Celebrating 50 Years in the Midlands

Transcription

1 THE LOG JAM The Official Publication of the Lake Murray Power Squadron PO Box 2281 Columbia, South Carolina A Unit of District 26 of the United States Power Squadrons Sail and Power Boating America s Boating Club sm Celebrating 50 Years in the Midlands Volume 51, No. 5 May, 2014 The summer is upon us at Lake Murray. I understand the Shake & Break/Chili Cook-Off/Nautical Garage Sale was a success even with a re-schedule. I am very sorry to have missed it but was previously scheduled for a trip with my lovely wife of 30 years! I really appreciate all who stepped up and made this event such a huge success. Thank You! During this time of year, a lot of events and activities are taking place around the Island and our lake. LMPS starts off the summer on 17 May with National Safe Boating Week and our Annual Membership Appreciation Day at Flotilla Island. This is all in conjunction with the D/26 Cruise and Rendezvous hosted by Lake Thurmond Squadron. Near the end of the month, LMPS has a cruise to Ocracoke Island in North Carolina. In addition, the regular classes and events will take place as scheduled. All the activities are scheduled near the beginning of the Watch Year to allow for the planning of the activities that you, the membership, have requested of your Bridge. While not every request will be scheduled, it gives the Bridge ideas for future events. These events are planned and scheduled for numerous members to enjoy and require a lot of effort. It s not like taking a long weekend for two but a long weekend for 20 to 30 with accommodations for boats, meals, activities and other items. Your Bridge is still looking for members to assist in several key areas of your Squadron to accomplish our mission. Please consider reaching out to a Bridge Member or Chairperson to ask what you can do to assist your Squadron! As stated above, a lot of work is done by the members who volunteer their time to conduct VSC s, plan events such as cruises, dinner meetings and island clean-up days. Volunteers teach classes, give interviews, and provide other needed services. Remember, if not for these members, some things might not get done. So, I am asking again for any member to give a little time and energy to help fulfill our mission. (Commander s report continued on page 7) 1.

2 ***Inside This Issue*** Commander's Report 1 Executive Officer's Report 3 Administrative Officer's Report 4 Education Officer's Report 5 Safety Officer's Report 6 Commander's Report (Cont'd) 7 April Dinner Meeting News 8 D/26 Cruise & Rendezvous/USPS News 9 D/25 Cruise & Rendezvous Schedule 10 Boating Activities Schedule 11 LMPS Charitable Outreach 12 Shake & Break Pictures 13 Calendar of Events 14 The Log Jam Any articles, comments or questions regarding this monthly publication may be directed to: Lt Elaine Harkey, P or Lt James Harkey, P jandeharkey@aol.com or (c) Visit the LMPS website at Articles, opinions, and advertisements do not necessarily reflect USPS policy or endorsement unless so designated. 2

3 I hope everyone had a great Easter. The weather Easter Sunday was reasonable by afternoon, so we found a little time to take the fishing boat for a short ride around Stinkin Creek. There are many opportunities ahead for you to get out on the water and join up with friends. Don t forget to sign up for the cruise activities away from Lake Murray too. Big boat and small boat trips are on the agenda. And be sure to take one of the boating courses as they come around. The Piloting course is starting in a few weeks and it will be at Flotilla Island. If you have taken the Seamanship course, come take Piloting. Another way to be involved is to help the squadron by participating with the Bridge through one of several committees that still have openings. Don t worry if you think you don t know enough or you are too new to help. The best way to learn is to jump in and let us help you. Our national tag line Boating is fun... let us show you how includes all aspects. One big activity I enjoy is helping out with the Overnight Sailing Race. LMPS has a history of being the D mark for this sailing race put on by the Columbia Sailing Club and the LMYRA. Come on out and raft up with me the evening of Friday, 13 June. We have to be on position just off Reference Light #5 on the Lexington side of the lake before 6 pm. The boats race around us twice through the night. We are responsible for recording each boat and the time as they come around us. It is so much fun and makes for a beautiful night on the water. Let me know if you can join me. Come for a few hours or the whole race. I will be there until the last boat comes around. For other ways you can help out, go to the LMPS website and look there for opportunities or ask a Bridge member for more information. Remember, it takes members to make the squadron run. Have you noticed? We have a store where members can purchase shirts and other neat LMPS stuff conveniently! Sure, there is no store building, but even better, the store comes to us, at our functions. So if you need a new LMPS shirt or one of the new burgees with the 50th anniversary gold trim, you can now buy it, as well as other items at our get-togethers. You can even get something ordered customized especially for you or your boat! 3.

