Once upon a time in the summer of '68 Dave Hunter bummed a ride to "Al Di La" from Syd Reynolds. It was Dave's day to bring a case of beer, which he had forgotten to purchase.

As we were driving out Mack we noticed a lady in a white cocktail dress staggering out of a bar across the street. We noticed two signs, "Priem's", and, "Beer to take out".

A fast U-turn and we entered. Dick, the huge owner/bartender slid a couple of beers down the bar and rudely asked if we, too, wanted ham and eggs. Yes! Then we sat and watched as people from various night shifts showed up. The Juke Box blared and there was dancing, pool, pinball and hearty boozing.

The following week's crowd included Don Smith, Carter Sales, George Whitehead, Tom and Lute Feldman, the Lagerfelt and Shumaker brothers, Hunter, Clogg, and Reynolds. From then on the Saturday crowd grew to 20 - 30 sailors.

The popularity needed official recognition and sanction. Hence, the formation of Priems International Sailing Society. However, Tommy Fisher objected to the abbreviation (P.I.S.S.), so the name was changed to Priems Yachting Society. (Editor's note: the abbreviation for the name Priems Yachting Society, PYS, is phonetically identical to P.I.S.S., much like Syd is phonetically identical to Sid).

The membership fee was $2.00 "Good forever or whatever". A Grosse Pointe station was formed with a P.O. Box. Dave Hunter was founding commodore, followed by Dick Clogg and co-founder, Syd Reynolds.

The membership rapidly expanded worldwide and included Ed Heath, Prime Minister of England, and members from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. George E. Van was awarded an honorary commodore ship.

Regattas were sponsored. Parties were held at the downtown station - 624 Beautiful Brush Blvd., Commodore Jacoby's saloon. Our burgee has flown in Nassau, Jamaica, B.V.I., and Antigua.

With the membership growing more rapidly than any other Yachting group, a new initiation fee of $10.00 was established of $5.00.

If the lady had not fallen out of Priem's 23 years ago, think of how much fun might have been missed. Who was she????? (Editor's note: Priem's is now starting its 34th year of fun - 2002).