Catalina Fleet 21 - Chicago Region
FleetSheet Newsletter

 

February 2009



FLEET/MARITIME FEST FEBRUARY 28

In February Fleet 21 joins forces with
the Chicago Maritime Festival to offer you a full day and evening of nautical delights. Start Saturday, February 28 with the nautical programs and demonstrations of the Maritime Festival presented at the Chicago History Museum. Presenters this year include Chris Winters a maritime artist, veteran shipwreck diver, and photojournalist. Chris will talk about his various documentary efforts, with special emphasis on his first published work Centennial: Steaming Through the American Century. In honor of Abe Lincoln’s 200th birthday, Theodore J. Karamanski presents Abe Lincoln and the Inland Waterways while Don Terras will delight you with a presentation on Historic Lighthouses of the Illinois Shore. There are programs on canoes, building ships in bottles, marine safety, and more. Returning favorites include Amy Seeley with Weather for Sailors and eye-popping views of the Chicago lakefront from a helicopter with Kris Habermehl. The festival begins at 10:00 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m.
Sometime during the afternoon we’ll have a
short general meeting. Check the program when you arrive at the Fest for the place and time.

At 4:00 p.m. we have reserved space at O’Brien’s Restaurant for an early dinner. O’Brien’s is two blocks west of the History Museum at 1528 N. Wells approximately 100 yards south of North Avenue. You can walk from the History Museum or drive. There is free parking available at O’Brien’s. We will be able to order from the regular menu. We hope to have separate checks, but we may have to use the honor system. If you want to preview the menu or learn anything else about the restaurant, you can go to their website:
http://www.obriensrestaurant.com . Their phone number is (312) 787-3131. If you plan to join us for this informal meal, please RSVP to Brian Ruxton. We want the restaurant to be ready for our group!

The Maritime Fest resumes in the evening with an evening concert from 7:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Performers scheduled for this year include: traditional Irish singer Dan Milner, shanty singer David Coffin, the Johnson Girls and Tom and Chris Kastle.

The normal entry fee for the Maritime Fest is $10 for the daytime program and $20 for the evening concert. For our members the price is $5.00 for the daytime programs. We will also get a discount for anyone who wants to stay for the evening musical performances. All you have to do is tell a ticket taker that you are with Catalina Fleet 21. There is no special badge or ticket. They will have a list to check against. If you want to be absolutely certain that you will get in, please call Brian or Deborah Ruxton at (630)279-4533 or Brian at (630)932-1200. They will make sure the ticket takers have your name.

The best parking is at the pay lot just north of the History Museum. Turn east on Stockton Drive from Clark/LaSalle and enter. You can have your parking receipt validated at the Festival and your parking will be $9.00 The Festival is at the Chicago History Museum (formerly the Chicago Historical Society) located at the intersections of Clark Street and North Avenue.

There’s more information about the Maritime Festival on their web site at http://www.chicagomaritimefestival.org


MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR
THESE FUTURE PROGRAMS

March 21 Catalina General Meeting at Crowley’s Yacht Yard
Yachtapalooza

April 18 2:00 p.m. Safety program and tour of the Calumet Harbor Coast Guard Station




A MESSAGE FROM THE COMMODORE

Well, Fleet 21 is off to a fast start in 2009. We have two very successful events already under our belts. Or first get together was the annual “Pot Luck”, which was proceeded by a cross country skiing outing. The skiing was the idea of Bob & Cheryl Kuba, who along with a few hearty souls braved the lakefront chill for a little exercise before the festivities began. I have “Pot Luck” in quotes because this evolved into a fun evening that was catered by Jesse from Corinthian Yacht Club. The food was excellent and thanks to Marshall and Lin Fernholz, our bartenders and hosts, the beer and wine were plentiful. We also revived the tradition of the brown bag auction which was a great success. Our auctioneer, Ron Shereyk, guided the bidding to extract the most treasure for each item on the block. The “Pot Luck” also serves as the first opportunity to renew your membership and everyone attending signed up for another year. Many thanks to all involved and to the Corinthian Yacht Club for making this evening possible.

Our second event of the year was the Strictly Sail show and the Winter Rendezvous. Thanks to all of the volunteers who helped man the booth and promote our organization. Mickie I had a great time at the booth meeting current, former and perspective members. After the show on Saturday we moved over to the Hampton Inn for our traditional Winter Rendezvous. The party was a little lighter than in past years due to the recent snowfall in Michigan keeping our sister organization LMCA from attending in full force. That didn’t keep Sharon Day and her crew from Catalina Yachts from raffling off a variety of Catalina branded items as well as THREE one week stays at Frank’s villa in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Our three big winners were Doreen Collins, Jim Ascough and Jim Pierson, congratulations to all! Many thanks to Madalyn Duerr for all of the hard work involved in putting together this fun event year after year.

