October 2007 Fleetsheet

Over the past year Scott has written and published a book: The Why Book of Sailing which is either a physics book about sailing or a sailing book about physics. You decide! Copies of the book will be available for sale and signing.

The meeting is Friday, October 19, at the Burnham Park Yacht, 1500 S. Linn White Drive.
Follow the signs to the Museum Campus.

Come early and have dinner. Call the Yacht Club at 312-427-4664 for dinner reservations. Last year Scott and Sue’s program drew a big crowd Be sure to call early for your dinner reservations. Tell them you are part of the Catalina Fleet. The meeting will begin at 8:00 p.m. We’ll have a brief business meeting including the election of officers. Parking should be available. We are working with the Harbor Master to obtain parking passes (but no guarantees!)

We have just learned that long time Fleet member Dorothy Hartmann passed away on Monday, October 8. The Fleet extends its deepest sympathy to her husband Wally and her four daughters. Dorothy loved sailing and loved life. She will be greatly missed.
Memorials in Dorothy’s name may be sent to
Wellness House, 131 N. County Line Rd, Hinsdale, IL 60521

A MESSAGE FROM THE COMMODORE

Well folks, your Commodore is no longer drinking Mexican beer with a lime. That means that summer is over and the boat is out of the water. I am taking suggestions for a good winter beer.

We also concluded our outing calendar. Ken and Carol Heyman hosted the Montrose SeptoberFest. We had about 35 human attendees and 10 or 12 dogs. I was trying to count the number of dogs but they just wouldn’t stay still. Del Kleitz won the GPS treasure hunt. Good navigating. However, he needed an EPIRB for his wife Linda who he somehow lost along the way. Thanks Ken and Carol.

On a personal level this was a very fun and satisfying summer. Deborah and I arrived in Chicago in April temperatures of 80+ degrees. We left Chicago in October in 80+ degree weather. We survived cicadas, itch mites, mosquitoes and a new dog. We sent two kids off to college and became empty-nesters. Deborah and I raced for the first time in eleven years of owning Catalinas. And … we recorded it all with our first digital camera. I have attached two pictures. I hope they make it to the newsletter. We came back in 80 degree weather but for some reason the entire lake was one large fog bed from 1000 feet offshore. We had to radio Winthrop Harbor for directions. The GPS only got us so far. The harbor people could see our mast and guided us in. Maybe time for some new electronics. I’ll have to ask Leon Anderson for some advice on that topic.

This month marks the last regular meeting. It will be the return of Sue and Scott. You may recall that last October they presented an interactive log of their travels from Chicago to Florida. This year they will take us from Florida to the Dominican Republic. Last year we had 70 members and guest for their presentation. Hopefully we will have as many this year. Please make a reservation if you are going to have dinner at the meeting.

The October meeting is also election time. The nominating committee has come up with the slate for next year. It is: Brian Ruxton for Commodore; Ed Jakubas for Vice-Commodore; Bill Thompson for Treasurer. You might notice that there is no nomination for Secretary. That’s because no body has accepted yet. We will continue to attempt to fill the position. I try to stay very upbeat in these messages but I have to make at least one observation here. This Club will celebrate its 35th anniversary next year. We hope to have a lot of special events to commemorate the anniversary. That said, it doesn’t just happen. We, the Board and Officers, do our best to hold as many outings and general meetings/programs as we can. We have board meetings in January. Pretty much the only month we take off is December. We do this, and have always done this, to give our Club members a meaningful and fulfilling experience in belonging. I think that membership in Fleet 21 is a bargain at any price. Plan on being involved and making next year special.

For those of you leaving late, enjoy the rest of the season. If you have room on your boat call me. I’ll bring the Cervesa.

Brian

WHAT’S YOUR NAME?

When we bought Rainbow Chaser, we renamed her Rhapsody. But by the second time we cruised to a harbor that registered us as Rap City, we knew we needed another name change.

Water Music is the sound of a sailboat whooshing through the waves. But it also has a special meaning for us: we used selections from Telemann's "Water Music" for our wedding ceremony -- and both our children followed the tradition at their weddings.

Michael & Jane Levine
Water Music
C30 3806

Tell the story behind the name of your boat. I’d like to feature one boat each month. What’s your boat name and why? Does it reflect a hobby, a girl friend, a memory? It doesn’t have to be long. Send your story to the Fleet Sheet Editor at deare30@sbcglobal.net. Include a picture if possible.

MEMBERSHIP

Welcome aboard to the following new members
Skipper: Mike Metz
First Mate: Gale Metz
Address: Glenview, IL 60025
Boat Name: Long Bay
Size: 30
Sail #: 5300
Harbor: Montrose
Mooring: 35

Skipper: George Rydman
Address: Minooka, IL 60447
Boat Name: Sunset Grill
Size: 30
Harbor: Monroe
Mooring: NP-29

BUY/TRADE/SELL

FOR SALE: Catalina 30, 1978. Well cared for, re-powered, roller furling, 150 genoa, cruising spinnaker, Autohelm 4000 and much more. $19,000.
Joseph Richart (815) 245-7818

FOR SALE: Catalina 25, 1982. Well maintained.
New instruments, new mast wiring & running lights, extra sails, dodger, full canvas for pop-top, lots of storage, trailer. A beauty! Call Fred Collins (219)762-1084

BANQUET

Our Annual Fleet Banquet is always the highlight of the sailing season. This year it is scheduled for November 17 at the Burnham Park Yacht Club. Your invitation will arrive soon! Plan to attend. To get you making plans here are some frequently asked questions about the event:

*What do I wear? This is a dress-up event.
Guys wear suits or even tuxedos (if they own one). Gals wear short or long dressy dresses.
Not crazy about dressing up? Then don’t.
Wear what’s comfortable.

*What do you do at the banquet?
We start off with appetizers and drinks and everyone mingles. There’s lots of rehashing of the summer sailing and talk of new boats.
We sit down for a served dinner (the food this year should be great!). After dinner the Commodore presents the year’s awards for
Club Rookie of the Year (the most active new member), the Racer of the Year, the Boat of the Year and the Commodore’s Award. The new board of officers is introduced and they receive their officer’s flags. After the awards, the dancing begins.

*What kind of music do you have?
For the 4th year in a row we’ll have the live band Music Plus. Everyone who has attended in the past agrees that they play great dance music.
From old standards to new hits, they take requests and make the evening special. And they are not too loud!

*Why is the event at Burnham this year? It’s always a challenge to find a location for the banquet. Cost is always a factor and many people prefer a downtown/water location. Burnham offered us a great deal—and they throw great parties! It won’t be like going to a general meeting!

*What if I’m new to the club and don’t know anyone? We’re making a special effort this year to welcome new members. We’ll have new member reserved seats at each of the tables so you can meet other sailors. You’ll be greeted at the door and introduced to others. We want you to come!

*What other expenses will there be? None! We’ll have an open bar before and after dinner and wine with the meal. We are working on the parking situation and hope to be able to open the Yacht Club lot. You might want to bring a bit of cash for raffle prizes….

*Can I bring friends? Yes! We’d love to have a full house. Bring your crew, family, friends.

* Should I attend? Yes!