United States Power Squadrons Come for the Education...Stay for the FriendsSN Mansfield YACHTSMAN November/December L 40 45' N 2016 Lo 82 30' W From the Wheelhouse 2016-2017 Bridge Cdr Lynn Fortman, AP Thank you All I don t want to belabor the situation but I must begin by thanking those of you that had helped to organize for our fundraiser clambake by pre-selling tickets, volunteering to work or soliciting donations from vendors. I know that those of you who love clams and clambakes were disappointed but please know that your help was deeply appreciated. Although we were unable to bring Clambake 2016 to fruition, we have been receiving donations from members. And now for the reminder- donations can still be sent to our Treasurer, Lt/C Georgiann Mathews, P; 224 Highland Dr. Butler, Ohio 44822 at anytime. It s also important to thank the businesses or members that donated items for the silent auction (which was postponed until December 4 during our N Club Christmas Party). If you are in Bellville, be sure to thank these patrons for their financial support of Mansfield Power Squadron. Smith True Value Hardware - 143 Main Street Bellville Donated a three piece power tool set Fast Eddies Pizza - 59 Main Street Bellville Donated a free pizza and soda Stoodt s Market - 184 Main Street Bellville Donated a gift certificate for the market Wayne and Mavis Hammond - Donated a bottle of sparkling wine For those of you that think in seasons like I do, it s time to think about raking and shoveling. I appreciate all that each of you has done to keep the goals of the Mansfield Power Squadron foremost. (Continued on page 2) Commander Cdr Lynn Fortman, AP 419-631-4842 fortmanlynn@aol.com Executive Officer P/C Jay D. Wells, AP jepiper@3g4airport.com 419 651 2879 Educational Officer Lt/C Shirley J. Fort, SN 419-522-2964 johnfort@core.com Administrative Officer P/C Daniel A. Fortman, AP 419-566-0719 dfortman@eaglecrusher.com Secretary P/C Dennis J. Figley, SN 419-895-1534 petitoiseau44805@hotmail.com Treasurer Lt/C Georgiann E. Mathews, P 419-883-2191 rmathews@neo.rr.com
2 (Continued from page 1) It is important that we recognize that any organization is only as strong as its weakest link. As in any organization, we can always improve, but remember all that we have to offer our members. One area that I would like to see us expand upon is in the offering of two hour seminars. The following topics are available upon request: advanced power boat handling, anchoring, basic weather forecasting, boat handling under power, crossing borders, emergencies on board, fueling your boat, how to use a chart, knots/ bends/hitches, person overboard, marine radar or marine compass, mastering the rules of navigation, partner in command, sail trim and rig tuning, trailering your boat, using GPS or using VHF marine radio. These seminars will not come close to covering all the information that you would receive from our advanced classes in Seamanship, Piloting or Advanced Piloting, and Navigation, however, they would provide you with a feel for what an advanced course would offer and help you to become more astute on the water with your new boating knowledge. Please contact our SEO Shirley Fort or me if you would like to request a specific seminar topic for 2017 scheduling. This will be our last Yachtsman for 2016. As we move into a new year and away from televised political advertisements, I would like to wish you all a very safe, memorable, and healthy 2017! Executive Officer Hello Fall. Lt/C Jay Wells, AP Yes it is that time of the year again that most of us dread seeing close in on us. It is haul out time for our boats hopefully before the weather turns to ugly and certainly before freezing weather can cause any damage to our vessel. I hope you all had a wonderful summer and were able to enjoy the pleasures of boating on what ever waterway you use. Just a reminder that there is one fall event that will be warm which you are all invited to attend. It is the D7 Fall Conference being held at Sawmill Creek, and hosted by our friends from Vermillion Power Squadron. If you need any information, contact t a bridge officer or check the D7 web site. Since this will be the last Yachtsman this year, I wish you all a happy Thanksgiving with lots of overeating. Then for the next month you can attempt to lose the weight you gained from Thanksgiving meal so you will be ready to enjoy the Christmas season and all that goes with that day. Please remember the reason for the Christmas season, and may God bless each of you as we work toward the New Year. Be safe. Jay Website: http://www.usps.org/mansfield The Mansfield Yachtsman is published every other month. The editor reserves the right to edit any articles submitted for size, clarity, spelling and grammar. The editor also reserves the right to omit any submitted article due to space limitations. Please submit articles either as a Word document or in the body of an E-mail. Send your articles and pictures to Irene Rodriguez at rrodrigues001@neo.rr.com Deadline for the January/ February issue is December 15
