Winter 2011 VOLUME 49 ISSUE 8

THE PORTHOLE Cape Cod Sail and Power Squadron

District 14

“Out of many, one CCSPS”

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“Out of many, one”

During the last few months, there has been a lot of ”behind the scenes activity”. Lois Caldwell and Joan Croft have worked for many hours to create our latest roster. Administrative Officer Lee John-son has booked all of the speakers and venues through May 2012 . Educational Officer Dave At-wood has created flyers for the January “America’s Boating Course” in Orleans. Secretary Ed Ruckle is back in action producing our award-winning Porthole. There are many others working on CCSPS projects year round.

With the winter months upon us, please take time to think about projects and programs with which you would like to help. If you are new to CCSPS, this is a great way to meet fellow squadron mem-bers. Even a few hours help is appreciated. Please contact me with projects of interest and we will put your skills to good use.

See you at the holiday party 1 December.

Commander Charles Burke, AP*

Our 2011-2012 CCSPS Bridge

Lt Cdr Mary Lou Walsh, AP Executive Officer

Lt Cdr Lee Johnson, AP* Administrative Officer

P/C Dave Atwood, AP* Education Officer

Lt Cdr Ed Ruckle, P Secretary

Lt Cdr Evan Croft, JN* Treasurer

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OUR 2011-2012 DIRECTORY

CAPE COD SAIL AND POWER SQUADRON

Commander – Cdr Charles Burke, AP* 15 Horsefoot Cove Road, West Dennis, MA 02670 508-394-9128 cgburke15@comcast.net

Executive Officer – Lt/C Mary Lou Walsh, AP P.O. Box 14, Dennisport, MA 02639 508-398-7970 mlcwalsh@aol.com Administrative Officer – Lt/C Lee Johnson, AP* P.O. Box 1538, South Dennis, MA 02660 508-398-7256 capedrj@comcast.net Educational Officer – P/C David Atwood, AP*

9 Upton Road, South Yarmouth, MA 02664 508-737-5374 yankeepeddlar@hotmail.com

Secretary – Lt/C Edgar Ruckle, P 17 Bellview Avenue, Bass River, MA 02664

774-208-8460 eruckle1@verizon.net Treasurer – Lt/C Evan C. Croft, JN*

1753 Old Stage Road, West Barnstable, MA 02668 508-420-9023 caperedhouse@comcast.net ********************************************************************************

Assistant Educational Officer – 1st Lt Kenneth Molloy, SN 225 Oxford Drive, Cotuit, MA 02635 508-428-3815 Kmacape@verizon.net

The Porthole Editor – Lt/C Edgar Ruckle, P 17 Bellview Avenue, Bass River, MA 02664

774-208-8460 eruckle1@verizon.net If you need answers to any questions, please contact one of

these officers and they will be happy to help you.

“I am not afraid of storms, for I’m learning how to sail my ship”

- Louisa May Alcott

Contents Bass River Rendezvous 4-5

Paddlleque 6-7

Welcome Aboard 8 Mangia, mangia 9

Education News 10-11

CCSPS News 12-13

Member Awards 14

Yarmouth Seaside Parade 15

Struck By Lightning 16

Special Thank You 17 Holiday Dinner 18-19

Sunshine Committee 20

Calendar of Events 21

Reminder: by adjusting your VIEW tab / PAGE DISPLAY / TWO PAGE VIEW, you change from a scroll newsletter to a magazine presentation.

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A look back to keep us warm this winter

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BASS RIVER RENDEZVOUS Lt/C Deirdre Leyden The last rendezvous of the season was enjoyed by all who attended. Skies were initially gray, but the sun broke through to give us a beautiful warm day on Boaters Beach Mary Lou Walsh and Deirdre Leyden arrived by land, ferried food, tables, and assorted supplies on Mary Lou’s trusty kayak. Tables were set with snacks, and early arrivals were able to partake of delicious appetizers. Hugh Blair – Smith provided growlers of hearty Harvest Ale. Commander Burke and his lovely wife Gail arrived on Skye & Sea. Lee Johnson joined the party via kayak. Skoal, captained by Dave Atwood with Norma Atwood, Evan and Joan Croft aboard, anchored and all disembarked in the warm water to join the festivities. John and Carol Hilton, Peg Johnson, Jim & Maryanne Morse, Nola Cloutier and Len and Lyn Solomon, guests of the Leydens, arrived by motor vehicle. Waterfront Property, captained by Michael Leyden, anchored off shore. Grill, charcoal, along with additional par-ty supplies including hot dogs, were loaded into the dingy and rowed ashore. Soon the grill was lit, hot dogs and kielbasa were sizzling, drawing the attention of a seagull. Buffet table included Mary Lou’s scrumptious potato salad, pasta salad, coleslaw, Deirdre Leyden’s Black Bean & Corn Salad, and many other goodies. Everyone enjoyed the bountiful buffet. After lunch, a Bocce game was organized. Skills levels ranged from those who never played to champions. It was a very exhilarating game and a lot of fun! Too soon, our day at the beach ended, everyone packed up, boarded their vessels or loaded their vehicles just as the fog began to roll in. Waterfront Property disappeared into the fog…

