Scuttlebutt COMMANDER S MESSAGE PAGE 1

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Scuttlebutt COMMANDER S MESSAGE PAGE 1"

Chloe Hall
5 years ago
Views:

...5-6 Vessel Safety Check Schedule 6 Change of Watch Photos... 7 Calendar......8 Squadron Cookout.9 I am composing this after returning from our 64 th Change of Watch at the Landmark.

1 THE DOOR Scuttlebutt Newsletter America s Boating Club of Door County United States Power Squadrons Vol. XII, Issue 4 May 2018 In This Issue Commander s Message.1-2 COMMANDER S MESSAGE Timeball Tower in Melbourne...2 From Your Education Officer... 3 Fitting Out Potluck & Meeting Cruising Schedule... 4 Executive Officer s Report Vessel Safety Check Schedule 6 Change of Watch Photos... 7 Calendar Squadron Cookout.9 I am composing this after returning from our 64 th Change of Watch at the Landmark. COW64 was supposed to occur two weeks ago. Winter Storm Evelyn changed all that. Dolores and I made a call to cancel the original date on Thursday 12 April, as Evelyn was charging east. We are soooo glad we did! Today was a different story: sunny and warming with few evidences of Evelyn on the way to the Landmark. At today s COW, I presented Lou Pasquesi with his 4 th consecutive Century Award. The Century Award is given to a Vessel Examiner who has performed over 100 Vessel Safety Checks. WAY TO GO Lou! I also gave Lou, for safe keeping, the coveted, District10 Pelican Award. The 2017 Pelican Award recognizes the Squadron with the best overall VSC performance. Door County received this award at the D10 Spring Conference, 7 April. I presented two Distinctive Communicator Awards. The first goes to Dolores for the Scuttlebutt. The second goes to grandson, Austin Hermann, for our Web Site. We are a much richer organization in having Dolores and Austin at the helm of our communications. Thank you both. I ve chosen to include the above picture, because I feel it depicts the current state of USPS/America s Boating Club. Our sails are full. We are charging forward. But there are storm clouds around us. All change brings storms. I ve been in this organization for over 40 years and haven t seen as much change as now. Let s Celebrate!! The last award I brought back from Spring Conference was the USPS Educational Fund Certificate of Merit. This award means that every member of DCS&PS has contributed to the Educational Fund. Door County has enjoyed being on this honor role for several years. Most of you probably were not aware of this. That s because Cynthia silently takes care of it. I was very pleased to present Cynthia with the certificate. We are fortunate to have dedicated members who promote Door County s reputation for excellence. We need to applaud all. Lastly, I wish to thank Dolores, John, Cynthia and Craig for all their help today. These events take a lot of work! I ve shared with you, in past Scuttlebutt articles, that I have accepted the position of District10 Executive Officer for the current watch year. The focus of my watch will be: Guide and support our squadrons in the transformation to America's Boating Club Roll out a multi-squadron Living the Logo Initiative Assure all D10 Squadrons have Branding on their websites and newsletters Roll out Jump Start across the District. PAGE 1

COMMANDER S MESSAGE (continued) I sincerely feel this is critical to calming those storm clouds and welcome your support.

The dialogue started with the time when women were excluded from membership and USPS was confronted with the need to CHANGE.

1978! The fact that USPS was then capable of making evolutionary changes allowed for its survival (as a very different organization).

providing for communal enjoyment. My sense is that this is a delicate time when leadership, vision, and practicality are required by those who will adjust our organization to adapt to modern times.

