SPRING 2015 THE B INNACLE

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T H E B I N N A C L E SPRING 2015 Spring 2015

ON THE WATER IN THIS ISSUE ON THE ABBY 06 BEER CAN 22 STAYING ON COURSE 31 From Our General Changes are on tap for this Report from this year’s US Manager summer’s Beer Can racing Sailing Conference 32 Bar & Grill 08 RACING 24 She (and he) Sew Sails There are new menus, more New races are added to the by the Lakeshore outdoor seating and lobby COLORS Regatta Yards and yards of fabric, cocktail service planned for miles of thread and dedicated this summer 10 SAILING SCHOOL members delivered new Introducing this summer’s spinnakers for Columbia boats 34 House Committee Sailing School Coaches Our volunteer weekend 27 Meet the Board warriors keep Columbia ship 12 SUMMER OF FUN(D) Your 2015 Flag Officers and shape—and full of improve- Join in this summer’s fun- Board of Directors ments filled slate of LLS fundraising activities 28 getting social at 36 BINGO BRUNCH columbia You’re here on a Sunday, so 14 Power Fleet Your Club is all over social it’s kind of like church. Bingo All are welcome, no motor media — are you part of Brunch is quickly becoming required, at Power Fleet parties the fun? the most popular event aboard the Abby. 15 DOCK New additions and 37 WELCOME NEW MEMBERS improvements to our docks 16 CRUISING FLEET Even with a frozen lake, the Cruising Fleet found fun in the off season 18 SKIPJACKS It’s another capacity crowd for our unique learn-to-sail program, so we’re looking for captains and crew to join us on Tuesday nights 20 SEA SCOUTS Changes are in store for Ship #5111 this season

COLUMBIA YACHT CLUB • 111 NORTH LAKE SHORE DRIVE • CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60601 312 938-3625 • COLUMBIAYACHTCLUB.ORG

ON THE COVER The Binnacle is published by and for members of Columbia Yacht Club. Submissions related to the sport of yachting, TEAMS FROM UNIVERSITY OF Corinthian spirit and related activities are welcome. Articles, announcements and photos (with captions) should be sent CHICAGO LAB, BROTHER RICE/ for consideration to [email protected]. For advertising specs and rate card, email [email protected]. MOTHER MCAULEY, JONES Editor: Mary Alyce Blum / Art Director and Design: Tracy Howard / Design: Amy Jeppsen Stern, Jepdesign / Harlen COLLEGE PREP AND UIC ENJOY Fleming, Dr. Graphx Publicity Committee/Editors: Cathy Bredlau, Denise Hockley-Cann, Nita Haas, Marybeth Johnson, Mike Korbel, Jill Lambert, Sara McMurray, Kim Williamson / Photographers: Stu Friedman, Mary Ellen Johnston. SPRING PRACTICE ON “COLUMBIA Thank you to all our contributors and advertisers. BAY.” PHOTO BY KURT THOMSEN VOLUME 15 ISSUE 2 T H E B INNACLE 3 IN THIS ISSUE

May June July Bar & Grill Cmte Mtg Activities Cmte Mtg Whiskey and 2 Race Cmte Mtg 1 Associates Cmte Mtg 1 Bluegrass Dinner Stewards Mtg 3-5 Cruising Fleet 4th of Derby Day Party Skipjacks July Cruise 2 Jazz Night—North Dock-in Movie Night 3 Coast Trio Independence Day Bike Tune Ups 3 Beer Can Racing 4 Celebration Activities Cmte Mtg Dog Days on the Dock Skipjacks 4 5 5 Associates Cmte Mtg Bar & Grill Cmte Mtg Bar & Grill Cmte Mtg Stewards Mtg Goose Island COLORS 7 5-7 Race Cmte Mtg Race Cmte Mtg Regatta Stewards Mtg Jazz Night—Velocity 312 Case Chase Miner Family Winery 6 5 Dock-in Movie Night 8 Wine Dinner Activities Cmte Mtg Skipjacks Book Club 7 Associates Mtg 9 9 Membership Cmte Mtg Beer Can Racing 9 After the Yards Party 10 Power Fleet Pot Luck Boats Cmte Mtg 11 on the Dock SUP Yoga Mother’s Day Brunch 11 Boats Cmte Mtg 10 Book Club Membership Cmte Mtg 16 Publicity Cmte Mtg Skipjacks House Cmte Mtg Dock Cmte Mtg 12 Trivia Night Sailing School Parents’ Bluegrass Brunch Beer Can College 12 13 Orientation 19 Boats Cmte Mtg Finance Cmte Mtg Book Club 13 21 Board of Directors Mtg 14 Membership Cmte Mtg Beer Can Racing House Cmte Mtg Finance Cmte Mtg 16 Board of Directors Mtg 22 16 Commodore’s Reception Skipjacks 29 Beer Can Racing 17 Beer Can Racing Finance Cmte Mtg 19 Board of Directors Mtg 18 Publicity Cmte Mtg August Skipjacks Dock Cmte Mtg Trivia Night 1 Fran Byrne Regatta 20 Beer Can Racing Taste of the Great Lakes Chester Kuttner Regatta Publicity Cmte Mtg Cruising Fleet Summer 2 21 20 Sailstice Dock Cmte Mtg 4 Bar & Grill Cmte Mtg Trivia Night 21 Father’s Day Race Cmte Mtg 22 Dry Creek Winery Margaritaville Brunch Stewards Mtg Dinner 23 Skipjacks 5 Jazz Night—Velocity Trio 23 Cruising Fleet Beer Can Racing Memorial Day Cruise 24 BEER CAN 6-7 Skyline Regatta Bingo Brunch 24 Michigan City Night race Activities Cmte Mtg 26-27 6 Associates Mtg Memorial Day 25 Boats Cmte Mtg CLUB OPEN Stand UP Against Blood 8 28 Cancers Regatta Wine Down for LLS Beer Can Racing 26 Skipjacks Skipjacks Graduation 12 30 Party Book Club Mtg 27 Beer Can Racing 13 Membership Cmte Mtg General Membership Mtg Jr. Sailing Banquet Wine Club Mtg 14 28 Air and Water Show Poker Night 15-16 Power Fleet Poker Run Cruising Fleet Pub Crawl 29 Kick-off Party 15

4 T H E B I N N A C L E SPRING 2015 From our Commodore

Dear Fellow Members, Spring is here, on-water boating activities have begun. Boatyard activity increases as launch dates come close. That’s not to say the off-season has been quiet at Columbia. Thanks to the work of many volunteers, the January House projects are complete. The Safety at Sea seminar was a sold-out success, and Stu Friedman and his ad hoc Sailmaking Committee, more than a dozen strong, made two brand- new spinnakers for the Club J/22s. Committee activity at Columbia is ramping up: an excellent new menu is offered by the Bar and Grill; Membership is busy welcoming new members; Dock and Boats are preparing equipment for later use; a new structure to replace the gazebo is being planned. All this activity occurred along with the usual springtime groups of Columbia volunteers—Publicity, Binnacle, Race Committee, Skipjacks and many, many others—working hard with our excellent staff to make the operations of the Club appear to be effortless. Did I miss anyone? I hope that any volunteers I may have failed to mention will understand that this does not reflect a lack of appreciation. Thanks to all involved. Beer Can racing begins its new format with Morgan Kinney’s JOE McGINNIS assistance through her new position as offshore manager. She will guide many new and improved on-the-water events this summer for the power, cruising “We are entering and racing fleets. Good communication and coordination between our volunteer what promises to be committees and the Club Staff has provided excellent return both to the a great year.” committees and to the Club in general. We are entering what promises to be a great year. Through the good management and careful record keeping by Nick and his staff, we now have the benefit of documented experience to help us anticipate our current workload and to predict our next areas of concern. As we try to predict where our next large necessary expenditures will be required, we are developing a list of projects that could help the Club attain its goals over the next decade. It is time to develop plans for our future. If anyone has ideas and suggestions, we need to have them in written form. There are undeveloped areas of the Abby that can be efficiently utilized to support more members and more boating activities. Ideally, we can expand to accommodate both. In the meantime, we will continue to support and serve our current members. Thank you to all our great members and staff who have put forth outstanding efforts to provide me with optimism for a terrific boating season. Here’s to a good summer.