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PERFECT CONDITIONS FOR BOAT MEADOW PADDLEQUE Max Sarazin, AP

We set out from Boat Meadow Beach, Eastham, at 1040 on a beautiful Monday, 12 September, … destination Hatch Beach on Bee’s River.

After unloading gear from the canoe and getting the charcoal going, Margot led the group up the river. On their return we cooked our chow. Finishing up, out came the all-terrain bocce, with the buoys taking the gulls two games straight. Max assured there’d be no cheating this year.

Timed to glide out of Bee’s River into the Bay on a favorable current, we returned to the takeout fully ex-hausted and ready to visit Max’s ‘Weona Railroad’ (We-Own-A). After a little running we made up a five-car freight train in Idlewheel Yard. The industrial switching area ,‘Excedrin’, was also demonstrated.

It was a great turnout with CCSPS members and friends joined by several Appalachian Mountain Club friends of Max. From the squadron with Max in the lead were Vicki Blair-Smith, Paul Brown, Gail and Charles Burke, Joan Croft and her guest Joanne Carpenter, Lee Johnson and his friends Gerd and George Hedlund, Marc Ve-nables and Barb and Terry Wilcox. From AMC were Bill Carr, Margot Fitsch, Hilary Hunt, Dick Phillips, Ralph Upton and Ron Mador as sweep.

Joan Croft and Joanne Carpenter

Charles Burke relaxes

Charles Burke and Lee Johnson

CCSPS members and AMC members in a rousing game of all terrain bocce

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Terry and Barbara Wilcox explore the river

Max Sarazin’s Weona Railroad Max Sarazin reviews the fleet

It is all about the hats!

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WELCOME ABOARD

Sail and Marine Electrical Systems

students receive member packages

Membership Chairman Joan Croft, AP*

We are pleased to see new members at dinner meetings, in the classroom, and marching in pa-rades that visually spread the message about boating safety and education. Join us for our holi-day party and entertainment 1 December at the Hyannis Golf Club. Guests of members are wel-come.

Rebecca Perry’s homeport for two boats is Cen-terville. Natalie is her 26-foot power boat; Willow is her 25-foot Wianno Senior sailboat. Rebecca became a member while taking the Sail class. Ste-phen and Lisa Desmond live in Yarmouth Port. Steve certified in the fall ABC class and both com-pleted Sail. Boating is in their future while they prepare by taking courses.

SEO Dave Atwood and Membership Chairman Joan Croft present new members with their Welcome Aboard packages on behalf of Cdr Charles Burke: Lisa Desmond (Steve Des-mond not present) and Rebecca Perry at the Sail class

Peter Bertucci registered for the Marine Electrical Systems class and signed on to USPS membership. He lives in Marston's Mills and East Bay is his 22-foot sailing vessel Sea Cow’s homeport. Rona Robinson certified in the fall ABC class. She’s a kayaker and lives in Hyannis.

(l.to r) Dave Atwood with Peter Bertucci and Joan Croft

The Porthole newsletter received digitally by email is a great source for following what’s going on in the squadron as is the website www.ccsps.org. Watch for the newsletter and timely reminders sent by email as “WhatsUp@CCSPS.” You are invited to con-tact bridge members if you have any questions. Con-tact information is listed in The Porthole and in the annual Roster of Members that will be mailed short-ly. Also, contact me anytime: 508.420.9023 or CapeRedhouse@comcast.net. We look forward to assisting you to meet your squadron expectations and boating goals. You are encouraged to continue participating in the spirit of boating is fun…we’ll show you how.

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OCTOBER SPAGHETTI DINNER

Mangia, mangia ….