4 The Shake & Break Cruise/ Chili Cook-off was held on Saturday, 12 April after being rescheduled due to inclement weather in March. The weather was perfect and the chili and hotdogs were outstanding. Seven cooks prepared their favorite chili recipes for competition and consumption. Thank you to Beth Blakeslee, P/C Elaine Price, SN, Hilarie Brush, Deb Kessler, Howard & Susan Pendley, and Wayne & Susan Cromley for your great chili! Elaine Price and Deb Kessler shared first place for Best in Taste. Deb also won Best Name for 6 Cent Chili. She stated that she asked 3 guys for their 2 cents worth. She also won Best Costume to complete her trifecta. P/C David Allen, SN led the Shake-N-Break on a short cruise and raft up at Two Bird Cove. Seven boats with 25 members enjoyed the weather and camaraderie. Plan to attend Member Appreciation Day on Saturday, 17 May at Flotilla Island. Feast on gourmet burgers and hotdogs with all the fixings. There is no charge to members. Thank you for all you do for LMPS. Check out the cruise schedule and sign up for a cruise or two. There are a number of venues and there is something for everybody. Note that the September Dinner Cruise on The Southern Patriot has limited seating. This will be a three hour cruise leaving from the dock at Flotilla Island. Dinner will be covered dish with hospitality table cost of $25 per member. You don t want to miss this great cruise! The picture to the left is Hilarie Brush and friend, Sophie, who seems to be enjoying her first time on the water. We are glad to see that Sophie is following good boater safety rules. 4. The Boat Shop of Lexington PREMIER MARINE, LLC Service and Repair on Inboards, Outboards, Sterndrives & P W C (803) Located adjacent to Jakes Landing Marina 220 Jakes Landing Rd # 60, Lexington, SC 29072

5 You can do that! This thought occurred to me while attending a COW in another district this Spring. The new D/C spoke after his installation and began by tracing his Power Squadrons tenure. It started shortly after he joined when he was asked to serve as the squadron's assistant treasurer. He replied, I can do that." As the years passed and as each new opportunity came, his response was "I can do that." Well you can see where this was going. While every one may not want to be district commander, the squadron needs a lot of members to do a lot of jobs. You can do that. In education, you can take Piloting or Marine Electronics or one of our other courses. You can do that. You can earn Educational Proficiency by completing Seamanship, Piloting, Advanced Piloting and any three Elective Courses. Many of you can start now by taking Piloting this month. You can do that. After Seamanship, Piloting is the most fundamental Power Squadrons course. In Piloting you learn to plan your boating trips and to use your GPS to ensure that you get there safely. All of this requires a knowledge of nautical charts and what these charts can tell you. We can do that. We can teach you all about charts. And with this knowledge, you will be a wiser and safer boater. You can do that. So take Piloting in May. We're in the process of putting a class together. For information or to register, just let me or Howard know. We had a great turnout for the Seamanship course and they should be about ready to take the exam this month. We are trying something different with the ABC class this month. The course is being offered in a two-day version Saturday mornings on 3 and 10 May at Flotilla Island. We already have a good number of students registered. Congratulations to X/O Braxton Sorg, S, for successfully completing the Marine Electrical Systems course! God, Family, Country 5.