Joe McGinnis Commodore

VOLUME 15 ISSUE 2 T H E B INNACLE 5 ON THE WATER

By Morgan Kinney Offshore Manager Changes on Tap [email protected] for Beer Can Racing

The Columbia Yacht Club Beer Can Committee released the Notice of Race for the 2015 Chicago Beer Can Series with an official start date of May 27. The Wednesday night series is not only a time-honored tradition for Columbia, but the entire Chicago sailing community. The series itself has casual roots laced with serious racing, and changes to the 2015 NOR hope to amplify both the tradition and the competition. Seventy-four boats from five sailing clubs registered for the 2014 Series; however, more than 100 would come to the line on any given Wednesday. “One of the biggest struggles for Wednesday night racing in past years was knowing who the competition was. With five organizations registering their own boats under their own scoring programs, there would be 12 boats in a start, but you end up being scored against only two or three,” explained Beer Can Chairman Steve Kindra. In an effort to include all Wednesday night racers and increase the level of competition, Columbia decided

6 T H E B I N N A C L E SPRING 2015 ON THE WATER

early last fall that all fleets would be united in 2015, regardless of organization, under one scoring program - Yacht Scoring. “It is for the benefit of each team that we race against as many boats as possible. The only way to get better is to race against the best,” remarked Thomas Barnes, Columbia Treasurer and Beer Can racer of 35 years. Another new development for the Series is the addition of an inshore course for daysailors and dinghies. The inshore course will be a drop mark course with half- mile legs, located between the south outer breakwall and the Adler Planetarium. Shortly after plans for the inshore course went public, there was a surge of interest in taking the 420s out to the races. “Once we saw the demand for dinghy racing here in the downtown area, we were happy to offer the Columbia 420s up for charter,” said Sailing Director Kurt Thomsen. Just two short weeks after the boats were made available, they were completely reserved for all the races this season. The talent runs deep in the 420 section. Sailing coaches, Olympians and ex-college racers make up a majority of the fleet. Sailing Coach TJ Valentor explained, “I race big boats every other day of the week, and I don’t own a boat, so I rarely have the opportunity to race dinghies in the summer - not to mention drive my own boat for Beer Cans.” TJ and her sister/crew Allie make up another fun statistic in the 420 section: 40% of the skippers are female. Sailing is one of the few sports where both sexes can be on the same team or race against each other in the same section. “I haven’t really had the opportunity to compete against other women since junior sailing and college. It always brings a great camaraderie and level of ‘chill’ to the race course,” said an enthusiastic Cate Muller, who campaigns her own Melges 24 and drives a Beneteau 40.7 for weekend and distance races. As of March, the Beer Can Series stood at 59% of last year’s entry numbers. The Beer Can Committee looks forward to a successful season on the water with a more comprehensive Wednesday night racing program.

VOLUME 15 ISSUE 2 T H E B INNACLE ON THE WATER

By Morgan Kinney Offshore Manager Columbia COLORS Regatta [email protected] Kicks Off 2015 Racing

There are a few elements that have become mainstays in the COLORS tradition: Goose Island Beer Company, Chicago’s original Distance Race and two buoy courses. Can’t get enough Goose Island COLORS? Neither could we! That’s why Goose Island COLORS is now a three-day event Fri Jun 5 - Sun Jun 7!

8 T H E B I N N A C L E SPRINGWINTER 2015 ON THE WATER

312 Case Chase Distance Race Buoy COURSES

Kick off the first weekend of The fun continues with the The two buoy courses will be put racing on Friday night with a race Distance Race on Saturday. Race to use Saturday and Sunday. In around the cans in The 312 Case Chairman Olof Andersson first terms of registration, we expect Chase. Are you new to racing? introduced the Distance Race to the trends to hold – the largest An underestimated cruiser? Or are COLORS in 2011, and several fleets will be the Beneteaus 36.7 you just dying to test out a new other Chicago regattas adopted and 40.7, Tartan 10 and J/105. set of sails before a weekend on distance races into their events The goal for 2015 is to bring in the buoy courses? The 312 Case soon after. The longer course is more regional talent, who will be Chase is for you! This race is ideal for boats that are unable to travelling to Chicago for the Helly purely for fun and bragging rights, maneuver around the buoys easily, Hansen NOOD the following and will not count in the series like the JV66 Defiance, and the weekend. “As our Goose Island scores. If you are registered for Andrews 77 Ocean. Other great COLORS continues to grow, a either the distance race or buoy contenders are boats that will be third circle for sport boats and the races, The 312 Case Chase competing in the Mac Cruising smaller one designs is part of the is included in your registration. Section and teams heading out plan,” added Andersson. And if you want to be part of for the first time together. The We’re looking for great Goose Island COLORS without number of registrants for the competition from all sections in committing to the whole weekend Distance Race has doubled in just both race circles. A few boats of racing, you can register for this three years, and Columbia hopes to watch this year will be J/111 race for just $25. it continues to grow. Kashmir, J/109 Certainly, 40.7 Sociable, and 36.7 FOG. 2014 was the year of the upset - the first year thatKashmir didn’t place first in their section for COLORS, so you can place bets that they’ll be after their throne. Certainly, Sociable and FOG have all proven to be the top dogs in this annual shake-the- sheets regatta, with top three finishes for the past five years. Regardless of where you finish, the parties aboard the Abby are the place to be. Last year, Goose Island premiered their Devon Ale at the Saturday after-party and we can’t wait to taste what they have in store for us this year. Pick up your 12-packs of 312 Wheat, 312 Pale and IPA for the motor back to the harbor - don’t worry, these beers come in cans!

VOLUME V o l u m e 15 1 5 IISSUE S S U E 2 T H E B INNACLE 9 ON THE WATER Meet the Sailing School Coaches

Prams Jen McDermott a US Sailing Level One certified instructor, and has been a water-holic from a young age. Her love for being outdoors and on the water made it an easy decision to be part of the Columbia sailing program. This is her 4th year teaching the Pram group. She enjoys working with the children and nurturing their enthusiasm for sailing. With her quick wit, humor, and energy the kids are laughing all day long! Jen will be graduating from Colorado State University in May. After she finishes her summer here (and before beginning work on her master’s degree) she plans to take a year off and teach English in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Jen McDermott

Optimist Green Coach Grace Williams grew up sailing all different types of boats on Lake Michigan in Chicago and Minoqua, WI before joining the team at Loyola high school. At Loyal, Grace traveled and competed in numerous national championships. She is currently finishing up her senior year at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where she will receive a bachelor’s degree in Economics. After graduation, she is interested in tech and big data sales. Grace will be taking a June class to become a US Sailing Certified Level One instructor.

GRACE WILLIAMS

Beginner/Intermediate 420s Matt Arntzen, US Sailing Certified Level One instructor, grew up sailing at Columbia Yacht Club. He joined the junior program when he was eight and 12 years later he is still here. Matt raced Optis when he was younger and grew to race C420s on the team. With the Columbia team, Matt had the opportunity to travel and race around the country. He enjoys racing keel boats and has participated in many distance and buoy races. Matt just completed his sophomore year at Depaul University. Christopher Beccaria, US Sailing Certified Level One instructor, also grew up sailing at Columbia Yacht Club. He began sailing in the optimist class and then moved into MATT ARNTZEN the C420, representing the Club at regattas throughout the US. Christopher attends the University of Miami, studying finance and economics. And, of course, he is on the sailing team.

CHRISTOPHER BECCARIA 10 T H E B I N N A C L E SPRING 2015 ON THE WATER

By Kurt Thomsen Registration for summer Sailing Camp is Sailing Master [email protected] open to all, with special pricing for members. Meet the coaches for this year’s sessions.

Optimist Coach Scott Szawlowski, US Sailing Certified Level One instructor, is returning this year to coach our Optimist Racing team. Scott grew up sailing at Columbia Yacht Club and other clubs, competing across the country with great success. He has coached for multiple years and has a passion for teaching sailing as a sport. This year Scott is graduating from the University of Colorado with a degree in Genetics, but hopes to continue coaching wherever the world takes him.

SCOTT SZAWLOWSKI

Advanced 420s Rose Edwards is a competitive sailor and freshman at one of the top-ranked varsity sailing programs in the country, Georgetown University. She began sailing at the age of seven and has sailed every summer since. After mastering introductory level dinghies, she began traveling with her club’s 420 race team, and started competing in some keelboat and match racing events. Rose has a US Sailing Level One certification and has previous coaching experience.

