Page 40 - 2020 Yachting in Chicago

ROBERT ALLAN CLUB — ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2020

n what can only be described as a horrible year, ROBERT ALLAN II had
possibly her busiest summer on the water. She did what she does
Ievery year: bring people together. So far as we know no one is the
worse for it.
Early in the season, it was our great pleasure to take Dennis Downes,
his wife Gail Spreen and their guests for an evening river cruise. Dennis
did the sculpture of Cap Streeter which graces the plaza at the corner
of Grand and McClurg Court. One of Dennis' guests, the well-named Bob
Martini, wrote this about his first experience on the ROBERT ALLAN:
“We took a four hour voyage on the Chicago River going southwest into a
setting sun then reversing direction and heading up past North Avenue.
As the sky turned dark we headed south again back to the main branch Our guests this season included graduates of Eastern, Northern and
- the water mirrored the blackness as we re-entered the heart of the Southern Illinois Universities — we just need to find an alumnus of
City of Big Shoulders. One can feel the history of the great city: of Benny Western to complete the deck! Paddy Homan, the finest Irish tenor in the
Goodman, Lou Rawls, Ernie Banks, Buddy Guy, Koko Taylor, Bill Murray, city brought a horde of Irishmen and women with him over the course of
Muddy Waters.... The Chicago River may be the lifeblood of the city. The the season. And somehow, after incredible deluges early in the summer,
vessel and the River Cruise touched me to my very soul. ... Thank you for we ended with a magical six weeks where every day seemed better than
grounding me — for grounding my spirit on that late spring evening on the last. For the Captain, a highlight was bringing the boat (40' LOA) into
that beautiful boat.” a space of 44' along the River Walk at the City Winery without touching
the vessels in front or astern. After 84 years - she might have had her
finest year.

Southern Shore

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Chicago-area youth valuable life-skills by building small boats
and getting on the water to safely expand horizons and Yacht Club
open up new potential pathways for life and recreation.
Jackson Park Inner Harbor
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the Chicago Boating
community since 1912

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