Lt/C Deirdre Leyden

The Cape Cod Sail & Power Squadron’s first ever Spaghetti Dinner was a huge success! Over 60 members and guests were in attendance. Upon arri-val, members and guests were greeted by Lee Johnson and Evan Croft. Mary Lou Walsh transformed St. David’s church hall into an Italian trattoria com-plete with red and white table cloths and wine bottle candles.

Prior to dinner members enjoyed the slideshow of summer events playing on the big screen TV, pre-pared by Deirdre Leyden.

Dinner of spaghetti and meatballs, accompanied by Caesar salad and garlic bread was enjoyed by all. Many came back for seconds! Kitchen was expertly coordinated by The Leyden Team, with Michael Ley-den cooking spaghetti. Meatballs were prepared by our own meatball makers: Deirdre Leyden, Mary Lou Walsh and Peg Johnson.

The Make Your Own Sundae Bar was a big hit!

Following dinner, attendees were treated to an in-formative presenta-tion from Michele Breen, Army Corp of Engineers, on the building of the Cape Cod Canal. Michelle did a power point presentation,

showed a movie and answered many mem-ber’s questions.

Sincere thanks to Mary Lou Walsh, Lee and Peg Johnson for all their help in the planning and preparation for this wonderful evening.

Thank you to all those who provided assis-tance behind the scenes and those who helped out the evening of the dinner.

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EDUCATION NEWS P/C Dave Atwood, AP* What a year this has been!

CCSPS is in top 2% in American squadrons in total of students in America's Boating Course.

There are 420 acknowledged squadrons in the United States and Puerto Rico. For the last three years, Cape Cod Sail and Power Squadron has registered the seventh highest total of students in America's Boating Course®! Four of the top 7 are mega education squadrons in Puerto Rico (2), Florida, and North Carolina. The two squadrons above us registered 3 and 5 more students that we did. We offered America's Boating Course® four times:

January - 30 students

March - 33 students July - 11 students September - 14 students

Some of you know that the squadron has two years … a fiscal year from 1 April to 31 March of the fol-lowing year and an educational year from 1 January to 31 December. As the 2011 educational year comes to a close, I'd like to mention some noteworthy accomplishments: We offered every Advanced Grade course during the year:

Seamanship - June - 11 students

Piloting - February - 14 students Advanced Piloting - November - 4 students

Junior Navigation - January - 5 students

Navigation - October - 4 students We offered three Elective courses:

Weather - February - 13 students

Sail - October - 11 students Marine Electrical - September - 9 students

We offered two Seminars: Trailering - April - 8 students GPS - April - 12 students

We began inviting the public to attend our Advanced Grade course and Electives. As a result, over 10 new members joined directly from the class. Three new instructors joined the team: Mark Venables, Jack Ballas and Larry Venezia.

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Upcoming Courses America's Boating Course® - America's Boating Course-3rd Edition is our pri-mary civic effort toward instruction in the fundamentals of safe boat-ing. It's designed to familiarize the student with the fundamentals of safe boating and qualify for certification in most states that require boating edu-cation before operating a watercraft. The first 6 nights cover the Fundamentals of Safe Boating, including the Na-tional Safe Boating exam. The last two nights cover An Introduction to Coastal Navigation.

The course is scheduled for 10 January at the Orleans Yacht Club. Proctors please put the dates on your calendar. Help post the America's Boating Course flyer. The course flyer on page 12 in this Porthole issue is for posting at your local public locations such as: post office, library, marina, boating supply store, or other convenient location. Please download cop-ies. Thank you for helping to publicize these courses in our communities. Engine Maintenance is planned for late winter, 2012. Stay tuned for details. If you are interested or know anyone interested in taking any of these courses, please contact Dave

Atwood to enroll: 508-737-5374; yankeepeddlar@hotmail.com.

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CAPE COD SAIL AND POWER SQUADRON, INC.

America’s Boating Club®-Cape Cod

A non-profit Unit of United States Power Squadrons

presents

AMERICA’S BOATING COURSE®

Starts Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Registration 6:30 PM

Meets Tuesday evening for 6 weeks from 7 to 9 PM

Orleans Yacht Club

39 Cove Rd., Orleans, MA 02653

Learn to skipper a boat with confidence

Anyone interested in recreational boating is encouraged to attend this public boating course.

We provide essential information for every kind of boater.