ROSE EDWARDS

Adults Sean Palizza grew up sailing Thistles, Sunfish and J-105s with his father out of Winnetka Yacht Club, Cedar Point Yacht Club and The Houston Yacht Club. He then attended DePaul University, where he founded the University’s sailing team and was Chicago Match Race Center’s media intern for the summer of 2012. After graduating in 2013, Sean worked as an Assistant Coach and Keelboat teacher for Columbia. In 2014, he spent the summer season working as a charter boat captain in Spain, Greece and Croatia. Sean is a US Sailing Basic Keelboat Instructor, US Powerboating Instructor, and has his RYA Master’s License. SEAN PALIZZA

VOVOLUMEl u m E 115 5 IISSUE S S U E 2 T H E B INNACLE 11 ON THE WATER Join in Chicago’s Summer of FUN(d)

The Leukemia Cup series of events offer a way for all water enthusiasts— power boater or paddler, racer or cruiser—to get involved in the fight against blood cancers. All proceeds benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Illinois Chapter. This summer’s line-up includes:

STAND UP Against Blood Cancers Stand-Up Paddle Races SUNDAY, JUNE 28, 2015 • 11:00 aM Columbia YC supchi.com Stand UP against blood cancers by gathering your friends for a day filled with outrageous costumes and fiercely fun competition. • $200 per team of four, three rounds, single elimination • All equipment provided • Prizes for top fundraisiers, finishers and best costume • After Party with food and free cocktails!

Leukemia Cup Poker Run & After Party Saturday, August 8, 2015 • 1:00 PM Chicago Corinthian YC pokerrunchicago.com Start your engines for the Power Boat Poker Run, followed by the legendary After Party with gourmet food, open pour drinks, live music and silent auction. On the lawn at Corinthian YC. • $125 entry fee includes one hand and one ticket to the After Party • Additional hands $25 • After Party tickets $100

Red Sky Night Friday, August 21, 2015 • 6:00 PM Columbia YC REDSKYNIGHT.ORG Best party of the summer! Plentiful food, open pour drinks, amazing live and silent auctions, live music and more, under the stars and under our tent. • $115, $135 after 8/14, reservations encouraged

Leukemia Cup Regatta & Post-Race Party Saturday, August 22, 2015 • 1:00 PM Columbia YC LEUKEMIACUP.ORG/IL Raise a sail in the fight against blood cancers. Two courses, three sections. Rockin’ party, cook-out, awards and live music afterwards at Columbia. • $125* entry fee includes official 2015 LCR cap, boat name on t-shirt and personal fundraising web page • Open pour Gosling’s/Goose Island wrist band $25

*$150 after 7/31, $200 race day

12 T H E B I N N A C L E SPRING 2015 ON THE WATER

BY TRACY HOWARD LCR Sponsorship LEUKEMIA CUP REGATTA CHAIR Join in Chicago’s Summer of FUN(d) [email protected] Opportunities Available REGATT A R •

Join us as a sponsor, and show the The Leukemia Cup’s RAINGUTTER REGATTA E O T G

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Chicago boating community that your stirred up quite a bit of friendly competition U C

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among participants at Crowely’s Yachta-palooza in I business recognizes the value of our H

A C commitment to creating a world without on March 28. Racers huffed-and-puffed their R P blood cancers. way to winning Gosling’s Rum in each of three • U LE C As a sponsor, you’ll receive high- one-hour heats. Watch for details on a greater, UKE MIA impact impressions before, during and grander Raingutter Regatta at this year’s Leukemia Cup after the event. Outreach efforts stretch Post-Race party on August 22! across multiple platforms, including print, direct mail, e-marketing, social media and public relations. In addition, you’ll be included in chapter-wide outreach to all LLS supporters— expanding your sponsorship well beyond the Summer of FUN(d).

CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP BENEFITS • Showcase your business to a highly desirable demographic • Build awareness and familiarity through a presence at events For all the latest info on the Summer of FUN(d), all summer long visit each event’s website or email • Differentiate your brand as a [email protected] goodwill partner in the community

• Entertain clients and reward Join the team behind the events that have raised more than $2.5 million locally for blood cancer research employees

FAMILY SPONSORSHIP BENEFITS WE’RE LOOKING FOR • Honor a loved one by helping to fund a cure NEW BLOOD • Celebrate a team’s effort with meaningful recognition FRIDAY, MAY 8 LEUKEMIA CUP COMMITTEE RECRUITING EVENT Sponsorships are available at many 6-8 PM COLUMBIA YACHT CLUB levels, for each of the events in the LCR series. Take advantage of the Learn how you can help–a little or a lot– we’ve got jobs for everyone opportunity to access the key audience and event that aligns best with your marketing and outreach goals. FOOD!DRINKS!FUN! Email [email protected] for complete details.

VOLUME 15 ISSUE 2 T H E B INNACLE 13 ON THE WATER

By William Grant Power Fleet Chair Power Fleet Ready for [email protected] Docklines Summer Fun

If you’ve missed our Pot Luck the last couple years, or are new to the Club, come on down and check it out. Everyone is welcome: racers not on Mac, associate members and cruisers alike, it’s not just us stink potters. While the racers head up to the Island, we take over the dock to eat, drink, and be merry! Bring a dish and a drink to share, and sign up for the Poker Run while you’re there. We had a fantastic turnout last year for the Poker Run, which raised more than $100,000 benefitting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). It’s a great day on the water, part of our Summer of FUN(d) series of fundraising events for LLS. We are proud to support Corinthian Yacht Club, which organizes this event. With your help this year will be even more successful! We are always looking for new ideas for on-the-water activities, cruising destination ideas or just any way to squeeze in a party! If you are a power boater, associate member or even a sailor with an interest in the power fleet, consider joining our committee. It’s Happy spring from the Power Fleet! It’s time to put not much of a time commitment: we plan a few parties winter behind us and look forward to long sun-filled days and brainstorm how Columbia’s power boaters can get on the dock and our boats. better acquainted and have more fun – on and off the It’s been rewarding to see more power boaters on water. I encourage anyone interested in sharing ideas the dock each year, taking advantage of our unbeatable and meeting new people to join our committee. Being on dock space and friendly white cap service. Whether you the committee is a great way to reach out and have your are coming to Columbia from Montrose for lunch, from voice heard! the new 31st Street Harbor for Saturday night fireworks, I would love input on new activities Columbia or just motoring around the corner from your Du Sable members would like to see, any ideas you have for slip to enjoy our friendly camaraderie, Columbia’s docks events or other suggestions. Please contact me if are there for you. You’ll even make some new friends; you’re interested in joining the Power Fleet committee you can’t escape, it’s simply the culture of Columbia. [email protected]. The Power Fleet has another great summer Don’t be a stranger and don’t forget the planned, so open up those calendars to mark down sunscreen. these dates: the annual Pot Luck on the Dock on Saturday, July 11 (the same day as the start of the Mac race) and the Poker Run on August 8.

T H E B I N N A C L E SPRING 2015 By Rich Allen Dock Committee Chair [email protected] Docklines

Greetings, fellow Columbians. As I sit at the bar and write this article I am reminded of what the Club is about. It is 32 degrees and a high school team is out happily sailing from our frigid dock. It’s early in the spring and yet it seems like summer is years away. But actually, it is right around the corner. Time to dust off our boats, paint, wax and fix broken stuff. While our boats have been hibernating, the dock has not. Bryan and his staff repaired the ramp and dock from a bad November storm, replacing the kick plate and lower ramp to make dock access easier. We have also been doing regular maintenance projects such as replacing dock boards and wailers. Before the season begins, we plan to install new coolers and ice dispensers on the rail deck this year, as well as provide free, yes free, filtered water. We’ll be selling refillable water bottles for boater to have on their boat.

For Regular Members, now is the time for a reminder of our check-in process. 1 Bring a copy of your registration and boat insurance to Columbia’s office to pick up your dock stickers. 2 If you plan to store a dingy on Columbia’s dock or a gas can in the gas locker, you will need to register each with the office. Remember, no gas cans larger than six gallons are allowed and only one can for each member is allowed. 3 For member convenience, a sail repair locker is located forward, right next to the exit from the Club Ship to the dock. Please be mindful of other members and remove repaired sails within two weeks. We will be clearing out the locker every two weeks and any sails left longer will be removed and disposed of. 4 Also as a reminder, all boats using Columbia’s docks will be subject to a mandatory ESD power check. This is simply a check to see if you boat is leaking power into the lake, which is potential hazard. 5 New this year, we will be an inspecting all sail lockers on the rail deck. Remember no visible impairments such as curtains are allowed and also no flammable solvents or liquids are allowed in lockers at any time. With that, lets all go out and have a fun, safe and happy summer on the water.