2 COMMANDER S MESSAGE (continued) I sincerely feel this is critical to calming those storm clouds and welcome your support. During the past couple of weeks, Alan Wentworth and I, along with a young gun from Minnetonka, Kevin Shutes, have been exchanging thoughts about change within USPS. The dialogue started with the time when women were excluded from membership and USPS was confronted with the need to CHANGE. Alan addresses this so well: You all know I have another WELL COMPENSATED position (took over 5700 visitors in 2017): What a change in USPS Power Squadrons was brought about by that legal decision in 1978! The fact that USPS was then capable of making evolutionary changes allowed for its survival (as a very different organization). So now we are on the threshold of looking at what are hoped to be evolutionary changes that will allow the organization to continue its mission of teaching boating safety, doing civic service, and providing for communal enjoyment. My sense is that this is a delicate time when leadership, vision, and practicality are required by those who will adjust our organization to adapt to modern times. I believe we can do it! I believe D10 has the leadership and can provide the direction that is needed. Substantial change is not a game for those with enteric weakness. Let s embrace the change on which we now embark! Cana Island and Lighthouse opens Tuesday 1 May. Come see me. I ll be there every Tuesday afternoon. The ride over is free; return is negotiable. Want to become a new driver? Call me. Until next month, let s get the boats out. Get a VSC and go play on the water! Your Commander, Bob VERY INTERESTING NAUTICAL ARTIFACT IN MELBOURNE Before radio and satellite, how did a ship find its way from England to Australia? Navigating the seas required an accurate chronometer (a ship s timepiece) and a sextant (device used to determine the position of the stars in relation to the horizon) that together were used to determine the location of a ship. As a ship sailed within sight of a timeball tower, the chronometer would be reset according to the dropping of the ball. The timeball tower was originally built as a lighthouse in During this period, a canvas bound timeball was hoisted up an adjacent flagstaff and dropped at exactly 1 pm every day. PAGE 2 Historical painting of the timeball tower Still there the original timeball tower Submitted by Patsy Stierna

3 FROM YOUR EDUCATION OFFICER This month s topic is Have a Dream and Don t Quit. My wife gave me a wonderful DVD that combines my love of teaching EBD kids (those who have emotional and behavioral disturbances) and my love of sailing. She gave me the DVD Red Dot on the Ocean that documents the incredible circumnavigation of the Americas by an unknown young man named Matt Rutherford in a 30-year-old piece of junk, 27-foot Albin Vega sailboat. Matt was a juvenile offender who spent much of his teen years in court and in prison. He was always a risk taker but had no real goals or dream other than to hang around with the wrong friends. Matt spent a lot of time in special education after growing up in a cult and being home schooled for much of his preteen years. He has a reading problem called dysgraphia that caused him much misery in school. He eventually ended up in Eagle Rock alternative school that doubled as what many of us might call a boot camp. The students there lived at the school with their teacher/counselors for extended months at a time. Eagle Rock was the place where Matt began to believe in himself and to dare to dream. The closest comparison to a similar program here was the recently closed Beaver Island Lighthouse School on Beaver Island. Click here. Matt bought a sailboat and quickly taught himself to sail. He did a warm up cruise by sailing across the Atlantic to Europe, West Africa and back to the Caribbean. After reading about the explorer Earnest Shackleton, Matt decided he wanted to sail through the Northwest Passage and, while he was at it, he decided to singlehandedly circumnavigate both North and South America. Everyone thought he was crazy and obviously suicidal except Matt and his father. Matt was able to raise the sponsorship and sailed for a Chesapeake Bay organization that was dedicated to helping people with disabilities to sail. The rest of the story is Matt s incredible sail of endurance and grit. His boat slowly fell apart on his voyage but Matt refused to give up. No one, especially Matt, ever saw this coming. Matt is a wonderful example of what finding a passion and following it in a dream can lead to. I highly recommend getting your hands on Red Dot on the Ocean. Class Notes Gregg Campbell and Jeff Harding have both completed their Seamanship tests and are anxiously waiting for the results which should arrive any day now. Rex and Linda Pope have set what I believe is a speed record for completing their Navigation exams. They are allowed two weeks to complete but they did it in ONE. When I asked Linda how many hours she spent, she replied, Night and day, every day. My brain would for sure blow up if I spent that much concentrated effort. Dan Balch just picked up his Navigation exam and will have two weeks to complete it. When he returns his test, I will send all three into National. Dan also has volunteered to become an instructor. He will be a welcome addition to the education department. We will put him to work right away with our upcoming ABC course. Best of luck to everyone.! Bob DeNoto and I are still in the process of deciding on which seminars will be offered this summer. I will let you know when that is decided. We are also in the process of talking to marinas to set up our ABC course this June. Late September will be the start of Piloting. That is the first real navigation course we offer. Please let anyone you know who has an interest in navigation to contact me for information on joining us and taking this excellent beginning course. Fair Winds, Steve PAGE 3

FITTING OUT POTLUCK AND MEETING NO CHARGE TO ATTEND FRIDAY 18 MAY BERTSCHINGER CENTER, EGG HARBOR 6 PM BRING A DISH TO SHARE AND YOUR BEVERAGE lets celebrate a new boating season See you there!