Learn about:

Boat Handling & Seamanship

Required Equipment

Navigation Rules of the Road

Knots, Lines & Docking

Charts & Aids to Navigation

Boat Trailering & More

Course materials:

Study guide / Workbook

Sample chart

Course plotting tool (Optional)

Dividers (Optional)

CD

Power, sail, and personal watercraft are covered. The course exceeds educational

requirements in all states. With over 40,000 members in 450 squadrons nationwide,

United States Power Squadrons is the largest family recreational boating organization

dedicated to Boating Education, Civic Service, and Fun!

To register, call today!

508-737-5374 edu@ccsps.org

or pre-register on-line at www.ccsps.org boating is fun … we’ll show you how

®

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MARINE APP OF THE MONTH

Boat Ramps Boat Ramps is an exciting new app that lets you quickly locate and get directions to more than 35,000 boat ramps throughout the U.S Requirements: Compatible with iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad.

Requires iOS 4.0 or later, FREE Click here

ART KIMBER HOLIDAY GIVING DRIVE

Last year we began a new tradition. Our annual December Holiday Party collection was in honor of P/D/C Art Kimber, SN. Every year Art rallied each of us to bring cash and non-perishable food dona-tions for Cape Cod families in need.

Art’s community involvement touched the lives of countless citizens and spanned many organiza-tions and decades from the 1970s until his passing on 23 June 2010.

We will continue the squadron’s annual tradition of outreach in the spirit of Art’s good will to all.

Join the camara-derie enjoyed at the holiday party on 1 December at the Hyannis Golf Club and gener-ously donate to share your bless-ings.

Kevin Mingora/Cape Cod Times.

Reprinted with permission.

MINI BOAT MAINTENANCE COURSE

Source: Stuart Beck … via Hugh Blair-Smith

WEBSITE BULLETIN 2011 bylaws accessed online Webmaster Jim Reed, JN*

Revised squadron bylaws approved 16 August 2011 by the USPS Committee on Rules are avail-able on our website.

VISIT www.ccsps.org.

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MEMBER AWARDS P/Stf/C Joan Croft, AP* Education Involvement Award Completing a minimum of three electives and ad-vanced grades through Advanced Piloting, Michael Crook, AP*, receives the USPS Educational Proficien-cy Award presented by Cdr Charles Burke and SEO Dave Atwood at the Thursday, 27 October, dinner meeting.

Member Involvement Award Cdr Burke (left) presents “Very Important Member” pins to (left to right) Lee Johnson, Hugh Blair-Smith, and Barb and Terry Wilcox for influencing new mem-bers to join USPS. Joan Croft, standing next to Charles, explains that a pie-shaped piece of the pin is missing and awarded as new members renew. A full write-up explaining the USPS recognition initiative follows.

OUR USPS VIM AWARD Very Important Member Program Membership Chairman Joan Croft, AP* The VIM program honors members who influ-ence others to join USPS. Here’s how. When our individual good will efforts as squadron ambassadors motivate someone to join, a Very Important Member lapel pin is presented. But there’s a catch: It comes in two pieces. The missing wedge is awarded when the new member renews the following year. The missing wedge is a reminder that as spon-sors, we take on the role of mentor by keep-ing in touch, making them feel welcome, and assisting them to meet and exceed their ex-pectations. Although the success of and ca-maraderie offered to new members is the best reward, meriting the second VIM pin piece is an example to be emulated. As the saying goes, “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.”

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YARMOUTH SEASIDE FESTIVAL PARADE Lt/C Lee Johnson, AP* The sun and above average temperatures brought out a record number of marchers: David Akin, Da-vid Atwood, Hugh Blair-Smith, Charles Burke, Larry Cole, Evan and Joan Croft, John Hilton, Lee and Peg Johnson, Walter Penczar, Hal Petersen, Wayne Richardson, Mary Lou Walsh, Terry and Barbara Wilcox. Riding in the boat were Carol Hilton, Gail Burke, and Theresa Cole (Larry’s granddaughter). The squadron’s new banner, “Boating a Family Tradition”, fit in well with the parade theme but our beautiful float with the Wilcox’s boat, Back Forty, truck and trailer didn’t win the prize. However, we received a lot of ohh’s and ahh’s. There was lots of noise en route with the fire trucks behind us. The marcher’s smiling faces, good cheer and life jacket reminders were given as 6006 Life Saver™ candies were handed out. All participants were wearing the USCG Type V life jackets. At the end of the parade, we disassem-bled the float at the Clarion Hotel. And, #4 lifejacket was missing! It was assigned to ….but worn by….who swapped? After much consternation, Gail Burke did a body count. My gosh, where is Bar-bara? Meanwhile she had drifted west along Rt. 28. But, a cell phone call by Terry found her and the life jacket! All were joyfully accounted for.

