Page 35 - 2020 Yachting in Chicago

HAMMOND YACHT CLUB

The 2020 season for the Hammond Yacht Club
made for an interesting summer.

By In the beginning of the season, COVID restrictions the hospitality of our membership and enjoy a
John Botich, were difficult to follow and understand. Changing great facility in which they could kick back, have a
the local rules and dates really gave our Board a great dinner, and enjoy the view of the marina. We
Commodore
run for its money as it scrambled to make sure the welcome any boaters who have now found a new
Hammond Yacht Club was following the guidelines home at the Hammond Marina to the Hammond
set by the CDC, the Governor, and the Mayor. Yacht Club.
As it turned out, the closing of the harbors in the The 2020 season marks the end of my long
City of Chicago really filled up Hammond Marina standing role of Commodore at the HYC. After 12
almost to capacity. The influx of new boaters who years of being Commodore, I have met some of
needed mooring for their boats brought people the best people involved in boating. The Chicago
into the Hammond Yacht Club that had never set Yachting Association gave me the opportunity to
foot in the door. The yacht club was able to open up meet some great people in the Chicago Harbor
an extra day during the week and start food service system and Chicago Yacht Clubs. The Lake Michigan
by Freddy's Steak House a month early. Covid-19 Yachting Association also gave me the opportunity
did make for a lot of new planning, but our Board to meet people from harbors all around Lake
was able to make the necessary plans to both keep Michigan.
the club solvent and keep our members safe while
A big thank you to Rear Commodore of the LMYA
in the club. A big thank you to the Hammond Port
Christine Hunt who made it possible for the LMYA
Authority and Mayor McDermott for providing
to sponsor events at the Hammond Yacht Club and
extra security in the marina to keep people safe.
have their meetings in the club.
Everyone from the Mayor’s Office down worked
together to make the 2020 season a success.
I congratulate our new Commodore Brenda
Kasch who takes over October 11, 2020, and
Freddy's Steak House brought in Chef Jose Garcia
new Board Members who take their positions in
who took the reins and really made the galley a
November. I am sure Brenda will bring in some
top notch dining destination for boaters. The Club
new and great ideas to help make the Hammond
picked up some new members and was able to
Yacht Club a better place to enjoy for all of us who
have Guest Days to showcase the Hammond Yacht
support yacht clubs throughout the country.
Club. Many of the new boaters were able to enjoy
2020 yachting in chicago 35