the bay breeze april 2011

VOLUME LIII April, 2011 NUMBER II

A Unit of the UNITED STATES POWER SQUADRONS® District 21

From the Bridge After the E-board Meeting Tuesday evening, I came away realizing that the theme of this month’s article for the Bay Breeze was going to have to be radically different from what I had originally intended. To borrow a line from a folk singer you all know, “the times, they are a-changing”.

The Budget Committee gave their report, and the sentiment was that we could expect this year to be a lean one. They made two recommendations in an effort to reduce operating costs. The Board endorsed both recommendations. As a result, this may be the last Bay Breeze published in hard copy form. Starting in May, the Bay Breeze will only be available on the Squadron’s web site. There are several advantages to be gained from doing this. We eliminate a substantial cost. Projected savings will amount to several thou-

(See “From the Bridge” Continued on page 6)

07 May 2011 Auction

Place: Elks Lodge Time: 1830 social, 1930 dinner Menu: BBQ Program: Auction Dress: Casual Reservations: Thru call committee. Price: TBA Sponsored by the Bridge & Executive Committee. Food will be cooked by Frank Boerner & John Morawski. They need donations and helpers. Please offer items and other money makers to help raise money for our fund raiser.

01 April 2011 Monthly Meeting

Place: Mario’s Flying Pizza, 618 W. NASA Pkwy Time: Social at 1830 Dinner at 1930 Menu: Buffet, garden salad, Italian bread & butter, grated parmesan cheese, lasagna pizza, ravioli, beef cannelloni, Penne pasta, manicotti & ziti noodles, Iced tea, coffee, soft drinks. Program: TBA Dress: Casual Reservations: Thru call committee Price: $13.00

April, 2011 The Galveston Bay Breeze

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Now Hear This!

The Galveston Bay Breeze Official monthly publication of the Galveston Bay

Sail & Power Squadron, a unit of the United States Power Squadrons®. Address correspondence to:

Galveston Bay Sail & Power Squadron

P. O. Box 336

Seabrook, TX 77586-0336

or

Galveston Bay Breeze

Editor: Jeff Parmenter, S

1203 Twin Oaks Blvd Box 14

Kemah, TX 77565

[email protected]

Assistant Editor: Lt Jinx Manning, P

Staff:

Photography – Lt Keith Schwabe, S

P/Lt/C C J Settles, AP

P/Lt/C Natalie Laffere, JN

P/D/Lt/C Billie Kearney, N

P/Lt/C Henry Milam, AP & Carol Milam, AP, Marian Scott

June Radney P/C Bill Strybos, SN

P/D/C Charles Ashford, SN All members of the Bridge

The Bridge: 2009-2010

Commander: Lt/C Linton Arbaugh, JN

Executive Officer: Lt/C Jim Tyson, JN

Education Officer: Lt/C James Hammond, SN Administrative Officer: Position Open

Treasurer: Lt/C Ron Marta, JN

Secretary: Lt/C Lana Sands, P

Immediate P/C: Cdr Charles Scott, JN

Members At Large of the Executive Board:

Peter Aronstam, SN

Linda Worthington

John Morawski, AP

Elected Assistants:

Assistant SEO: 1st/Lt Carol Morgan Gohlke, S

Assistant Secretary: 1st/Lt Carol Milam, AP

Assistant Treasurer: P/Lt/C Susan Moraski, SN

Squadron website www.gbps.org

April

01 Monthly Meeting Mario’s Pizza

07 D21 Conference Shrimp Boil at Clear Lake Park

08-09 D21 Conference @

the Hilton Hotel

23 Boating Activity

Boater Certification at Home Port

May

03 E-Board Meeting

07 Auction @ Elks Club

14 ABC-3 Course

Contributors are welcome to email copy to the editor, or it may be mailed to address shown above. Or, if you wish, just bring your-self and your ideas to monthly meetings. Your joining in on this event is the important thing!

Copy deadline goals are as follows: Initial Copy Deadline - 2200 on the second day after monthly meeting.

Final Copy Deadline - 2000 Tuesday after monthly meeting, 100% of copy due.

Final Bay Breeze Changes - 2000 TUE, i.e., No Changes after 2000.

Final Bay Breeze Proof Session - Strickler Building 1000 Thurs-day following the GBSPS meeting unless notified.


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E-BOARD MINUTES

The E-Board meeting was held 1 March 2011 in the Strickler Building. The meeting was called to order. The group recited the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation was given.

