Catalina Fleet 21 - Chicago Region
FleetSheet Newsletter

January 2008



SEASON KICKS OFF JANUARY 19

OK, so our boats don’t go in the water for another five months, January still marks the start of the Catalina Fleet year. The traditional first event is our annual get together at the Corinthian Yacht Club in Montrose Harbor. This year’s event has a few new twists. First you’ll notice we’re not calling it a potluck. This year it’s a catered dinner; no one has to bring any food! Cost is $15 per person. Renew your membership at this event and receive $5 off the price of one meal ticket. A cash bar is available.

The second change is the time of the event. We’re starting at 4:30 p.m. as the Yacht Club needs us out earlier than in prior years. We’ll wrap up by 8:30 or 9:00 p.m. After dinner, we’re also trying something new. Rather than a brown bag auction item, bring your favorite board game. We’ll set up tables and play games. It should be a great night of socializing and getting to know your fellow fleet members. One item remains the same—you need to RSVP. Please call Ed or Lucy Jakubas by January 16 and let them know you plan to attend.

The Chicago Corinthian Yacht Club is located at 601 W. Montrose Drive, Chicago, IL 60613.
(Montrose Harbor) Parking is free.



STRICTLY SAIL

After reconnecting with the Fleet on January 19, it’s time to look at boats! And the place to do that is at Strictly Sail. This year the show is January 31 – February 3 and offers terrific seminars and a chance to see all that’s new in sailing. Our owner’s booth brings in new club members every year. We need volunteers to be at our booth throughout the show. If you’d like to help out, contact the membership committee, Ron and Pat Shereyk. They are coordinating the booth this year.
Email Pat at Pat Shereyk

After the show on Saturday night (8:00 p.m.) the Fleet will gather at the Hampton Inn (at State and Illinois) for a Fleet 21/LMCA Winter Rendezvous. Meet in the large Hospitality Suite on the second floor. We’ll have an open bar from 8:30 – 10:30 p.m. Please bring a snack to share (unopened and store bought as the hotel staff will serve the food and beverages again this year.) Then we’ll enjoy pizza and salad for dinner. The cost is $10 per person and will be collected at the door.

Many Fleet and LMCA members are staying at the Hampton Inn on Saturday (and Friday night too). The deadline for making reservations is past, but call or email Madalyn Duerr. She may still have rooms available at a great rate.
Email her at Madalyn or call 312-923-8378.

 

Mark Your Calendar

February Meeting—February 23 at the Chicago Maritime Festival

March Meeting—Crowley’s Yacht Yard Lakeside—date not yet posted




A MESSAGE FROM THE COMMODORE

Welcome to the start of a New Year. 2008 marks the 35th Anniversary of the Catalina Fleet 21 Association. Many terrific plans are already in the works for us. Before we move forward I’d like to go back and thank our past officers, board and committee members for a terrific 2007. We had a great time at our annual awards banquet. Awards went out to Terry Reis (Parrot Eyes) for Racer of the Year, Ed & Lucy Jakubas (Valhalla) for Boat of the Year, and Tom & Eddy Grove (FINS) for Rookie of the Year. The Commodores award for 2007 went to Ron Shereyk who promptly forgot who gave him the award and hasn’t shoveled my driveway yet.

The 35th year will start off with the Pot Luck on Saturday January 19th. We have to start a little early because Corinthian will be using heir own club the next morning. We’re gong to try something a little different this year. Rather than the brown bag auction we are simply going to get together for an evening of friendship, warmth and laughter. We should have several board games going. Maybe we have some bridge players. Have dinner, sit by the fire and get home at a reasonable hour.

This year we have some very exciting programs planned by Deborah Ruxton. In February our general meeting will be held in conjunction with the Chicago Maritime Festival on February 23, 2008. Last year this outing was a rousing mid-winter success. Our members will again receive discounted admission and we will have a room for our meeting. After the Festival we will retire O’Brien’s for dinner. March will be tied in with Yacht-A-Palooza at Crowley’s. Stay tuned for the date. Deborah always has her eye open for new and different programs. She calls and e-mails people about whom she reads articles and sees on TV. I won’t attempt to steal her thunder but I’ll just say that we should have some very good programs again this year.

As I write this message we have not yet had our first board meeting so the details will have to follow. I can, however, tell you, without getting too much into detail, that we are going to have a good year of outings in 2008. We already have commitments for the Margarita Party, a Tour-De-Boats, a Hammond outing, a North Point outing and a Michigan City outing. Since it is our 35th anniversary I certainly hope we can do something special to commemorate that event. Although not a huge success last year, there is no reason not to continue trying to have three or four boats out of every host harbor taking out a group of sailors for a three or four hour pre-outing sail. Sometimes it takes a good idea a little time to catch on.

Being a second year Commodore I feel I have he distinct advantage of “hitting the ground running.” (That’s not like getting off the bus running- ala the 2007 Bears). I hope to be able to use this to our advantage in several ways. I think we’re already ahead of the game with programs and outings, a significant part of our year. I think our board works very hard for what is a volunteer organization. We are not like a condo association as we have no economic interest in advancing the Club. I am hoping to perhaps reduce the number of board meetings in order to: 1) potentially ease the stain on the board and committee members; 2) increase attendance; and, 3) get some new people on board. I really think we can again provide all the Club members with a quality year and get more involvement from everybody. Look for a tap on the shoulder at the pot-luck.

I know I ended a lot of messages last year with this mantra, but it bears repeating. The best thing about our club is that you can go to virtually any harbor on Lake Michigan and know somebody. How wonderful is that. This club is truly what we make it. Therefore, I encourage all of you to have a voice in our organization this year. Have Fun. Volunteer to help on a committee, come to the meetings, offer out your ideas, enjoy the programs and attend as many outings as you can.

Remember, if anyone has any questions, comments or anything else you want to bring up please call me. My phone numbers are in the Directory and I absolutely will return your calls.

Brian Ruxton
Commodore
 


WHAT’S YOUR NAME?

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.


BUY/TRADE/SELL

FOR SALE: 1984 Catalina 27. Tall rig, in-board diesel, cruising main and 150 genoa, bimini, and many extras. Fun and easy to sail, handles extremely well. For more info and photos email: Don  or call: Don Giuliano (630)805-2316.

Fleet members may list items they want to sell, trade or buy in this column without any charge. Send listings to Fleet Sheet Editor, 306 Linden Street, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137 or fax to 630-668-8950 or email to
Carolyn . Listings will run for 2 issues unless you notify me otherwise.



VOLUNTEER!

Did you notice all the blanks in the Fleet masthead?
Those are positions that need to be filled. Call Brian Ruxton today and find out what’s involved. The way to get the most out of our club is to participate!



MEMBERSHIP

Your 2008 membership renewal form is included in this newsletter. Please fill it out completely even if your information has not changed. Bring your completed form to the Montrose Season Kick Off and receive one $5 discount on your meal ticket or mail to Ron & Pat Shereyk.
 


 

 
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