Commodore's Corner
The NWSA Photo Contest was very popular at our October club meeting, the banquet went well and we're switching modes for winter.
Commodore's Message
Happy Holidays to everyone!
It will be Christmas before we realize it. Enjoy time with your families and friends. My full remarks are in the Communique and in the Officer Reports area.
Our 2019 Banquet was a great time. If you made it, you understand. If not, try to make it next year. Please thank Asayo and to Asayo’s friend who bought us some Indian dance moves and for putting on a great evening.
The Banquet was also our elections for the 2020 Board. Many of our Board have volunteered again for the new year. I would like to thank Michelle Gasinski very much for her long term as our Purser. Michelle joined our Board in 2014 has been our Purser for six years.
I would also like to thank Bill & Peggy Draver for their time on the Board. Now that their new place in Florida is ready, they will be spending much more time down where the water doesn’t freeze!
Please welcome:
- Gwen Brodeur as our new Public Relations Director for 2020.
- Irene Jarmulska is our new Member-at-Large for 2020.
- We have an open position for our Purser. If you can balance your checkbook, you would do a great job balancing ours. Please consider volunteering for this important position.
The Chicago Boat, RV & Sail Show is soon. Many of us think of it as the Strictly Sail Show. It is January 8th through the 12th at McCormick Place South. NWSA has had a booth there for many, many years and we will be there again this year. It is our premier recruiting event. We usually sign up over 100 people and upwards of 30 of these people join us as new members.
We have a small group of people who make our booth happen. (Thanks to the Andersson’s this year!) But what really attracts the newcomers is our members. Dozens of people volunteering from the NWSA bring people in. And, thanks to Dave Hutchings, we have an electronic sign-up sheet online again this year, with 4 hour shifts. Lots of volunteers help fill the show.
Let’s thank everyone who helped make 2019 a good year and let’s look forward to an even better 2020!
— Marc Holdwick, 2020 Commodore
2018 Photo Contest Winners
Best Scenic | Best Boat Name | Best Old Salt | Best Group Shot | Best Sunset
NWSA History
Read a note written 1976 Commodore Pat Kellogg about the beginnings of NWSA.
Special thanks to Elmer and Joyce Hook for providing this wonderful look at the early days of the NWSA.
Read the accompanying letter.
Mission Statement
The NorthWest Sailing Association is an enthusiastic group of sailors living in and about Chicago's Northwest suburbs. The members share a quest for increased knowledge and improved seamanship in a spirit of camaraderie and fun.
Founded in 1974 by a small group of 25 sailors seeking others of similar interests, the Club's initial purpose was to exchange knowledge and experiences. In the course of the years hence, and continuing today, club members regularly sail together out of all major Chicago area harbors, on inland lakes surrounding Chicago, Wisconsin, and occasionally across Lake Michigan and back!
The high point of the summer sailing season, is our Door County / Wisconsin Sailing Weekend. Club members have organized charters in the Bahamas, Florida and other exotic locations, and will plan future charters to various prime sailing areas as the members interest dictates.
Who Belongs to NWSA?
Members include families, couples, singles - anyone interested in sailing; including skippers with large cruising boats or medium or small sailboats; even sailors with no boats. Members who don't know how to sail, but are interested in learning, may wish to crew with our experienced sailboat owners and gain valuable experience and knowledge of boat handling.
Ample opportunity to crew is available at each sailing event, and during the days between events with available skippers.
We Meet. . .
During the boating season, the NWSA sponsors sailing events in many of the major Chicago land lake, and Michigan harbors, as well as inland lakes. We have sponsored cruises in Wisconsin, - Door County, Racine and Lake Geneva; Indiana; Michigan and a Lake Michigan Crossing. Illinois: Waukegan, Monroe, Montrose, Winthrop, Pistakee Lake, Fox Lake; Blackwell Forest Preserve, Warrenville, Busse Woods, Elk Grove Village. Groups have chartered excursions in the Bahamas, Florida, and various prime sailing destinations.
Read more...