Wait, the party’s not over…the Hilton’s hosted a delicious hamburger and hot dog cookout with all the fixings. And we were treated to a demo of their new kayak lifting device called a Hullivator by the Thule Co. The parade gear is now packed away for the winter and ready for the 10 March, 2012 St. Patrick’s Day parade. Come join us. The Harwich Port Sea Scout Ship is providing a boat and trailer for the event. Come join us. Order your caps and shirts on: http://commodoreuniform.com/stores/capecodps/index.html Call 508-398-7256 for further information

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STRUCK BY LIGHTNING Lt/C Deirdre Leyden Hyannis Anglers Club was the setting for our September dinner meeting. Weather was perfect to allow diners to enjoy cocktails on the deck with fantastic views of Hyannis Harbor. Members were pleased with the new venue and wonderful meal. The chocolate lava cake was a decadent-ly delicious dessert treat We were treated to an informative, interactive presentation by Michael Ut-ley, of struckbylightning.org. Mike promotes lightning safety and education worldwide and is a regular contributor to national news and weather pro-gramming. He spoke of his experiences being struck by lightning and educat-ed us on lightning safety. Mike showed us a video, interacted with members during his presentation, fielded questions from the audience and provided entertaining and thought provoking responses. Doris David was presented with an Appreciation Award for her many years of service to the squadron in managing the mailing of Porthole … see article on opposite page.

Mike Utley

George and Lee

Bob Bach and Tim Millar Joan Croft and Max Sarazin

Prime Rib … yum!

Great conversations with good friends

The Begleys & The Elders

Chocolate Lava Cake

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AN APPRECIATIVE SQUADRON THANKS DORIS DAVID What has 63,000 pieces, weighs 2.5 tons and stretches 1 mile? P/Stf/C Joan Croft, AP* Cape Cod Sail and Power Squadron honored former Lt Doris David, P, for 16 years of volunteer service as Squadron Mailing Coordinator. Commemorative gifts – a plaque and engraved decorative brass yacht vase – were presented to her by Cdr Charles Burke, AP*, at the Hyannis Anglers Club during the 22 September 2011 dinner meeting.

A much greater task than the unassuming title suggests, Doris performed her job behind the scenes, often unremarked upon because there was never a doubt that each issue of The Porthole would be mailed punctually. However, her reliability was never taken for granted by squadron executive committee

departments that relied on the prompt mailing of time-sensitive notices and articles in an unbroken annual publication cycle. Doris joined USPS in 1975 as a Women’s Certificate Holder (WCH) in Chattanooga, TN. In 1983 in Wil-mington, DE, she became a family member, and in 1983 changed her status to additional active. Doris first took up the bulk mailing position for Wilmington, DE. After transferring membership to Cape Cod in 1993, by 1995 she had assumed that committee chairmanship for the District 14 The MA-

RI-ner and Cape Cod’s Roster of Members and The Porthole newsletter. At one per year, she was awarded Life Member in 2006 for earning 25 merit marks for her service in these and numerous other capacities. Now with 27 merit marks, she has stepped down from the mailing coordinator position. All told, 16 years of Cape Cod mailings produced 63,000 pieces weighing two-and-a-half tons and using one mile of sealing tape. As perpetual as it was to renew and refill the squadron bulk rate account, maintain an accurate mail-ing list, pick up newsletter copies from the printer, fold, label, zip code sort, and deliver The Porthole to the post office for nine issues a year, those tasks were by no means the extent of Doris’s contribu-tions. She served as a Cape Cod delegate to district and national meetings, hostess at district confer-

ences, and was on the Cooperative Charting National Honor Roll in 1984, 1995, and 2003. Doris in fact has participated as a delegate since becoming an active member in 1983 and served as aide to P/V/C Robert David, SN, in his capacities as Wilmington Power Squadron Commander, a USPS Rear Commander, and USPS National Educational Officer. “Doris also assisted me with my USPS repre-sentative responsibilities to national and European boating organizations, twice helping to host the National Boating Federation Meetings at the Hyannis Yacht Club,” Bob added. Cape Cod Executive Committees, past and present, along with the full membership, wholeheartedly thank Doris for her dedication.

