WINTER 2015 THETHE BB INNACLEINNACLE
2015 Columbia Calendar New Website: There’s an App for That Race Schedule and Sailing Classes Announced Blue Jacket 40
Best Midsize Cruiser, 39–41 Feet
Domestic Boat Of The Year
2014 2014 Ultimate Cruising Performance Blue Jacket 40 Blue Jacket 40 Winner of two Boat of the Year Awards from Cruising World, the Blue Jacket redefines the term “performance cruiser”. Complete with the high performance, 3 sail package, she is truly an Blue Jacket 40 In-Stock elegant and modern performance cruiser perfect for the Chicago sailor. Special Columbia Yacht Club Incentive Package Larsen Marine is offering this 2014 model with a special incentive package for Columbia Yacht Club members. Call for incentive details and personal tour of the Blue Jacket 40 in our heated showroom. On Display at Strictly Sail Sun Odyssey 44DS, 379, 349 Dealer of the Year Sun Fast 3600 Also Be Sure To Check Out Our Service, Electronics and Ship Store Display At The Show
Brokerage Marketing and Sales Experts www.larsenmarine.com T H E B I N N A C L E WINTER 2015 Boat2 Sales & Financing • Full Service Yard • Interactive Electronic Showroom • On Site & Online Ship Store Waukegan, IL (847) 336-5456 Fax (847) 336-5530 Winter 2015
ON THE WATER IN THIS ISSUE 6 RACING 20 WHAT A DIFFERENCE 36 Q&A WITH CHEF ALBERTO Area II schedule announced A YEAR MAKES Learn more about the man Gaining confidence on the behind those fish tacos 8 SAILING SCHOOL AND CAMP water Registration is open now for 37 FROM OUR GENERAL summer classes 22 LESSONS OF A LONG MANAGER CRUISE Columbia opens this year Plan all you want, you’re ADULT SAILING SCHOOL with a weekend of WinterFest 10 going to have to adapt Expanded offerings for adult revelry lessons 2015 COLUMBIA CALENDAR 26 HOLIDAY FUN A year of fun for everyone 38 12 CRUISING FLEET December was party season The 2015 calendar is set, at Columbia with new events planned ON THE ABBY 40 MEMBERSHIP 14 POWER FLEET 30 BAR & GRILL Confessions of a committee Taking a river trip just for fun Columbia is the go-to spot member for any event BOATS 15 42 FLOTSAM & JETSAM The Nautical Flea Market is 32 TOP 10 THINGS ON THE back NEW WEBSITE Have you checked out all the 16 SEA SCOUTS bells and whistles? Off-season activities and service 34 HOUSE COMMITTEE Join the weekend warriors 18 SKIPJACKS aboard The Abby How did this unique learn- to-sail program get started 35 TRIVIA NIGHT at Columbia? We’ve got the Because we can never have answers. too much competition
COLUMBIA YACHT CLUB • 111 NORTH LAKE SHORE DRIVE • CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60601 312 938-3625 • COLUMBIAYACHTCLUB.ORG
The Binnacle is published by and for members of Columbia Yacht Club. Submissions related to the sport of yachting, Corinthian spirit and related activities are welcome. Articles, announcements and photos (with captions) should be sent for consideration to [email protected]. For advertising specs and rate card, email [email protected]. ON THE COVER Editor: Mary Alyce Blum / Art Director and Design: Tracy Howard / Design: Amy Jeppsen Stern, Jepdesign / Harlen COLUMBIA HARD-WATER SAILORS RACE Fleming, Dr. Graphx Publicity Committee/Editors: Cathy Bredlau, Denise Hockley-Cann, Nita Haas, Marybeth Johnson, ACROSS LAKE DELAVAN IN THE WINTER Mike Korbel, Jill Lambert, Sara McMurray, Kim Williamson / Photographers: Stu Friedman, Mary Ellen Johnston. MONTHS. PHOTO CREDIT: STU FRIEDMAN Thank you to all our contributors and advertisers.
VOLUME 15 ISSUE 1 T H E B INNACLE 3 Support for the education and competition of youth sailing
Building confidence, strength, resilience... and childhood memories Columbia’s Chester Kuttner Foundation is an Illinois not-for-pro t Corporation 501 (3) (c). For more information on the Foundation or to make a donation that could help to change a child’s life, visit us at THIS CALENDAR IS CURRENT AS OF PUBLICATION. PLEASE CHECK THE CLUB WEBSITE OR WEEKLY UPDATE FOR ANY UPDATES TO THE SCHEDULED EVENTS. ColumbiasChesterKuttnerFoundation.org or call (312)208-1365 4 T H E B I N N A C L E WINTER 2015 From our Commodore
Dear Fellow Members,
Thanks to the support of our membership and our excellent management and staff, Columbia Yacht Club is doing well financially. We are looking forward to developing our on-water activities next season and augmenting our sailing programs. The assistance these efforts receive from our membership is invaluable. The depth of knowledge and resources of our members who volunteer to assist the Club professionals is awesome. When Columbia is closed in January, the House Committee rules the Club. Volunteers meet every weekend (and some weekdays), no experience necessary, all hands are welcome. So if there’s a day when you need a nautical fix, call the Club and ask the House committee if they can use some extra help. A “reservation” is not necessary, but lunch is provided so it’s appreciated. Strictly Sail has melded with the Boat and RV Show at McCormick Place this year. Hopefully, the show will draw even more sail and power JOE McGINNIS boaters. It is always fun to see how others enjoy different aspects of our sport. Be sure you’re getting the weekly update to receive information on “The value of shuttles for attending members who want to park in the Columbia lot. The value of being a Columbia Yacht Club member increases in the being a Columbia off season. In the winter, there are few destinations in and around Chicago where one can get afloat (except on theAbby ) and socialize with like-minded member increases in persons about the finer aspects of anchoring, cruising, sail trim or wine the off season.” selections. So take advantage of your Club this winter. Reach out and go to a meeting… and if you missed the meeting… participate in the event. Your attendance and input at the next committee meeting can make the next event a more enjoyable one for you. Once the season gets here, participate in a racing event. Join the power boaters and the cruisers. Believe me, a session with the cruisers (or the wine committee) can change your outlook. But let me give you my traditional warning: “Be careful not to get too close, you will be drawn in!” Enjoy the winter.
Very truly yours,
Joe McGinnis Commodore
VOLUME 15 ISSUE 1 T H E B INNACLE 5 ON THE WATER Race Schedule for Area III Announced
2015 PRELIMINARY AREA III SCHEDULE Plans are underway for summer 2015, when all boat owners start Sunday Mon Tue Wed Thu Friday Saturday to think about how they want their 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 season to shape up. The Race MAY Spring Opener 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Committee is excited to announce Olympic Cup Memorial Day Zimmer Long Distance dates to help sailors plan and look 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 forward to sunnier days. It’s a time JUN COLORs* & Long Distance for crew to enjoy time on the water– 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 the thrill of racing on the weekend COLORs* Chicago to St. Joe NOOD Regatta & Long Distance NOOD Regatta or taking a leisurely cruise on an 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 off-week. St. Joe to Chicago Chicago So while it’s dismal, dark and NOOD Regatta to Waukegan cold outside, here’s a head’s up on 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Waukegan to Chicago Chicago to Michigan the 2015 season, both within and Waukegan to City to Chicago* outside Area III racing.
Milwaukee Queens Cup If you are new to racing, you 28 29 30 1 2 3 4 JUL Inaugural Grand Inaugural Grand might not be familiar with Area III. Prix Invitational Prix Invitational As the regional division of the Lake Independence Day Michigan Sail Racing Federation, 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Inaugural Grand Chicago Mac Race to Area III does not host any races, Prix Invitational Cruising Fleet Mackinac but brings together yacht clubs from 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Winthrop Harbor, IL, to St. Joseph, Port Huron Mac MI, to increases participation by: 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 • Providing the racer with a 26 27 28 29 30 31 1 standard means to sign up and Kaczmarek Cup AUG Fran Byrne Regatta* 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 participate in races from the Chester Kuttner Verve Cup Verve Cup Regatta various yacht clubs. Regatta* Regatta Larsen Marine • Providing a forum for the PHRFection PTP 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 yacht clubs to coordinate their Verve Cup Regatta schedules and spread the Larsen Marine events throughout the season. PHRFection PTP 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 • Making it easier for the yacht Mayor Daley Regatta Leukemia Cup Regatta* clubs to sponsor races by 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 handling signup, fee collection, Hobelman Regatta Lutz & Long Distance scoring, protest oversight, and 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 publication of results. SEP Chicago to St. Joe* 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 St. Joe to Michigan Abe Jacobs Chicago Bi-State City to Chicago Long Distance St. Joe to Michigan City 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Zukasky Regatta Commodore’s Cup 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Sheldon Clark MORF Open 27 28 29 30 MORF Open *Columbia Yacht Club sponsored Race
6 T H E B I N N A C L E WINTER 2015 ON THE WATER
BY LARRY KWIAT RACE COMMITTEE CHAIR [email protected] 2015 Boater’s Bash Celebrating the best of the best on the lake
In the true spirit of being a boating The Area III Racing Community 2014 BOATS OF THE YEAR community, there are a number of celebrated another great clubs that make up Area III, working racing season at the 5th Annual Long Distance and Buoy Race By Section* together to create a vibrant racing Boater’s Bash, November 8 Performance Handicap Racing Fleet scene for all. These clubs include: at Columbia Yacht Club. This Long Distance Series Anchorage Yacht Club year, the event included 202 PHRF Spinnaker Section 3 (Lake Forest, not Alaska!) racers, friends and family, 3 Runaway Tom Gorey Belmont Yacht Club who came out to congratulate PHRF Spinnaker Section 5 Burnham Park Yacht Club 2014 winners and throw out 2 Kutty’s Ark George Morrisey/ Chicago Corinthian Yacht Club some challenges for the 2015 Joseph McGinnis Chicago Match Race Center season. Chicago Yacht Club LMSRF Area III Buoy Race Series Awards for regattas and Boat of the Year Championship Columbia Yacht Club races for the Chicago area are Great Lakes Yacht Club PHRF Spinnaker Section 2 given to competitors from all 1 Painkiller 4 Alice O. Martin Harbor Country Yacht Club at the Moorings area clubs. Columbia members Beneteau 36.7 Section Illinois Valley Yacht and other clubs along the lake 3 Tequila Mockingbird Chris Duhon and Canoe Club from Area III attend to receive Beneteau 40.7 Section Island Bay Yacht Club their awards. 3 Turning Point David Hardy Jackson Park Yacht Club Congratulations to Columbia Tartan Ten Section Lake Bluff Yacht Club captains and crews! 2 Winnebago Tim Rathbun Michigan City Yacht Club 3 Skidmarks Lou Jacob Midwest Open Racing Fleet 1 LMSRF Area III Port-To-Port Series North Shore Yacht Club Boat of the Year Championship St. Joseph River Yacht Club PHRF Spinnaker Section 2 Sheridan Shore Yacht Club 2 Eagle’s Wings John J. Gottwald Waukegan Yacht Club 3 Night Hawk Edman Dabrowski Winthrop Harbor Yacht Club PHRF Spinnaker Section 5 Associate Member Clubs: 2 Kutty’s Ark Joe McGinnis/ Jim Morrissey Judd Goldman Adaptive Sailing Foundation PHRF Cruising Spinnaker Section Lake Forest Sailing 1 No Reverse Bob Horenkamp Pinnacle Foundation 2 Beneteau 36.7 Section Sail Chicago 1 Free Radical Robert Nelson 2 Tequila Mockingbird Chris Duhon Visit www.ColumbiaYachtClub.org for updates on the racing season Beneteau 40.7 Section 1 Turning Point David Hardy and descriptions of races. If you’d Tartan Ten Section like more information or want to be 2 Winnebago Tim Rathbun a part of racing at Columbia, J/105 Section please contact Larry Kwiat at 1 Vytis Tomas Petkus [email protected]. *All of the Columbia skippers and boats are listed here. 3 For a complete list of winners, visit the Area III website, www.LMSRF.org. 1 (L TO R) LARRY KWIAT PRESENTS A BRAG FLAG TO GARY FERACOTA 2 SEA SCOUTS If you have not picked up your award from this or MARC CAUINIAN AND KEATON MARTIN previous race seasons, please contact Larry Kwiat at ACCEPT THE AWARD FOR NAUTILUS RACE [email protected]. TEAM 3 JEFF DERBYSHIRE AND ANDREW PALECZNY ACCEPT ON BEHALF OF T-10 LIGHTNING.
