the helm station · myles gee, matt braatz, chuck whelan, kathy gee, tom and jan mertz, and...

The Helm Station - Official publication of the Manatee Sail & Power Squadron

In this Edition:

The Helm Station FEBRUARY

2021

www.manatee-squadron.org 941-799-7370

America’s Boating Club® is a registered trademark of the United States Power Squadrons®

~Jim A.

Messages from our Commander and Bridge

Squadron Events in Pictures

Squadron & Boating Calendars

Upcoming MSPS Event Announcements

District and National Event Announcements

Regular Event Information

Sunshine & Birthdays

Help Wanted and Classifieds

Photo by Ed Smith

Pix by Jim A.

Cel

Longboat Key Club Presenting Treasure Island’s Dockmaster Ann Picozzi with an Honorary MSPS Membership is Myles Gee, Matt Braatz, Chuck Whelan, Kathy Gee, Tom and Jan Mertz, and Juliette Whelan.

Pix by Sandi Braatz

Longboat Key pix by Myles Gee Pier 22 Luncheon Pix by Matt B.

Pix by

Myles

Don Hanzlik, Twila Nahama, Chip Muegel and Ed Van Stedum prepping for VSC’s at Waterlefe

Pix by Glen Kondos


The Helm Station

[email protected]

A publication of the Manatee Sail & Power Squadron, a unit of the United States Power Squadrons®. We are located in Manatee County, Florida.

Editor: P/Lt C Jim Agruso, P

Photos: by Glen Kondos or as noted

The Helm Station is the official publica-tion of the Manatee Sail & Power Squad-ron with twelve issues yearly. Opinions expressed in The Helm Station are those of the author of the article and do not necessarily represent the position of The Helm Station, MSPS, or USPS. All rights reserved.

Commander’s Message

Cdr Tony Romersa, P [email protected]

Come for the Boating Education...Stay for the Friends.

As we get ready to vote on a new Bridge

and start our operating year this month, I would ask you to join me in sincerely thanking our retir-ing Bridge Members who served our Squadron thru a very tough year. We could not meet as a Squadron, but the Bridge and the Executive Com-mittee worked hard by phone and electronically to keep us together. Please thank Lt/C Matt Braatz our retiring XO, who will be working for you in 2021 as assistant SEO, D/Lt/C Cliff Schmidt our SEO, who will serve as D-22 Com-mander in 2021, Lt/C Bob Miller AO, who will help expand our day boating program this coming year, and George Druist, who chaired the Nomi-nating Committee.

We will vote for our new bridge electronically. You will receive your ballot via e-mail. Please take a moment to vote, it is important we hear from you and have a quorum. We are also working on an electronic survey of your wants and expectations from the Squadron. Your input is essential to keeping our Squadron safe and fun.

You will note that all members’ birthdays in Feb-ruary will be in the February Helm Station and will be each month hence forth.

Don’t forget to mention to your friends or new boaters to Florida that we will be offering Amer-ica’s Boating Course again on February 6th and March 27th. Upon successful completion, they will receive their Florida Boaters ID.

-Tony


P/C Matt Braatz, AP [email protected]

Executive Officer

Another month has gone by and things are still quiet due to Covid-19. However, behind the scenes the EXCOM has been working on things to reinvigorate the squadron since life may not be normal again like it was. We are thinking outside the box and looking at other approaches.

We want to get moving forward but still keep inside the guidelines to protect and keep everyone safe. There are no easy answers. We did get 5 boats down to Marina Jack for a long weekend. In spite of the cold weath-er and some rain, it was great to get away. Everyone had a good time even though we were limited in our activities. Since the Change of Watch is rapidly coming up, this will be my last article as the Execu-tive Officer. I will be turning my job over to the proposed new Executive Officer Phil Dasher. I have been asked to remain on the EXCOM. Phil has a lot of good ideas and he will make a good XO. Tony will stay on for another year. Bob Miller will be leaving and re-placed by Susan Agruso and Ed Smith and Tom Mertz will remain. Myles will be the new SEO replacing Cliff. In any case I want to personally thank everyone on the Bridge, Mem-bers, EXCOM and various Department Heads and other people who have hung in there in various jobs during this trying 2020 year. I say good riddance to 2020 and welcome 2021 for good things to come. Best wishes to everyone coming in for the new year. Matt Braatz, XO


Administrative Officer

Lt/C Bob Miller, S [email protected]

One last time!!!! Not much new to share. Time to give other members of MSPS a chance to serve our squadron.