6 Lt Jerry Wise, N Safety Officer Is Flotilla Island sinking? But first, a safety story. The Lake Murray Power Squadron cruise from Charleston to Georgetown had been uneventful and nothing socially exciting was planned for the second day on the cruise schedule. My crew and I decided to meander up the ICW to Myrtle Beach's popular Barefoot Landing and do some shopping. This beautiful cruise up the ICW and shopping the outlet stores let time slip up on us. Ever the adventurous spirit, I suggested we make up time by going back to Georgetown outside (offshore, out of Little River Inlet). I convinced everyone I knew my stuff and showed off the nautical charts covering the area. Heading offshore, the sea was flat and glassy. Just a beautiful day in a beautiful place. As the Grady White hummed along, I set a course 3 miles offshore and we watched Myrtle Beach glide by to starboard. A couple hours later I set up my approach into Winyah Bay. From what I remembered going over the charts, I knew we had plenty of water on the current course because it showed 3 fathoms (18 feet) on the chart. As we got closer to the harbor entrance, the depth alarm began to blip and yet we were still a mile out and in charted deep water. Soon I felt a slight tug on one of the outboards as the depth alarm came on solid and I knew we were way too shallow. A quick course reversal and return up our original course got us clear and we circled out way offshore. Then we took a direct approach into the harbor from the C buoy. Back at the dock, I carefully explained to the landlubbers aboard how the charts often don't show newly deposited dredged material (true) and I had things well in hand (not true). I didn't explain to them I had missed the transition on the charts from depth being recorded in fathoms (6 feet) in the offshore chart and then reducing to feet in the coastal charts. The water wasn't 3 fathoms on the approach chart, it was 3 feet. Complacency and oversight can get a boater into a lot of trouble. It pays to carefully review course decisions. Oh, on Flotilla Island sinking: Speaking of the reliability of charts and measurements NOAA has a weather station on Flotilla Island. It is shown as meters above sea level. Now, I don't do math well but meters times inches per meter divided by 12 inches per foot puts the base of the weather tower at 354 feet above mean sea level. The weather station base roughly corresponds to the foundation of the building. The current lake level is 358 feet above sea level. If the NOAA figure is accurate the Island is four feet under water. But then, SCE&G and NOAA might be using a different base to calculate from (datum). Otherwise, we are in a tight spot. C-MAN Station N W (34 6'26" N 81 16'14" W) Site elevation: m above mean sea level News Flash! The 2014 Membership Directory is now available on-line. Members may go to to see up-to-date member information. The required user name and password to access the directory can be obtained by contacting Debra Allen at dallen@sc.edu or any member of the Bridge. 6.

7 Cdr J. Strohecker, JN (center) had the honor of presenting Life Member Awards to P/D/C Lloyd Pitts, AP (left) and P/D/C Jim Rakes, SN (right) for 25 years of dedicated service to the squadron at the April dinner meeting. (Commander s Report continued from Pg 1) I would like to request that all members be vigilant while at the island. Flotilla Island was recently entered and vandalized causing some damage. I was notified by a nearby resident that some activity was occurring at the island that was not scheduled, so I proceeded to the island and caught four youths in the building. During the incident, several other members arrived to provide assistance and I really appreciate their efforts and support! I understand the incident is under investigation by the Richland County Sheriff s Department and further details will be announced as needed. In light of this event, several security changes are being discussed for implementation, but in the meantime, follow the guidelines for the island in respect to visitors, entry, and securing the facility properly if leaving for any amount of time. If something is noticed out of the ordinary, please notify the proper agency as well as any Bridge member. Please review the Flotilla Island Joint Operating Guidelines as posted on the LMPS website for additional information. Always remember, if you have a comment or suggestion, do not hesitate to contact me or any member of the Executive Committee. AS ALWAYS, STAY SAFE! AVON Beauty Center Official Licensed Center 617 St. Andrews Rd, Columbia, SC Linda: (803) John: (803) Toll Free: (800) Fax: (803) carolinasands@sc.rr.com Web: Linda& John Steele Executive Unit Leaders Carolina Sands AVON Team We Can Help You Buy or Sell!! Come Shop with Us!! 7

8 APRIL DINNER MEETING Thanks to Helen Royal and her knowledge of Charleston and the Gullah language, the April dinner meeting was most enjoyable. There were 57 members/guests in attendance and if you weren t there, we missed you! Congratulations to P/D/C James M. Rakes, SN for achieving Lifetime Member in USPS. Jim s wife, Betty, joined him at the April Dinner meeting where the award for 25 years of dedicated service to the squadron was presented. P/D/C Lloyd Pitts, AP was another honoree and also present at the meeting. NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK MAY 8.

9 2014 Cruise and Rendezvous Hosted by Thurmond Lake Sail and Power Squadron 16, 17, 18 May 2014 Savannah Lakes Resort On Lake Thurmond The agenda for the Cruise and Rendezvous follows on the next page. Please try to join us for this well planned and much anticipated fun-filled weekend. NEW USPS TAG LINE Come for the Boating Education... Stay for the Friends. The Marketing Committee, with the concurrence of the Board of Directors, believes this tag line more accurately describes who we are and what we do. This new tag line should be used in all correspondence, websites, PowerPoint presentations and elsewhere. All previous tag lines should no longer be used. Eugene E. Molteni 9