VOLUME 15 ISSUE 2 T H E B INNACLE 15 ON THE WATER Cruising Through the Off Season

KEEPING IT HOT The Cruising Fleet celebrated its 10th Annual “Some Like It Hot!” Chili Cook-off on February 7. Event Chair Extraordinaire Paul Uhl made sure that more than 100 people had a great time on the Rail Deck. Thanks to all who entered their favorite recipes, dressed in one- of-a-kind costumes and created fabulous decorations! Thanks also to everyone who came and enjoyed the festivities while showing their appreciation by voting for their favorites. Congratulations to all the winners!

16 T H E B I N N A C L E SPRING 2015 ON THE WATER

BY CINDY HOPKINS CRUISING FLEET CHAIR [email protected]

2015 CHILI COOK-OFF CRUISING THROUGH WINTER Mother Nature did not cooperate WINNERS for our February Ice Boating Weekend in Wisconsin. There BEST OVERALL CHILI was enough ice, but too much Stu Friedman snow. We will likely try this event again next year. Thanks BEST ROADKILL (MEAT) CHILI to event chairs Liz Horton and 1 Stu Friedman Debbie McCaskey for their hard 2 Perry and Rita Weinberg work organizing what would have 3 Dustin Domer been a fun weekend! Part of the group that would have gone up “ice boated” on the Abby, which was BEST VEGETARIAN CHILI encased in ice, for dinner together instead. 1 David Brown Our Spring Kickoff party was held on March 21, with a 2 Team Whisper fantastic turnout of returning and new members. It was great to see 3 Susan Hoffman everyone! We shook the snow off the sails and shared details about MOST POPULAR CHILI the rest of our events for this year over cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. 1 Michele Carney We hope that you will join us for our tie Stu Friedman many other events this year. Our holiday 2 Myer Blank weekend cruises to destinations around 3 Jeff Vander Meade and Daniel Rowe Lake Michigan are always fun and popular. We also have several events planned that BEST-NAMED CHILI don’t require a boat. Anyone is always 1 Jeff Vander Meade and Daniel Rowe welcome to join our activities, and we have Jamaican Me Crazy Chicken Chili had more than one attendee cruise over 2 Robin Scrofani and Kirstin Hartman to the other side of the lake in a land yacht! Join our mailing list Chili con Prozac and have all the details delivered to your inbox by emailing 3 Michele Carney [email protected]. We look forward to a great season of High Plains Drifter cruising – on the water and on land! Team Whisper tie Where’s the Beef?

BEST DECORATION/PRESENTATION 1 Michele Carney 2 Myer Blank 3 Linda Zager Robin Scrofani and Kirstin Hartman tie Jeff Vander Meade and Daniel Rowe CRUISING FLEET 2015 CALENDAR OF EVENTS BEST SIDE DISH April 25 Clean and Green Boating Seminar 1 Team Whisper May 23 – 24 Memorial Day Cruise to Jackson Park 2 Myer Blank June 20 Summer Sailstice Lunch Cruise 3 Jeff Vander Meade and Daniel Rowe July 3-5 4th of July Cruise to South Haven, MI August 15 Chicago Craft Brewery Pub Crawl Sept 5-7 Labor Day Cruise to New Buffalo, MI November 14 End of the Year Party

VOLUME 15 ISSUE 2 T H E B INNACLE 17 ON THE WATER

By Robin Scrofani Skipjacks Chair Calling all Columbia [email protected] Sailors! Skipjacks is Back

At some point, each of us was introduced to being on the water by a parent, relative or friend who already knew the magic feeling of being out on the lake. And, thanks to them, we each developed our own love for sailing. That sharing, that willingness to teach and pass along the lure of boating is exactly the idea behind Skipjacks, our unique learn-to-sail program for adults. And that’s also where you come in! Columbia sailors and R1s, we need your help. Members who have helped in the past will tell you just how rewarding it is and how much fun they have. Okay, except maybe the weather doesn’t always cooperate, but sailors aren’t going to let a little rain get in the way. If you love sailing and sharing your knowledge, why not sign up to be one of our volunteer skippers? If you can’t commit to all six weeks, don’t worry. We’re happy to have you for all the on-the-water sessions or any part of that. If you can only come one Tuesday night, we still want you. All you Columbia Associate sailors, we need you, too! You don’t have to have a boat to participate in the best intro-to-sailing program around. There’s always a spot for crew, and we need instructors and organizers for the first two nights. Please • • contact Robin or Morgan, • • [email protected]

• • • •

18 T H E B I N N A C L E SPRING 2015 ON THE WATER Off-season Marine Education at Columbia

The incident makes us all think twice when we’re out there. After the informative and useful day-long seminar, hopefully everyone is a little more prepared and equipped if and when all hell does break loose. Splicing 101 was a free workshop brought to the Club by Crowley’s Yacht Yard. Attendees learned how to make a professional double-braid eye splice – perfect for some new docklines! More upcoming marine education events planned for this season include: Racing Rules Columbia members must have they were on the water again. & Sailing Sharp and the Quantum been feeling the cabin fever this Columbia opened its doors Sails Seminar Series. If you year! How do we know? When to more than 130 sailors of all have an interest in learning more registration for US Sailing’s Safety backgrounds for Safety at Sea – a about a particular on-the-water at Sea Seminar and a Splicing 101 one-day seminar presented by topic, send an email to Offshore Workshop opened up, both events Milwaukee native Brian Adams. The Manager Morgan Kinney at sold out almost immediately. Seems seminar is highly recommended for [email protected]. like everyone was ready to do the Race to Mackinac, prompted by something that made them feel like the Wingnuts tragedy of 2011.

Columbia members raced around the world this winter in the Volvo Ocean Race Virtual Regatta. The online sailing game follows the seven VOR teams around the world from one stopover to the next and has more than 165,000 players. Not only did the Virtual Regatta offer good practice for course plotting, it was a great way to forget the dreary winter blues. Fourteen members competed against each other in two legs from Abu Dhabi to Sanya and Sanya to Auckland. Stu Friedman took first place in the leg to Sanya, winning a Volvo Ocean Race duffle bag, and Yaman Battikhi won a Line Honors prize pack in the leg to Auckland. Real congratulations to the virtual skippers.

VOLUME 15 ISSUE 2 T H E B INNACLE 19 ON THE WATER Sea Scout Ship #5111

WORK PARTY and the Stewards Committee. We New England Clam Chowdah. Sixteen of our Sea Scouts, leaders, thank them all for supporting our This fundraiser benefits only our friends and family turned out for our marksmanship adventures. own Sea Scout Ship #5111, and biggest showing ever at a winter the support and setup from general work weekend. They were mixing WHIRLYBALL & ELECTIONS manager Nick Philp and his staff and grinding, priming and painting, The off-season also saw our annual were again superlative. dusting and vacuuming, getting Whirlyball outing – two hours of the rail deck, bar, main salon and fun and games scooping a whiffle SKIPPER, ISLAND GOAT, CAPTAINS, new alfresco dining areas ready ball with a plastic basket and A NEW PILOT & REGIONAL for the coming season. All in a shooting it toward a target while OFFICERS day’s work as service to our charter whirling about in bumper cars, After completing a 25th Chicago organization. It is part of the Sea laughing and cheering whenever Mac last summer, this Skipper was Scouts credo, and they are proud the scoreboard would light up. invited to join the esteemed Island to do it. Then the youth members went off Goat Sailing Society. And, after 35 and held elections for new officers. years a sailor, this old goat has also ON TARGETS Congratulations to our new young gone back to school, studying with In early March, eight youth and four leaders. May they serve us proudly. Captains Al and Fred for his 50 ton adults assembled in the classroom Master’s license. One year ago, for training in the use, care and CHOWDAH FEST two of our own graduated from the safety of firearms, specifically .22 For the fifth year, adult leader USMA Chicago course. First Mate caliber rifles. Two military veterans, James Bruno Lago and his Imagine Francis Baumgart and Junior Mate who are also Scout leaders and Festivals partner Jeff Reid invited Alex Zoiopoulos successfully passed NRA trained instructors, spent top Chicago seafood chefs for rigorous exams, and Alex was hired six hours with us to provide Chowdah Fest. This year saw an last summer as Captain aboard the required training before we all-time high of 15 restaurants the Shoreline Sightseeing vessels. head over to shoot at an Indiana cooking up their delicacies. Nearly Looks like he will return to them Boy Scout camp Memorial Day 200 generous donors tasted and this summer, after his engineering weekend. Our resident CFD Safety voted their People’s Choice, along studies at the University of Illinois Rescue Diver, Wally Gorzen, father with official prizes from an expert Champaign. of our twin senior Sea Scouts, panel of judges. This year’s winner And, our Boatswain Mate, Jared and Liam, arranged the in the non-traditional category 16 year-old Keaton Martin, has contact. The training was set up by was Frontier Chicago, featuring a recently completed his solo flights Jared and approved by Nick Philp delicious “Gumbo-Yowdah”– Cajun toward earning his small plane style with andouille sausage from pilot’s license. Keaton has also 1 Chef Brian Jupiter. been selected to serve as Task The traditional category winner Flotilla Area 7 Boatswain Mate of was Maddy’s Dumpling House, with Administration. He joins Shipmate Chef Chrissy Camba serving up Alex Zoiopoulos, who earlier this a traditional Manila clam chowder year was selected Central Region w/bacon, roasted pork & salt cod Boatswain. We tend to set our dumpling, Sichuan oil, fried garlic, sights rather high, then achieve scallions and fennel fronds. our goals. And the Fan Favorite, award as voted by attendees, was Shaw’s 2 Crab House. Celebrating the restaurant’s 30th anniversary, Chef Arnie Tellez cooked up a delightful