VOLUME V o l u m e 15 1 5 IISSUE S S U E 1 T H E B INNACLE 7 ON THE WATER
BY KURT THOMSEN SAILING DIRECTOR Columbia Sailing School [email protected] Summer Camp
Summer is packed with 1 activities, but the
Columbia Yacht Club Junior Sailing Camp
offers a unique opportunity to send your camper back to school with new skills, new friends and an
experience of a life time. WHAT’S A TYPICAL DAY AT lunch from the Columbia Yacht Club COLYC SAILING CAMP LIKE? Call today and sign A menu, which boasts everything from Drop off starts at 8:30 a.m. mac and cheese to a fine dining up—registration is at the Club Ship. Coaches and seafood option. Though most kids senior campers greet everyone stick to the basics—pizza, chicken now open for member when they get out of their cars and tenders, club sandwich—we have supervise the kids getting into the spotted a six-year-old Optimist racer families. Subject to school. enjoying mussels! Class begins at 9:00 with a After lunch, it’s back out to availability, registration daily briefing followed by some land the course. The afternoon is spent drills, fitness and team building. for non-members will building on the skill of the day and Students then put their own boats enjoying the great outdoors. At the be available in the together, learning not only how to end of the day, sailing campers properly assemble the equipment, return to the dock, working closely spring. but diagnose rigging fixes and as a team to pack up for the day that independently come up with ends at 3:30. solutions. If Mother Nature decides to By 10:30 students are out on curse, the Columbia Sailing School 1 KIDS LINE UP TO TEST OUT the water in groups suitable to their isn’t a wash! On days when the THE BOATS THEY BUILT DURING age and skill level. The younger weather is nasty, coaches lead A RAINY MORNING, INSTRUCTOR students drill close to the dock in the OLIVIA GETS READY TO START lessons and games on the Club Ship, THE BOAT RACES OFF OUR protected harbor, while the older and watch movies and other activities that FLOATING DOCK 2 DIANA more experienced sailors conduct can be mixed with a sailing twist to SANCHEZ LEARNING HOW TO drills and races out on the lake. USE THE TRAPEZE OF A 420 ON keep the kids engaged A WINDY DAY 3 INSTRUCTOR Non-member students pack a and enjoying their day. COLLEEN HELPS SIMONE lunch for the day; campers who are HARRIS THROUGH THE CAPSIZE junior members are able to purchase DRILL
8 T H E B I N N A C L E WINTER 2015 2 ON THE WATER
3 sailing knots and safety. On-the- water instruction focuses on tactical skills: tacking and jibing, steering to sail trim, as well as launching and docking boats and capsize recovery. Students split their time between classroom and on-the-water practice. 420 ADVANCED The 420 Advanced Class is designed for students who have mastered BUT WHAT ABOUT CAMP CLASS DESCRIPTIONS basic sailing skills and are interested SWIMMING?! in pursuing the sport at the next B SHARK BAIT Sailing obviously is all about level. Students will learn advanced The Shark Bait class welcomes enjoying the water, and on a boat handling techniques, how to children ages five to eight who hot day there’s nothing better than use the trapeze and spinnaker. are new to sailing. The program jumping in and cooling off. Students Basic racing rules and racing drills is run under very close instructor do not need to know how to swim to are introduced on and off the water, supervision; students sail in the be a part of sailing camp. Regardless while sailing theory and concepts protected harbor and close to our of their skills, everyone wears a life are covered in classroom sessions. dock, making it easy for parents to jacket whenever they are on the Course requires 420 Beginning/ observe their child’s first time at the dock or on the water. Intermediate class or equivalent helm. The class emphasizes safety, We don’t teach swimming, but instruction or experience. we see our students’ swimming and boat parts identification, rigging and confidence in the water grow as part basic sail theory. Sailors will learn in For schedule, class fees, of the daily experience of being on Prams and Bugs, which are designed enrollment or more information visit the lake. specifically for small sailors. www.colyc.org. Enrollment opens February 1. WHAT IF I WORK, AND CAN’T PRAMS C PICK UP MY CAMPER WHEN The pram class offers an opportunity CLASSES ARE OVER? for younger children to get a start Columbia Sailing School in the fundamentals of sailing. offers an aftercare program that runs Students learn safety, basic sailing INTERESTED IN SAILING AS A SPORT? until 6:00 pm. Students play games terminology, boat nomenclature Our Sailing School Camp on the front lawn, swim, watch and sailing knots. The class is filled recreational programs are a lot movies, enjoy crafts, and similar with on-the-water instruction where of fun, but maybe your sailor activities until you can get down to student sailors are coached in how has a taste for something more pick them up. There is a minimal to correctly helm a boat, trim sails competitive. The Columbia Sailing charge, $20 per day, for participation and perform capsize recoveries. School offers racing programs for in the aftercare program. Classroom instruction for this class kids as young as 5 years of age with includes an introduction to sailing DO WE NEED TO BUY our Opti Green race team (imagine theory concepts. Children under the D A BOAT? the sailing equivalent of T-ball) all age of eight will be considered on a All boat equipment, coaching the way up to our highly competitive case by case basis. and supervision are provided for 420 and Laser racing teams. Our every day of each program (with the 420 BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE school regularly sends sailors to exception of the Optimist race team, 420 Beginner/Intermediate is a compete in regional, national, and who buy their own boat and keep it class geared toward elementary and international events, preparing them at the Club). middle school students, who wants to compete in college or even the Each student will require to learn to sail or continue their Olympics, as sailing school alum their own life jacket usually priced training in the premiere junior racing/ and former coach Bob Willis did in around $30. training boat in the U.S. Students the London 2012 games. learn basic sailing terminology, boat nomenclature, basic
VOLUME V o l u m e 15 1 5 IISSUE S S U E 1 T H E B INNACLE 9 ON THE WATER Columbia Adult Sailing School 2015: New Programs, Better Boats, More Racing
Last year was a turning point for our Adult Sailing FOR NEW SAILORS lessons at Columbia. We experimented with new SKIPJACKS. This is the program ideas, made some upgrades to our J/22s, and added we’ve known and loved for additional instructors. It was a terrific success. So we’re decades – a social learn-to- excited to push further forward in 2015. Here’s what we sail program taught by member have in mind. skippers on their boats. Skipjacks, Our J/22s are going through a makeover worthy their captains and crew go out in of a Bravo Channel reality show. They’ll sail better due all conditions, and close the bar to new deck hardware and running rigging. They’ll be every Tuesday night in the Spring. This year, easier to operate with new engine mounts and better we hope to enhance the classroom sessions and gear storage. And, they’ll look prettier after a healthy social interaction. dose of gelcoat, canvas, and elbow grease. The most exciting addition to the fleet will be new Schedule: Every Tuesday Evening, May 5 – June 30 spinnakers. Rather than buying them, we’ll be making SKIPJACKS ADVANCED. This was a new program them on the rail deck in a sailmaking class. More info on last summer that provided Skipjacks an accelerated when and where will be in the weekly updates and online path to US Sailing Basic Keelboat Certification. We’ll calendar. build on last year’s success by holding two different Adult lessons at Columbia will have a class to fit sessions to accommodate different schedules. every level of experience. Schedule: Five Consecutive Tuesday and Thursday evenings starting July 21. Weekend program dates will be announced later. BASIC KEELBOAT CERTIFICATION. This is our bread-and-butter adult sailing program. The program will remain unchanged but we are restructuring the timing of classes to include weekend and evening sessions. Schedule: To be announced on the website in the Spring.
10 T H E B I N N A C L E WINTER 2015 ON THE WATER
BY STU FRIEDMAN
FOR EVERYONE WEEKNIGHT MATCH RACING. The greatest development in the school last summer was the re- introduction of J/22 match racing. We started late, but FOR NOVICES AND EXPERIENCED SAILORS we were sailing into October and were over-subscribed every night. It was a blast. INTRO TO RACING. Some folks learn to sail and fall in love with the adrenaline rush of racing. This new class This year, we’ll start early. Beginning May 21, and is designed to help students learn starts, tactics and continuing all summer, we’ll host “novice” level racing trim. We’re planning on two sessions – one in May for every Thursday night. Then once Skipjacks Advanced last year’s experienced sailors, and another in the fall is finished, we’ll introduce Tuesday night racing for to follow-up on Skipjacks and other programs. beginners. If there’s demand, the novices will start using spinnakers before too long. And we’ll cross Schedule: Four weeknight/weekday sessions, exact pollenate. dates to be announced in the Spring. Schedule: Tuesday and Thursday evenings, all SPINNAKER HANDLING. Want to learn how to use a summer. Spinnaker? There’s no more valuable skill on a race boat, and no better boat to learn on than a small keelboat. We’ll teach students how to hoist, trim, gybe See you on the water! and douse our new spinnakers. Schedule: Three weeknight or weekend sessions, exact dates to be scheduled in the Spring.
VOLUME V o l u m e 15 1 5 IISSUE S S U E 1 T H E B INNACLE 11 ON THE WATER Mapping a Course for 2015
1 What’s more fun than planning parties before going to a party? Members of the Cruising Fleet met before the Jingle Bell Rock in December to plan the 2015 calendar. We are happy to announce the return of some favorite traditional events along with the addition of two new ones that we hope everyone will find fun and exciting. WINTER We start the year off with our ever-popular Chili Cookoff on Saturday, February 7. This season is the 10th Anniversary of this extravaganza, and special t-shirts will be on hand to mark the occasion. Enter your best chili recipe, meat or meatless, your favorite side dish, or concentrate on the presentation. Judging is fierce and prizes abound. All are welcome, so get out the crockpot and start cooking. Also In February, we’ll cruise up in land yachts 2 to Wisconsin to watch, and possibly participate in “hard water sailing,” better known as ice boating. This is one of our new events, and is being organized by Liz and Craig Horton and Art and Debbie McCaskey. They promise to find us a good rate at an area hotel and a restaurant with a warm fireplace to thaw out! SPRING Our spring educational seminar will focus on “Clean and Green Boating Procedures,”
3
12 T H E B I N N A C L E WINTER 2015 BY CINDY HOPKINS The lake won’t be frozen forever. CRUISING FLEET CHAIR [email protected] Come see us at Strictly Sail and learn how 2015 can be a summer 7 you’ll never forget! presented by Mark Gillingham. He’ll be filling us in on many ways we can all be more responsible boaters, including measuring aspects of water quality in our cruising ground. SUMMER Harbors are being scouted for our holiday weekend cruises. We’ll stay close to home for Memorial Day, perhaps Jackson Park. This location can be ideal because (as we learned from Mother Nature last year) 9 cars are an easy alternate if weather is poor or boats not yet afloat. We are evaluating St. Joe or Milwaukee for the Fourth of July cruise - we would appreciate your feedback on alternates to South Haven. New Buffalo is slated for Labor Day. They have a great yacht club and lots of fun places to visit. Our traditional Summer Sailstice lunch cruise will take us boating around cribs or to a Chicago harbor where we will have a potluck lunch before heading back to the Club. The August Progressive Dinner is being replaced with a Craft Brewery Pub Crawl in the downtown Chicago area. We’ll charter a bus and visit several breweries to sample their delicious brews. Food will be in the plan, possibly with a visit from one of the many great Food Trucks. This should be a fun night of land cruising! Jeff Linstrom is in charge of this event, so let him know your favorite local craft brewers. FALL We’ll wrap up the year by announcing our Boat of the Year awards at the End of the Year Party. BOTY is all about participation points. So, RSVP for, attend, or chair an event. Make some chili or a side dish. Offer to help out or provide some feedback. There are lots of ways to earn those coveted participation points. Whether you have a sail or power boat, or neither one, come join the Cruising Fleet! We promise a fun time!