Cdr Arbaugh announced that the upcoming meet-ing on Friday night will be at Topwater Grill. He also mentioned that the upcoming Auction will be 7 May at the Elks Lodge. A Committee Head for the Auc-tion was discussed.

Lt/C Ron Marta stated that there is money in the bank and our bills are paid.

Secretary’s Report: Lt/C Lana Sands asked that the minutes of the last meeting which were distrib-uted by email be approved. A motion was made and seconded to accept the minutes as written. Motion passed.

The Budget Committee presented a budget for the coming Squadron year. The proposed budget was discussed at length.

A motion was made and seconded to eliminate the printing and distribution of the Roster and the Bay Breeze. An electronic copy will be made available to the membership in an effort to reduce operating costs. The Board endorsed both recommendations. As a result, this will be the last Bay Breeze published in hard copy form. Starting in May, the Bay Breeze will only be available on the Squadron’s web site. A mo-tion was made and seconded to accept the budget with a few minor changes to be made. Motion passed. The budget will be presented to the general membership on Friday, 4 March.

P/C Phil Welch was nominated for the position of Administrative Officer. Prior to this meeting the Eboard voted electronically to have him fill that posi-tion until someone else could be found to serve. At the conclusion of this meeting P/C Welch decided that he did not wish to serve in this position. The

(“E-Board Minutes” Continued on page 6)

CHANGE OF WATCH

Historically this is a night of recognitions and awards; as it should be. Our members willingly give many volunteer hours to the Squadron and USPS. Cdr Charles Scott thanked his bridge offi-cers for their work this past watch year and pre-sented a plaque to outgoing Education Officer Janet Boerner for her three years of service in that posi-tion. A plaque was also presented to outgoing Treasurer Susan Morawski for her many years of service keeping the books for GBSPS.

Marvin and Betty Frank were presented the Commander’s Award for outstanding service during 2010-11. Marvin has made all of the arrangements for our meetings and Betty has been our telephone chairman, otherwise known as “Madame”. They both have served in that capacity for several years and have agreed to continue again this coming year. Hats off to both of you!

William Carr was called on to make the Member of the Year presentation. This award is given to a member that volunteers in multiple areas of the squadron, over and above their assigned committee responsibilities. This year’s award was presented to Raymond Kearney. Ray is not only the squadron Merit Mark chair, he also participates in Coopera-tive Charting, works in our hospitality room at Dis-trict events, attends National meetings, and any other activities where he can lend a hand.

Our installing officer was D/C Scott McDonald, accompanied by his wife Cdr Clare McDonald. Other district officers in attendance were D/Lt/C Jerry Madden (Executive officer) from the Shreve-port squadron and our own member D/Lt/C Betty Carr (Secretary). R/C Jean Hamilton soon to be V/C Jean took time from her busy schedule to also join us for the evening.

D/C McDonald swore in our new officers, Cdr Linton Arbaugh, Lt/C James Tyson (Executive offi-

(“Change of Watch” Continued on page 6)


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NAUTICAL KNOWLEDGE As I write this article I am at 33o 29.3’ N and 111o 41.5’ W. Yesterday, I managed to

spend some time on the water. No matter where I have travelled over the years I have no-ticed people are attracted to the water. It is a good thing considering how much of the earth is covered by it. Yesterday the body of water was an inland lake created by dam-ming a river. I observed mostly power boats, a few kayaks, and one lonely sailboat. I looked for those things by which I have judged boating knowledge and skills over the years – a properly done cleat hitch, proper use of life jackets, and courtesy to other boaters. The boaters I observed scored an “A.” There is a local Power Squadron relatively close. I wondered if they had been involved in the training of the boaters I saw.

Public boating classes are one of the services we offer through the Squadron. We need to step up our ef-fort to provide this service. In January and February, we had two individuals take the class. We need to get the word out about classes. Our Boating Chairperson and Assistant are not the only ones responsible for get-ting this done. When was the last time you invited a fellow boater to attend one of these classes? When was the last time you helped teach or proctor one of the sections? Later this year we plan to take the course “on the road” to Freeport. This will be in conjunction with a boating event the same weekend.

The Piloting Class which started in February has nine students. My hat is off to Richard Robinson for being the lead instructor. The JN class has not taken their exam as of yet but will soon. They will be starting N shortly after their exam. If you are interested in taking N, contact Peter Aronstam, SN or myself for de-tails.