1 Brian Key of Hugo’s Frog Bar serves up his King Crab & Corn Chowdah 2 NRA instructor teaches Christine and Nina how to hand off a rifle 3 Skipper Marty Bernstein and Boatswain Jared Gorzen enjoy chowdah 4 Newly elected youth officers of SHIP 5111 and their insignia 5 Awards are announced for winning chefs at Chowdah Fest 6 Debbie Martin and her young guest cheerfully help at winter work party

20 T H E B I N N A C L E SPRING 2015 ON THE WATER

By Marty Bernstein Skipper, SHIP #5111

WINDS OF CHANGE has decided that our big boat be brightest, outstanding youth from all The winds of change are blowing, sold, replaced with smaller boats over the area, are passionate about and they appear to be headwinds, already in the program, and a few big boat sailing. They have done and so we either adjust our trim more small boats to be acquired by service projects across the lake and sail on, drop sail and head in, donation. during our long cruises. They have or head in a different direction. Of Perhaps the most disconcerting taken the helm and all positions course, this is metaphorical. piece of this new puzzle is the in the Wednesday evening race The powers that be at the decision to moor all of these series, and brought home the brag newly consolidated Pathways to vessels at 31st Street Harbor. flags and hardware, and they’ve Adventure Council of the BSA in Ships from as far away as Skokie been recruited by other big boat Chicago (formerly the Chicago Area or Montrose Harbor area face very programs. We have taken ten of Council), have formed the opinion long commutes and severely limited them on Mac Races over the past that Sea Scouts should not be public transportation options. How seven years. The donations to the sailing, training and racing on big can this be a good thing for these Mac Race venture, and additional boats. In spite of the fact that Ship “geographically limited” programs? fundraising efforts championed by 5111, along with other Ships in the No matter. It is now the way it’s those donors have helped defray council have been doing just that, going to be, at least for the near the cost of keeping a big boat in the and doing it very well for more than future. It may turn out for the better. Sea Scouts. 10 years, this is the edict that has Or it may not. Some of the Ships Chicago sailing schools at come down. It is the decision of one may disband in the face of this, or all yacht clubs are brimming with individual who is unaware of our like Ship Privateer at Chicago Yacht small boat programs, and they are program, our history, our passion, Club, acquire their own vessel and a great way for beginning sailors our reputation or the team we have run their own local program. There to learn the fundamentals of boat built, retained and advanced. He are many options. handling, points of sail and safety. 3 We at Columbia, We have no argument with Sea our Sea Scout Ship, (the Scouts forming a small boat sailing pride of the Chicago area program. It’s a great idea; but why Sea Scouts) now face a should that exclude youth who have dilemma; to maybe stretch the experience and desire to sail the metaphor a bit, a sea on big boats from doing so? For change. Our best and our the moment, we may be down, but we’re not out. With any luck, some 4 great friends and support, and a lot of behind the scenes discussions, a favorable “wind shift” just may see our Sea Scouts on the water and back at the dock on a big boat again this summer.

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VOLUMEVO l u m E 15 1 5 ISSUE I S S U E 2 T H E B INNACLE 21 IN THIS ISSUE Report from the Road: US Sailing Symposium

At the end of January, just after GOING FOR PRO We quickly realized each other’s the boat show, Kurt and I jetted We registered for a one-day race strengths. I knew the administrative off to New Orleans, LA for the US management class to become US work, like writing SIs, class rules, Sailing National Sailing Program Sailing Certified Club Principal scoring, etc. Kurt was better Symposium. Needless to say, we Race Officers (PROs) like Olof versed in the actual setup of the were pretty wiped out, but looking Andersson. For those who don’t races. We were stuck in the room forward to warmer temperatures and know, PROs are like the CEOs of for a few hours and even called meeting up with the country’s sailing the Race Committee. PROs write in our personal PRO to answer a industry professionals. Sailing Instructions, manage the RC, list of questions and clarify some The NSPS is a conference determine the course, adjust races technicalities for us. for on-the-water managers, based on conditions, and assure As you might imagine, program directors and industry compliance with the SIs. certification is not a quick process. representatives. The conference Before the class we had Besides the class, prerequisites features keynote speakers to complete a study guide. No include serving in each role of the presenting on topics including problem, we thought. This will be RC more than a few times and on-the-water safety, volunteer a breeze, we thought. It wasn’t. being comfortable directing a race. recruitment, weather, creative So, we set up our study room: a Kurt met all the requirements, while programs, sports psychology, couple computers, rule books, and I am short just a few, but well on my environmentally friendly practices handbooks all open and strewn way to be finished by the end of the and much more. It is a great about the hotel room. It wasn’t that 2015 season. opportunity to steal…um, develop… we didn’t know the answers. The new ideas for Columbia. issue was finding the citations to prove our answers. The questions are also worded poorly and I would get hung up on the proper English. US Sailing even acknowledges that the questions are worded in a tricky manner, allegedly to produce a better race management team.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF US SAILING

2222 T H E B I N N A C L E SPRING 2015 IN THIS ISSUE

BY MORGAN KINNEY OFFSHORE MANAGER [email protected]

ASK THE EXPERTS? LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS Even with a few disappointing When US Sailing answers your Another seminar I had high hopes moments in some of the seminars, question with, “I don’t know. We for was “Volunteer Management for the benefits of NSPS outweigh haven’t gotten to that yet,” you can Regattas.” At this talk I again asked the negatives. As a direct result only take comfort in the fact that the question, “How do we attract of discussions at the conference, Columbia is ahead of the game. younger volunteers?” The presenter we’ll be working this year to make The race management class responded, “That’s more of a meta our events more green, using itself was brutally long. Or at issue,” and moved on to the next sustainable options when possible. least felt that way, since it was question. I was irate! How could all We also want to introduce new 75 degrees, sunny and breezy these industry experts and leaders race management initiatives. Most right outside the windows of just keep ignoring this issue? The importantly, we are able to represent South Shore Yacht Club. One of woman next to me gave me a look Columbia and be a part of the the more interesting and positive and whispered that she had the national discussion shaping the aspects of the class was how same concern. future of sailing. many attendees were under 35 - After the presentation, it was about half the class. Since most nice to have the presenter make a of the Race Committees I’ve seen point of finding me to say that he don’t attract this demographic as didn’t mean to dismiss me, but my participants, I decided to ask the question, “is just too large of an instructor, Matthew Hill (who also issue.” The woman seated next to happens to be the US Sailing Race me and I swapped a couple ideas, Administration Director) what US but they were things Columbia Sailing is doing or recommends already has in play, like teaching our organizations do in order to attract junior racers how to mark set. younger RC members. That’s when I received the disheartening response, “I don’t know.” At least he acknowledged the problem. Kurt, Olof and I tackled the next couple days using the divide- and-conquer method. As in any conference, some of the seminars are less informative than others. I got the short end of the stick on seminar selection. After attending what seemed like a commercial pitch for Sail Flow, I met up with Olof who immediately said, “COLORS is going green!” He had just attended a talk lead by Sailors for the Sea - a clean regatta initiative. Kurt also scored big at a presentation about pitching events to the industry leaders.