1 & 2 SKIPPER TOM BARNES SHOWS OFF HIS FIRST PLACE BRAG FLAG, AND CELEBRATES WITH HIS CULINARY CREW 3 BETTY HANSMANN, PAUL UHL, VICE COMMODORE CRAIG HORTON AND LIZ HORTON CELEBRATE AT THE END OF SEASON PARTY.
www.olsonsclassicyachts.com VOLUME 15 ISSUE 1 T H E B INNACLE 13 ONON THETHE WATERWATER
BY BILL GRANT POWER FLEET CHAIR Rollin’ [email protected] on the River
This summer we shed our status We took the south branch to As the sun started setting, we as sailboat owners, bit the bullet Chinatown, past the beautiful and reluctantly headed back east. But and officially joined the ranks of tranquil Ping Tom Memorial Park. no one really minded, because the the Power Fleet. One of the joys As we continued our putt-putt pace, end of a day on the water means that came with the new boat came the discussion turned to the tales the start of a night on the Columbia a fresh way to enjoy our beautiful of Bubbly Creek. So of course we docks. As we softly rocked on the lake, river and skyline. had to go and see and smell it for dock, we heard Ron Voisard and Let’s face it, there are some ourselves. Ken Haas, true sailors at heart, days when Mother Nature isn’t kind Eventually we went back appreciating the virtues of a power to sailors. After much discussion we North in search of the bones boat. Mission accomplished, we were able to convince our sailing of our previous Club Ship, the convinced some sailors that power friends they should join us for a Florida, allegedly still visible on the boating isn’t a sin after all! leisurely ride on the river, instead North Branch. The search wasn’t So why not join the fun? The of a lumpy day on the lake. With successful, but we certainly enjoyed Power Fleet is always looking for our fellow members, we took off on the beautiful afternoon, and the new ideas for activities on the water, our River run—or, more like a slow added benefit that comes from cruising ideas, destination ideas meander than a run. power boating on the river: free or just any way to squeeze in a Cruising down the river, to roam under the bridges all the party! One idea we are looking into unencumbered by bridge raises and way up to Irving Park Road. It was would be reviving the predicted log flotillas was a breeze, absolutely such a wonderful way to spend the run, which we haven’t done for a pure joy! We get so spoiled looking day, relaxing with fellow members number of years. Anyone interested at the beautiful lakefront, we forget and sharing stories of Chicago lore in sharing ideas and meeting new how much the Chicago River has inspired by various sites along the people is encouraged to join our to offer. You see familiar sights river. We saw the houses being committee. E-mail us and let us you love, and some you could live built to burn (or more accurately not know what you’re interested in without (we’re talking to you, giant burn) at the Chicago Fire Festival. doing. Trump sign).
1 CLAUDIA AND RON VOISARD RELAXING ON THE RIVER 2 KARA AND AGNES ARE LOVING THE NEW BOAT 3 BILL GRANT AT THE HELM PHOTOS BY NITA HAAS
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14 T H E B I N N A C L E WINTERFA l l 2 0 12015 4 ONON THETHE WATERWATER
BY JOE MARCINIAK AND FRANK POKORNY Nautical [email protected] Flea Market Returns
Back in December, the Boats Committee started their Saturday workday with a long-overdue visit to Phil’s Kastle, purveyor of fine vittles. Phil’s is just up the road from Skyway Yacht Yard, our off-season home for the Boston Whalers, J22s and RIBs, and where annual major maintenance takes place. Our boats get a lot of use, with a season that starts in March (cold) and ends in November (cold and snow and ice). This year the Whalers and RIBs finished the season by supporting the mid-November Shepherd Championship Regatta for high school student teams. The sailing school, high school and college student sailing programs, and our off-shore races are not only the face of Columbia today, but in coming years. Our two Whalers, two J22s, and five RIBs are an important part of the Club’s presence on the water. They deserve to be YAR at all times, which is what your Boats Committee strives to do. Each off-season there are critical operational and safety maintenance needs, as well as cosmetic repairs, upgrades, and additional equipment that help improve the boats’ longevity and use. All it takes is time and money – so here’s the deal. The Boats Committee is reviving and sponsoring a Columbia tradition – the Nautical Flea Market – to be held on Saturday February 21, 2015, from 0900 to 1500 on the Rail Deck. With great support from Club staff, there will be tables set up for you to sell all your extra boat equipment and nautical bits that are just taking up storage space. Spend a little to make (we hope) a lot. There is a small charge for tables: $10 for Columbia members, $20 for non-members and $50 for commercial participants. You set your prices, haggle all you want and keep all the proceeds of what you sell. There will be a $5 at the door cover charge for shoppers so they can dine as they shop on typical boating fare – hot dogs, beer and soft drinks. Prefer to donate stuff instead? The Boats Committee will have its own table and we would be happy to accept what you have and sell it. All proceeds from the table fees, door cover and Boats Committee table sales will be used to maintain the craft that support our Club on-water activity. Tables will be limited. To reserve yours, please e-mail [email protected]. If you have any questions, comments or just want more information about the Boats Committee, e-mail us. Our 2015 meeting and work-party schedule will be in the weekly update. Everyone is welcome. Until then, fair seas and safe passages.
VOLUME V o l u m e 15 1 4 IISSUE S S U E 1 4 T H E B INNACLE 15 VO l u m E 1 4 I S S U E 1 T H E B INNACLE ON THE WATER
BY MARTY BERNSTEIN Spotlight on Service SEA SCOUT SHIP #5111
CHRISTMAS SHIP OVERNIGHTER SERVICE TO COLUMBIA Ship 5111 taking the duties on The fun, service and learning YACHT CLUB Sunday’s wrap up, demonstrating continue long after the boats are put The holiday season gives us the knot skills, recruiting and advertising away for the winter. Planning begins opportunity to give back to our donated vessels for sale to raise in earnest for our annual fundraiser sponsor with our service. At the funds that keep the program afloat. and service to the community. For annual Children’s Holiday Party and Look for us at Booth S2230, near the past ten years, Ship 5111 and the Employee Christmas Party, the the paddling and diving pools in the Columbia Yacht Club have hosted scouts don their “elf apparel,” helping South Hall. some 200 scouts and scouters for the little ones with holiday crafts and FUN & GAMES a party and sleepover before the the visit with Santa. After the winter That same weekend, on Monday Christmas Tree Ship unloading. This break, we join the House Committee after the Boat Show, we’ve planned year’s event was a huge success, for work projects to re-new, repair a ski trip to Wilmot Ski Area. And with DJ music, dancing, and a pot and beautify the Club Ship. Last in February, besides the Chicago luck on Friday evening, breakfast year, it was removing and replacing Maritime Festival, we will schedule before the send off to Navy Pier, and the treads on starboard service stairs our semi-annual Whirlyball outing. All a hot dog lunch upon their return. from the rail deck to the main deck. of this should keep us occupied and Adult leader and parent Debbie Who knows what “fun” project they engaged, ready Martin led the charge, assisted by will give us this year. to prepare for 3 her husband, Jackson, and their son, A BIGGER, BETTER COMBINED boatyard work Boatswain Mate Keaton. A dozen BOAT SHOW and another other sea scouts and leaders pitched The annual Boat & RV Show has season of in, helping with check in, set up, now combined with Strictly Sail and activity and security, sleeping area assignments, morphed into the Chicago Boat, adventure. color guard for flag ceremony and RV & Strictly Sail Show to be held If we clean up. In addition, three of our at McCormick Place, January didn’t attract sea scouts were chosen to serve as 14-18. The sea scouts of the these young honor guard at the wreath dedication newly combined and renamed people with for the Christmas Ship Ceremony on Pathway to Adventure Council will fun and Saturday. have a presence at the show, with games, we 2
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11 competition and dance in Roscoe, 1 UNLOADING TREES FROM THE USCG IL, just north of Rockford. Activities MACKINAW 2 CHRISTMAS ELVES CHRISTINE VO AND TIANA SHERWOOD ASSIST SANTA include tug-of-war, snowshoeing, AT THE HOLIDAY PARTY 3 COLOR GUARD relay, sled hauling, snow sculpture KEATON MARTIN & GREGORY LEVINSON and scout skills of drill, knot tying, 4 SEA SCOUTS AND LEADERS OF SHIP 5111 AT STRICTLY SAIL 2014 5 DEBBIE MARTIN first aid, etc. SERVES THE HUNGRY VOLUNTEERS AFTER As always, we gratefully TREE UNLOADING 6 KEATON MARTIN, KISA acknowledge the support and FLEISCHMAN & LIAM GORZEN SERVE AS HONOR GUARD AT THE WREATH DEDICATION encouragement of our Columbia 7 SEA SCOUT SHIP #5111 ADULT & YOUTH couldn’t keep them around for the Yacht Club benefactors, as well VOLUNTEERS FOR THE CHRISTMAS SHIP as volunteer adult leaders, sailing OVERNIGHTER 8 SEA SCOUTS HELP WITH education, advancement, work and HOUSE COMMITTEE REPAIRS 9 FRIDAY NIGHT service that are so much a part of community consultants and donors, DJ DANCE PARTY AT THE CHRISTMAS SHIP Sea Scouting. In mid-January, our scouting professionals, parents and OVERNIGHTER 10 THE WOMEN OF MARINER’S friends. Thank you and Bravo Zulu, SHIP 261 FROM ROSCOE, IL 11 THE MEN OF sisters at Mariners Ship 361 host VENTURE CREW 368 FROM ALGONQUIN, IL the annual Snowstorm scouting job well done.
