Page 23 - 2020 Yachting in Chicago

BURNHAM PARK YACHT CLUB

By Bonnie Riordan, 2020 Commodore

Chart Your Course to Visit Burnham Park Yacht Club for the
83rd Year of Great Boating and Family Fun.

urnham Park Yacht Club is no stranger to resilience.
The Burnham Park Yacht Club was started in 1938 by a group
Bof boaters with the intention of creating a building to share a
meal and great stories of their boating experiences on Lake Michigan.
These founders pitched in with their hard work and donations to
make the Burnham Park Yacht Club more than a building: it became
a safe harbor to our membership. That resilient tradition continues
with our membership, especially in this year of 2020.
At the time of my Commodore’s Ball, I
would have never dreamed of the challenges
ahead of me. Burnham Park Yacht Club
faced many restrictions to our business
operations throughout the year with the
COVID-19 pandemic, rising tides on the
harbor banks, and city closures due to riots
over for a breathtaking panoramic view of Chicago. That is the perfect
and civil unrest. Through it all, I have been
time to talk with our bartenders or Mixologist Rob. They can serve up
privileged to see the resilience of my flag,
one of our specialty drinks or ask to create your own specialty drink.
board, and membership. With the continued
If you have a sweet tooth, the chef desserts are always a treat.
support of our all our members, the Club has
been able to stay afloat due to my decision Because of the late June opening, our 2020 season took us all aback.
to initiate our curbside meal options. Thanks to our many members We are looking dead ahead for 2021 as our new Commodore, Bob
who generously donated to our club and staff to help us keep going Garrett, takes the helm at our annual Commodore’s Ball. Come and
through the tough times. join us in 2021 for live music on the patio, shuffleboard tournaments,
Wednesday Beer Can Sail races, holiday party gatherings, family
The challenge was to be able to socially distance and provide the
friendly events, and good fun talking about boating which is at the
membership families a safe, enjoyable environment in the same style
heart of us all.
as our founders. As the Commodore, I have been able to accomplish
both with the help of my trusted partner, our Chef Vinnie. He This year will go into our history books as the year of resilience
impressed us with his tasteful creations of seafood, steaks, chops, and because our members cared, made donations, and kept BPYC afloat.
Italian delights along with many vegetarian and lighter fare options. I want to thank my Flag Officers and Board Members for caring and
Our outside patio offers the social distancing needed in this time sharing their creative ideas to make sure our Club continued through
of health concerns. Resting on the patio during the day, you would all the challenges we faced. I look forward to celebrating in 2021 with
believe you were in some distant harbor as you watch the boats glide you all. Stop in for a drink, a meal, or a chat. You will make friendships
down the fairway channel. As the evening falls, and the tiki torches are that will last a lifetime.
lit, you experience the sun setting over the skyline. The city lights take
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