It has been a pleasure to serve as your Administrative Officer this past year. Your incoming A/O Susan Agruso brings great leadership to this position.

During this past year, I have requested, and our Bridge has reached out to our membership by both phone and e-mails at least four times during these difficult times. Special thanks to those members who served on the various A/O committees. Several social events were planned and then cancelled due to Covid.

“Play it again Sam” One more time!!! “Latitude+Attitude++(BYO) Lunch at the Cross” is back on!!! Tides are favorable for Wednesday, February 10th, 2021. Plan on meeting at 0945 in the Riviera Dunes basin. This is a fun event for both day boat-ers as well as our cruisers. Fun activities using your GPS and cell phone cameras. No going ashore and water depth is over 6’. Invite a friend or neighbor to join in. This event is limited to 8 participating boaters plus two “standby” vessels. Ques-tions????

Call me: 941 773-9353

Final thought for the month!!!

The trickiest part of a voyage or cruise may turn out to be the short leg be-tween any harbor entrance and dock, both on the way in and on the way out

-Carlton Mitchell


Education Department

D/Lt/C Cliff Schmidt, JN [email protected]

Hello, the start of the new year has been a cool-one but some great boating days!

This is my last article as the Squadron Educational Officer. I want to thank you all for the opportunity as the SEO. Over the past three years, MSPS has had some challenges in all areas of the squadron. As we worked together, we have made a stronger squadron. As we say teamwork builds the organization. If we work together in the future with old and new members, we can build on what we have. The new incoming bridge is all ready working hard on making MSPS a great squadron for all the members. Lets all help them out.

The incoming SEO Lt/C Myles Gee, SN-IN and assistant officer D/LT Matt Braatz, JN will layout their educational opportunities for the up coming year. I wish them the best of luck.

Maybe we will see you out on the water.

Thank you -

D/Lt/C Cliff Schmidt JN

SAFE BOATING

Wear your PFD, carry a 406EPIRB and keep an eye on the weather.


Lt/C Tom Mertz, AP [email protected]

Treasurer

Hello everyone from the Treasurer’s desk.

December had a small positive cash. However, the year had a large nega-

tive cash flow of over $8000.00. Some of the significant expenses were

the donations to National and the Elks plus the membership lunch at Pier

22. Obviously, our income was down without our meetings and classes due to Covid-19.

The balance for all accounts is $16672.97 at the end of December which balances with the

bank.

Is anyone else using Smile.Amazon.com? The payments from Amazon don’t reflect very much

participation by our members. I don’t understand why it isn’t being taken advantage of. No

one has requested help from me to set it up.

It’s EASY! It DOESN’T cost a member ANYTHING extra! The prices are the same as the

regular Amazon site. The squadron receives a percentage of every Smile eligible purchase.

1, As I watch this generation try to rewrite history, one thing I’m sure of ---- it will be

misspelled and have no punctuation!

2, Driver: what am I supposed to do with this speeding ticket? Officer: keep it, when you collect four of them, you get a bicycle!

3, I don’t care how good the hand soap smells, don’t walk out of the restroom smelling your fingers!

4, I just read a book that says – treat you wife like you treated her on your first date. So, after dinner I’m dropping her off at her parents’ house!

5, When you lose your children in your house, turn off the Wi-Fi. They’ll come out im-mediately! Your neighbors might even drop by as well.

6, Good judgement comes from experience. And experience? Well, that comes from

poor judgement.

I hope by the time you read this the January cold weather will be behind us.

Until next month, stay safe and healthy.

-Tom


VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU!!

Our Squadron only works due to the volunteer efforts of our members. Without their work on various committees, often more than one, we would not be able to do the fun things we all enjoy. To name just a few of these: Educational Classes, Vessel Safety Checks, Boat Cruises, publishing the Helm Station, keeping the books, snacks at meetings and many more.

Please join us in giving these special folks our gratitude for their commitment and tireless work on our behalf.

Matt Braatz, Cliff Schmidt, Bob Miller. Jeanne Miller, Ed Smith, Tom Mertz, Debra Hart-well, Bob Gutierrez, Monique Gutierrez, Nadene Cornell, Myles Gee, Kathy Gee, Ed Van Stedum, Chuck Whelan, Juliette Whelan, Verne Walsh, John Walsh, George Nartsissov, Don Tress, George Druist, Susan Sherrow, Larry Beverage, Don Cook, Dean May, Charlie Bigham, Bill Dearstyne, Bill Spenser, Marty Spenser, Don Hanzlik, John D’Alusio, Susan Highfill, Ted Halloran, Susan Agruso, Jim Agruso, Bob Kelly, Donnia Smith, Tom Brown, Twila Nahana, Bob Hintze, Chip Muegel, and Carl Nyman.