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Join us for holiday merriment

HOLIDAY DINNER PARTY P/C Michael Leyden, P

YO HO HO … it’s time for the CCSPS Holiday/Christmas Dinner Party!

featuring entertainment by Dave McCoy

Dave McCoy, "the one man dance band" plays 50's 60's 70's music, Christmas car-ols and sing along. Dinner, dancing and fun. See you on 1 December, 2011, 1800 for cocktail hour. Dave is a consummate and enthusiastic entertainer. His ex-tremely dry sense of humor and really good guitar playing always ensures a fan-tastic evening! So don’t miss his performance and mark the date … come join the rest of us for a wonderful evening.

This event is open to all District 14 members & guests.

We will be in the newly decorated Terrace Room at the Hyannis Golf Club overlooking the 36 hole golf course which is the perfect setting for our event. Menu choice is Prime Rib, Chicken Cordon Bleu or Baked Stuffed Haddock. Surprises are in store. Chef Scott will be attentively catering to all our needs. This promises to be one of the best events of the year. The Bridge encourages as many members as possible to attend, especially our newer members. Please bring a donation … a non-perishable food item and/or cash donation for the holiday food pantry.

We love early birds! Book your holiday dinner reservation now.

PLEASE NOTE:

We hope that everyone who makes a reservation can

attend! CCSPS must honor all reservations that are

made at the Hyannis Golf Club as of one week before

the event. If you find that you cannot attend, you will

be financially responsible for your reservations unless

you notify Deirdre Leyden at 508-760-1978 by Novem-

ber 25.

Dave McCoy

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Yo Ho Ho

Time for the CCSPS Holiday Dinner Party!

1 December, 2011 Terrace Room, The Hyannis Golf Club 1840 Route 132, Hyannis, MA

1800: Meet new and old friends at cocktail time Cheese, crackers, fruit, veggies

1845: Dinner Menu: Caesar Salad

Choice of Entree:

Prime Rib Baked Stuffed Haddock with Seafood Stuffing

Chicken Cordon Bleu, ham, swiss with mustard cream sauce Baked Stuffed Potato and Vegetable du Jour

Dessert Cart

I (we) plan to attend the 1 December, 2011 Holiday Dinner Party at the Terrace Room

Sign me up for:.

____ Prime Rib @ $29.50 = _________ ____Baked Stuffed Haddock @ $29.50 = _________ ____Chicken Cordon Bleu @ $29.50 = _________

Name_________________________________ Phone: ____________________ Reservations by 23 November, 2011 with check payable to CCSPS and mail to: Michael Leyden,

18 Sparrow Way, South Yarmouth, MA 02664, phone 508-760-1978

QUICK RSVP RESERVE: click HERE to reserve and pay at the door

Join us for holiday merriment

HOLIDAY DINNER PARTY P/C Michael Leyden, P

YO HO HO … it’s time for the CCSPS Holiday/Christmas Dinner Party!

featuring entertainment by Dave McCoy

Dave McCoy, "the one man dance band" plays 50's 60's 70's music, Christmas car-ols and sing along. Dinner, dancing and fun. See you on 1 December, 2011, 1800 for cocktail hour. Dave is a consummate and enthusiastic entertainer. His ex-tremely dry sense of humor and really good guitar playing always ensures a fan-tastic evening! So don’t miss his performance and mark the date … come join the rest of us for a wonderful evening.

This event is open to all District 14 members & guests.

We will be in the newly decorated Terrace Room at the Hyannis Golf Club overlooking the 36 hole golf course which is the perfect setting for our event. Menu choice is Prime Rib, Chicken Cordon Bleu or Baked Stuffed Haddock. Surprises are in store. Chef Scott will be attentively catering to all our needs. This promises to be one of the best events of the year. The Bridge encourages as many members as possible to attend, especially our newer members. Please bring a donation … a non-perishable food item and/or cash donation for the holiday food pantry.

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We are very happy to report Ed Ruckle is out of the hospital and working from home on the Porthole again, among other projects. Wel-come back, Ed! It’s been a quiet time. I’m hoping for some more exciting news! How about some of you snowbirds reporting in from your lanai? What’s happening in Florida? Go on! Rub it in! And anyone planning a winter trip, keep us posted on your experience. (Remember, trip reports will be published after you return home. CCSPS SUPPLY STORE Makes great holiday gifts

Our unique squadron burgees are in stock in small 12x18, $23; large 16x24, $30.

