor as well.
