THUNDERBIRD SAILING CLUB CHARTER GROUP
THE "UNCLE DONNIE" AWARD
DEED OF GIFT

Be it known by all those present that this prestigious award is named in honor of Capt. Donald E. Cummings of Tilghman Island, Maryland. "Uncle" Donnie is a life-long resident of Tilghman and has been a Chesapeake Bay waterman since he was sixteen years of age. "Uncle" Donnie is a character; yet he epitomizes the love of the water, his family, his profession, and his concern for the future of his craft and the Chesapeake Bay.

He and his wife Jo Ann were most gracious hosts to our club during the 1995 TSC Charter Group's Chesapeake Bay Cruise. They visited with us at Dun's Cove located off Harris Creek, had dinner with us at Higgins Crabhouse and provided transportation for club members to and from the dinner. On Saturday morning they welcomed six of us to their home at 5:45 a.m., had hot coffee and donuts ready and took the group for an unforgettable crabbing trip on the Choptank River. Donnie never expected anything in return othe than the enjoyment of making new friends and sharing his very humorous and entertaining yarns with an attentive audiance.

His wonderful sense of humor, knowledge of the Bay, desire to teach others, and demonstration of his skills helped make our Chesapeake Bay Cruise an extraordinary experience.

1. The award consists of a 'traveling trophy' to be kept by the winner until the ensuing winner is announced. The trophy consists of a Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab mounted on a plaque. The plaque should be displayed in a conspicuous area of the winner's home or office, and it should be handled with the utmost care. Yes, there will be verification of display

2. The trophy shall not have the winner's name engraved.

3. The award shall be given when deserved, but not more often than annually, to the TSC Charter Group member or TSC member who best exemplifies Uncle Donnie's qualities as described previously.

4. When the "TSC Charter Group" is inactive, Les Cummings (Uncle Donnie's Nephew) and Roger Elliott or their designees shall select the annual "Uncle" Donnie Award recipient.

NOTE: "Uncle" Donnie passed away at 55 years of age on March 31 2000, and the "Uncle" Donnie Award was prominently mentioned in his eulogy at his funeral. Over 300 people attended his funeral and several memorial donations were made to the BoatHouse in his honor.

 

Winners Since Inception
1995	Mark Wilson		2002	Phil Moershel
1996	Frank Lawler		2003	Howard Haines
1997	Roger Elliott		2004	Vesta Gettys
1998	Dave and Joyce Craigie		2005	Karen Mellgren and Kerry Knowles
1999	Paul Reynolds		2006	Dave and Rita Hendricks
2000	Cheri Elliott and Barbara Cummings		2007
2001	Chad and Pat Cox		2008