Bill Carr, N has been working to get interested members certified for the first level of the Boat Operator Certification. There are four levels of certification: Inland Navigator, Coastal Navigator, Advanced Coastal Navigator and Ocean Navigator. The first two levels are in place and the last two are being finalized. A per-son must be certified as an On-The-Water examiner to sign off at each level. Bill has arranged for a national examiner to come certify individuals at the first level. This is scheduled for April 23rd. The cost is $40 and is open to the first twelve people to sign-up. There is some paperwork to complete before the certification. Contact either Bill Carr or myself if you are interested in this certification.

Remember: Boating is fun….Let Us Show You How!!

Lt/C Jim Hammond, SN Squadron Education Officer


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THIS ‘N’ THAT BY JINX & JUNE

Yours truly, Jinx Manning, was busy helping host a Rehearsal Dinner party the night of our March meeting at Top Water Grill. Many thanks to Charles Ashford for passing out and picking up in-formation cards for me for This ‘N’ That. According to Charles, the fisherman’s platter was delicious and the helpings were very generous.

***** Not all of the cards I received were legible, but

it seems there were a number of people who appre-ciated being around fellow boaters and having an opportunity to talk and visit with one another. They also appreciated being able to express their opinions on the budget and other matters of concern.

***** Our thoughts will be with Lana Sands the week

of 11 April. She is facing hip surgery and decided she couldn’t put it off any longer. Keep our precious secretary in your prayers.

***** After much soul searching and checking out the

situation, Dale & Ken Manning are heading to Aca-pulco, Mexico and the Mayan Palace. They plan to have some fun in the sun and feel that where they are going is safe and well-secured.

***** Wow! Wish we could all go with Charles and

Marian Scott in May. They are cruising to Barce-lona, Spain. Bring back pictures and stories. Bon Voyage!

***** It was bad enough to have P/C Jesse Comeaux

move away from us, but now P/C Bill Strybos writes that he and Betsy are checking out places like Smithville, La Grange and Boerne as a place to live. The good news is they haven’t found one they’d like to move to yet.

***** Our deepest sympathy is extended to P/C Al Bi-

eser on the death of his wife of over fifty years who

died after a long illness. A memorial service was held in Friendswood, TX on 12 March 2011.

***** Important! Calling all you ladies in the Squad-

ron! Galveston Bay is hosting the Spring Confer-ence at the Nasa Hilton on 07, 08 & 09 April. We only host like this once every seven years. We are putting on a style show, thanks to Casanova’s Downfall and Dale Manning, who works there. All our ladies are hostesses, so we need you to come and visit and eat and mingle and cheer on our mem-bers as they model. We also plan to have "an hors d’oeuvres and beverage party get-together” in our GBSPS Hospitality Room prior to the luncheon. So, mark your calendar now and let Marian Scott, Dale Manning or Jinx Manning know if you can help. Thanks!

***** A special compliment from an unknown person!

It is a fact that we have some of the best people in our Squadron. They are friendly, gregarious, conge-nial and function very well together!!!

***** Our interesting speaker at the Top Water Grill

meeting was none other than Vince Morvillo, the first blind sailor to win in a National sailing com-petion!! He is, also president of the National Boat Dealers Assoc. and a motivational speaker. Vince's business, Sea Lake Yacht Sales, is located on Ma-rina Bay Drive. Years ago he was a member of our Squadron and is now considering rejoining.

***** Carol and Henry Milam recently moved to a

land base. After almost nine years aboard "Gypsy Wind," their 41' Morgan sailboat. While enjoying a little more elbow room, they continue to sail and plan some trips in the future.

***** John and Jane Krommenhoek recently traveled

to Palm Coast, Florida to celebrate John's Mom's (“This ‘n That” Continued on page 11)


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sand dollars. Those of you at the Topwater Grill heard Billie give a compelling argument for going electronic. A number of USPS Squadrons are al-ready doing this and the results are all favorable. The Bay Breeze will be available to members as soon as it is released, and we can publish with color pho-tographs. For those members without access to the internet, and members who specifically request one, a hard copy will be mailed to them.

The other recommendation made was that we go digital with the Membership Roster. Aside from re-ducing costs to the Squadron, this provides us with a means of keeping the roster information current. Unlike the Bay Breeze, the roster will be available on the SailAngle Web Site to ensure privacy. Again, hard copies will be provided to those members with-out access to the internet.