VOVOLUMEl u m E 115 5 IISSUE S S U E 1 T H E B INNACLE 17 ONIN THIS THE ISSUEWATER Skipjacks: 52 Years Old and Going Strong
In 1962 Allan Teske and then- the-water sessions) to the skiers: high winds, no winds, fog, and just Membership Chair Mark Barnett put for $15 they could try out sailing about anything you can imagine. their heads together to find a way with Columbia members. Before But if you talk to any of them, they to increase interest in membership Allan got back to his seat, he had wouldn’t miss it for the world. at Columbia. At that time the Club about 50 skiers ready to sign up. “Columbia does a lot of things didn’t own any boats, there wasn’t The program was officially born and really well,” notes Phill Klein, past much of a sailing school, lessons given the name “Single Sailors.” flag officer and volunteer skipper. were for members only, and the The skiers, turned sailors, “One of the best is the Skipjacks dining wasn’t anything special. So sailed on member boats, hung out program. It’s not easy to assemble what could bring in the masses? at the bar, made friends and joined 15-20 volunteer sailboats, or the They worked with what they did the Club. Columbia stayed afloat, staff necessary to accommodate have: fun people, a great Club gained new members, and the more than 100 students. Regardless Ship with a friendly bar, sailors/ Single Sailors program stayed. of the difficulty, the membership racers with boats and members After Allan married, some of Columbia Yacht Club always who understood that increasing club members suggested the comes through. This is indicative their numbers was essential to stay name should change. It was Kurt of the passion our sailors have for afloat. Thomson’s dad who came up this sport, and their desire to help To dispel the notion that with the name “Skipjack,’’ after others become involved. Seeing Columbia was for “rich folks with the fishing boat used on the new participants experience the fancy yachts,” they thought they’d Chesapeake Bay. Because skipjack beauty of sailing is all the reward invite non-members to go sailing is a working boat, they agreed it our experienced skippers and crew and see if they liked it. The idea was an appropriate name for the need. was presented to the board and Club’s program. Dave Sturdy also is a fan (much the same as today) they Over the years hundreds of of the program. “While I never said, “Sure, great idea, you run volunteer members have kept the took Skipjacks, I have benefitted it.” They brought in Don Lien, Skipjack program alive. They have tremendously from being a volunteer a Columbia member who was rushed to get their boats ready skipper. I’ve had the opportunity president of a ski club. Allan early and they’ve been there week to share the experience of feeling presented the eight-week program after week in all sorts of weather a boat surge through the waves in (four on-land classes and four on- conditions, cold and rain, storms, silence driven only by the breeze and
1 1 JILL LAMBERT AT THE HELM 2 JOHN BOYLE GIVING INSTRUCTION 3 SKIPPER MIKE CIECHANOWSKI SUPERVISES A SMILING SKIPJACK 4 SKIPJACK MELISSA KAUCK AND KEN PURCELL ABOARD WONTON 5 DOUG 4 PIETZ GIVES ADVICE ON SAIL TRIM 6 CO- CHAIR ROBIN SCROFANI 7 SKIPPER EMIL PLENKO CELEBRATES WITH A SKIPJACK GRADUATE 8 MICHELLE CARNEY SHOWS OFF HER DIPLOMA 9 DAVE STURDY AND SARAH TROMANS AND SKIPJACKS ABOARD ESTHER 10 THAT’S ONE GRATEFUL SKIPJACK! 3
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BY ROBIN SCROFANI SKIPJACKS CO-CHAIR Why has this unique learn-to-sail program [email protected] been so successful for so long? It all started long ago… the skill of the crew. It also affords Lyle Clapper remembers joining and I have had a most rewarding me a way to enhance my skill as a the program in 2011, “to get my feet experience, a lot of fun sailing, sailor and teacher, both of which are wet in sailing. But it also gave me an made fantastic friends, and learned traits a good captain needs. Finally, opportunity to build friendships that so much more about sailing than the class gives me opportunity to I treasure today.” For Ken Bargo, we could have ever imagined. We find new crew members and friends Skipjacks was a path to lots of great continually express our thanks and for future days and evenings doing sailing. “I still sail regularly with three appreciation for the skippers and all what we love.” friends (we all became members) I the volunteers who help us keep the Michael Kane, whose first met when I took the program. Last legacy of Skipjacks alive. Join us encounter with the program was season we sailed 51 times on No for the 2015 season as a skipper, as a skipjack, has continued to Reverse, Esther, and Irie. crew, volunteer or a skipjack. You volunteer his time for more than Sharing the love of sailing is will love it! 20 seasons. “Recruitment is one a significant part of what makes of the main reasons I participate the program such a success. in Skipjacks. I am always looking Making great friendships, creating 8 to add new members to my crew new sailors, and passing on the pool. I don’t race, so I don’t have love of sailing…that’s what it’s all that “hard core” group who go about. And it wouldn’t be possible out every week. I like to have a without the kindness and generosity structured evening of sailing early Columbia members have shown for in the season. The teaching aspect more than 50 years—and hopefully of Skipjacks is gratifying and I enjoy will continue for another fifty. sharing my experience and stories Whether it’s sailing, power with new sailors.” boating, wine tasting, jazz, holidays, Many friendships are forged in dining or any of the great activities Skipjacks, but one in particular stands Columbia has to offer, sharing the out. Members Nita and Ken Haas activity with friends makes it that participated in Skipjacks in the early much better. seventies, met, fell in love, and married! As the most recent Co-chairs They are still sailing happily ever after. of Skipjacks, Kirstin Hartman
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VOLUME 15 ISSUE 1 T H E B INNACLE 191919 VO l u m E 1 4 I S S U E 1 T H E B INNACLE IN THIS ISSUE What a Difference a Year Makes
Last year I wrote an article for enjoying the entire trip. sailing my boat onto the can. It the Binnacle called “Skipjacks to I had various things break down took two tries, but we (finally) were Skipper” to tell the story of my first on me this season. Some things successful. season with my very first sailboat. I I was able to fix, but mostly Bob What followed was a couple of also hoped it would inspire anyone on Horenkamp and Doug Pietz were my frustrating weeks of not being able the cusp of purchasing their first boat salvation. For instance, my electrical to sail. The first replacement starter to take the plunge, bite the bullet, system in the cabin was a mess. If I turned out to be a bad one that pull the trigger—just get a boat! didn’t sleep on my boat as much as had to be replaced. In addition to Now I thought it might be nice to talk I did, I’m convinced she would have the electrical and starter, my fresh about my second season aboard Irie. caught on fire. Yes, folks, that’s how water pump stopped working. And I I thoroughly enjoyed every bad it was. And all because of one couldn’t put off fixing that because I moment of my first season, and I little short. had filled up both water tanks in the thoroughly enjoyed every moment of There also seemed to be an beginning of the season and needed my second season. That’s where the epidemic of starters going out on to drain them for winterization. comparison ends. many boats. It’s unfair to say that For those without a lot of boating My first season I was nervous everyone blamed Dave Sturdy for experience, you might be thinking, about everything. In retrospect, starting the epidemic and jinxing all “What a nightmare. Why would you it was because I simply did not of us. Even if he was the first one to go through all this?” And others of know what to expect. Going into have the problem. you who have been on the water for my second season was completely Of course, Irie was victim. My a while are probably thinking, “Yeah, different. I knew what needed starter failed when I was at Burnham I’ve had summers like that.” to be done and in what order Harbor filling up with diesel. The While it may seem like my things needed to be done. I was folks at Burnham were kind enough summer was a bit grim with all the comfortable and calm about getting to allow me to stay until I had replacement parts and fixes, I still my boat ready to be launched. It someone take a look at it. Guess remember it as mostly great. The seems silly, but even knowing how who I called? Doug came only to to navigate from the boat yard to confirm Irie needed a new starter. 3 Monroe Harbor and back took a “Now, who can help me sail my worry off my checklist. Last year I boat back to Monroe?” I wondered. had no clue, couldn’t sleep the night Well, this is another reason why before each delivery, and was lucky it’s great to be a member at enough to have Dave Sturdy by my Columbia Yacht Club. Someone side through the delivery process. is always in the bar who is willing This year I was relaxed, laughing and to help. Fortunately, Dave Sturdy and Stu Friedman were around 1 and volunteered to lend a hand. I learned a lot that day from Stu about
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20 T H E B I N N A C L E WINTER 2015 IN THIS ISSUE
BY LISA DESANTIS
moral of this story is that no matter when the wind is howling and swirling and powerboats. You’ll see everyone what breaks down, it is actually fun in the harbors. Having a plan before walking from boat to boat, seeing to fix things on your boat. You are you get to the dock, even though you who is around, borrowing something, outside and you’re on your boat! It may have to quickly adjust if the wind sharing a drink or a snack or a story beats standing in the January cold shifts (and it does at times), makes and, most of all, having fun. waiting for a bus, that’s for sure. docking much more successful. And What a difference a year makes, The other great part of my my most important rule on docking indeed. In no time at all, I have gone second season was being a mentor is “GO SLOW!” It’s the number-one from a newbie sailor who’d never to my good friend, Martin, and his thing I can do to avoid damage to taken the helm to a second-year beautiful twin-engine powerboat, Irie—or anyone else. skipper sharing what I know with Wellspring. I enjoyed the experience Besides always being able to others. I’m already making plans of teaching a new boat owner the find crew in the bar, another amazing for this summer, and can’t wait to ropes. part of being a Columbia member is see what my third season has in It doesn’t matter whether you’re the summertime dock scene. Now store. on a powerboat or sailboat, everyone that I’m not intimidated by seeing a seems to have the same anxiety dock full of boats when I tie up, it’s about docking. Martin wasn’t any always a welcome 5 different. But practice makes perfect, sight. This year and by the end of the season he there seemed to could bring her to the dock with be more people ease. staying on our Although, really, none of us docks. We are a should ever be too confident friendly community about docking. I’ve seen the most of cruisers, racers, experienced boaters have difficulty cruising-racers,
4 1 LAST SAIL ON NO REVERSE. WHITNEY AND I WERE BOB’S CREW. IT WAS A LITTLE ROUGH SINCE WE WERE CLEARLY HEELED A BIT 2 SAILING WITH STEPHEN BROWN, A GUEST FROM OXFORD WHO ASKED AT WEST MARINE WHERE HE SHOULD GO TO FIND SAILORS. THEY SAID HE’D BE WELCOME AT COLUMBIA, AND WE HAD A GREAT DAY OUT 3 DESTINATION SAIL TO JACKSON HARBOR WITH BOB, MATT, KEN AND CHAD 4 ME LOOKING MUCH MORE RELAXED AS MY SECOND SEASON IS COMING TO AN END 5 YOU HAVE TO INCLUDE YOUR FAVORITE LIGHTHOUSE SHOT, RIGHT?
VOLUMEVO l u m E 15 1 5 ISSUE I S S U E 1 T H E B INNACLE 21 3
4 IN THIS ISSUE Lessons of a Long Cruise