4 FITTING OUT POTLUCK AND MEETING NO CHARGE TO ATTEND FRIDAY 18 MAY BERTSCHINGER CENTER, EGG HARBOR 6 PM BRING A DISH TO SHARE AND YOUR BEVERAGE lets celebrate a new boating season See you there!! share boating experiences learn about upcoming cruises enjoy good conversation with boating friends 2018 CRUISE SCHEDULE Sandy and Gary King hosted a Cruise Planning Meeting on 3 March. Attendees were Dave/Jean Baumann, Jerry/Michelle Anderson, Alan Wentworth, Janet Groda and Mike Wember May Memorial Day weekend---shake Down Cruise, tentatively planned for Menominee Marina. 30 June 29 July Lake Huron North Channel and Georgian Bay. The Kings and Keatings will be attending the GLCC (Great Lakes Cruising Club) Wilderness Rally in Georgian Bay and Summer Rendezvous in Killarney. 30 June Depart Sturgeon Bay 10 July Arrive Keyhole Island area, Georgian Bay for the Wilderness Rally 14 July Arrive Killarney, Ontario for the Summer Rendezvous 19 July Departure for return cruise to Sturgeon Bay Travel days, marinas, and anchorages will be determined on a day -to-day basis, based on weather conditions August DCS&PS Annual Summer Rendezvous at the Menominee Marina. Cruisers and land cruisers welcome. You will need to call for your dock reservation. 10 August Friday An open night, BYO drinks and a snack to pass on the grass area (weather permitted). 11 August Saturday Pot Luck in the Boater s Lounge, BYO drinks. The Boater s Lounge will be available to us at 3:00 pm. Weather permitting there will be yard games (Bocce Ball, Croquet) and card/dice games inside. Saturday is also the Classic Car Show in the park area adjacent to the marina. For land cruisers --Econo Lodge on The Bay, 2516 Tenth Street, Menominee ( 1.2 miles from the Marina). 12 August Sunday Return cruise to Sturgeon Bay 31 August -- 3 September --- Cedar River for the Bridge Walk (mock Mac Bridge walk). They close Highway 35 to traffic during the walk. You will need to call for your dock reservation. Mid September Fall Cruise to Wave Pointe Marina. Saturday and Sunday, All cruises depend on the weather. Cruise Captains will be Sandy and Gary King-- call or southerncrossgsk@charter.net. PAGE 4

EXECUTIVE OFFICER S REPORT This winter and early spring we visited north and central Florida, enjoyed many weeks in Houston and Austin, and finally in the hill country above the Texas Colorado River

A day on Tampa Bay in cousin Bob s 25-foot pontoon boat, island hopping and dining in a bayside restaurant. Bob and Bev belong to a boating club; call for the boat, use it and leave it at the dock.

From a small bridge, up at the Crystal River and its salt marshes, we watched the grey Manatees cruise slowly up and down river, like silent submarines.