Sure hope I did not miss anyone; if I did my apologies.

-Tony

The Annual Meeting and The 2021 Change of Watch will be

conducted via a Free Conference call.

Hi All. We trust you are doing well. Your Bridge and Executive

Committee Members are fine.

You should have received an e-mail to vote for the 2021 Squadron Officers. Please take a few minutes to cast your vote.

The Annual Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday February 2nd at 7pm via Free Conference call. The only item on the agenda is the election of the new officers. Myles Gee and Larry Beverage will host the meeting and send out the phone number and pass code to join the meeting .

The 2021 Change of Watch will be conducted in the same manner on Saturday February 13th at 4pm. Again Myles and Larry will host and send you the numbers.

Thank You again for your support of your Squadron.

Cdr. Anthony J. Romersa


Boating Weekend at Marina Jack

Five boats spent Jan. 13 - 17th at Marina Jack. We had a great time despite the cold weather ... thank goodness for sunshine! Layers of clothes were needed early mornings and evenings! We enjoyed the gatherings on the dock and inside each other’s boats.

The group walked to a new coffee/ice cream shop on State Street ... Rise Coffee Co. and Nyes Ice Cream. The beignets were delicious! Some of us were there more than once! Great ice cream!

Patellini's Pizza and Patrick's 1481 on Main St. were destinations for out-door lunches. As always there were lots of great appetizers at Docktails and a couple of wonderful "community dinners" aboard boats.

Finishing dinner on our boat.

Kathy and Larry having fun on our boat

Pix by Myles and Kathy Gee


Pix by Myles and Kathy Gee

Cocktails before dinner aboard Can’t Take It With You.

Pix by Larry Beverage

Kathy and Larry

Myle’s boat at Sunset


Sunset at Marina Jack looking

across Chuck Whelan's boat, First Choice.

Coffee shop in downtown Sarasota: Chuck and Juliette, Myles, Yvonne and Larry.

Pix by Sandi Braatz


VSC’s at Waterlefe

A core principle of America’s Boating Club is boating safety. There is no more tangible demonstra-tion of the club’s commitment to that principle than performing vessel safety checks. Unfortunate-ly, a difficult year dealing with the pandemic has posed significant challenges to Manatee Sail and Power Squadron (MSPS) in administering this important function.

No more. On January 23rd, the MSPS was back performing their sig-nature Vessel Safety Checks. Ed Van Stedum, Don Hanzlik, Twila Na-hama and Chip Muegel traveled to the marina at Waterlefe Golf and River Club, assisted by Ed Smith who organized the event. The MSPS vessel safety inspectors inspected 13 boats at both the marina and at private residences.

Working through a Coast Guard approved safety list, the team diligently inspected all of the boats on a beautiful day on the Manatee River. A common issue encountered during the inspections is with flares going out of date. Flares are good for three years.

MSPS VSC Committee Co-Chairs, Ed Van Stedum and Matt Braatz are looking for and would also welcome more vessel safety inspectors. Ed Van Stedum reports that the potential to perform more inspections is incredible. They'll look at any vessel from a kayak or dinghy up to a vessel under 65

feet— they even inspect paddle boards. Ed adds, “Vessel Safety Checks are conducted as a courtesy to boat owners. There is no cost. Addi-tionally, The results are confidential. It is our job to ensure your vessel is compliant with USCG and state requirements. If you have a vessel-we will inspect it! Remember, WE COME TO YOU!”

Contact Ed or Matt if you have any questions, would like to become an inspector, or would like to set up an appointment.

The next Vessel Safety Check will be performed at Tidewater Preserve on February 20.

