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    Legacy Series

    A Video Documentary Series by Columbia Yacht Club’s Communication Committee

    We’ve all heard stories about Columbia Yacht Club. Most of us have our own stories. No matter if it’s sailing, power boating, paddle boarding or some cosmic moment that connects us for all eternity with Abegweit, there are stories involved. Each and every story is part of our collective legacy as members of Columbia Yacht Club.

    The Communication Committee is excited to share many of these stories with the entire membership while creating something of long-lasting importance. To that end, the Committee is proud to introduce Legacy. This video series will endeavor to illuminate and affirm the lives of long-time members of Columbia Yacht Club. Through their own words we will honor their experiences and accomplishments, as well as provide our general membership a way to share these stories that contribute to our Club’s history, culture and tradition.

     Edward B. Stein, Member Since 1937

    		  
    January 2022

    Our most senior member, Ed Stein, joined Columbia Yacht Club in 1937. He has served on the Board of Directors and as Columbia’s Commodore multiple times in different decades. Additionally, Ed is currently Commodore Emeritus for the Chicago Area Sea Scouts. Ed shares his very early recollections of how he first became involved with Columbia, his life-long involvement with the Sea Scouts, as well as his first-hand memories about the fire and recovery of our former Club Ship Florida. We are bringing you this special edition of Legacy through the generosity of Marty Bernstein who conducted this video interview in 2015 when Ed was 98 years old. A short 2019 segment by FOX 32 Chicago is also included that showcased Ed’s love for sailing. 

     Herman Ebner, Member Since 1967

    		  
    Part 1- Fall 2021

    Featured in the premiere of Legacy is Herman Ebner. A Club member since 1967, Herman shares stories about his first encounter with Columbia Yacht Club members, his early sailing days and many reminisces about our Club ship Florida, including her devastating fire and member-led rebirth. Please enjoy Part One of Herman Ebner’s Legacy program that will be presented in multiple episodes over the next few months. All editions of Legacy will be archived and easily accessible on our website, www.columbiayachtclub.org.
    Part 2- Fall 2021

    This is the second Part of the Herman Ebner series of Legacy. In this episode, Herman regales us with his memories and reflections about what it was like to be a member of Columbia when the hard decision to replace our old Club Ship Florida had to be made. Learn how and where our members engaged in a “spirited debate” before we purchased the Abegweit, how we almost had a barge with a house built on it for our Club Ship and the story of Abegweit’s final cruise, under her own power, from Navy Pier to the then Turn-Around Basin.    

    Please enjoy Part Two of Herman Ebner’s Legacy program. Watch for additional episodes of Herman’s remarkable reminiscences over the next few months.
    		 
    Part 3 Finale- Fall 2021

    We’ve reached the third and final part of the Herman Ebner series of Legacy. In this concluding episode, we learn how the Bridge Project came into existence and the incredible story about making our elevator a reality. Herman also shares his memories about how our Beer Can Races started and solves the mystery of the “Herman Burger.”   Please enjoy Part Three of Herman Ebner’s Legacy program. All editions of Legacy will be archived and easily accessible on our website, www.columbiayachtclub.org.     		  

    The Communication Committee welcomes your suggestions for a long-time member to be featured on a future Legacy series. Please email the Communication Committee Co-Chairs, Kelly Doherty, [email protected] and Costa Lallas, [email protected], and/or our Club Manager, Nick Philp, [email protected].