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Our long cruises offer opportunities for fun, adventure, service and, most of all, experience in open water and new destinations. This year’s trip, planned for Ludington, MI, did not disappoint in 3 any of these particulars. These young people were spectacular. They planned, purchased, prepared and cooked meals for five days, drew up watch bills and stood regular watches, kept an hourly log while underway and transferred plots to paper charts, executed a service project at Big Sable Point Lighthouse, raised, changed and doused multiple sails, kept a cheerful willing attitude throughout, and left the vessel clean, shipshape and Bristol fashion upon its return to Monroe Harbor six days later. Monday, August 11, dawned clear and bright, with light winds out of the east. The Sea Scouts met at Columbia and began loading gear and provisions aboard SSTV Nautilus. The forecast was for winds to back to Boatswain and OOD Liam Gorzen prepared the watch the north and strengthen overnight, then build to gale bill, with one adult and 3-4 Sea Scouts on each watch, force with large waves by Tuesday afternoon, well after two hours on/four hours off. A paper chart was laid out our planned arrival in safe harbor. in the main saloon, and a deck log prepared. GPS fixes After consultation with Council Commodore were taken and plotted on the hour, with redundancy Tim Harrington, the three adults aboard, Wally Gorzen, from Boatswain Mate Keaton Martin’s iPad, equipped Marty Bernstein and Rosalie Johnson, decided to embark with the iNavX software app. on the crossing. We’d sail, motoring when necessary, The afternoon was uneventful, most of the to average 6 -7 knots. This 20-hour crossing would steering done by autopilot, close-hauled under motor put us at Ludington Yacht Club by 0800 EST. The best and mainsail. At nightfall, midway across the lake on a laid plans… heading of 025, the wind and waves began to build. One day past full, the “Sturgeon” or “Red Moon” rose, then a
1 JARED, NINA AND TIANA TAKE THE WATCH 2 SEA SCOUTS OF SHIP 5111 CRUISING ABOARD SV NAUTILUS 3 FINAL TOUCHES TO THE FENCE ENCLOSURE AT BIG SABLE POINT LIGHTHOUSE 4 RETURN TO MONROE HARBOR 5 LIAM, KEATON, ROBBIE & CHRISTINE ASSEMBLE WOODEN FENCE PANEL 6 A BREAK FOR FUN & GAMES AT THE LIGHTHOUSE KEEPERS’ BUILDING 7 BIG 22 T H E B I N N A C L E WINTER 2015 SABLE POINT LIGHT - 112 FEET - HIGHEST ON THE MICHIGAN SHORE IN THIS ISSUE
BY MARTY BERNSTEIN SKIPPER SEA SCOUT SHIP CHALLENGE #5111
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With our onboard boat speed instrumentation not working, we depended on GPS for SOG readings, and were averaging about 7 knots 5 with an ETA Ludington still of 0800. Toward midnight, the wind increased to 25 knots apparent, with waves and spray now washing over the windward quarterdeck. The water found its way through gaps in the port deck pad for our “teardrop” block, and soaked the quarter berth bunks below, forcing their ‘residents’ to seek alternate berths in the leeward quarter, or even the cabin sole. It was getting to be a bumpy ride, with the bow regularly slamming into the troughs. When the 0200 watch took the deck, the winds had built to 35 knots apparent, waves to 4-6 feet and briefly higher. The 7 weather for Ludington was not looking good. After consulting the chart, a course change was indicated. With 30 miles to go toward our destination, winds on the nose and building, a threat of heavier weather to the north, decreasing boat speed pushing momentary explosive meteorite, our ETA, and no telling if our fuel would last that long in like a Wednesday night firework, those conditions, we decided to turn southeast and head streaked toward the land to the for Muskegon. east. A good omen? Perhaps. The new course allowed us to cut the engine Perhaps not. and surf at 7-8 knots on a broad reach. Also, no more Hatches were battened against the spray over the water over the decks, much more comfortable off-watch port bow, the radar reflector was rigged (since we were sleeping conditions and an enhanced feeling of safety near shipping lanes) and the main was reefed before and security. After two more watch changes, the harbor dark in anticipation of wind and waves building to the mouth loomed just ahead. Once inside Muskegon Lake, forecasted 15–25 knots. we rounded up into the wind, dropped and flaked sail,
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VOLUMEVO l u m E 15 1 5 ISSUE I S S U E 1 T H E B INNACLE 23 IN THIS ISSUE
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up there, snapping photos, learning about the lighthouse and headed for dockage at Muskegon Yacht Club, history, and just taking it all in. arriving at about 0600 local time, sunrise. The next day we completed the final assembly of Mate Francis Baumgart was on hand to meet us. panels and gates, priming and painting. The girls received On the iPad, he showed us the weather system crossing as much paint as the panels it seemed, but it was upper Michigan. It had already caused considerable cheerful work. By 1600 it was finished, a thing of beauty. flooding in Detroit. Had we continued on our original We all donned uniforms, posed for photos, then the Sea course, we’d have run right into it. Experience, intuition Scouts took off for a spirited session of dune climbing, and prudence are a sailor’s best friends. jumping and cardboard surfing. After two days of toil, We were 50 miles from Ludington, so would not they still had boundless energy and enthusiasm. be able to sail there. We decided to stay in Muskegon for Upon their return, Nina cooked belt-busting half- the week and take land transport to the lighthouse. After pound burgers with guacamole, and Wally went off to a day of much-needed rest, Wally Gorzen drove adult the campfire pit at the dunes to prepare his trademark leader Rosalie Johnson, and crew Christine Vo, Nina “upside-down” fire (after all, he’s a fireman). Another Fleischman and Tiana Sherwood up to Ludington and fabulous sunset, roasted marshmallows, and then pack the luxurious appointments at the lighthouse keeper’s up for the next morning’s departure. quarters. The male crew stayed on the boat. Of course, the forecast was now a switch from the What a difference a day made. Though winds were week’s northerlies to a southwest wind, backing southerly still brisk out of the north, the sun shone and the air was – on the nose again. Everything had been made ready in cool and refreshing. The service project began as soon advance, gear stowed, galley and coolers reorganized, as the crew assembled. Our directions from Derrick sail and rigging prepped. Last moment photos were Ebidon, Supervisor of Restoration/Maintenance for Sable taken, lines cast off and the last leg of our adventure was Points Lighthouse Keepers Association, were to build underway. and paint a wooden enclosure fence on the sand dune It was a quick shot over to the fuel dock at Harbor surrounding the propane tank and satellite dish. It would Town Marina, though with a chary eye at the harbor consist of 4x4 treated posts, four panels of 1x6 planks entrance. It had been a none-too-pleasant surprise a held together by three 2x4s each, and two large gate few years back when we ran aground in the very short panels from the previous picket fence enclosure. Tools channel. At the time, it felt spongy enough to power and fasteners were gathered, plans generated and tasks through, and so power through we did, to cheers and assigned. A break for lunch and we were right back at it. applause, only to run hard into a sandbar moments later! In appreciation of our service efforts, volunteer That grounding required all of the Sea Scouts to don lighthouse keepers Carol and Doug Buikema invited us PFDs, climb aboard the boom and hug it with arms and to the top of the light for a spectacular sunset. After 160 legs, heeling just enough, and then goosing the engine steps up a circular steel stairway, much resembling a in reverse to power off. No such adventure this year, yet chambered “nautilus,” we arrived at the outside catwalk the throttle never went past dead slow until we were well just below the light. Views of the lake, the dunes and clear of the harbor. the sunset were magnificent and we spent a good hour We prepared to make sail into a shore-based fog
8 IN SAFE HARBOR AT MUSKEGON YACHT CLUB 9 SUNSET ATOP THE LIGHTHOUSE. CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: CHRISTINE VO, ELIZABETH JOHNSON, NINA FLEISCHMAN, ROBBIE SOLER, LIAM GORZEN, JARED GORZEN, KEATON MARTIN, MARTY BERNSTEIN 10, 11 CAMPFIRE 24 T H E B I N N A C L E WINTER 2015 ON THE DUNES AFTER WORK AND SUPPER 10 IN THIS ISSUE
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the deck to the Boatswain and his watch. These young people have shown their skills over the past several years in Mac races, returns and long cruises. The trust we place in them is well-deserved. When the wind veered further to the southwest, we bank. A small powerboat several hundred yards to our dropped the jib and motor- starboard was sounding a horn, and one of our youth sailed under reefed main alone. We cleared the main suggested it may be in distress. After a brief discussion, light at 0405 on Saturday. Getting the slumbering troops we decided that assistance, if needed, should be left to up and on deck for arrival at the dock was a bit of a local vessels with less draft than ours. The harbor mouth chore. It is this Skipper’s observation, oft repeated with was a stone’s throw from the vessel, but the presence of tongue in cheek, that the two best things these kids do a sandbar between us and them one could not be ruled is eat and sleep! A few hours of clean up, and we were out. pleased to remember the harbor tender started at 0630 The power and convenience of electronic charting on weekends, so we were able to return the boat to its may offer the security that there is adequate depth. That mooring, and get ourselves out earlier than expected. chart data is usually years out of date. If such a situation Friendships made and reinforced by both youth and had presented itself in deep water, away from other adults, lessons learned, new discoveries, appreciation for help or proximity of safe harbor, we would have indeed our service, a healthy respect for the elements, a new been prepared to render assistance. It is part of our Sea respect for the skills and abilities, energy and enthusiasm Promise. of these young sailors, understandings between With main and genoa set, we sailed for an hour veteran sailors spoken and unspoken, an unselfish and before the land breeze died. It only took a few hours of unwavering commitment to mentoring and safety. These motoring before we were able to sail again, close-hauled are all of the lessons of a long cruise. on a fresh south breeze, across the lake toward home. To our adult leaders, Wally Gorzen, Francis As we approached the western shore of the lake, Baumgart and this Skipper, along with Rosalie Johnson the wind veered, allowing a tack onto starboard, and of Ship 5886; to our youth officers, Boatswain Liam a course directly toward Chicago. As it freshened, the Gorzen, Boatswain’s Mate Keaton Martin, Crew Leader genoa was replaced by the #3 battened headsail, and the Jared Gorzen, Storekeeper Nina Fleischman, Purser main was reefed to balance and allow more comfortable, Tiana Sherwood, Ship 5886 Boatswain Elizabeth upright sailing. Johnson and newest recruits, Christine Vo and Robby It was a beautiful, clear, cool night, relatively flat Soler, we thank you for your service, endurance, good water and moderate wind; a delightful passage compared humor, teamwork and commitment. And of course to to the outbound one. The lights of the city loom for hours our hosts and service project director at Sable Point on a clear night, tantalizingly close, yet ever distant. With Lighthouse. BRAVO ZULU – job well done. a word about conditions, and a caution to keep a sharp lookout, we were able to confidently go off watch, leaving
VOLUMEVO l u m E 15 1 5 ISSUE I S S U E 1 T H E B INNACLE 25 IN THIS ISSUE 2015 Columbia Yacht Club Calendar
25 GENERAL MEMBERSHIP January MEETING April WINE CLUB FINANCE CMTE MTG 26 20 ACTIVITIES CMTE MTG BOARD OF DIRECTORS MTG 2 ASSOCIATES CMTE MTG WINTERFEST! March 3 EASTER EGG DYING 29-31 CLUB REOPENS BINGO BRUNCH 29 WINE CLUB MTG 1 4 PASSOVER SEDER DINNER STEWARD’S MEETING EASTER SUNDAY BRUNCH 3 BAR & GRILL CMTE MTG 5 RACE CMTE MTG ACTIVITIES CMTE MTG 5 ASSOCIATES CMTE MTG 7-8 SPRING AHEAD SPECIALS 11 TRIVIA NIGHT 12 BOOK CLUB MEMBERSHIP CMTE MTG STEWARD’S MEETING ST. PATRICK’S DAY 7 BAR & GRILL CMTE MTG 13-15 WEEKEND FEATURES RACE COMMITTEE 14 BOATS CMTE WORKDAY 8 TRIVIA NIGHT February ST. PATRICK’S DAY /LIVE MUSIC IN THE LOBBY BOOK CLUB SUPER BOWL SUNDAY 9 1 MEMBERSHIP CMTE MTG BOATS CMTE WORKDAY STEWARD’S MEETING 11 3 BAR & GRILL CMTE MTG RACE CMTE MTG FINANCE CMTE MTG 14 BOARD OF DIRECTORS MTG 5 ACTIVITIES CMTE MTG ASSOCIATES CMTE MTG 16 DOCK CMTE MTG 7 CHILI COOK OFF PUBLICITY CMTE MTG COLUMBIA CRAFT TRIVIA NIGHT 18 BEER BASH 11 IRISH WAKE UP BRUNCH 15 WITH MUSIC 12 BOOK CLUB BEER BRUNCH FINANCE CMTE MTG 19 17 BOARD OF DIRECTORS MTG GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEMBERSHIP CMTE MTG 12 22 MTG DOCK CMTE MTG 19 WINE CLUB 13-15 SWEETHEART SPECIALS PUBLICITY CMTE MTG 23 WEEKEND 21 SAILING SCHOOL CHIX FLIX IN THE BAR SPRING SESSION BEGINS 24 SEA SCOUT GALA 14 LIVE MUSIC IN THE LOBBY CRUISING FLEET FUNDRAISER BOATS CMTE WORKDAY SPRING KICK OFF PARTY JR. SAILING MALLORY FINANCE CMTE MTG GENERAL MEMBERSHIP 25-26 QUALIFIERS 17 BOARD OF DIRECTORS MTG 25 MEETING DOCK CMTE MTG AFT-A-PALOOZA 25 CRUISING FLEET SPRING 19 PUBLICITY CMTE MTG 28 SEMINAR 21 NAUTICAL FLEA MARKET 30 CHOWDER FEST 30 WINE DOWN FOR LLS
THIS CALENDAR IS CURRENT AS OF PUBLICATION. PLEASE CHECK THE CLUB WEBSITE OR WEEKLY UPDATE FOR ANY UPDATES TO THE SCHEDULED EVENTS.