10 Venue Registration and dinner Friday will be held at the Savannah Lakes Resort on Thurmond Lake, just off of US 378 in McCormick County. A continental breakfast will be provided there Saturday morning. The digital Scavenger Hunt will begin and end at the resort also. Indoor activities are planned if foul weather prohibits the Scavenger Hunt. Lodging The Cruise and Rendezvous venue is the Savannah Lakes Resort on Thurmond Lake. Lakeside and townhouses are held in reserve for our squadron. Call There is no restaurant at the Resort. Additional Lodging is available at the nearby (10 minute drive) Hickory Knob State Resort Park also on Thurmond Lake. The poolside and lakeside rooms are near the lodge which has a restaurant and gift shop. Reservations will be accepted after 15 April. Call Friday Registration in the Cove Room, Savannah Lakes Resort 2014 Cruise and Rendezvous Schedule Hospitality Room and Silent Auction in the Cove Room Saturday Continental Breakfast in the Cove Room. A hot breakfast bar is also available at Hickory Knob State Park, main lodge Nine Hole Ryder Cup Golf Tour Thurmond Lake Visitors Center & Dam/ Tour of McCormick Heritage Gold Mine Hosted tour of Old McCormick Shops and Galleries 1200 Box Lunch served on Marina Beach Digital Camera Scavenger Hunt Social Hour (cash bar) at Recreation Center Silent auction at the recreation center Cruise and Rendezvous Banquet, Recreation Center, music by Rhonda McDaniel Sunday Brunch at D/C LeMond s home, Savannah Lakes Village. Boating Safe boating on Lake Thurmond is the focus of the week-end. Plan to trailer your boat and take a crew on the digital Scavenger Hunt on Saturday afternoon. Three launching ramps are nearby; covered and open boat slips are available at the Resort. Register at: 10

11 Come for the Boating Education... Stay for the Friends Deb Marilyn Retta Jack Stan

12 LMPS Charitable Outreach Thornwell Children's Home Building Memories, Shaping Futures Did you ever catch lightning bugs as a kid? Maybe you were able to go to summer camp or on camping trips with your family or sleep under the stars. How about singing songs around a campfire and roasting marshmallows? As we all know, as we look forward to boating this summer, summertime experiences are the ones from which life's richest memories are made! Would you like to help create such memories in the lives of the children served at Thornwell Children's Home? The cost to send one child to summer camp is $450. Your donation of a portion or the full cost, will make a huge difference in these children's lives. $28.13 (1/16th of camp tuition) $56.25 (1/8th of camp tuition) $ (1/4th of camp tuition) $225 (1/2 of camp tuition) $450 (full cost for one child) Any contribution would be wonderful and 100% goes towards their summer camp. Thornwell is a home for children who are abused, abandoned or neglected. Thornwell relies on the community for contributions to help them operate and for special events. Donations can be brought to the member appreciation luncheon on 17 May or you can mail contributions to Vicki McGahee at 132 Stoney Point Lane, Chapin, Please make checks payable to Thornwell Children's Home. All donations are tax deductible. Let's help send these children to summer camp!! Remember the words of Lt/C Eric Pearson, SN (pg 5): I Can Do That! 12

13 Shake & Break/ Chili Cook-Off/ Nautical Garage Sale Lt/C Braxton Sort, S and Hilarie Brush adding a little heat to the already hot chili cook-off! What would we do without this hard working and good looking trio to tally the votes? Lt/C Janice Ayers, AP in green, Lt Donna Dodson, AP in bright blue and in light blue, Darlene Clawson. The Kesslers, Deb and Jack, earned Chili Cook-Off awards for the Best Name (6 Cents), Best in Taste & Best Costume! Jack hand-made Deb s coordinating jewelry. 13 And it was a tie for the best tasting chili: the winners are: P/C Elaine Price, SN and Deb Kessler!

14 LMPS 2014 Dinner Meetings and Special Events Saturday 17 May - Member Appreciation Lunch Saturday 28 June - Fireworks & BBQ at Flotilla Island Saturday 19 July - Island Party with Purple Martin Cruise Thursday 21 August - Dinner Meeting at Saluda Shoals with Speaker Saturday 20 September - Dinner Meeting and Nominations Cruise on the Southern Patriot Thursday 16 October - Dinner Meeting at Saluda Shoals with Speaker, Elections Friday 7 November - COW at Saluda Shoals Saturday 20 December - Christmas Party Log Jam Deadline Please submit any articles or information that you would like included in the June issue of Log Jam by 19 May, Any articles, comments or questions regarding this monthly publication may be directed to: Lt James or Lt Elaine Harkey, P jandeharkey@aol.com Lake Murray Power Squadron A Unit of the United States Power Squadrons Post Office Box 2281 Columbia, SC MAY DAY! MAY DAY! Oh, but wait. It s the good kind of May Day. Hope yours is a good one! 14