OAK ORCHARD — The Indian River Yacht Club, located on the Indian River Bay, celebrated its 80th anniversary June 12 at the clubhouse.

The IRYC was chartered April 30, 1941, by a group of local sailboat enthusiasts. Through the 80 years, membership has grown to 250, plus subsidiary and honorary life members. The club currently hosts a boat pier, swimming pool, working kitchen and clubhouse social area for all members to enjoy.

During the celebration, state Sen. Gerald Hocker, R-Ocean View, and state Rep. Ruth Briggs King, R-Georgetown, presented Senate and House of Representatives resolutions to Cliff Kerr, IRYC's 2021 commodore.

Linda Walls, chairperson of the Planning Committee, praised the committee's members for their excellent work to bring the event to fruition. During the celebration, members spoke of their memories through the years.

Betty Hudson of Millsboro was recognized as the longest-serving active member. She and her late husband, Granville (who served as past commodore), joined the IRYC in 1961.

An interesting piece of club history was that the original clubhouse was located on the beach in Riverdale from 1941 until it moved to its current location in 1963.