June 1st 2017

Dear Fellow Goats,

                Our 58th Annual Spring Dinner and Awards Ceremony held at CYC’s Belmont Station was attended by 185 Goats and their guests decked out in their finest attire.   Manager Jill Dedinsky and her Staff helped to make sure the evening was a huge success!

        Fastest Goat to the Island Awards went to Bob Hughes on Heartbreaker in the Racing Division and Bill O’Brien on Intangible in the Cruising Division, while the Smoked Goat Award went to Ed Cohen on Jason.

        Our prestigious Freshwater Award was presented to Fred Hagedorn, for his contributions to sailing that surpass the ordinary and which exhibit the spirit of yachting.

        At the dinner we Inducted 28 New Goats who provided us with the traditional telling their favorite Mac Race story. Active Goats are now more than 350 strong. Bob Zeman & Roger Baske reached Master Mariner status by competing in at least 50 Mac Races and were awarded the Master Mariner Award.

        On a somber note, we have lost some our fellow Goats over the past year: John Nedeau Sr, Art Segil, Wally O’Sullivan, Terry Kohler, Ray Burchett, Rich Kruke, Ed Leslie, Audrey Kaiser, Dave Pikowitz and Jim Webb. We would like to know whenever any Goat passes. If we’ve missed anyone, let us know.

        We will again be hosting our regular two parties around this year’s Mac.   The Pre- Mac Party will be Friday evening, July 14th, from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm, on the upper deck of Columbia Yacht Club.   Hors d’oeuvres will be provided and each active Goat will receive two complimentary drink tickets.   Some of our sponsors will provide us with Door Prizes.   Afterwards, Columbia YC offers a Buffet Dinner.   Reservations are strongly recommended and can be made by calling Columbia YC directly at 312-938-3625.   Major credit cards will be accepted.

        A Post Mac Celebration will take place on the porch of The Island House Hotel on Tuesday, July 18th from noon to 1:30 pm EDT (Island time).   Your first drink will be provided by the Goats, after that, a cash bar will be available.   North Sails, Line-Honors, UK-Halsey Sail Makers, the Chicago Yacht Club and Columbia Yacht Club will provide door prizes.   If there is someone on your boat that is Doing Their 25th Mac, be sure to tell them that they are invited, too.

        I am also very pleased to let you know that has   Line Honors Racing Outfitters   sponsored Hats for the Island Goats for 2017.   All IGSS members can pick up his or her hat at the post-race party at the Island House. We are very grateful to Bob Hillier & Line Honors for their support and I encourage you to shop with them for your sailing apparel needs.

        In addition, our Annual Holiday Cocktail Party is scheduled for December 2nd at Chicago Yacht Club-Monroe Street Station.   This is a great opportunity to bring your spouse/significant other into the city for early holiday shopping and to enjoy The Camaraderie of follow Goats.

        December 1st the day before our Holiday Cocktail Party the Goats will once again Decorate The USCGC Mackinaw when it docks at Navy Pier to off load Christmas trees.   For security and safety reasons we are limited in the number of people that will be allowed on the cutter.

        If your boat has competed in 25 Macs, please use the regular on-line   Membership Application  putting in the boat name as the applicant’s first name and list the years that the boat sailed the Mac.   Use your full name as the last name and don’t forget your contact information.

        Safe sailing! See you this summer.

                                                                                               
                                                                                                    Shawn O'Neill
                                                                                                    IGSS Commodore