CCSPS logo clothing can be found at our squadron’s online clothing supply store at www.ccsps.org. For the squadron to receive purchaser

credit, online orders are required by the vendor.

To avoid shipping charges, write “in-store pick-up” in the order comment section.

PORTHOLE GUARANTEED DATE 19 December deadline for January newsletter Materials received by this ‘guaranteed date’ will appear, but late materials may or may not appear.

SUNSHINE COMMITTEE Lt/Cdr Mary Lou Walsh, AP Congratulation to Hugh Blair-Smith on publication of TWO scientific papers he presented at the 29th DASC (Digital Avionics Systems Conference). They were pub-lished in the IEEE Aerospace and Electronic Systems magazine along with a lead editorial in which Editor-in-Chief Teresa Pace credits one of them with being "History that Teaches Lessons." That was System Inte-gration Issues in Apollo 11; the other paper bears the semi-whimsical title Tom Swift and His Electric Airship. Ron and Ann Follett and Gary and Sharyn Seasholtz just returned from the trip of a lifetime: a Land Rover safari in Tanzania. When they unwind and get their pictures organized, they promise a more lengthy re-port and photos in a later issue. But the preliminary impression from Ann is very enlightening already. She wrote me: This was a "land cruise" in Land Rovers-----roads were choppy, and the sun shone every day. The animals, birds, tribes, and travelers were all very inter-esting. It was certainly a trip of a lifetime. We have many good photos and Ron will be able to get them to you ----we just had them put on a disc yesterday. My impressions: the tribes are very interesting--their lives are very hard by our standards--searching for water, no transportation, no electricity, no communication with the outside world (just imagine--we had 11 days not knowing what was going on in the outside world). We visited a school---42 children in one classroom--one teacher and no aides. Three to a desk, and sharing the textbooks. They all walk to school--one boy walks 7 miles each way every day! We visited tribal homes-they do not have money---the families trade and barter for what they need. The animals were fantastic---very healthy (any that were injured became food very quick-ly) and they were not afraid of us. The birds were beautiful and Sharyn can give you info on them--she took great pictures. I guess I would say---if you can climb onto your boat, you can do a safari--it is not too late!

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December 2011

1 Annual Holiday Dinner Party, Hyannis Golf Club 19 Porthole guaranteed date …. January, 2012 January 2012

10 America's Boating Course®, Orleans Yacht Club, Orleans, MA 12 Executive Committee Meeting, Dennis P.D. 25-29 USPS Annual Meeting, Jacksonville, FL 26 Squadron Dinner Meeting, Yarmouth House 26 Porthole guaranteed date

February 2012 10-12 Boatbuilders Show, Resort & Conference Center, Hyannis 11 Founder’s Day Celebration, Fireside Grille, Middleboro, MA 16 Executive Committee Meeting, Dennis P.D. 23 Squadron Monthly Dinner Meeting, St. David’s Potluck 25 Porthole guaranteed date

March 2012

06 District 14 Spring Conference, COW, White’s Restaurant, Westport 08 Executive Committee Meeting, Dennis P.D. 10 Saint Patrick’s Day Parade, W. Dennis to S. Yarmouth, Rt.28 22 Squadron Annual Meeting, Ardeo at Kingsway 25 Porthole guaranteed date TBD America's Boating Course

April 2012 12 Executive Committee Meeting, Dennis, P.D. 14 District 14 Council Meeting, White’s Restaurant, Westport, MA 22 Porthole guaranteed date 26 Squadron Dinner Meeting (Change of Watch), Paddock, Hyannis TBD VSC Class & Refresher, TBD

May 2012

1-31 Annual Cape Cod Maritime Days, Hyannis, MA 10 Executive Committee Meeting, Dennis P.D. 21-26 National Safe Boating Week 24 Squadron Monthly Dinner Meeting , Yarmouth House

24 Porthole guaranteed date

EDITOR’S NOTE:

Many thanks to so many of you who took the time to send good wishes, cards and emails while I was in a long hospital stay in Boston. I am delighted to be back on Cape, getting healthier each day and again at the helm of the Porthole for this winter edition. At times like this, one realizes just what a great organization CCSPS represents for the individual member. Now back to work.

Calendar of Meetings and Events

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Happy Holidays

Source: Flickr