of martin county crossroads · lt/c rosalie m. goebel (772) 781-1098 [email protected] secretary...

CROSSROADS OF MARTIN COUNTY

Volume 49 Number 4 Stuart, Florida October/November/December 2019

A Publication of St. Lucie River Power Squadron Chartered 24 January 1970

www.SLRPS.org

Good & Welfare Committee If you know of any member or spouse who has died, who is ill, in the hospital, or could use a lift of spirits, please contact

Lt/C Rosalie Goebel at 772-781-1098

BRIDGE OFFICERS 2019-2020

COMMANDER Cdr John E. Goebel, SN

(772) 781-1098 [email protected]

EXECUTIVE OFFICER Lt/C Robert Chaille, AP


EDUCATIONAL OFFICER

Lt/C Paul Vallier, SN (772) 678-2468

[email protected]

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER Lt/C Rosalie M. Goebel


SECRETARY

Lt/C Richard Pontynen, AP (772) 247-7295

[email protected]

TREASURER Lt/C William E. Gelpke, AP


Assistants to the Bridge

Asst. SEO 1st/Lt Paul Bendeck, P Asst. Secretary 1st/Lt Helen Chachakis, P Asst. Treasurer Vacant

Crossroads Staff EDITOR

Cdr John Goebel, SN (772) 781-1098

[email protected]

PUBLISHER/MAILING COMMITTEE P/Lt/C Tom Gatziolis, S

Lt Sue Gatziolis, S (772) 781-2876

[email protected] [email protected]

Title: CROSSROADS Issue Date: 1 October 2019

Authorized Organization’s Name & Address: St. Lucie River Power Squadron, Inc.®, 1820 NE Jensen Bch Blvd, #628,

Jensen Beach, FL 34957 (772-212-2970) Issue Number: Volume 49, Number 4

CROSSROADS is published bi-monthly 6 times a year by and for the members of the St. Lucie River Power Squadron, Inc.®, a unit of the United States Power Squadrons®, District 8. Articles, opinions and advertisements do not necessarily reflect USPS, D/8 or SLRPS policy or endorsement unless so designated. Submit articles, comments, etc. before 15 December to the editor: Cdr John Goebel, SN, 11150 SW Vitalia Ct., Port Saint Lucie, FL 34987 or email to [email protected]. Please use the word “Crossroads” in the subject line.

January/February 2016 CROSSROADS October/November/December 2019 PAGE 2

CROSSROADS

(See Commander on Pg 4)

COMMANDER’S REPORT

Cdr John Goebel, SN


Rosalie & I have recently returned from the USPS Governing Board Meeting in Louisville, KY. It was our first visit to Kentucky so we used the opportunity to visit some of the local favor-ites such as Churchill Downs and the Louisville Slugger museum. While I was attending meet-ings Rosalie took the opportunity to visit some of the nearby museums and shopping venues. Always a fun time learning what’s new with USPS and socializing with our America’s Boat-ing Club friends. So what did we learn in Louisville? We have a new member benefit. USPS has

signed an MOU with DAN Boater (DAN/DB), the world’s premier travel safety association. This membership is provided at no charge until the member’s next dues renewal date; afterwards the member can opt in for only $25 annually. This MOU provides all USPS members the following benefits: Medical Information Line 24/7 Emergency Hotline Travel Health & Safety Guides (digital), co

-branded with ABC logo Medical Evacuation Medical Repatriation to Home Country Search and Rescue Expense Reimburse-

ment; And more

No USPS dues increase is anticipated for 2020

SLRPS received a 2nd place National award for Member Involvement and Retention (MIRA). See photo on page 9 of me receiv-ing the award from Chief Commander Gary Cheney, SN.

Our SLRPS 50th Anniversary Burgee with gold border was approved.

Back home now and as you read through this Crossroads edition you’ll hear about our public

CROSSROADS November/December 2015 PAGE 3 CROSSROADS October/November/December 2019 PAGE 3

CROSSROADS

EDUCATIONAL OFFICER’S

REPORT Lt/C Paul A. Vallier, SN


Our 2018-2019 Educational season completed the weekend of 29-30 June 2019 with P/Lt/C Mike Knapp, AP offering the final ABC class of the season. Four students took and passed the exam to earn a FL Boating Safety Education ID Card. THANK YOU AND WELL DONE MIKE KNAPP! The Educational Department has now sched-uled the 2019-2020 Educational season with our kickoff public ABC3 class scheduled for the weekend of 19-20 October! Our call for addi-tional instructors has so far gone unanswered so I urge anyone who would like to help in the least way with our teaching mission to call or e-mail me. We will work around your preferences and availability. By helping to teach any portion of our courses, your experience can greatly ben-efit others! The teaching schedule this year will include the following: ABC3 on 19-20 October; 9-10 November;