26 T H E B I N N A C L E WINTER 2015 IN THIS ISSUE
20 BEER CAN TUNE-UP 20 CRUISING FLEET May RACE SUMMER SAILSTICE FATHER’S DAY DOCK CMTE MTG 21 MARGARITAVILLE BRUNCH WHISKEY & BLUE GRASS 21 PUBLICITY CMTE MTG 1 DINNER TRIVIA NIGHT 23 SKIPJACKS ON-THE-WATER 2 DERBY DAY PARTY 22-24 CRUISING FLEET MEMORIAL DAY CRUISE 24 BEER CAN RACING NATIONAL MARITIME DAY 22 MICHIGAN CITY 26 NIGHT RACE 25 MEMORIAL DAY—CLUB OPEN 27 MICHIGAN CITY NIGHT RACE 27 BEER CAN RACING BRUNCH GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MTG J-DAY WINE CLUB LLS STAND UP TO 28 28 BLOOD CANCER CINCO DE MAYO SPECIALS POWER FLEET/LLS POKER SKIPJACKS GRADUATION 5 STEWARD’S MTG 29 RUN KICK OFF PARTY 30 BAR & GRILL CMTE MTG RACE CMTE MTG SKIPJACKS CLASSROOM SESSIONS BEGIN June ACTIVITIES CMTE MTG STEWARD’S MTG 7 ASSOCIATES CMTE MTG 2 BAR & GRILL CMTE MTG BOATS CMTE MTG RACE CMTE MTG 9 AFTER THE YARDS PARTY SKIPJACKS ON-THE-WATER DASH TO THE DOCK 3 BEER CAN RACING 10 MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH 4 ACTIVITIES CMTE MTG BEER CAN COLLEGE—CREW ASSOCIATES CMTE MTG 13 MIXER DOCK-IN MOVIE NIGHT 5 COLORS REGATTA BOOK CLUB REGISTRATION 14 MEMBERSHIP CMTE MTG 6-7 COLORS REGATTA 16 COMMODORE’S RECEPTION 9 SKIPJACKS ON-THE-WATER 17 KITE FLY 10 BEER CAN RACING
BOOK CLUB 11 MEMBERSHIP CMTE MTG 12-14 NOOD REGATTA DOCK-IN MOVIE NIGHT 12 SAILING SCHOOL PARENT ORIENTATION 13 FLEET REVIEW
SAILING SCHOOL 15 SUMMER CAMP BEGINS SKIPJACKS ON-THE-WATER 16 FINANCE CMTE MTG BOARD OF DIRECTORS MTG 17 BEER CAN RACING DOCK CMTE MTG FINANCE CMTE MTG 18 PUBLICITY CMTE MTG 19 BOARD OF DIRECTORS MTG TRIVIA NIGHT SKIPJACKS ON-THE-WATER WINE CLUB SESSIONS BEGIN
VOLUME 15 ISSUE 1 T H E B INNACLE 27 IN THIS ISSUE 2015 Columbia Yacht Club Calendar July August September BEER CAN RACING 1 FRAN BYRNE REGATTA 1 STEWARD’S MTG 1 BAR & GRILL CMTE MTG CHESTER KUTTNER REGATTA RACE CMTE MTG ACTIVITIES CMTE MTG 2 2 BEER CAN RACING ASSOCIATE CMTE MTG STEWARD’S CMTE MTG 2 4 BAR & GRILL CMTE MTG 3 DOCK-IN MOVIE NIGHT 3 ACTIVITIES CMTE MTG 5 BEER CAN RACING ASSOCIATES CMTE MTG ALL-AMERICAN AFT DECK DOCK-IN MOVIE NIGHT 4 RIB FEST AND BLUEBERRY 6 ACTIVITIES CMTE MTG 4 PIE EATING CONTEST ASSOCIATES CMTE MTG INDEPENDENCE DAY 6-7 SKYLINE REGATTA 7 LABOR DAY—CLUB OPEN 7-9 VERVE CUP 9 BEER CAN RACING DOCK-IN MOVIE NIGHT 7 10 BOOK CLUB MEMBERSHIP CMTE MTG LLS POKER RUN 8 12 BOATS CMTE MTG 12 BEER CAN RACING 14 EMPLOYEE SAIL 13 BOOK CLUB TRIVIA NIGHT 15 FINANCE CMTE MTG MEMBERSHIP CMTE MTG BOARD OF DIRECTORS MTG JUNIOR SAILING BANQUET DOCK CMTE MTG 14 WINE CLUB CRUISE 17 PUBLICITY CMTE MTG CRUISING FLEET TRIVIA NIGHT 15 SUMMER CRUISE YOM KIPPUR 5 DOG DAYS ON THE DOCK 22 15-16 AIR AND WATER SHOW STEWARD’S MTG GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MTG 7 BAR & GRILL CMTE MTG MAYOR DALEY REGATTA 23 RACE CMTE MTG 16 BOOK CLUB 18 FINANCE CMTE MTG 24 WINE CLUB 9 MEMBERSHIP CMTE MTG BOARD OF DIRECTORS MTG BEER CAN RACING BOATS CMTE MTG 19 OKTOBERFEST 11 POWER FLEET DOCK PARTY 26 REGGAE DINNER TRIVIA NIGHT 20 DOCK CMTE MTG FINANCE CMTE MTG PUBLICITY CMTE MTG 14 BOARD OF DIRECTORS MTG RED SKY NIGHT DOCK CMTE MTG 21 16 PUBLICITY CMTE MTG LEUKEMIA CUP REGATTA TRIVIA NIGHT 22 BLUEGRASS BRUNCH SAILING SCHOOL 19 24 SHARK WEEK BEGINS BEER CAN RACING 22 BEER CAN RACING 26 27 PEI DINNER EVENT 29 BEER CAN RACING 28 CHICAGO TO ST. JOE RACE 30 REGGAE BRUNCH
THIS CALENDAR IS CURRENT AS OF PUBLICATION. PLEASE CHECK THE CLUB WEBSITE OR WEEKLY UPDATE FOR ANY UPDATES TO THE SCHEDULED EVENTS.
28 T H E B I N N A C L E WINTER 2015 IN THIS ISSUE
October November December
ACTIVITIES CMTE MTG DAYLIGHT SAVINGS ENDS STEWARD’S MTG 1 ASSOCIATE CMTE MTG 1 FALL BACK BAR SPECIALS 1 BAR & GRILL CMTE MTG RACE CMTE MTG STEWARD’S MTG STEWARD’S MTG 6 BAR & GRILL CMTE MTG 3 BAR & GRILL CMTE MTG ANNUAL GENERAL RACE CMTE MTG RACE CMTE MTG 2 MEMBERSHIP MTG ACTIVITIES CMTE MTG BOOK CLUB ACTIVITIES CMTE MTG 5 ASSOCIATES CMTE MTG 8 MEMBERSHIP CMTE MTG 3 ASSOCIATE CMTE MTG POWER FLEET SEA SCOUTS CHRISTMAS BOATS CMTE MTG 7 10 END-OF-YEAR PARTY 4 TREE SLEEPOVER BOATER’S BASH 11 BINGO BRUNCH 5 JINGLE BELL ROCK 14 TRIVIA NIGHT
DOCK CMTE MTG 15 PUBLICITY CMTE MTG 17 LOBSTER BOIL 17-18 OPEN HOUSE CHICAGO 20 FINANCE CMTE MTG BOARD OF DIRECTOR’S MTG 11 TRIVIA NIGHT GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MTG 21 BOOK CLUB 12 MEMBERSHIP CMTE MTG 22 WINE CLUB 14 BOATS CMTE MTG 24 KID’S HALLOWEEN PARTY SHEPHERD JR. SAILING TENDER APPRECIATION 14-15 CHAMPIONSHIPS 25 PARTY CRUISING FLEET BOAT-OF- ADULT HALLOWEEN PARTY 15 TRIVIA NIGHT 31 THE-YEAR PARTY 9 FINANCE CMTE MTG BOOK CLUB 17 BOARD OF DIRECTORS MTG 10 MEMBERSHIP CMTE MTG DOCK CMTE MTG 19 BEER CAN PARTY PUBLICITY CMTE MTG 11 THANKSGIVING—CLUB GINGERBREAD HOUSE 26 CLOSED 12 BUILDING BOATS CMTE MTG DECORATE THE ABBY 28 CHILDREN’S HOLIDAY 13 PARTY FINANCE CMTE MTG 15 BOARD OF DIRECTORS MTG DOCK CMTE MTG 17 PUBLICITY CMTE MTG 20 EMPLOYEE HOLIDAY PARTY 25 CHRISTMAS—CLUB CLOSED 31 NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY
VOLUME 15 ISSUE 1 T H E B INNACLE 29 ON THE ABBY Events Large or Small, Columbia Can Do It All
Delicious food, sweeping city views and a venue like none other make the Abby the perfect setting for any gathering. Members are able to host any UPPER SALON size gathering, from a small family dinner to a business reception or grand wedding—there’s a space at Columbia for every party.
“COLUMBIA YACHT CLUB has always been a good friend to the Chicago branch of the International Wine and Food Society (IWFS). This past September, Chicago was host to the semi-annual meeting of the IWFS Board of Governors of the Americas. “The BGA held a luncheon at Columbia that included a presentation by the Chicago Architectural Foundation on “The Devil in the White City” in the Upper Salon, followed by a fabulous three-course lunch under the Aft Deck tent. The governors were effusive in their praise all throughout the weekend meeting. The meal was prepared perfectly by the kitchen team AFT DECK TENT and served expertly by the front-of-house team. Kudos to Nick, Alberto and their staffs for a great experience to an international audience!” JOHN DANZA International Wine and Food Society
“SINCE JOINING COLUMBIA, I have found it to be much more than a place to go for a drink, dinner, or to meet friends. Just in this past year, I have held a Kick Off Party for the Poker Run, threw my friend a 40th birthday party, and celebrated my mother’s 77th birthday at the Club. I joined Columbia to be on the water and mingle with fellow boaters. I did not anticipate what a BONUS it would be to have a venue that has changed the way our family enjoys special occasions in a BIG WAY!” DOMINIC IRPINO Columbia member and Poker Run chair
“OUR AUNT SALLY WAS IN CHICAGO FOR THE FIRST TIME over Thanksgiving last year. We wanted to do something special for her, and knew a visit to Columbia would be perfect, especially since she owned a yacht club in Honduras in the ‘60s. “We arranged a dinner for 10 on the bridge and she was blown away. The food and service were outstanding, the novelty of the space was fascinating and fun, and the view of the skyline was breathtaking. Even BRIDGE our college kid and his roommate were impressed! Thank you to the whole crew for making her visit so special. She is still talking about it.” KIM WILLIAMSON Columbia member
30 T H E B II N N N N A A C C L L E E WINTER 2015 ON THE ABBY
BY SARAH TROMANS BAR & GRILL CHAIR, & KIMBERLY WILLIAMS [email protected]
DOCK
BOAT DECK
LIBRARY RAIL DECK
UPPER SALON
Contact General Manager Nick Philp at 312-938-3625 or [email protected] with questions or to book your event.
VOVOLUMEl u m E 115 5 IISSUE S S U E 1 T H E B INNACLE 31 ON THE ABBY 10 New Things Our New Website Has For You
By now you have probably had a chance to check out our new (and improved!) website. But do you know all the bells and whistles that are available on it? If not, read on:
1. MY CLUB & QUICK LINKS • My Club is your navigation destination • Enjoy organized and fast navigation with the Quick Links navigation on the right sidebar of every page • Easily explore a wide range of subjects with minimal clicks
2. MEMBER DIRECTORY • The directory includes boat names and other special information on your fellow members • Simply go to the Directory and click “Search” tab at the top • You can search by every field available in the directory • If the member hides this information, the search will not display. Members have complete control over what information appears in their directory listing. • Keep your profile up to date so members can connect with you
3. MOBILE • Columbia Members now have a simple mobile portal for www.colyc.org • This is a great quick-link style mobile site to get good information quickly • This works on all major formats including iPad, iPhone and Android
4. CURRENT NEWS FEEDS • Keep up to date with news from around the Club • Find interest pieces to showcase the great things about Columbia Yacht Club
32 T H E B I N N A C L E WINTER 2015 ON THE ABBY
BY NICK PHILP GENERAL MANAGER [email protected]
5. EVENT CALENDAR 6. RESOURCES • All Club events, with complete details • Easily review and even download important • Easily share events with friends via email documents like the Columbia Yacht Club • Easy RSVP with just a click — no more multiple By-Laws sign-ins • Articles and special interest stories will be up on • Set filters so you get information on the events the site for you to read or download that interest you • Access current and past issues of The Binnacle • Calendars specific to different Club activities, like racing or parties 7. COMMUNITY PAGES • Pages throughout the site feature an upcoming • Pages with rich detail about the causes events feed, so you’re always in the know Columbia supports • Stay informed about events, learn how you can participate or invite others to be a part of these endeavors 8. CONTACTS • Use the directory to quickly contact a fellow member • Use Club Contacts to reach out to staff • Use specific pages to contact Directors, Officers and Committees like never before • Contact links for feedback and support • Forms to inquire about events, suggest information about upcoming activities, Crew Pool and even membership referral
9. PHOTO GALLERIES • See what is happening around the Club and offshore • Share your pictures with others and (if approved) online and in social media • No more uploading — just email [email protected]
10. PUBLIC AND PRIVATE FLUIDITY • The website now flows smoothly from the public site to private pages • Your non-member friends can access the website for information on events, news, directions or other Club questions • Members simply get more information when they log in rather than a whole new site. This makes for a seamless flow and consistent information.