3 Coming Events November 4-6, 2016 District 7 Fall Conference "TV Game Shows "Sawmill Creek Resort, Huron, OH Hosted by Vermilion Power Squadron Tuesday, November 8 at 7:30 pm MPS Meeting and Dessert Reception for MPS Veterans Red Cross Building on the Square in Mansfield Sunday, December 4 at 4:00 pm N Christmas Party (open to all members) The Depot (Senior Citizens Center) Rt. 42 in Lexington January 12-16 2017 Mid-America Boat Show, IX Center, Cleveland Saturday, January 28, 2017 at 4:00 pm Fast and Friendly Game Night at Fortman s Home February 19-26, 2017 United States Power National Meeting Orlando, Florida *Saturday, March 11, 2017 (change of date from original calendar) Annual Meeting at Oak Park Tavern March 24-26, 2017 D/7 Spring Conference at Clarion Hotel, Hudson Any questions regarding our Schedule of Events can be directed to your Administrative Officer, P/C Dan Fortman, AP at 419-347- 6260. Expect more detailed information via your mail carrier before the next activity. From the Education Officer GIVE A LTTLE - TAKE A LITTLE A recent article in the Ensign about giving back made me aware of the intersecting activities that make USPS and Mansfield Power Squadron worthwhile. Lt/C Shirley Fort, SN We take reduced insurance rates. We accept special deals for a variety of purchases. We achieve skills to make our time on the water safer and more enjoyable. We acquire wonderful, reliable, long-lasting friendships. Take, take, take. Merit Marks document the giving side of MPS. Instructors give of their time and knowledge. Bridge officers with their committees work hard to present interesting programs, develop social events, track membership, guard finances, participate in civic events, involve newly recruited members, and maintain communication at squadron, district, and national levels. Give, give, give. Members of a healthy squadron balance the give and take. What will you take and how will you give back? In Memoriam P/C Tom McGinnis, JN passed away in Florida in late September. Expressions of sympathy can be sent to Donna Sapp at dsapp43@yahoo.com P/C James Curry, SN passed away on Monday, October 10 at the age of 91. His memorial service will be held on 29 October 2016 at the First Congregational Church in Mansfield. Wappner Funeral Home is handling the arrangements where online condolences can be sent. Address information is included in our Roster.
4 Administrative Officer P/C Dan Fortman, AP share. The question for the evening will be what was the most important concept that you learned during your service to our country? Approaching Events The second event will be our annual N Club Christmas Party that is open to all members. This event had been graciously hosted by Lt/C Shirley Fort, SN for many, many years. However, this year Two events are approaching the venue has changed to The Depot in Lexington on St. Rt. 42 next to the railroad. Some of you may that will offer our members a know it as the Senior Citizens Center. For those of time to reflect and a time to you that grew up in Lexington, it s the old train socialize. station. The torch has been passed and hosting this year will be P/Stf/C Garry Schroeder, SN and his The first event will be held on wife Susan. I hope that you will be able to join us Tuesday, November 8 at 7:30 during our monthly for dinner and a rowdy gift exchange commonly known as Don t Steal My Present! Social hour will Executive/Membership Meeting at the Red Cross begin at 4:00 with appetizers that you have brought to Building on the Square in Mansfield. So many of share. Dinner and hot beverages will then be our members have served in the armed forces and we offered. Desserts will also be whatever you have would like to honor them with a dessert banquet brought to share and then we will engage in our gift exchange or Don t Steal My Present! During the following our regular meeting. Veterans, if you have social hour, guests may also bid on the gifts that were a picture of yourself in uniform, please bring it to donated by the Bellville businesses and our members for the silent auction. Cost for the meal will be $6.00 per member and please remember to bring Good food, good conversation, great weather. either an appetizer or delicious dessert to share. Table service will be provided also. The Depot is both handicap accessible and you may BYOB. RSVP by December 1 to fortmanlynn@gmail.com or by calling 419 347 6260 so the Schroeder Family can plan appropriately for dinner. We look forward to seeing you then! Fall Equinox Party Food is Served
