March 2005
Dear LBYC Members,
Summer in not far off, really it isn't! It is time to start planning your summer activities so as not to miss any of Lake Bluff Yacht Club's scheduled events.
Carmen Hammond has coordinated this year's social activities starting with the Spring Cocktail Party on May 14 th . The Party on the Beach is June 18 th followed by Brunch on the Bluff on July 3 rd and the Lobster Boil on July 30 th . Our Annual Pot Luck is in August and the final Party on the Beach in September. The year will conclude with the Fall Cocktail and Awards Party in November. There are also cookouts during our Invitational Regatta in August and Commodores Cup in September. Watch the website, http://www.lakebluffyachtclub.org/ for information and plan to join us as often as possible.
Sunfish racing starts May 29 th and runs every Sunday through October 21 st . We have a large group of sailors at all ability levels and are always trying to recruit more. This year we will be giving out trophies every Sunday. The first couple of Sundays the regular top-of-the-fleet sailors may be getting the trophies but that will not last long. The Sunday scoring this year will allow virtually everyone who spends several Sundays racing to win one of the Sunday Trophies. Our Fleet Captain, Rich Chapman, and Race Chairman, Larry Hammond, will make sure of that.
With the idea of learning better boat handling skills, especially on the race course, every week we are going to try to run a couple of short course races. This should keep everyone close together. This Yacht Club has a wonderful talent pool of sailors, from Mac Division winners and US Sunfish Masters Champion to past Collegiate All-Americans and Captain of their College Racing team that sailed against British and Canadian teams. It is great that all our sailors want to help each other learn so come on out with your own or in one of our club's Sunfish. Club boats are usually available.
If you need storage on the beach for your Sunfish or any other beach boat, contact Art Cottrell. Jack Sheppard can help you with information about our Beach Boy crew who are ready to help you with your boats. Jack can also direct you to the right people in the Lake Bluff Park District if you have kids and friends who want sailing lessons. Doug Warren, our Membership Chairman is ready to accept any new members you can bring into the club. Dan Carlson , our Treasurer, is continuing to keep this club one of the financially strongest clubs in the Great Lakes . One of the many past commodores on the board, Karen Zarse is our Secretary and helps to keep everyone on the board in line.
Seth Horowitz, our Vice Commodore and Historian is collecting items that can be used to compile a complete and accurate history of the club. Please give him a call if you have anything or any information. Leland Brode is our Webmaster. He has built a website that I hope you all will use. We have a race blog every week and will try to keep you up to date on new events.
We are all very fortunate to have such a dedicated and knowledgeable board of directors. It is this group and your involvement that makes this club great. So encourage your friends to join and make your plans for summer fun with the Lake Bluff Yacht Club.
In smooth sailing and fair breezes,
Fritz Hanselman, Commodore
