Chicago Sailing - Latest News
wholly to be a fool
while Spring is in the world
e e cummings, since feeling is first 1926
From the Bridge- Alan Veenstra
Spring Fever is upon us and so is the sailing season! In less than a month we will be launching boats in Lake Michigan. This is such an exciting time of the year for us. The smell of fresh varnish and wax is like catnip, seemingly acting like fools on a mission. This is particularly true this year, our 25th Anniversary! We look forward to all of you joining us in an early, warm and long season of celebration. Take a look below to see what we have planned.
The first 25 Years
In 1986, Bill Gladstone founded the Bill Gladstone's Sailing, Inc. in Belmont Harbor. Starting with one boat and a payphone, Bill gave birth to, what would come to be, one of the nation’s largest full-service sailing facilities. We thank Bill for his foresight in opening the door to adventure for Chicago’s sailing public.
Today, that company is known as Chicago Sailing, Incorporated. The fleet is now 25 keelboats and growing, we have dozens of seasonal staff and five telephone lines. Chicago Sailing is the largest single slip-holder in the Park District and our alumni have many boats in all of Chicago’s harbors. We are proud to provide US SAILING certified instruction to hundreds of adults each, more than double all the other programs combined. We stand alone in providing hourly sailboat rentals to the public.
But our greatest satisfaction is the smiles on your faces during the time you are with us. We know that your lives are filled with everyday problems, annoyances and distractions. Our goal is to wash your cares away with a solvent of wind and water, even if just for a few hours. Our success in doing so is measured by the thousands of you who consider B Dock as your summer get-away. You are our old friends, whether we've sailed together for 25 years or just met. Please join us in celebrating our 25th year as your second home.
We are particularly interested in re-uniting with some of you original BGS sailors. Please contact us so that we can properly honor you and your recollections of those early days.
The Parties
Any good silver anniversary should have a few parties involved! Join us every Tuesday for our signature BBQ's. But wait there's more! Mark your calendar for Thursday, July 1st, our official 25th Anniversary Party. It is a great excuse to celebrate our anniversary and pre-start the Independence Day weekend. It will be a Thursday night Club Sail with food and treats...
BBQ's
Chicago Sailing's Tuesday night BBQ's have become legendary. This season we'll shake things up every other week with food that departs from the burger and hot dog routine. Join us for our season opening night, Tuesday, May 4th and start your Cinco de Mayo celebration a day early.
The Learning
This season you'll see more classes offered and more opportunities for learning than ever before. Join us for monthly workshops tackling the subjects you've asked us about – seamanship, boat maintenance, outboard motors, and sailing around the world... Amongst others! .
The Community
Sailing is a social sport. That's what we love about it. Our customers bring a smile to our face and we can't wait to do the same for you.
This season, we'll offer you extra opportunities to increase your enjoyment and experiences. Have you heard about
Keel Joys? It is a social sailing group that sails exclusively with us.
This
Earth Day, join our staff and family as we clean up around Belmont Harbor. We'll be meeting at B Dock at 9 am on April 17th and working all around the harbor. Join us at noon for a Spring Spruce-UP of our immediate park area, followed by food and fun on B-dock.
Contact us for more information.
The Sailing
What would a 25th Season be without opportunities to go sailing? All season long we'll be sending out specials via our
Facebook page and
Twitter feed. It will be our version of a Blue Light Special.
If you haven't started following us already, now's the time too!
Special Recommendations:
From time to time we come across an extraordinary product or service that we wish to share with you. These recommendations are strictly the result of personal satisfaction and we have no endorsement interest whatsoever. Here are two that come wholeheartedly from Alan Veenstra, owner of Chicago Sailing.
Catering: Chicago Sailing has wholeheartedly promoted Chef Andrew Lawrence (AEL Catering) to our clientele for over ten years. In that time he has be the architect of a wide range of culinary masterpieces, including elegant charter events, CS's recent Oktoberfest and many corporate galas. Give Andrew a try for you next event. And fora real treat, have him produce accommodate for dazzle a family gathering. You and your guests will be blown away by his range of skill and his professional charm. You may have Andrew for Thanksgiving Eve over my dead body. View AEL
here and call Andrew today at 312 656 3838.
Professional Painting: With many years of boat work, I pride myself on my painting skills. I must now admit that I have met a better home painter in every regard. Alin Popa is not only fast and neat,you will be pleased to find that he is also a bargain. Because of this, he is in great demand. Call him soon to schedule your work 773 299-2298.
Crew Opportunity
Join the crew of Moonbeam, a 42 Jeanneau for the 2010 race season. Skipper Mark Kroll is looking to add to his crew with some of our racers, jump aboard for the season and improve your racing skills. The crew will prepare for some of Lake Michigan's biggest races, including the 102nd Race to Mackinac in July. Want more information? Contact Mark at 630-640-4247.
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