VOLUME VO l u m15E 1ISSUE 5 I S S U1E T 1 H T E H B EINNACLE B INNACLE 33 ON THE ABBY
BY DAVE STURDY HOUSE COMMITTEE CHAIR Snow Flies Outside, [email protected] Work Starts Inside 1 House Committee volunteers and staff are working each weekend throughout January to renovate and perform annual upkeep on our historic Club Ship. This year, efforts are concentrated on the public spaces to maintain, expand and enhance existing areas for member and their guests’ enjoyment. The classic theme introduced last year to the dining room is being extended to more of the Abby. Wood-style flooring is being laid from the dining room entrance through the lobby and into the bar, and additional lighting fixtures are being wired and mounted in the lobby. Always mindful of our origins, member Stu Friedman located some antique nautical fixtures for the 2 3 lobby. Past Commodore Bill Bartz, our electrical expert, is wiring them with the help of our dedicated volunteers. Every member agrees, Columbia has one of the most dramatic skyline views of Chicago. As soon as the weather is slightly above freezing, everyone flocks outside to capitalize on the “free” panoramas from our outside dining space on the bow and port side. House Committee members Dave Benson and Bob Horenkamp are taking charge of expanding the al fresco dining area. They are laboring outside in the cold with other would-be carpenters to add about 500 square feet as a combination dining and bar space for next summer.
Some projects underway are less obvious to the 4 observer, but no less critical. For example, the Rail Deck is being improved with new lighting and deck renovation. This vast space sees year-round use for a variety of activities, such as measuring sails for class sailing events, registration and buffet for the Leukemia Cup Regatta in August, an assembly area for the frost bite high school racing in November, and, most recently, the Jingle Bell Rock party. All this is quite an upgrade from the original intent of the space: housing rail cars in transit to Prince Edward Island. January work will continue until the club reopens at the end of the month. We have lots of other “smaller” 5 project underway, and all are welcome, regardless of experience. So come join your fellow members on Saturday and Sunday to be a part of getting the Abegweit ship shape for summer.
1 THE BAR IN THE OLD DAYS, ORIGINALLY A LOUNGE. WE ARE WORKING TO IMPROVE IT, YET AGAIN, THIS WINTER 2 PAST COMMODORE BILL BARTZ INSTALLING A NEW SALON FIXTURE 3 THE “NEW” LIGHTS ARE ACTUALLY SALVAGE PIECES FORGED OF SOLID BRASS 4, 5 THE RAIL DECK SEES ACTIVITY FROM THE SAILING SCHOOL, SKIPJACKS AND OTHER HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES
34 T H E B I N N A C L E WINTER 2015 ON THE ABBY
Whose mother was often heard off-screen Test Your Knowledge but has never appeared on BY JILL LAMBERT “The Big Bang Theory”? Who lives at 221B Baker Street, London? Which river runs through London? How many eyes are there in a deck of 52 cards? What year did Christopher Columbus go to America? Which planet is nearest ? the sun? In which state in the U.S. is it illegal to mispronounce the name of the state?
If these questions spike your interest, you belong at Trivia Night, ? Columbia’s battle of the brains! Join a team or organize your own! Pub Trivia USA hosts an evening bound to test your knowledge of movies, T.V., sports, geography and other categories. Come early because the Club bar gets crowded with members and friends, vying for bragging rights off the water. A friendly competition? Of course, or as much as it can be when there are prizes at stake. In the off-season, Trivia Night is the second Wednesday of the month, starting at 7:00. In the summer, Trivia Night moves to Thursday, to accommodate ? Wednesday night Beer Can races. Don’t forget to check out Pub Trivia USA’s Facebook page and their website on the day of the game for two free questions. No reservations required, but you do need to bring your thinking caps and
HOWARD WOLOWITZ, SHERLOCK HOLMES, THAMES, 1492, 42, MERCURY, ARKANSAS WOLOWITZ, SHERLOCK HOLMES, THAMES, 1492, 42, MERCURY, ANSWERS HOWARD your “A” game. ?? VOVOLUMEl u m E 115 5 IISSUE S S U E? 1 T H E B INNACLE 35 ONON THETHE ABBYABBY A Few Minutes with Chef de Cuisine Alberto Garcia
He’s the man responsible for the phenomenal food that B: WHEN YOU’RE CREATING A goes with our amazing views. Besides being a master NEW RECIPE, WHAT INFLUENCES of the fish taco, what else do we know? Binnacle AND INSPIRES YOU? contributor Kimberly Williamson sat down with Chef de CA: I am always looking for Cuisine Alberto Garcia to talk about his long history with ways to make our members Columbia and his plans for the future. happy. When I ask for feed- back, I want to hear that it’s BINNACLE: LET’S START WITH THE BASICS. TELL US ABOUT YOUR FAMILY AND WHERE YOU ARE FROM. great. If I hear something is CHEF ALBERTO: My parents are from Mexico, but I grew good, I work hard to try and up in Los Angeles. I moved to Chicago in 2001. I’m make it great next time. married with two kids, and one on the way. B: WHAT IS THE MOST POPULAR DISH AT COLUMBIA? B: WHAT IS YOUR TRAINING BACKGROUND? ALBERTO GARCIA CA: I started at Columbia as a dishwasher 14 years ago CA: The beef stroganoff. and have worked my way up, training under other chefs. We tried to take it off the menu a few years ago and the members were not happy! So we put it back on. B: WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO BECOME A CHEF? CA: I was first inspired when I came here and worked B: HAVE YOU HAD ANY INTERESTING SPECIAL under Chef Dave. He loved what he was doing and was REQUESTS FOR EVENTS? always striving to do better. I thought, “I can do that.” CA: One event wanted crawfish. Very salty crawfish. We used 40 or 50 pounds of salt to marinate it. B: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DISH TO PREPARE? CA: Seafood. I loved mixed seafood and like to play B: WHAT ARE YOU DOING WHEN YOU’RE NOT COOKING? around with it. 22 CA: Spending time with my family. I work a lot of hours, especially in the summer, so I really think it is important B: WHAT ARE THE FIVE INGREDIENTS YOU CAN’T to spend my time off with my wife and kids. I also enjoy LIVE WITHOUT? cooking with my wife. CA: Olive oil, garlic, onion, fresh herbs and salt/pepper.
BY JEFF VANDER MEADE ASSOCIATES CHAIR [email protected]
The votes are in, the feedback tallied, and it’s never a cruiser, or aspiring boat owner, Columbia must be been more clear – Associates love yachting. We all your go-to resource for instruction, experience, and enjoy being on water for a different reasons: adventure, connections. racing, camaraderie, relaxation, or just plain fun. To this end, we are hoping to enhance sailing Regardless of your needs, Columbia Yacht Club is opportunities for Associate members. We’re looking to the home for all sailors, crew, and Corinthian-spirited use our committee to plan the details. Volunteers of all souls on Lake Michigan. backgrounds are needed! Technology will play a huge Columbia prides itself as an ever-evolving part in this new program —we might even have an organization, thanks to the incredible participation of app for that! our membership. In the last few years we’ve grown Now is the time to get engaged. We meet at 7:30 our Associate rolls and seen a remarkable jump in on the first Thursday of every month (except January). participation from the under-40 crowd. All are welcome to participate (even Regular members) But with this influx of younger members, we are as we create this groundbreaking sailing program. seeing a gap between beginning sailors and boat Can’t attend every meeting? Simply email us and owners. we’ll put you on the mailing list. Whether you are a motivated (but under This is an exciting time to be a member of experienced) racing crew member, a cruiser without Columbia Yacht Club. Fair winds! PHOTOS BY MARY ELLEN JOHNSTON 36 T H E B I N N A C L E WINTER 2015
ONINON THIS THETHE ISSUEABBYABBY
BY NICK PHILP GENERAL MANAGER [email protected] From our General Manager
Sitting at the end of Randolph Street, STAFF CONTACT Columbia has been a witness to all that INFORMATION Chicago has to offer. We have seen parties, prohibition, wars, blizzards, blazing heat, ANY COLUMBIA STAFF MEMBER CAN BE REACHED freezing cold, crooked politicians and city BY CALLING THE CLUB AT scandals galore. Through it all, Columbia 312-938-3625 remained true to our tradition of camaraderie, (312-WET-DOCK) marine education and spirited competition. A OR VIA EMAIL AT THE ADDRESSES BELOW: friendly, vibrant, exciting yacht club, welcoming to all with something for everyone. Even NICK PHILP as the dark, cold days of January are upon GENERAL MANAGER us, we look forward to 2015 on Chicago’s [email protected] NICK PHILP lakefront. TIM MULLEN Our jam-packed opening weekend at the end of the month has been ASST. GENERAL MANAGER given a name this year. Mark your calendars for Winter Fest and plan on [email protected] kicking off the 2015 season with a bang. Plans are underway for other off- ALBERTO GARCIA season events, but new ideas are always welcome. We will be enjoying many CHEF DE CUISINE of the traditional events like Easter and Mother’s Day Brunch and Seder [email protected] dinner. Every year we up the ante on St. Patrick’s Day, and this year we’ve RYAN CONLIN planned a weekend-long party that promises to be a show-stopper. As we FOOD & BEVERAGE move into the warmer months, we’re looking at booking more live music MANAGER nights, running the gamut from jazz, rock, acoustic and dance. And some [email protected] Buffett. You have to have Buffett. KURT THOMSEN On the water, we have even more ways to get you out enjoying the lake. SAILING SCHOOL Our signature “shake out the sails” event, the COLORs Regatta, launches DIRECTOR the season for Area III racing. Both the Sailing School for our junior sailors [email protected] and the adult sailing program have new opportunities for everyone to hone MORGAN KINNEY their skills on the water. The Cruising and Power Fleets are growing in MEMBERSHIP & numbers and in fun events. Be sure and check out the online calendars at MARKETING MANAGER [email protected] www.colyc.org for complete schedules for racing, cruising, adult sailing and other events. CLAY VANCE The Columbia Yacht Club staff looks forward to serving the members HOUSE MANAGER [email protected] this year. We are proud of our Club Ship and can’t wait to see you all at the opening weekend. Just because you can’t be out on the water, don’t forget BRYAN RAYMAKER about the friendliest confines on the lakefront. Be sure to make Columbia DOCK MANAGER [email protected] your destination for fun come rain, shine, sleet or snow. We’ll be here waiting VHF CHANNEL 78 to welcome you. JANET MARTINEZ OFFICE MANAGER [email protected] TOM TRULIS CONTROLLER [email protected]
VO VOLUMEl u m E 1 515 I S ISSUE S U E 1 1 T HT EH EB INNACLEB INNACLE 373723
PHOTOS BY BILL HANYZEWSKI ON THE ABBY Happy Holidays!
In the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it’s sometimes easy to forget the old adage, “it’s better to give than to receive.” CHILDREN’S HOLIDAY PARTY Not so at Columbia, where volunteer members joyfully give countless hours to make the season special for others. All hands were on deck for gingerbread house building, toy wrapping and crafts preparation for the Children’s Holiday party in December. In what’s always a sold-out event, members brought their little ones (or grand little ones) to the Club for plenty of festivities to kick-off the holidays. The day is always capped off by a visit from Santa with a present for every child. And in a tradition that is unique to Columbia, member volunteers happily cooked, tended bar, made even more gingerbread houses and hosted our employees and their families at the annual Employee Holiday Party.