5 Boating Safety - It s For Everyone Safety Officer, P/C Dan Fortman, AP DRESS TO SURVIVE As you may have already noticed, old man winter is already beginning to creep into our area. Pleasure boats are coming out of the water for their winterizing ceremony and anti-freezing, and boat slips are beginning to look a bit lonely, as their former occupants head for the barn. Along with the slate-gray skies comes falling temperatures, and the end of another boating season. However, not all recreational boaters head for the shed at the first sign of a temperature drop. Many of the boaters that make up the north coast boating population are fishermen or hunters using smaller boats. Being a winter boater in the fall and early winter months means more exposure to discomforts like frost-bite, and to risks of falls overboard into cold water and hypothermia. So, if you are planning to venture out on a blustery day to get that last boat ride of the season, or to find that bass, walleye or goose that s been evading you since the start of the fishing or hunting season, consider carefully the clothing you will wear. First of all, you need to think about the color of your clothing and your life jacket. There won t be as many boaters out on the water at this time of year to see you if you should fall in the drink, so you may want to be as visible as possible to those that might be out there, or to someone on shore. Blaze orange is great. If I saw something blaze orange bobbing around in the water, it would probably catch my attention. On the other hand, if you re wearing a hunter s camouflage vest, it will probably appear to be just another grouping of choppy waves in the dark water. Wear a warm, brightly colored hat too. If you fall into choppy water, it may be the only part of you that will be easily seen. If you don t have a bright hat, at least wear a warm hat. Most of your heat loss will be out of the top of your head, so a hat or hood will be very important in body heat conservation. (Those of you with the hair loss experience that I have had know first hand how quickly the head can chill.) Extra minutes can mean the difference between yielding to hypothermia or being rescued. Cotton clothing is great --- as long as it s dry. Cotton absorbs water like a sponge, and when it s wet, it loses its ability to trap air and keep you warm. If you fall into the water wearing cotton clothing, you might as well be skinny-dipping. On the other hand, low absorption fabrics such as polyester, polypropylene, or even wool will work to keep you warm when you are wet. Pound for pound, polypropylene is twice as warm as wool. It dries out quicker, and it doesn t soak up much water. The only bad thing about synthetics that I can think of is that they melt when exposed to heat. So be careful when you light that cigar. Another thing that you can do to keep warmer is to dress in layers. Lynn has been telling me this for years, and she is right. Not only does it enable you to vary your cover as the temperature and wind changes, but also air is trapped between the layers. When your body heat warms that trapped air, it provides good insulation. As I write this, my boat is going to the shop to be winterized, and then it is off to the storage facility to hibernate until late April. I m already starting to accumulate all the boating equipment catalogues and boating magazines I can get my hands on, so that I can be reminded of boating over this long, Lake Erie winter. In the meantime, remember to plan ahead and to dress for the weather when you go out this winter. Your life may depend upon it. The Yachtsman is our main means of communication with all members. Please consider becoming a booster for ten or twenty dollars a year. Send your contribution to: P/R/C Thomas Etzwiler, SN ; 2581 Millsboro Rd. E. Mansfield, Ohio 44903-8784 YACHTSMAN BOOSTERS Chan and Sally Stevens Cecil Bazley Wayne and Mavis Hammond Charles and Peggy Davenport Bob Pompei Chris Reining Richard and Iris Reddy Tom and Ruth Etzwiler Dan and Lynn Fortman Richard Peoples Cloyd and Mary Ann McNaull Bob Campbell
6 Mansfield Power Squadron Mansfield Yachtsman C/O P/C Dennis Figley, SN 50850 State Route 545 Ashland, OH 44303-1354 PLACE STAMP HERE