Like some of you, I am getting to that point in life where I don’t embrace change the way I did when I was younger. Change we must if we are to keep up in this 21st Century. If some of you have ignored SailAngle, and hoped it would go away, I would encourage you to sit in on some of the Webi-nars being presented by Justin Mc Chesney. If you missed the live sessions, all of them are available at SailAngle. Something else we are looking into is using “Go to Meeting” software for selected com-mittee meetings. Committee members who are out of town or otherwise unable to be physically present, can join in via their computer. What’s the downside of all this technology? We all have to learn new tricks! Until next month, see you on the Internet.

Fair winds and following seas. Cdr Linton Arbaugh, AP

(“From the Bridge” Continued from page 1)

Eboard will continue to look for someone for this important job.

A motion to adjourn was properly made, sec-onded, and approved by a show of hands; the meeting adjourned at 2040.

Respectfully submitted, Lt/C Lana Sands, P

Secretary

(“E-Board Minutes” Continued from page 3)

cer), Lt/C James Hammond (Education officer), Lt/C Lana Sands (Secretary) and Lt/C Ron Marta (Treasurer). Assistant Education Janet Boerner, Assistant Secretary Pam Sanders, Assistant Treas-urer Susan Morawski and Member at Large John Morawski also took the oath of office. Lt Charles Gautier, our CoCh chair was called on to assist the D/C in presenting CoCh Honor Roll certifi-cates to members. The group of recipients was large and well deserving of the recognition.

P/D/Lt/C Billie Kearney, N

(“Change of Watch” Continued from page 3)

WELCOME NEW MEMEMBER BOB NICKELSON

Bob Nickelson is one of Galveston Bay Sail and Power Squadron’s new members.

His wife’s name is Barbara and their children are Angela Dixon and Brandi Edwards. Bob and Barbara have five grandchildren.

Bob’s boat is a 42’ Carver named “Docktari”. He attended Bellaire High School and the Uni-versity of Houston. (Go Cougars!) He joined our squadron for the boater education opportunities and activities.

We welcome Bob and his family.


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CHAPLAIN’S CORNER

What makes us truly happy? According to a research study published last year, experiences yield more lasting happiness than things. Why? Shortly after acquiring something new we soon become accustomed to it and the initial happiness it brought wears off. But with experiences: a va-cation trip, a special celebration etc., we can enjoy the anticipation of the event before it even happens and remember and relive it long after it ends.

Boaters can relate to this. When the weather warms up and we begin to dream about getting out on the water – that brings a smile to our faces. What joy there is in the anticipation of a cruise or outing as we pore over the charts and guide books planning every detail. Long before the trip begins, already we feel satisfaction.

And long after a trip ends, we still tell stories. Even bad trips can bring happiness as we retell stories of storms, breakdowns and other terrors at sea. Every sailor needs a few good disaster tall-tales to have any credibility on the dock! There is far more happiness to be had in a few good stories than a whole duffle bag full of boat gadgets.

The Christian Church calendar incorporates this wisdom. With big celebrations like Christmas and Easter, special seasons are designated before and after the big event. Four weeks of Advent lead up to Christmas. The twelve days of Christ-mas extend the celebration from December 25th to January 6th. With Easter, forty days of Lent pre-cede the celebration, peaking with Holy Week just before the big day. The Easter season then lasts for seven Sundays, or 50 days, before Pentecost is celebrated.

Lent is traditionally a quiet and reflective sea-son focusing on the suffering and death of Jesus. Yet it is bookended by Mardi Gras at the begin-ning and Easter at the end – emotional highs to help with the emotional lows. These are the sea-sons of our lives. These are the stories we tell and retell. This is where true joy is found.

Savor your experiences. Gary Morgan-Gohlke,

Squadron Chaplain

District 21 Spring Conference

7-10 April 2011 NASA Hilton 3000 NASA Rd 1 Phone: 281-333-9300

Ask for D21 Spring Conference rate $85.00!

Our Squadron is hosting. We do this only once every seven years.

Contact Betty Carr to see how you can help. Contact Charles Ash-ford about rooms. Can you help in the Hospitality Room? Or help with the luncheon? Bring food? Man the front desk? Be there to welcome our new D/C?