VOLUMEVO l u m E 15 1 5 ISSUE I S S U E 2 T H E B INNACLE 23 IN THIS ISSUE Columbia Members 1 Make Spinnakers for Otto and Carolyn

2 Or, The Battle with Panel 12

Birth of a DIY Project boatload of tape. Now all we It started innocently enough. With needed were sailmakers or, er, 3 the success of our J/22 program last “volunteers.” summer, we wanted spinnakers to On a frigid Saturday in use for classes and racing. Imagine February, roughly 15 sailmakers our surprise to find out that sails are arrived to find the rail deck expensive—especially when trained scattered with red, white and blue professionals make them. Using the panels. Our task, in a nutshell: old adage, “if you want something 1 Lay out the panels using the done right, but you can’t afford mapping provided to do it the right way, make them yourselves,” we looked for options. 2 Tape the panels together into Enter Sailrite. As it turns out, six sections and sew those the company that sells the monster sections together sail-making sewing machines 3 Tape and sew the sections also designs sails. In the fall, we together along impossibly long submitted an order for two class seams spinnakers, and six weeks later, we got a box of pre-cut panels 4 Assemble the corners (rings, (88 of them), needles, thread and a webbing, anti-chafe); and 5 Apply the luff and foot tapes.

24 T H E B I N N A C L E SPRING 2015 IN THIS ISSUE

By Stu Friedman

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In what some called a case of the blind leading the more blind, Stu Friedman and Holly Kawula, armed with two Sailrite LSZ-1 machines and a solid Bernina home model, lead the team into battle. This is Easy!! Everything went smoothly. Walter Kawula was appointed chief engineer, which involved absolutely no additional responsibility, at least we thought. Steve Call and The Rubik’s Cube of Spinnaker Cooney and our own Sailing Master, Bruce Conrad proved masters of Building: Panel 12 Kurt Thomsen joined in. We made basting tape. Vanessa Gates and Then confusion set in. Perhaps it quick work finishing Spinnaker 1 friend rocked a section as well. was the lunchtime drinks. Maybe and, with the last-minute help of Paul Murray, Suzanne Glow, Perry the real sailmakers had placed a hex Woody Hansmann, past Commodore Pakravan, Mark Gillingham and on us. Or maybe Sailrite decided to Bill Bartz, and even Commodore Joe several others pitched in. Even star switch April Fool’s day to February. McGinnis, we finished most of our junior sailors Phoebe Lincoln, Lillian But panel 12 didn’t fit. work on #2. Who said the afterguard Nemeth and Katie Faris helped. But We took apart the sail. We doesn’t get their hands dirty? the day’s MVP was Susan Tonon, put it back together. Remarkably, Now, it’s time to get them on the who seemingly single-handedly it still didn’t fit. Walter made head water. We’ll be using them for two sewed 1,000 feet of zig-zag stitches. scratching an Olympic sport. events this summer: We discovered that spinnaker Holly measured fifteen times. Spinnaker Class: Starting on making isn’t that difficult. The 44 Stu delegated. Still, evil panel 12 Thursdays, June 4-11, we’ll be panels fit neatly into six sections. refused. We were at an impasse. holding a class on flying a spinnaker. The machines ran beautifully. The Finally, Walter, Holly and Susan The class is designed for both newer rail deck was a perfect venue. figured out a fix. We sewed a little sailors and veterans looking to learn Everyone got along. By lunch time, tuck-in seam, and voila, we had a spinnakers. we almost had one sail put together kite. Drinks were served. There was and were ready to install the tapes much rejoicing. Experienced Match Racing: This is and corners. We adjourned to the bar We reconvened with a smaller still in the planning stages, but we’re for some burgers, beers and back team on Sunday. Not realizing the expecting to launch an experienced slapping. free beer was finished the previous match racing series this summer. day, rock star J/22 sailor Martin Watch your weekly updates for more.

VOLUME 15 ISSUE 2 T H E B INNACLE 25 IN THIS ISSUE The Activities Committee Needs You!

Admit it: You’ve been looking for a way to become more involved with the Club, but you’ve got a few reservations about how much of a commitment you’re really willing to make. The fact is, committee involvement can be as flexible as you need it to be, and there’s no better place to get started than by joining the Activities Committee. What, you may wonder, will being a part of the Activities Committee get you? • Socialize with fellow members • Share great party ideas • Impact COLYC with a sense of fun and camaraderie • Help plan and host events year-round • Become a better sailor* Join Activities Committee today for a more exciting Columbia tomorrow. Email us with questions or party ideas at [email protected] We’ll see YOU at our monthly committee meetings on the first Thursday of every month at 6:00 p.m.!

DOG DAY ON THE DOCK, LOBSTER FEST, JULY 4TH CELEBRATION AND THE KIDS’ HALLOWEEN PARTY ARE JUST A FEW OF THE MANY EVENTS ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE MEMBERS PLAN

*Becoming a better sailor is not guaranteed 26 T H E B I N N A C L E SPRING 2015 IN THIS ISSUE Meet the 2015 Board

For a Club that is run by and for its members, Columbia relies on those who serve as Flag Offices and Board members for our continued success. They offer their time and talents as stewards of our Club. Each year at the December annual meeting the membership elects their Commodore, Flag Officers and new Board members. Congratulations to these members, and thank you for your service to the Club.

2015 COLUMBIA YACHT CLUB FLAG OFFICERS

JOSEPH J. McGINNIS KENNETH E. HAAS SCOTT B. JOHNSON THOMAS E. BARNES COMMODORE CRAIG L. HORTON SECRETARY REAR COMMODORE TREASURER VICE COMMODORE

2015 COLUMBIA YACHT CLUB BOARD OF DIRECTORS

FRONT ROW: KENNETH E. HAAS, CRAIG L. HORTON, JOSEPH J. McGINNIS, SCOTT B. JOHNSON, THOMAS E. BARNES. BACK ROW: MIKE LANE, WILLIAM GRANT, CHRIS DUHON, MIKE HETTEL, ANDREW KELLY, LISA DeSANTIS, JEFFREY VANDER MEADE, ROBERT HORENKAMP, RONALD VOISARD, STUART FRIEDMAN

VOLUMEVO l u m E 15 1 5 ISSUE I S S U E 2 T H E B INNACLE 27

T H E B I N N A C L E SPRING 2015

VOLUME 15 ISSUE 2 T H E B INNACLE ON THE ABBY Culinary Adventure on the Horizon Mark your calendar for these special events

DRY CREEK WINERY DINNER Friday, May 22 - 6:30 P.M. Enjoy wines from one of the oldest and most prestigious family owned wineries in all of Sonoma on the upper deck of Columbia Yacht Club. Aperitif and hors d’oeuvres at 6:30 P.M. followed by a four course meal of local meats and produce.

MARGARITAVILLE BRUNCH MARGARITAVILLE Sunday, June 21 - 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. Conch fritters, lobster benedict, Margaritas and live music by Frank Whiting will assure you drift off to Margaritaville. Treat dear ole dad to this fun brunch BRUNCHFATHER’S DAY for a Father’s Day outing or simply sluff off with some friends. A Columbia Yacht Club tradition not to be missed.

MINER FAMILY WINE DINNER Wednesday, July 8 - 6:30 P.M. Family owned and committed to biodynamic, sustainable and organic practices, this Napa Valley Winery is stunning. We will work with local farmers to offer amazing mid-summer fare. The dinner will end with fireworks from Navy Pier at 9:30 P.M.

POWER FLEET POT LUCK & DOCK PARTY Saturday, July 11 - 4:00 P.M. Send the Mac racers off with well wishes, then head to the dock for a fun pot luck! Bring a dish to pass–the Power Fleet will provide free POT LUCK & DOCK PARTY kegs and live music! RSVP to [email protected] to reserve dock space.