18-19 January and 7-8 March Seamanship (or Boat Handling as it is now

known): 16-17 November Junior Navigation (1st celestial nav course)

starts 8 January until complete Navigation starts 12 November and contin-

ues till complete Seminars Weather and Forecasting: 18 January Partner in Command: 8 February Intro to Navigation (ABC chapter 5): 21

March

When you see Paul Bendeck, wish him well. Paul is still recovering from a very serious heart surgery. We expect he will be back soon with his usual enthusiasm for all things “Squadron”! Happy Boating to all from your Educational Dept. Lt/C Paul Vallier, SN, 1st/Lt Paul Bendeck, P and P/Lt/C Mike Knapp, AP

EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S

REPORT Lt/C Robert Chaille, AP


Greetings fellow members! I would like to start out by welcoming everyone back from the long hot summer and express that my overall feelings are that of gratitude and gratefulness to every-one who makes our Squadron so successful and such an enjoyable group to be part of. With this I would like to thank the following members for their unselfish contributions: Our prayers and assistance go out to all of the victims of Hurricane Dorian and many thanks to Lt Ruth Frederick and Lt Peter Rodaway who have coordinated a relief mission for the Baha-mians impacted with a group of family boat own-ers from Team Health. Team Health members are taking donated products to the outer islands and cays in many trips planned over the next several weekends. The Marathon Sail & Power Squadron donated $1000 to the relief effort on behalf of SLRPS. Coupled with donations from SLRPS and its members our combined dona-tions exceed $2,600. Lt Steven Shultz, S and his assistant Krista for the success of another MIATC Waterway Clean-up and for their hard work arranging the event and providing an after-cleanup barbeque for all the participants hard work. We had an unfilled position on the Nominating Committee that P/C Bruce Muller, AP has so graciously accepted to fill along with the Auditing Committee being filled by P/Lt/C Larry Reynnells, SN and John Esch, N. Finally, is my sincerest appreciation to Cdr John and Lt/C Rosalie Goebel for all their dedication and effort to make out Squadron what it is, noth-ing but excellent. Our Summer Social at Sand-sprit Park had more than 30 members and guests all who enjoyed the camaraderie and music by Jerry Moran. It was just another exam-ple of John and Rosalie’s contributions.

Our squadron placed second nationally for the (Executive Officer’s report continued on Page 4)

(See Administrative Officer on next column above)

CROSSROADS

(Executive Officer’s report continued from Page 3)

PAGE 4

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER’S

REPORT Lt/C Rosalie M. Goebel


Ahoy Mateys! Since the last Crossroads our well-attended theatre/dinner event (see photos on pg 9) was a great success! Fiorentinos in Stu-art’s Cedar Pointe Plaza did not disappoint. Everything on their menu was fair game except for the lobster and all for the same price. Like last year dessert was included which again was a large over-sized cannoli for each person. A really yummy finale to a very fine 3-course meal. After dining we all strolled down a few store fronts to the A.C.T. Studio Theatre where we were treated to the most delightful comedy which was an abridged, lighthearted version of all 37 William Shakespeare plays. It included some improv with much audience participation to add to the fun. Both Karen Higuera and Lynne Husted were plucked from their seats and as-signed characters on stage to add to the hilarity and audience’s delight. Next time you see them don’t hesitate to call either of them “Bob”. You’re sure to get a smile. No small wonder this play remained for 9 years on London’s West End. Gearing up for our next event I’d encourage all of you to strongly consider our comedy/dinner event at the East Ocean Bistro also located in Cedar Pointe Plaza on 19 October. Dinner is at 7pm followed by the headliner, yet to be an-nounced. We have done this in the past few years and have been entertained by both stand-up comedy acts as well as last year’s comedy magician who enlisted Commander John to be his “assistant” to much guffaws and laughter. Who knows what will be in store for us this time., so if you don’t want to miss out on some good food and clean comic entertainment all under one roof please contact me for reservations. Wishing you all fair skies and smooth sailing.

Lt/C Rosalie Goebel

Membership Involvement and Retention Award. This is an overwhelming achievement consider-ing the rate of attrition the United States Power Squadron is experiencing nationally. Upcoming Events: District 8 Fall Conference October 25

through 27 at the Embassy Suites in Palm Beach Gardens. See the agenda and regis-tration form on page 5.

After having a successful BSVT at Bass Pro Shops in Port Saint Lucie we are planning on being at Marine Max of Stuart when their next major event is scheduled.