-Glen Kondos

More pictures on pages 12 & 13

An otter at the Waterlefe dock -Ed Smith


Pix by Glen Kondos


Tuesday, February 2, 2021

7:00pm Annual Meeting Conference Call

Saturday, February 6, 2021

8:00am ABC Class


6:15pm Sunset Toast

Saturday, February 13, 2021

4:00pm Change of Watch Conference Call

Monday, February 15,

thru Friday, February 26, 2021

Virtual USPS Annual Meeting

Sunday, February 21, 2021

9:30am Breakfast Munch Bunch


5:00pm EXCOM Meeting

Tuesday, March 2

7:00pm General Membership Meeting

Sunday, March 7

Annual Poker Run

Tuesday, March 9

6:30pm Sunset Toast

Thursday ~ Saturday, March 11-13

Spring Getaway - St. Pete Municipal

Sunday ~ Tuesday, March 14-16

Spring Getaway - Marker 1

Wednesday ~ Friday, March 17-19

Spring Getaway - Treasure Island

Sunday, March 21

9:30am - Breakfast Munch Bunch

Saturday, March 27

8:00am - ABC Class

Tuesday, March 30

5:00pm - EXCOM Meeting

Tuesday, April 6

7:00pm General Membership Meeting

Friday ~ Sunday, April 9-11

District Spring Conference and Change of Watch

Tuesday, April 13

7:45pm Sunset Toast

Thursday ~ Saturday, April 15-17

Margaretville Cruise

Sunday, April 18

9:30am Munch Brunch

Tuesday, April 27

5:00pm EXCOM Meeting

MSPS EVENT CALENDAR

For additional information about these activities, please visit the Calendar

Section of the MSPS website.


2021 MSPS Boating Calendar

Date(s) Location Port Captain

FEBRUARY

10-Feb Latitude+Attitude++(BYO)Lunch - 9:45 @ Riviera Dunes Bob Miller

13-Feb MSPS COW

15-26 Feb National

MARCH

7-Mar Poker Run

11-19 Mar Spring GetAway Matt Braatz

11-13 Mar St Pete Municipal

14-16 Mar Marker 1

17-19 Mar Treasure Island

APRIL

9-11 Apr District

15-17 Apr Margaritaville

MAY

20-22 May Vinoy

JUNE

24-26 June Tampa Marriott

JULY

22-24 July Sarasota Hyatt Phil Dasher


2021 MSPS Boating Calendar

Date(s) Location Port Captain

AUGUST

11-15 Aug Caloosahatchee River Cruise

SEPTEMBER

29 Aug-5 Sept National

16-18 Sept Longboat Key

OCTOBER

Oct 7-11 District

NOVEMBER

Nov 6-17 Fall GetAway

Nov 6-8 South Seas

Nov 9-11 Pink Shell

Nov 12-14 Marco Island

Nov 15-17 South Seas

DECEMBER

Dec 10-12 Marina Jack Myles Gee


America's Boating Compass / January 2021


Here is some exciting news from Amazon!

Most all of us make purchases from Amazon. Now we can provide financial benefit to our squadron by using Smile.Amazon.Com without any extra cost to you.

This works for both regular Amazon and Amazon Prime.

It’s simple and easy to set up. Just go to Smile.Amazon.Com and follow the prompts. Type in Manatee Sail and Power Squadron as the organization you want to support.

When you have the set up completed, near the top left of the page, it will say “Sponsoring United States Power Squadron.” When you can click on that, you will see the location as Wimauma, FL. Do not be confused when you see Wimauma, Flor-ida as the address. Wimauma is correct. I have used my address when I register with the state every year.

After you register Amazon will contribute 0.5% of all Smile eligible purchases you make. This may not seem like very much but it can add up to some significant mon-ey to the squadron without any extra cost to the members.

The products and prices are the same on Smile as on both the regular Amazon and Amazon Prime.

So, please register and use Smile.Amazon.Com for all your Amazon purchases. Ask your friends and relatives to contribute to our squadron this way also.

Just remember to go to Smile.Amazon.Com and not the regular Amazon site for all future purchases.

Thank you, Lt/C Tom Mertz, AP, Treasurer – Manatee Sail and Power Squadron


Upcoming Event Information

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MSPS Breakfast Munch Brunch ~~ 21 Feb..

Great news ! Sunday February 21st at 9:30 am the VFW will be open for our Munch

Brunch. The VFW is on 51st & Manatee Ave W in Bradenton, Fl. This is the best

Breakfast in town for only $7.00.

The Sunday Breakfast is a great opportunity to meet up with your squadron bud-

dies and social distance. The VFW has remodeled during this pandemic and there is more space

for this Sunday Breakfast. I can’t wait for Biscuits and Gravy and Eggs and Bacon or Sausage and a good

cup of coffee or for those more daring a little Bloody Mary or Screwdriver and they are so cheap you

almost feel guilty ordering them. If you need any info call (561) 906- 6811. See Ya There!