BLUEGRASS BRUNCH Sunday, July 19 - 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. Bluegrass and bourbon before noon? Yes please. Our favorite southern July 19 ~ 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM style musicians, The Dogpatch Ramblers, return to play the car deck while POT LUCK! Featuring we enjoy southern cuisine and bourbon trail inspired cocktails. Saturday, July 11—4:00 P.M. TM12202013-001 Nita Hass Viking Travel BC Ad.pdf 1 12/20/2013 5:51:43 PM Send the Mac racers off with well wishes then head to the Columbia Dock for a fun Pot Luck! Bluegrass Menu Free Kegs and Live Music RSVP Dock Space: [email protected] Browns $7 BBQ Ribs, Slaw, Beans and Corn Bread $21 C Fried Catfish, Red Beans and Rice $16 M BBQ Pull Pork on Texas Toast $9 Fran McGinnis, GRI BRokeR Fried Chicken and Collard Greens $13 dIRect: 312.915.4738 Y Grilled Shrimp with Comeback Sauce and Rice $15 cell : 312.560.6690 CM e-fax: 781.609.0044 Bluegrass Bar [email protected] MY Lynchburg Lemonade www.FranMcGinnis.com Mint Juleps CY Georgia Peach Tea Fran McGinnis Real Estate Fran ProfessionalMcGinnis Service With A Personal Real Touch Estate CMY PROFESISONAL SERVICE WITH A PERSONAL TOUCH 30 T H E B II N N N N A A C C L L E E SPRINGSPRING 20152015 K

Operated by Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate LLC. ONINON THIS THETHE ISSUEABBYABBY

BY NICK PHILP BY NITA HAAS GENERAL MANAGER MEMBERSHIP CO-CHAIR [email protected] From our General [email protected]

As I prepare for my eighth summer season STAFF CONTACT at a Columbia, I have an overwhelming INFORMATION sense of great things to come for our Club. Membership is strong, the management team ANY COLUMBIA STAFF MEMBER CAN BE REACHED is growing and our committees are seeing BY CALLING THE CLUB AT a revival all around. The season is already 312-938-3625 promising to be grand, with a full schedule of (312-WET-DOCK) events, seminars and regattas. Regardless of OR VIA EMAIL AT THE ADDRESSES BELOW: Mother Nature’s plans, we will certainly have a great time aboard the Abby. NICK PHILP Sailing education, racing, cruising and GENERAL MANAGER power boating are always a strong focus for [email protected] NICK PHILP the Club. This year they are especially so. TIM MULLEN The various committees involved in boating activities, with the help of newly ASST. GENERAL MANAGER appointed Offshore Manager Morgan Kinney, are all making giant leaps [email protected] forward to improve our offshore programs. The sailing school is seeing many ALBERTO GARCIA kids return this season, the J 22s will be used for some new educational CHEF DE CUISINE outreach and Skipjacks is on track for another terrific success. The Cruising [email protected] and Power Fleets are as active as ever, and the Race Committee is thriving RYAN CONLIN in numbers and educational events. FOOD & BEVERAGE Aboard the Abby, boy, will we have fun. Thanks to amazing volunteer MANAGER work in January, our outdoor dining area is greatly expanded, stretching all [email protected] the way down the port side to the tent entrance. Already there is an amazing KURT THOMSEN events calendar planned, and the Bar and Grill team is poised for success. SAILING SCHOOL Food and Beverage Manager Ryan Conlin will be running the floor. And, I’m DIRECTOR happy to announce that Carla Sprenkle has returned to Columbia as the [email protected] Bar Supervisor. Rounding out the team, Chef Alberto is entering his second MORGAN KINNEY full season as Chef de Cuisine and I will, of course, still be heavily involved OFFSHORE MANAGER with the events and the lovely (in my opinion) wine list. [email protected] With Columbia expanding and improving services, I encourage you to CLAY VANCE make us your destination before and after downtown events. Join us for a HOUSE MANAGER night cap after the concert, lounge in the salon after a regatta or meet up [email protected] with friends to enjoy our unique view of the city skyline. 2015 will certainly be BRYAN RAYMAKER our best year yet. DOCK MANAGER [email protected] VHF CHANNEL 78 JANET MARTINEZ OFFICE MANAGER [email protected] TOM TRULIS CONTROLLER [email protected]

VO VOLUMEl u m E 1 515 I S ISSUE S U E 2 2 T HT EH EB INNACLEB INNACLE 313123

PHOTOS BY BILL HANYZEWSKI ONON THETHE ABBYABBY Ice in Our Drinks, Not On the Lake

With the ice finally melted off the manchego cheese finished with a aft part of the port side with new bar lake and boat yard work underway, pepper coulis. stool seating on its way. For those here are some updates to what is on Some entrees have been given summer evenings when you want offer to eat and drink at Columbia a fresh look. Salmon is always a to stay outside as long as possible this spring. favorite, and for this season’s take but still be close to the bar, or you it has been seared and sits atop just want to take in the activity at the Updated Menu seasonal vegetables, a parsnip puree dock while enjoying a cocktail, this is The new menu includes new finished with lemon butter. A popular the place for you! seasonal items alongside some old winter dish, the chicken thighs favorites. On the lighter side, look for remain on the menu, now served Jazz Nights the roasted parsnip salad with frisee in a cremini broth with poached Is there a better way to spend a greens topped with hazelnuts, bleu shitake and a mushroom leek bread Wednesday evening than enjoying cheese and a wheat beer vinaigrette. pudding. Also new is a short ribs delicious meal evening out under the A more warming appetizer to share entrée, served with cauliflower mash, stars accompanied by the sounds of on those cool spring evenings, the Brussels sprout leaves and a tasty jus. smooth jazz? On the first Wednesday queso de cabra is a creamy mound of each month, the Upper Deck is of goat cheese surrounded by Outside Seating the place to be. These special nights tomato and basil sauce with plenty The January weekend warriors built continue through the end of the year of toasted fresh bread to dip. For and installed new decking all along with the weekly fireworks for a finale something unique, try the short rib the port side of the ship, greatly (reservations required). stuffed piquillo peppers – Nick calls expanding the outdoor dining area. them “wizard hats”: peppers stuffed There will also now be cocktail In the Bar with a tasty mix of short rib and service in the lobby, as well as the The Bloody Mary at Columbia is a thing of beauty, especially with the garnish of an olive, pickle, pepper jack cheese, salami, and the jalapeno bacon swizzle. Next time you’re in the mood, why not try one of our signature bloodies? Sample the Scallywag: Purity vodka, Sriracha,

32 T H E B I N N A C L E SPRING 2015 ONON THETHE ABBYABBY

By Sarah Tromans Bar and Grill Chair [email protected]

Clamato, and a Guinness float. Or spice it up with the Hellfyre, which combines Hellfyre hot pepper vodka, Sriracha and our house-made Bloody Mary mix. Not a fan of the spice? Cool off with the Cuc-y Mary, with Effen Cucumber vodka. There’s always something new worth trying in the bar. Check out the chalkboard or ask your server what the newest craft beer or cocktails are. A big thank you to Nick, Ryan, Alberto and the team for the great work they do at keeping our energy up over the busy summer months! We’ve all seen the fantastic job they do juggling high-end events, a packed out bar, busy deck and dining room, and late night food for hungry racers. You can help the team, staff are aware of any food allergies, and help everyone enjoy summer dietary restrictions or special requests Bar and Grill service by making a and they will be accommodated reservation. Especially in the summer, wherever possible. Also, as always, if reservations become more important there is anything you don’t see on the as everyone wants to sit outside so menu, please ask. please call in advance if possible. Columbia prides itself on flexibility, so please make sure the Chef or wait

DINING OPTIONS Summer Hours

Dining Room Tuesday Dining Room closed Wednesday – Thursday 11.30am – 10.30pm Friday 11.30am – 11.00pm Saturday 9.00am – 11.00pm Sunday 9.00am – 10.00pm Bar Tuesday 11.30am – 10.30pm Wednesday – Thursday 11.30am – 10.30pm Friday 11.30am – 11.00pm Saturday 9.00am – 11.00pm Sunday 9.00am – 10.00pm

VOLUMEVO l u m E 15 1 5 ISSUE I S S U E 2 T H E B INNACLE 33 ON THE ABBY

By Scott Johnson Volunteering is So Pervasive - Rear Commodore It’s Invisible

This past January, members and crewing non-members swarmed the ship to accomplish a myriad of tasks from feeding the workforces to: • Removed and repaired floors in lobby and bar to prep for new floor • Installed new wood-look flooring in lobby and bar • Expanded outside dining on port side to tent entrance • Installed new lighting on rail deck • Dug out old rail filler on rail deck and filled with epoxy filler • Prepped and repainted rail deck floor • Removed, sanded and varnished exterior doors on boat deck