SLRPS is Partnering with Mariners Learning System – the squadron has been asked to proctor the Captain's Exam in Stuart for the Mariners Learning System. The Squadron would receive the proceed for members vol-unteering to proctor the exam with members qualifying for Merit Mark hours. The 1st ex-am is planned for Thursday, 17 December. We are looking for more proctors so please let me know if you are interested

SLRPS 50th Anniversary/Change of Watch event – Chaired by P/D/C Dennis Ladd, SN. The event is scheduled for 16 January 2020 at Stuart Corinthian Yacht Club.

Stuart Boat Show January 10-12, 2020. Help will be needed to stand watch at our booth and at the BSVT simulator.

Lt/C Bob Chaille, AP CROSSROADS October/November/December 2019

and member education class plans for the up-coming year, our civic service contributions and our upcoming social activities.

I’d especially like to invite you all to our Annual Meeting to be held on 21 November at Miles Grant CC. At this meeting we will vote on the 2020 operating budget and elect the Bridge and other officers for next year. Invitations are also extended to attend our Change of Watch and 50th Anniversary celebration on 16 Janu-ary at the Stuart Corinthian YC.

As we enter into the year-end holiday season Rosalie & I would like to wish all our members much good health and happiness as they cele-brate with family and friends.

Cdr John Goebel, SN

P.S.Don’t forget our D/8 Conference(see pg 5)

Commander’s report continued from Page 2)

September/October 2016 PAGE 6 October/November/December 2019 PAGE 5

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CROSSROADS October/November/December 2019

SLRPS Members & Friends Participating in the Treasure Coast Waterway Cleanup - 27 July 2019

Photos & Collage by Lt/C Bill Gelpke, AP

SLRPS Raftup/Rendezvous at Concy Joe’s- 26 July 2019


September/October 2016 PAGE 6 CROSSROADS October/November/December 2019 PAGE 7

CROSSROADS

SLRPS Luncheon 3 July 2019 - Twisted Tuna

SLRPS Members Assembling National Safe Boating Week Packets - 22 May 2019

Photo by Ann Seeley

SLRPS ABC3 Class 29-30 June 2019

Photo by Lt/C Bill Gelpke, AP

CROSSROADS

PAGE 8

LOST CHAPTER IN MARITIME HISTORY by Gerry Moran

A year-and-half ago, a number of recreational boaters sailed from the Manatee Pocket on a cruise to Cuba. One of the tours in Cuba was to Ernest Hemingway's house and his boat, Pilar. Hemingway, besides being a famous author, is considered the father of ocean sport-fishing which was his pas-sion in the pre-war period in the late 1930s. A less known fact, Hemingway was the most famous example of a citizen volunteer during World War II. In 1941, six German U-Boats sank 41 ships in the waters off the East Coast and Florida Strait. In March of 1942 alone, 70 ships were sunk by U-Boats on East and Gulf Coasts. These sink-ing's were kept secret from the American people. At this critical time, a surprising ragtag fleet of recreational boaters, owners of schooners and power boats stepped forward. Hemingway in his 38-ft fishing boat, Pilar, gave the symbolic face to the thousands of American yachtsmen and yachtswomen volunteering their time and vessels to defend the coastline of the United States. These "coastal picket forces" eventually laid the ground work for what became the modern day Coast Guard Auxiliary. These recreational boaters were crucial as submarine spotters and were highly effective at rescuing survivors from torpedoed vessels. Large offshore racing schooners were naturally stealthy, fast, and could handle heavy seas while patrolling 150 miles offshore. These forces freed up thinly stretched U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy assets. In the early part of the War, it was reported that nearly every yacht club along the East Coast had banded together to form flotillas. It was the era of wooden boats and iron men and women. We owe these brave crews a great debt. When my wife and I came to Florida over five years ago, we took a boating course presented by the America’s Boating Club, St. Lucie River Power Squadron. We were so impressed with the long time Educational Officer, P/Lt/C Mike Knapp, AP that we joined the Squadron. Although the mission is different, the spirit of those long ago volunteers live in the hearts of the dedicated men and women of the America’s Boating Club.


SLRPS Picnic at Sandsprit Park - 13 July 2019


CROSSROADS

CROSSROADS October/November/December 2019 PAGE 9

SLRPS Members & Friends Enjoying Dinner at Fiorentinos & the A.C.T. Theatre - 16 August 2019

Photos

SLRPS Commander John Goebel, SN (L) receives the Member Involvement and Retention Award from C/C Gary Cheney, SN (C) at the USPS Governing Board Meeting in Louisville, KY

CROSSROADS


Hurricane Dorian Relief Efforts

As most of us know, Hurricane Dorian ripped through the Northern Bahamas as a cat 5 storm and seemingly stalled causing incredible devastation to properties and lives. SLRPS Lt Ruth Frederick is an employee of Team Health that conducted relief missions for the Bahamians impacted by Hurri-cane Dorian. A group of family boat owners from Team Health took donated products to the outer islands and cays. Thanks to the generosity of SLRPS, it’s members and the Marathon Sail & Power Squadron over $2,700 was raised to purchase much needed supplies. Included were 3 portable generators, two of which are being used to provide needed electricity to a dialysis patient and a young girl needing a respirator. Ruth and Lt Peter Rodaway used our monetary donations to pur-chase the necessary supplies and transported them to West Palm Beach where they were loaded onto private boats for transport to the affected areas. The photos below show some of the donations and the recipients in Green Turtle Cay who were re-sponsible for distribution to the needy individuals and families.