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Monthly Meeting at Top Water Grill

Lana Sands and Bill Strybos

Dixie Lincoln and Janice Parker

Dixie Lincoln

A lively crowd of about forty people enjoyed the camaraderie and delicious food at Top Water Grill. Everyone talked about how generous the portions were. The business meeting got quite lively when the subject of the budget came up. The budget was finally approved but it included an allotment for Bay Breeze expenses. The presentation from Vince Mar-villo was an excellent and gave a very eye-opening view of the modern marketing for boating in our present economy.


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Bill Carr and Linton Arbaugh

Margarita Morvillo

Bob Marcus, Bill Fink, Betty Frank and Dixie Lincoln

Jane Krommenhuek


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Galveston BayGalveston Bay Galveston BayGalveston Bay

Sail & Power SquadronSail & Power Squadron Sail & Power SquadronSail & Power Squadron

Silent Auction

Live Auction

20112011 20112011

AUCTION!AUCTION! AUCTION!AUCTION!

Donations Needed Now! Contact a Bridge Officer to Donate Your Items

Buy tickets at the April meeting or at the auction. Sell tickets to neighbors, friends, family, co-workers. This is a

great draw for GBSPS $5.00 or five tickets for $20

Call or email for tickets

BRING FRIENDS AND FAMILY TO ENJOY BAR-B-QUE PREPARED BY OUR VERY OWN FRANK BOERNER AND JOHN MORAWSKI!

Saturday, May 07 1830 hrs

At the Elks Lodge


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Happy March Birthdays!

BayBreezeBuddies-BayBreezeBuddies-BayBreezeBuddies-BayBreezeBuddies

This information comes from the National data-base. If you have a birthday and are not listed, con-tact Billie Kearney @ [email protected] and she will add your special day to the list.

James & Jo Ann Tyson Marian & Charles Scott Lenora Tarnow Nat & Les Laffere Ray & Billie Kearney Marvin & Betty Frank Charles Ashford Jinx Manning Gerry Bennett Bill Schaaf Dan & Karen Wyatt

Linton Arbaugh June & Marvin Radney Ed Richards & Kendra Mahoney Helen Spiegelberg Frederick Spiegelberg Jack Peters Bill & Betty Carr Jan & Joe Jordan John Morawski Susan Morawski Charles & Lorraine Gauthier Ronald S. Marta

Pam Sanders Jim Hammond Dianne Hammond Harless Benthul Lana & Keith Schwabe Carol & Henry Milam Mike & Judy Trznadel Jane & John Krommenhoek Janet Boerner Frank Boerner BJ Martin

Happy April Birthdays! Natalie Laffere 2

Carol A. Milam 3

Betty L. Bettis 5

Bob Jenkins 11

Janell O. Volke 11

Carol S. Morgan-Gohlke 16

H. Henry Milam 17

Michael J. Upchurch 19

Danny J. Wyatt 20

Scott S. Lacy 22

Pam S. Sanders 23

Joe L. Jordan 24

Philip Welch 26

Karen Coady 1

John B. Knox 2

Nancy B. Duronio 8

Joyleen J. Steigerwald 8

Barbara L. Nickelson 12

William S. Hayward 13

Lillian M. Dickerman 14

Donald Moore 16

Charles A. Cody 17

Nina L. Schubeck 18

Keith C. Schwabe 20

Craig D. Zimmerman 21

James Stanley 26

Robert W. Marcus 28

Glen M. Woods 29

Marcus M. Aquino 30

Oops! I goofed on the March Birthday column. Bet you were surprised to learn your birthday had changed! So March birthdays, here it is, as well as April birthdays.

Editor

90th birthday. Also, enjoyed visiting and celebrat-ing with their extended family!!

***** Words of wisdom from someone who now

knows! Cataract surgery is a breeze these days, and boy does it make a difference in your vision. Billie Kearney had her right eye done a week ago, and the left eye will be done by the time we go to press. If you need this surgery, don't put it off!

Jinx Manning and June Radney

(“This ‘n That” Continued from page 5)

Great Opportunity! Ship’s Store Officer Light duty. It’s like running a little business. Learn new

skills or sharpen old ones. The experience will count toward a Merit Mark. It is FUN!

409-356-3431 Contact Ronald Marta for additional informa-

tion. [email protected]

the bay breeze april 2011

Documents

galveston bay breeze

bridge executive committee

ap carol milam

ap assistant treasurer

jn executive officer

jn secretary

jn members

executive board