1 • Repaired damaged ceiling areas in lobby, upper salon and We take for granted all the things that have been pioneered by dining room concerned, active volunteers. The greatest good you can do for • Repaired damaged floor area in another is not just share your riches, but reveal to him his own. kitchen Thus everybody can be great, because anybody can serve. You do not have to have a college degree to serve. You do not need • Added vintage-themed nautical to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. You do not sconces in lobby for additional have to know Archimedes Law of Buoyancy to serve. You only casual lighting need a graceful soul generated by compassion for the well-being • Relocated water/temperature of your community. device for automatic overflow Our community at the Columbia Yacht Club is in great part in cold weather the Abby – the most distinguished ship in the Chicago basin and, • Removed, repaired and for me, the home of the finest yacht club on the Great Lakes. remounted bar foot rail In an effort to continue our not-for-profit mission and sustain our floating base, in January we traditionally cease • Revarnished bar general operations and commit to a tally of projects. • Installed 240 electric in bar for new coffee machine

34 T H E B I N N A C L E SPRING 2015 ON THE ABBY

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When passion and skill 5 combine, you end with the stunning success that currently shines within and upon the ship. All have set the bar rather high upon this one. To everyone, existing; indeed this is the only congratulations and a thing worldwide that ever has. profound thank you. Therefore, I am happy A noble leader to announce the expansion, responds not to the trumpet as the growing needs calls of self- promotion but dictates, to co-chairs for to the hushed whispers this standing committee: of necessity. I have been Mr. Joe Marciniak and Mr. fortunate to have Mr. Dave Martin E. Cooney. Both have Sturdy (or as I refer to him demonstrated an attitude as ‘Sturdy Dave Sturdy’) of positive expectation, to serve as the Chair for skills of importance to the position and keenness in the House Committee, where he has been a linchpin managerial organization – the spectrum for success. and leader for many years. Enviably, he is now passing Forthcoming, but paced, will be announcements of the leadership. With him will come one of his best facility improvements. attributes: knowing that the secret of all success lies in We are the captains of our own ships upon this the organization of the non-obvious. All within journey in life. It is and should be a comfort to all of the our membership need to take the occasion to privately membership that in times of stormy weather, you can thank him. and will discover true friends, as those who have freely Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful given their expertise, energy and time - for they have not committed members can change and improve upon the hesitated, each in turn, to be a stalwart lighthouse.

1 Removing the old grout from the rail to prepare for painting on the Rail Deck. Left to right: Doug Hoffman, Mark Smith and Perry Weinberg 2 Martin Cooney proofing the rails to be filled 3 Rail Deck repainting VOLUMEVO l u m E 15 1 5 ISSUE I S S U E 2 T H E INNACLE 35 project 4 New Car Deck for additional seating outside the bar 5 Martin B Acuna (staff) prepping for new lobby floor ON THE ABBY And Bingo is its Name-o

What’s the perfect way to spend a gorgeous morning on the lake before the harbors are open? Turns out, for Columbia members, it’s taking over the Club Ship for (what’s becoming a favorite tradition) The Bingo Brunch. The upper salon, board room and main salon become gaming heaven, with filled-to-capacity crowds enjoying Chef Alberto’s weekend brunch specials while eagerly looking for five down, across or even four corners to make them a winner. It just goes to prove that you don’t need fancy bells and whistles to make a great time at Columbia—just a group of our fun- loving members.

36 T H E B I N N A C L E SPRING 2015 ON THE ABBY

Abby’s Allure keeps bringing them in… Even in the chill of winter, the charm of our Club Ship shines through. These new members have heart that warm weather will return, so we welcome them to Columbia.

Diana and George Carry are excited to join Columbia get involved in the social scene as AM1 members. Living in Hyde Park, they plan to expand their social scene meeting new friends at the Club. Diana, working in the education field, plays folk guitar in her spare time. Taking advantage of George’s travel benefits as an airline employee, they both love to travel. Kate and Brian Crouch join Columbia along with Billy (6) and Lauren (3 mos). Brian, a sailing instructor at ColYC when he was in college, is excited to get back on the water. He is ready to volunteer for coaching and Race Committee, and will be a great addition to any race crew. Smart Skippers will snap him up quickly! Smart beer drinkers will definitely want to talk malt and hops with him – he thinks we should start a beer club! John Koutoupis was aware of the Abby along the Sara McMurray lakefront, but it wasn’t until he attended a “fantastic wedding” at the Club last summer that he realized how Your Local Real Estate Expert special it is. With summer around the corner, he wanted to get a jump on membership. Plans include jumping right in to groups such as the Power Fleet, volunteering for Do you REALLY want to committees and bringing his 47-ft power boat, Petrina, buy or sell a home? down from Diversey to our docks. Call me - I will help you get it done! Natasha and Keith Poole both grew up in Nova Scotia, where Keith remembers riding the Abby back and forth from Prince Edward Island as a child. These new www.YourChicagoProperty.com associate members have been in the Chicago area since 1999, and are currently living in Munster, Indiana, with 1-847-710-4357 their three children. Walking and biking past the Abby, the Pooles never stopped in the Club. Now, as members, the family looks forward to creating a new generation of Abby memories, as well as meeting members and getting out on the water.

COLYC member since 2011 ON THE ABBY Flotsam & Jetsam

BURGEE SWAP CARIBBEAN RENDEZVOUS Daeschler) met up with Tracy and Columbia member and friend Karl Bitter End Yacht Club in the BVI Matt Howard for an evening of boat Olson noticed that the St. Croix was the destination of choice for a drinks and Anegada lobster. After Yacht Club didn’t have one of our gathering of Club members down dinner, the group hopped a ferry to burgees, and we didn’t have one in the Islands at the same time this Saba Rock for a toast to Bob and of theirs on our rail deck. So they past February. Bob Horenkamp his bride-to-be, Fiona Barbour. made a point of taking one down and his crew of Bachelor Party with them this year, and now we’re revelers (including Lisa DeSantis, MAST STEPPING proudly represented! Sarah Tromans, Mark Stratford, Did you know that you can step your Chad Willets, Adriana Calderon, mast for FREE at Columbia? You Matt Hickey, Shawna Pape and Jeff must read the instructions and sign the release form prior to stepping your mast. Item 2 of the instructions requires prior experience and current-year Columbia boat decal. If you do not have the necessary experience, the committee will help you. If you are interested in joining the mast stepping committee, JAY (OF THE SCYC) WITH MARILYN & CHARLIE OLSON please email Bob Sperl. Call Janet BOB HORENKAMP, MATT HICKEY, MATT at (312)938-3625 to schedule an HOWARD & LISA DeSANTIS AT BEYC appointment.

38 T H E B I N N A C L E SPRING 2015 www.olsonsclassicyachts.com . (708) 481-3123 ON THE ABBY

VOLUME 15 ISSUE 2 T H E B INNACLE 111 NORTH LAKE SHORE DRIVE CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60601

MENU COLUMBIA YACHT CLUB and passed hors d’oeuvres PETIT SHRIMP COCKTAIL COMMODORE and MRS. JOSEPH J. McGINNIS BOURSIN STUFFED BABY BELLAS LAMB LOLLIPOPS

request your presence at amuse CURRIED LUMP CRAB OVER WATERMELON avocado, watercress and Yuzu vinaigrette

salad COLUMBIA’S CLASSIC CAESAR SALAD THE parmigiano reggiano dinner PRIME FILET OF BEEF AU POIVRE GRILLED MICHIGAN ASPARAGUS COMMODORE’S cherry tomato vinaigrette GARLIC RED SKIN MASH

dessert DARK CHOCOLATE & SALTED CARAMEL ENTREMET RECEPTION white chocolate sail MOKARABIA ARABICA COFFEES

SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2015 dinner wines KENDALL JACKSON RESERVE PINOT GRIS COCKTAILS on the upper deck at 6:00 KENDALL JACKSON RESERVE CHARDONNAY KENDALL JACKSON RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON DINNER under the tent at 7:30 live music by PARIS SWING BAND

yachting formal, black tie optional, $80 pp++ includes wine with dinner, cash bar call the office for reservations 312-938-3625 or visit columbiayachtclub.org no-show policy in effect, cancellations by May 15

T H E B I N N A C L E SPRING 2015