**Mark Your Calendars** SLRPS Change of Watch &

50th Anniversary Celebration

Date: 16 January 2020

Time: 1800

Where: Stuart Corinthian Yacht Club 4725 SE Capstan Ave, Stuart, FL 34997

CROSSROADS BOOSTERS Show your support for publishing a quality CROSSROADS! For a donation of $10.00 (or more) per person, you will be proudly recognized in every issue for a year. Send your check, made payable to SLRPS to:

Lt/C William Gelpke, AP 1820 N. E. Jensen Beach Blvd. # 628

Jensen Beach, FL 34957

CROSSROADS

Sam and Sandra Astley 03/20 Reinhard and Ruth Bruderer 10/21

Steve and Helen Chachakis 11/20

Bob & Susie Chaille 03/20 Ken and Elaine Cote 06/20

John Esch 10/20

Tom Gatziolis 8/19

Bill and Lana Gelpke 06/20

CROSSROADS October/November/December 2019 PAGE 11

Gordon and Niki Girvin 11/19 John and Rosalie Goebel 06/20 Bill and Jeanne Holland 06/19

Bill and Lynne Husted 05/19

George and Mary Kay 06/21

Larry Konz 07/19 Mike Knapp 03/19

Don and Dorothy Kurtz 06/20

Phyllis and Bob La Mar 09/19 Bruce and Sheri Muller 06/19

Larry Neidigh 08/19 Rich and Angie Pontynen 06/20

Bill Prettyman 03/20

Larry Reynnells 07/19

JJ & Joanne Smith 05/19

Katie & Vince Whalen 08/19

Sharon R. Billitch (E305678) 1950 SW Palm City Rd Stuart, FL 34994 Phone: 561-414-7231 Email: [email protected]

Anne Marie Persaud (E305676) 522 Colorado Ave Stuart, FL 34994 Phone: 772-370-7638 Email: [email protected]

WELCOME ABOARD

**Mark Your Calendars** SLRPS Raft-up

Date: 18 October 2019

Time: 1130 Where: Mulligan’s Restaurant 131 SW Flagler Ave. (Downtown Stuart)

Come by Car or Boat

**Mark Your Calendars** SLRPS Comedy Club Event

Date: 19 October 2019

Time: 1900

Where: East Ocean Bistro

2661 SE Ocean Blvd, Stuart

SLRPS Picnic at Sandsprit Park - 13 July 2019

Photo by Ann Seeley

St. Lucie River Power Squadron

1820 NE Jensen Bch Blvd, #628 Jensen Beach, FL 34957-7212

TO:

Don’t forget to look at our Facebook page and website: http://www.SLRPS.org

C O M I N G E V E N T S The weekly Wednesday luncheon group meets at:

Southern Pig & Cattle Co., 2583 SE Federal Hwy., Stuart at 1130

October 2019

2-3 Stuart Air Show 7 Executive Committee Meeting 9-10 ABC3 Class; 0900-1600 each day 11 Veterans Day 12 Navigation Class Starts 16-17 Seamanship Class 21 SLRPS Annual Meeting - Miles Grant CC 22 Happy Thanksgiving

November 2019

3 Executive Committee Meeting @ 1900

4 USCG Established 1790

8 Yom Kippur starts at sundown

13 US Navy Established 1775

18 SLRPS Raft-up @ Mulligan’s Restaurant

19 Comedy Club Event @ East Ocean Bistro

19-20 ABC3 Class; 0900-1600 each day

25-27 USPS District 8 Fall Conference

30 Fort Lauderdale Boat Show Starts

31 Happy Halloween

NOTE: Executive Committee Meetings and all classes are held at St. Joseph Parish Life Center - Rm. 7, 1300 East 10th St., Stuart.

December 2019

5 Executive Committee Meeting 7 Martin County Holiday Boat Parade TBD SLRPS Holiday Luncheon 21 Winter Solstice 22 First day of Hanukkah (starts at sundown) 25 Merry Christmas 31 New Year’s Eve

of martin county crossroads · lt/c rosalie m. goebel (772) 781-1098 [email protected] secretary...

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