Looking to the future next up is the Chicago Maritime Festival (www.chicagomaritimefestival.org) on February 28th at the Chicago History Museum. Then its the annual Crowley’s Yachtapalooza on March 21st at their yard on east 95th street. They will provide us with a meeting time and place for a brief meeting and then we will retire to a restaurant in the area for some food and a cocktail.

Just a few last notes. Remember if you haven’t renewed your membership please put that on your “to do” list. We need the renewals in early to make sure the directory has the most up to date information, and you don’t want to get that call from Ron Shereyk this year. Also we are planning to reprint the name badges this year. We haven’t done that in a few years and with all the new members it makes it easier for us to socialize at the outings with our names proudly displayed on our chests. We are planning on using the names as printed in the directory, so if you would like your name on the badge to be different from what is printed in the directory please give me a call @ 630-257-8052 or email me at billcat30tr@sbcglobal.net and we will print whatever you prefer. Also, I am trying to keep a photo log of the outings and programs for the year but started a little late. If anyone ha pictures of the last banquet and the Pot Luck I would love to get a copy, thanks. That’s all for now, keep thinking spring it will be here before you know it.

Bill Thompson. Commodore

 


MEMBERSHIP

You have another chance to renew your membership in Fleet 21. Your 2009 renewal form is included in this newsletter. Please fill it out completely even if your information has not changed. Mail it today to Pat and Ron Shereyk.

Welcome aboard to the following new members:
Skipper: David Savun
First Mate: Giacomo Mancuso
Boat Info: Name: Persephone Size: 27 Harbor: Montrose Mooring: A-36


Skipper: Mark Chamber
First Mate: Judy Chamber
Boat Info: Name: Wanderman Size: 27 Harbor: Mackinac Island, MI
 



BUY/TRADE/SELL

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 deare30@sbcglobal.net. Listings will run for 2 issues unless you notify me otherwise.

FOR SALE: Fleet Glassware. We have wine goblets for
$5 each and champagne flutes $2.50 each. Available at
Fleet Outings or reserve yours by calling Carolyn at
630-469-6117

THEY’RE BACK: Fleet Battle Flags will be available
At the Margarita Party!



MARINER’S FUND

One option on your membership renewal form is to donate to the Mariner’s Fund. This fund was established by the Fleet in 2000 as a means to give back to the sailing community. Anyone can contribute. Donations to the Mariner’s Fund can come from individuals or organizations. You don’t have to have a special occasion to contribute, but it can be made in honor of a special birthday, anniversary, career milestone, personal achievement, or as a memorial contribution. You can make a contribution anytime during the year, or along with your membership renewal (write a separate check for the Mariner’s Fund). Contributions are tax deductible within IRS rules. If you donate in memory or honor of someone, an acknowledgement will be sent.

Each year the chairman of the Mariner’s Fund evaluates possible recipients and recommends distribution of the funds. Past recipients include the Sea Scouts, Salvation Army, Uhlich Children’s Home, and the Leukemia Foundation through the members who raced in the Leukemia Cup. Organizations that promote sailing education, youth sailing, community sailing programs, or give aid in an emergency are considered.

Please help us continue this giving tradition and contribute this year to the Mariner’s Fund.


CYA

Lori Lauraitis is our representative to this group.
She filed the following report:

The officers for 2009 are:
Jim Wright- Commodore
Rich Lauric – Vice Commodore
Scott Baumgartner – Rear Commodore
Stanley Hill – Secretary
Frank Gagliano – Treasurer

*The CYA magazine Yachting in Chicago will be available by subscription this year (as a Fleet member you should have received this magazine)
* The group is looking for a new venue for their annual ball
*The 2016 Olympics remain a hot topic with much concern about its impact on the Chicago boating community. More to come on this important issue.

 


OUTINGS

The Outings Committee is hard at work planning
a great summer for you. Give them a hand.
If you have an outing you’d like to suggest or sponsor, now is the time to speak up. Already on the calendar is the

Burnham Margarita Party—May 23

Summer Sailstice to New Buffalo – June 19-21

Mac Bay Get – Away at Holland, MI – July 11 -13
www.lmca.com

Michigan City Overnight – Labor Day

Hammond Extravaganza – Sept. 19




STRICTLY SAIL OWNER’S BOOTH AND WINTER RENDEZVOUS
 

     

  

 


 

 
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