5 EXECUTIVE OFFICER S REPORT This winter and early spring we visited north and central Florida, enjoyed many weeks in Houston and Austin, and finally in the hill country above the Texas Colorado River at the Canyon of the Eagles. Wherever we travel we seek out water; oceans, rivers, lakes. You d think we would have had enough, living on the shore of the inland sea that we call Green Bay. A day on Tampa Bay in cousin Bob s 25-foot pontoon boat, island hopping and dining in a bayside restaurant. Bob and Bev belong to a boating club; call for the boat, use it and leave it at the dock. Rising ocean levels are a planning consideration for the Florida coasts; most immediately, Miami, where high tides can flood lower level streets. From a small bridge, up at the Crystal River and its salt marshes, we watched the grey Manatees cruise slowly up and down river, like silent submarines. Along with dolphins, they enjoy the upwelling warm water springs in the river-ways. Enroute to Houston we stopped along the Gulf Shore. Barrier islands, protecting the mainland and forming the ICW are vast and extensive. We ferried across at Port North Padre Island Aransas and drove south past Corpus Christi Bay, Mustang Island and onto the National Seashore on North Padre Island. The eye of hurricane Harvey passed over Port Aransas, immediately north of Corpus Christi. Our overnight stay in Fulton Harbor allowed us to see the damage that remains from last August. Out on the median of highway 35, mile after mile of residential and commercial debris piled 15 feet high. Many homes and buildings look as if the storm has just now moved on. Houston, where Harvey dumped 51.8 inches of rain; a year s worth % of Harris County was submerged. On a topographical map, south central Texas is low land sloping toward the Gulf, riddled with rivers and streams. In Houston, the drainage waterways are called bayous. We have become very familiar with Buffalo Bayou over the last few years. In the north part of the city proper, it is a deep cut that once was home to the Port of Houston, and all that implies. The city put in concrete bike and walking paths, a very nice restaurant, kayak and canoe launch, a large dog park and extensive landscaping. Driving around the city there are few indications of the flooding from Harvey. Buffalo Bayou, however, looks like a shallow stream running through desert sand. Structures remain but landscaping is gone. City airboats can navigate the stream. The city of Austin made emergency preparations for hurricane Harvey (a historic rain-rather than wind-event), however Harvey s dangerous rain bands spared Austin. The week before Easter we moved northwest into the hill country, an hour from Austin, following the Texas Colorado River. The Colorado is 900 miles long, its source south of Abilene. The river, with its many tributaries, has a history of being wild and uncontrollable. Seasonal flooding was a big problem. The name hill country is most fitting given the topography and geology of the region; strikingly different from the rest of Texas. Like its big brother out west, this Colorado carved its c o u r s e ; h e r e, through the limestone of the Edward s Plateau. The river was substantially subdued Vanishing Texas River Lake Buchanan by construction of six dams and lakes from with two objectives; rural electrification and flood control. The river people knew the river valley would be submerged, that they would be displaced from their homes and that their way of life would change forever. There were misgivings concerning hazards of electricity. Ironically, the depression brought mass unemployment and the only jobs available were in dam construction labor. Upstream, the first dam, 2 mile long 145 foot high Buchanan dam, created Lake Buchanan; 940 feet above MSL, 31 miles long and 5 miles wide at the widest point. Upstream from the lake, the river, referred to as the vanishing Texas river, forms the Canyon of the Eagles. LCRA (Lower Colorado River Authority) Buchanan Dam downstream of Lake Buchanan managed construction and now manages the dams and the large nature preserve above the river. Downstream, completed in 1942, the Mansfield dam formed Lake Travis. The dam is over 7,000 feet long, 266 feet high. PAGE 5

We visited the Stiernas at their lovely camper on the shore of Lake Travis in 2016. We were able to walk on the lake bottom at that time. Not now that the drought is over.

