Earl Swanson testing chicken breading. Somebody's got to do it.

The social hour starts at 2:00pm upstairs at the IVY Club, followed by the program at 3:00pm. Dues this season are $10/person which includes beer, wine, or soda. You can bring snacks or appetizers to share if you like.

Contacts:
Dave Schings: Commodore, 309-683-2661,  dave.schings@att.net
Dave Bartak: Treasurer, 309-981-3477,  drbartak@ymail.com

Cocktails 6:00. Appetizers 6:30. Team competition 7:00. Come test your team's knowledge against other IVY teams to see whose knowledge is superior. No ringers from local elementary schools!

The IRRBA winter games will be held this year at the Grand Hotel on Brandywine Drive. The IVY Club has secured a hospitality room for the event, sharing responsibility with other local boat clubs. There will be fun and games, food, beverages and drawings for prizes.

We are still soliciting help in several areas: Manpower, appetizers, snacks, desserts, raffle items and beverage items (soda and beer). The appetizers and beverages will be served on Friday night. Proceeds from the various raffles will pay for the expense of the Hospitality Room. To donate an item or to volunteer your service, just sign up in the bar.

A WORD FROM GENERAL MANAGER PAUL KELLEY

I am happy to facilitate any of these activities for which we have enough people interested. Please call me at 682-5419 or email me at ivyclub@comcast.net. We are also holding a marketing meeting on Saturday, February 11th at 1 p.m. I can think of no better way to market our Club than by implementing programs our members feel would keep them happy and attract other members. I hope to see you there.!

SAILBOAT RACING NOTES

by Adam Gudat

We finally have snow on the ground again after 300+ days since the last snow. It is cold, the river is partially frozen over, and the sailing season seems so far away. Yet, one of our sailors has taken to the water and sailed to warmer climates. Norm Astwood has sailed/powered his sailboat from Mobile, Al. to Punta Gordo, Fl. He single handed the boat along the Inland Waterway and across the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico, and presented a Cruising Club program of his experiences. The presentation made you feel as if you were there with him, experiencing the trip's adventure. He told of the lonely intracoastal waterway, with little traffic, and the crossing of the Gulf of Mexico with little sleep and constant alertness, but it fulfilled his dream.

My dream remains. A view out the window reinforces today's reality. The ground is covered with snow, and there is ice on the river. Yet, there is beauty in this scene. The geese have settled at the shoreline with their heads tucked under their wings, after returning from a flight to feed in the corn and bean fields nearby. A bald eagle sits up in the tree above, his feathers ruffled and his white head turning and scanning the surroundings while he is holding a fish. Soon there is nothing left of the fish as he enjoys the meal and drops the skeleton on my beach. Hopefully, the waves will wash the skeleton away. It is peaceful, and only the squirrels are chasing one another in the tree tops. The Chicago Sailboat Show is still on my calendar, which will allow me to dream of bigger boats, warmer days, and sailing with friends again.

Stay warm, and be careful on the roads you travel.

POOL NOTES

In case anyone was wondering, yes, I did spend several 50+ January days at the bottom of the pool. A first, even for me!

Paul is training hard for his ultramarathon. The cold weather has forced him to wear his blue "smurf" outfit which is painful to see, but better than his ghastly white legs. My 12 oz. curls are in competitive form already, but I'll continue to train, to inspire Paul. There's a sponsor form in the bar. Please stop in to add your support.

In the meantime, think Spring, and thanks for keeping those aluminum cans coming.

OUR FAR-FLUNG MEMBERS

Betsy Robertson and her phone recently visited Spain, briefly, but long enough to get in trouble.