HOLIDAY PARTY PREP
38 T H E B INNACLEI N N A C L E WINTER 2015 ON THE ABBY
EMPLOYEE HOLIDAY PARTY
PHOTOS BY MARY ELLEN JOHNSTON VOLUMEVO l u m E 15 1 5 ISSUE I S S U E 1 T H E B INNACLE 39 ON THE ABBY Confessions of a Columbian
I confess: I am a Columbian NITA HAAS with a problem. I voluntarily stay I REMEMBER WHAT IT FELT LIKE TO inside on glorious summer days. BE NEW AND CLUELESS, AND FIND IT Fortunately, I’m not alone. There’s REWARDING TO HELP NEW MEMBERS a whole group just like me: the FIGURE OUT WHAT COLUMBIA CAN Membership Committee. We meet MEAN TO THEM. BEST OF ALL, once a month, but are busy all year COMMITTEE MEMBERS PAST AND spreading the Columbia spirit. PRESENT HAVE BECOME SOME OF MY We love being on the water, but don’t mind giving up some of CLOSEST FRIENDS. DAVE ANDERSON our all-too-short summer to meet with prospective members. Read THE MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE GIVES a bit from some of the committee ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE HOW members, and you’ll see why MEMBERS FIT IN WITH THE CLUB even though we are Columbians STRUCTURE. I AM CONSTANTLY with a problem, it’s one we aren’t REMINDED WHY I JOINED, AND HAVE interested in solving. THE OPPORTUNITY TO PASS ALONG MY EXCITEMENT TO NEW MEMBERS. THE MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEEMIKE WEBBIS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE OUR CLUB WITH OTHER FANTASTIC COLUMBIANS. THE MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE SERVES NOT ONLY NEW MEMBERS; JOHN KARIOTIS IT PLAYS A KEY ROLE IN MAKING SURE OUR CURRENT MEMBERS HAVE
WHILE JOINING THE CLUB WAS AN EXCELLENT POSITIVE MEMBERSHIP EXPERIENCES FOR YEARS TO COME. OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME MORE INVOLVED IN THE WE’RE ALL ABOUT RETENTION! CHICAGO BOATING COMMUNITY, MY WIFE AND I HAD NO IDEA THAT COLUMBIA OFFERED SO MANY OTHER OPPORTUNITIES. I FEEL THAT AS A MEMBERSHIP
COMMITTEE MEMBER, I CAN BRING A FRESH POINT OF NICK BRAIT THERE ARE PLENTY OF GREAT VIEW TO PROSPECTIVEOF ACTIVITIES MEMBERS AT COLUMBIA. ON THE WIDE RANGE KHALED AKKAWI COMMITTEES AT COLUMBIA, MEETING AND GETTING TO KNOW BUT THROUGH MEMBERSHIP, COLUMBIA MEMBERS IS BY FAR THE I MEET SOME INCREDIBLE PEOPLE. BIGGEST ADVANTAGE OF BEING ON THERE IS SOMETHING SPECIAL AND THE COMMITTEE. WE DON’T JUST EXCITING ABOUT MEETING THE INTERVIEW PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS; NEW PEOPLE IN THE CLUB. WE DISCUSS POLICY, PLAN BOAT JOHN KEARNS SHOW PROMOTIONS AND CONSIDER MEMBERSHIP IS A PIVOTAL WAY FOR IMPORTANT MEMBERSHIP ISSUES ME TO SHARE THE LOYALTY I FEEL BY THAT ARE BEFORE THE CLUB. WELCOMING NEWCOMERS ABOARD. I DO WHAT I CAN TO MAKE THEM FEEL PART OF THE COLUMBIA FAMILY. FROM PLANNING AND PROPOSING PROMOTIONS TO DEALING WITH BILL & KARA GRANT MEMBERSHIP RETENTION, THIS WE’VE MADE GOOD FRIENDSHIPS THAT EXTEND BEYOND JUST ABBY. OUR COMMITTEE COMMITTEE IS ALWAYS BUSY. SPENDING TIME TOGETHER ON THE OUR ROLE IS PIVOTAL. MEMBERSHIP IS MEMBERS HAVE MANY DIFFERENT POINTS OF INTEREST, SO IT’S A GREAT WAY TO ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE 4040 T H E B IINNACLE N N A C L E WINTER 2015ALWAYS REFRESHING TO HEAR THE VARIOUS POINTS OF VIEW IN OUR CLUB, FOR ME AND FOR ANYONE ABOUT THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF THE CLUB. WHO LOVES COLUMBIA. ON THE ABBY
BY NITA HAAS MEMBERSHIP CO-CHAIR [email protected]
Everyone who serves on a committee at Columbia likely ROBIN SCROFANI identifies with some of these I LOVE THE IDEA THAT WE ARE A sentiments. We believe in the old adage “you get more than you MEMBER-RUN CLUB AND THAT OUR RON VOISARD give.” The friendships we develop CONTRIBUTIONS HELP MAKE COLUMBIA THE WHEN I WAS NEW TO COLUMBIA, and the appreciation of new GREAT PLACE IT IS. I ENJOY MEETING AND JOINING THE MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE members makes the time we put in TALKING WITH SOON-TO-BE MEMBERS DURING HELPED ME BECOME INTEGRATED meaningful and worthwhile. THE INTERVIEW PROCESS AND THEN BEING INTO THE CLUB FASTER. IT GAVE ME Whether you are brand new ONE OF THE WELCOMING FACES THEY SEE AN INITIAL FRIENDSHIP BASE AND to the Club or have been around a AROUND THE CLUB. JOINING THE COMMITTEE ENRICHED MY EXPERIENCE. MOST while, consider joining the ranks of HELPED ME MEET AND BECOME FRIENDS WITH IMPORTANTLY, IT IS AN INVALUABLE all of us who enrich our membership THE MANY VOLUNTEERS ON ONE OF THE BEST LEARNING EXPERIENCE IN WHAT experience as volunteers. Let all COMMITTEES AT COLUMBIA. MEMBERSHIP MEANS AND WHAT IS that Columbia can be unfold for AVAILABLE AS A MEMBER. you. Become a Columbian with a committee problem. I guarantee THE MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEEMIKE WEBBIS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO you’ll be busier, but having so much SERVE OUR CLUB WITH OTHER FANTASTIC COLUMBIANS. fun you won’t even notice. THE MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE SERVES NOT ONLY NEW MEMBERS; IT PLAYS A KEY ROLE IN MAKING SURE OUR CURRENT MEMBERS HAVE
POSITIVE MEMBERSHIP EXPERIENCES FOR YEARS TO COME.
WE’RE ALL ABOUT RETENTION!
PERRY & RITA WEINBERG KEN PURCELL SERVING ON MEMBERSHIP IS LIKE BECAUSE WE ARE NOT RESIDENTS OF EITHER LOOKING IN A MIRROR, ALL DAY, DuSABLE OR MONROE HARBORS, WE DID EVERY DAY. INTERVIEWING NEW NOT KNOW ANYONE HERE. JOINING THE COLUMBIA MEMBERS MAKES YOU MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE MADE IT EASY THINK ABOUT HOW YOU ARE USING TO MEET MORE SAILORS. BEING INVOLVED SUSAN TONON THE CLUB YOURSELF, AND HOW I ENJOY GETTING TO KNOW THE CLUB’S HAS ALLOWED US TO FULLY BENEFIT FROM YOU MIGHT ENJOY IT BETTER. NEWEST MEMBERS. IT IS ESPECIALLY EVERYTHING THE COLUMBIA YACHT CLUB WHEN YOU DESCRIBE ALL THAT THE GRATIFYING TO RUN INTO SOMEONE I COMMUNITY HAS TO OFFER. SERVING ON CLUB OFFERS, YOU INCREASE YOUR INTERVIEWED, AND HEAR THEM SAY THEY THIS COMMITTEE HAS GIVEN US OWN UNDERSTANDING OF COLUMBIA. ARE GETTING EVEN MORE THAN THEY THE OPPORTUNITY TO FORM NEW THEN YOU WONDER IF YOU SHOULD ANTICIPATED OUT OF THEIR MEMBERSHIP. FRIENDSHIPS WHILE WELCOMING NEW REACH OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE SERVING ON THE COMMITTEE IS ALSO MEMBERS TO A CLUB WE ENJOY. TO TRY SOMETHING NEW: MAYBE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO STEER NEW ATTEND AN EVENT YOU THOUGHT MEMBERS TOWARDS THE COMMITTEES WOULDN’T INTEREST YOU, OR REACH AND (WINE!) CLUBS THAT PIQUE THEIR OUT AND CHAT WITH A MEMBER YOU
INTEREST. DON’T KNOW VERY WELL. VOLUME 15 ISSUE 1 T H E B INNACLE 41 IN THIS ISSUE Flotsam & Jetsam
TOYS FOR TOTS You’ve probably seen them—tens of thousands of motorcycles decked out in holiday gear moving through Chicago in early December. At this year’s 37th Annual Toys for Tots Motorcycle Parade, Columbia members Bob Horenkamp, Lisa DeSantis, Ken Bargo, Larry Kwiat, and Russ Salzman all joined in the fun. The journey takes hours to traverse the city, collecting sacks of toys as more bikes join in en route to Lane Tech, where the toys fill several trucks. Some of these members have participated for years, for others it was their first time. It will not be the last for any of them! As Lisa noted, “Every adult deserves this treat, and every child deserves a toy at Christmas. This was an incredible sight and TM12202013-001 Nita Hass Viking Travel BC Ad.pdf 1 12/20/2013 5:51:43 PM experience.”
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Fran McGinnis, GRI BRokeR dIRect: 312.915.4738 THE ANSWER cell: 312.560.6690 IS THREE. e-fax: 781.609.0044 [email protected] APPARENTLY IT www.FranMcGinnis.com TAKES THREE. Fran McGinnis Real Estate Fran ProfessionalMcGinnis Service With A Personal Real Touch Estate 42 T H E B I N N A C L E WINTER 2015 PROFESISONAL SERVICE WITH A PERSONAL TOUCH
Operated by Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate LLC. VOLUME 15 ISSUE 1 T H E B INNACLE 111 NORTH LAKE SHORE DRIVE CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60601
Winter fest
FRIDAY,February JANUARY 1, 2015 30 ~ 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM Happy Hour aboard theFeaturing Abby 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Enjoy appetizers, beer and wine while getting to know members of Columbia Committee Spot Light 6:30 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Hear from some ofBluegrass Columbia’s Committees Menu while you mingle MEGA TRIVIA Hot7:00 Browns P.M. $7 to 9:00 P.M. WinterBring a team or simply come to makeLuau friends as we host MEGA TRIVIA! 1/2 off draft beers and cool prizes. BBQ Ribs, Slaw, Beans and Corn Bread $21 Live Music 8:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M. Fried Catfish, Red Beans and Rice $16 Nicholas Barron plays popular and classicSaturday, rock acoustically January in the member 31 bar BBQ Pull Pork on 7:00Texas ToastP.M. $9 to 11:00 P.M. Fried Chicken and Collard Greens $13 Live Music with Island Jams and more Grilled Shrimp with Comeback Sauce and Rice $15 SATURDAY, JANUARY 31 Island inspired buffet $20++ (purchase not required) Happy Hour aboard the Abby 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Tiki Classics, Tropical Drinks & Kona Beer SUPER BOWL XLIX Enjoy appetizers, beer and wine while getting toSUNDAY, know members FEBRUARY of Columbia 1 Prizes for most festive and best dressed BluegrassCommittee Bar Spot Light 6:30KICK-OFF P.M. to 5:307:00 P.M.
T H E B I N N A C L E WINTERFORLynchburg 2015MORE INFO Lemonade AND TO RSVP,Hear VISITfrom COLUMBIAYACHTCLUB.ORG some of Columbia’s Committees while you mingle No Cover Mint Juleps Winter Luau 7:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M. All are welcome, bring your friends! AlohaGeorgia and Peach Mahalo! Tea Columbia opens up the season with island jams and tropical food
RSVP for buffet and/or party: www.colyc.org Reserva ortio n(312)s Hig 938hly -S3625uggested: (312) 938-3625 or www.colyc.org SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1 BLUEGRASS BRUNCH 11:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. Live Bluegrass by Dog Patch Ramblers. Enjoy southern inspired fair with our brunch menu. Super Bowl Sunday 5:00 P.M. Do the Super Bowl Shuffle on down to the Club and enjoy the game in Chicago’s friendliest bar. Appetizer and drink features will keep you fueled for the game.
RSVP (312) 938-3625 OR www.colyc.org