6 EXECUTIVE OFFICER S REPORT (continued) Lake Travis: 681 feet above MSL, is 64 miles long with a maximum width of 5 miles. In addition to water supplies, and with a flood pool of 244 billion gallons, Lake Travis is the flood control reservoir that prevents damage downstream. We visited the Stiernas at their lovely camper on the shore of Lake Travis in We were able to walk on the lake bottom at that time. Not now that the drought is over. The power plants at Mansfield and Buchanan generate and 51.3 megawatts, respectively. In between these two dams are 3 smaller dams and lakes. Situated in the hill country, the five lakes are known as the highland lakes; popular boating, fishing, swimming and vacation destinations. From Lake Travis the Colorado flows through the city of Austin. There, the southmost dam, Tom Miller, created Lakes Austin and Lady Bird. The dam is 100 feet high and 1,590 feet long and provides generating capacity of 17.3 megawatts. The Lady Bird Lake & downtown Austin beautiful lakes, 20 miles long and 1,300 feet wide are extremely popular for hiking, biking and small boats. Lake Lady Bird sits in downtown Austin. The Tom Miller dam protects 5 cities along the Colorado as it works its way to Bay City and the Gulf of Mexico. I could not help but wonder how the highland lakes and surrounding communities fared during hurricane Harvey. LCRA s Hydromet is a system of more than 260 automated gauges linked to a central computer in Austin. Gauges monitor precipitation, weather, stream elevation and much more. After the hurricane, LCRA reported 4-5 inches of rain very little change in elevation of the highland lakes. Just as Harvey s dangerous rain bands spared Austin, they also spared the hill country, the lakes and the lower Colorado. Just as around the Great Lakes, our nation s water resources are not infinitely abundant. Water is a precious commodity in much of Texas. The lower Colorado River exemplifies capture and control of storm flows for use and enjoyment by mankind. Several months after hurricanes Harvey and Irma, we gained appreciation for the challenges rising water and hurricanes are bringing to coastal lands and communities. John John and the longhorn calves lunch time on the ranch in Texas VESSEL SAFETY CHECK AND RELATED ACTIVITIES SCHEDULE May Blessing of the Fleet Baileys Harbor 26 May Yacht Works Sister Bay Marina 2 June Quarterdeck & Harbor Club Sturgeon Bay 2 June Flare 1 pm location TBD Sturgeon Bay 6 10 June Boat Rentals and Marina Sister Bay 9 June Centerpointe Marina Sturgeon Bay June Boat Rentals and Marina Ephraim June Door County Boat Show Harbor Club Sturgeon Bay June Paddlefest Sister Bay June Municipal, Alibi Dock, Boat Rentals Fish Creek 30 June Municipal Marina Egg Harbor 2 July Municipal Marina Baileys Harbor 2 Sept. MarinaFest Sister Bay Vessel Safety Checks every Saturday at local marinas Open date for canoe/kayak inspections PAGE 6

Steve Rank gives his report CHECKING IN:

Weis John Hermann and new member Michael

7 2018 CHANGE OF WATCH Commander Bob presents the Pelican Award for Vessel Safety Checks to Lou Pasquesi Commander Bob DeNoto THE 2018 BRIDGE: Steve Rank, Bob DeNoto, John Hermann, Cynthia Weis, Lou Pasquesi Twenty-one members attended our Annual Meeting and Change of Watch on Sunday 29 April at the Landmark Resort. While an early spring blizzard forced us to cancel our original date, Sunday 29 April was sunny and pleasant. Members enjoyed conversation, a beautiful view and lunch together. Michael Wember was welcomed as a new member. Steve Rank gives his report CHECKING IN: Nancy & Alan Wentworth, Cynthia & Craig Weis John Hermann and new member Michael Wember Barb & Lou Pasquesi with Janet Grota Judy & Chuck Holtz with Terry Keating PAGE 7 Julie Keating and Doris DeNoto Dick Grota and Bob DeNoto

May CALENDAR OFFICERS AND BRIDGE Commander Bob DeNoto 920-493-0287 bobdenoto@gmail.

begins 10 Squadron Summer Social 30 July 29 Cruise to North Channel & Georgian Bay July 24 Executive Committee Meeting August 10 12 Squadron Rendezvous & M&M Classic Car Show

Committee Meeting October TBD Lay-Up Meeting & Social TBD District 10 Fall Conference November 20 Executive Committee Meeting December 7 Holiday Party Executive Officer John

net Administrative Officer Open Position Secretary Lou Pasquesi 920-854-2214 lou.pasquesi@gmail.com Treasuser Cynthia L. Weis 920-559-3011 weiscynthia@yahoo.

com ============================================= Commander s Department Chaplain Karen DeNoto Flag Lieutenant Craig Weis Merit Marks Alan Wentworth, Executive Department Public

8 May CALENDAR OFFICERS AND BRIDGE Commander Bob DeNoto Fitting Out Meeting and Social Shake-Down Cruise to Menominee 29 Executive Committee Meeting June 2 Vessel Safety Checks every Saturday 2 Flare Shoot TBD ABC Class begins 10 Squadron Summer Social 30 July 29 Cruise to North Channel & Georgian Bay July 24 Executive Committee Meeting August Squadron Rendezvous & M&M Classic Car Show Menominee MI Governing Board Meeting Minneapolis 31-Sept 3 Cruise to Cedar River September TBD Cruise to Wavepointe TBD USPS National Meeting Dallas TX 25 Executive Committee Meeting October TBD Lay-Up Meeting & Social TBD District 10 Fall Conference November 20 Executive Committee Meeting December 7 Holiday Party Executive Officer John Hermann, john.c.hermann@gmail.com Educational Officer Steve Rank captainrank@charter.net Administrative Officer Open Position Secretary Lou Pasquesi lou.pasquesi@gmail.com Treasuser Cynthia L. Weis weiscynthia@yahoo.com Member at Larage Alan Wentworth AWentworth@aol.com ============================================= Commander s Department Chaplain Karen DeNoto Flag Lieutenant Craig Weis Merit Marks Alan Wentworth, Executive Department Public Relations Open VSC Officer Lou Pasquesi Safety Officer John Hermann Port Captain Open Education Department Adv. Grade Courses Steve Rank Elective Courses John Welch ABC Representative Bob DeNoto & Boat Operator Certification Administrative Department Membership Cynthia Weis Cruise Planning Terry Keating Meetings & Programs Michelle Anderson Member Involvement Dolores Hermann Secretary s Department Newsletter Dolores Hermann Webmaster Austin Hermann Treasurer s Department Ships Store Cynthia Weis PAGE 8

Save the Date Come to the Thank you to all of the members who contributed articles and pictures.

Changes, exclusions and inclusions are made based on space.

Send your comments, ideas and articles to: dolores.e.hermann@gmail.

District 10 of America s Boating Club, the United States Power Squadrons.

org/door JUNE 10 1 4 PM OUR NEW MASTHEAD HAPPY MAY BIRTHDAY 8th Lowell Ranum 23rd Gary King 25th Jeri Rank You have

These changes are represented by a new name, America s Boating Club.

9 Save the Date Come to the Thank you to all of the members who contributed articles and pictures. Please take no offense if your article was somewhat changed or if your picture was not included in the Scuttlebutt. Changes, exclusions and inclusions are made based on space. Submit articles and pictures for the June Scuttlebutt by May 28, Send your comments, ideas and articles to: The Door Scuttlebutt is published twelve times a year by America s Boating Club of Door County, a member of District 10 of America s Boating Club, the United States Power Squadrons. PLACE TO BE DETERMINED The Door Scuttlebutt can be found on the Squadron website: JUNE PM OUR NEW MASTHEAD HAPPY MAY BIRTHDAY 8th Lowell Ranum 23rd Gary King 25th Jeri Rank You have been reading about significant changes in our parent organization known as United States Power Squadron. These changes are represented by a new name, America s Boating Club. Our squadron, Door County Sail & Power Squadron becomes America s Boating Club of Door County. All of this is represented in our new Scuttlebutt masthead. Please notice the logo that represents the various vessels used by the boating community that we serve. On the far left is a paddle craft and paddler. Moving to the right is a power craft and finally a sail. The old ship s wheel is embedded in the new name. The Editor PAGE 9

Scuttlebutt COMMANDER S MESSAGE PAGE 1 NEW GRAPHIC FOR THE BANNERS. Lat N Lo W Connecticut River, Essex, CT, 11 May 2018

Scuttlebutt COMMANDER S MESSAGE PAGE 1 NEW GRAPHIC FOR THE BANNERS. Lat N Lo W Connecticut River, Essex, CT, 11 May 2018 32 x80 banners.indd 2 1/17/18 12:32 PM THE DOOR Scuttlebutt Newsletter America s Boating Club of Door County United States Power Squadrons Vol. XII, Issue 4 May 2018 In This Issue Commander s Message.1-2