Lt/ C R. Edward Smith P

Next SUNSET CELEBRATION ~~ 09 Feb..

Hi folks,

Our next Sunset Celebration is February 9th. Join us at the Tiki Hut on Holmes Beach just before Sunset at 1815 hours.

Get there an hour early to share the Sunset spirit… and the spirits.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Welcome Our Newest MSPS Members

Chester and Karen Bartlett

Twila Nahama


Sunshine News & Thanks

Lt Marty Spencer, P

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

Gosh, here we are, the second month of the new year and we all are waiting to receive the

vaccine that has become available to the general public. Who would have thought we would

all be waiting in a Vaccine Standby Pool where people are randomly picked? I would say, Rus-

sian Roulette. Hopefully, some of you have already received your first dose. Oh well, I guess

we must be patient.

Be watchful of Cupid's arrows!!!

Please contact me, [email protected], if you know of anyone who would like to receive

a little sunshine sent their way.

Keep our service men and women in your thoughts.

mailto:[email protected]


January’s Birthdays

Susan Agruso

Larry Beverage

Ron Carford

Ed Cornell

Philip Devon

Sandy Druist

Becky Gaylord

Kathleen Halloran

Susan Highfill

Terri Kondos

Mike McClintic


February’s Birthdays

Jim Agruso

Chester Bartlett

Bill Beadle

Monique Gutierrez

Thomas Hayes

Ann Nartsissov

Tony Romersa

Cliff Schmidt

Roland Seidel

Carolyn Stewart


HELP MSPS STEER THE COURSE – BE PART OF THE CREW

It takes person power and a little time to do everything for MSPS to be a strong and active organization. Volunteers are needed.

Just look at these exciting opportunities:

Want to expand our membership? Get others involved with MSPS? Sign on to be the MEMBERSHIP CHAIR. Work from home; takes a couple of hours a week. You can even ask a sailing buddy to share the tasks. For more information, contact Susan Agruso at [email protected].

Do you like to talk to people? Want to help new members learn about

MSPS and make them feel welcome? Can you send an occasional email telling new folks what is going on? Then the SHIPMATES CHAIR is per-fect for you. For more information, contact Kathy Gee at [email protected].

Do you like to talk with people in the Boating business? Interested in

what’s available to outfit or service your boat? Would you like to see more ads in the Helm Station? Bring a boating buddy and sign on for the Helm Station Ad Sales Managers and Distribution Support. For more information contact Ed Smith at [email protected].

Are you a Facebooker? Do you like to stay in touch with friends and fel-

low boaters? Do you like to share information about fun activities? Then FACEBOOK ADMINISTRATOR is perfect for you. For more information contact Ed Smith at [email protected].

All of these are important tasks and vital to MSPS. None of them takes a whole lot of time and the more people who share the work, the easier and more fun it will be. So sign up now and be part of the crew!

mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


Advertise!

[email protected]

We encourage members and non-members to place advertisements in The Helm Station offering goods and services. The Helm Station reaches over 125 MSPS members, other District 22 squadron members and a national audience through our website on USPS.org. Rates are very reasonable: $45 a year for a standard business card ad, $15 for a simple classified ad in 2 issues. For a limited time, Members advertise FREE! See details above.

Support our Advertisers—They support us!

[Note—rates subject to change without notice; contact our advertising officer for additional details on pricing, ad sizing, and other information.]

https://americasboatingclub.org/learn/online-boating-education

https://americasboatingclub.org/learn/online-boating-education


The Helm Station

4728 Starboard Dr.

Bradenton, FL 34208

[email protected]

FEBRUARY 2021


A Unit of the United States Power Squadrons™ District 22

Annual Meeting

02 February 2021

via Free Conference Call

At 1900

Bay Pines Veterans Need our Support

As most of you are aware, we collect donations for Bay Pines. Their needs are year round. The Bay Pines Community residents include both men and women who are living in Rehab units, mental health units, hospice, and other long-term care facilities. We are encouraging everyone to think about how they might support these needy veterans throughout the year.

Needed items include:

Coffee, creamers, sugar and other supplies Toiletries – Deodorant, shampoo, tooth brushes, shaving cream, soap Snack foods are welcome as well as long as they are sealed Socks, undershirts, caps, and sweaters

the helm station · myles gee, matt braatz, chuck whelan, kathy gee, tom and jan mertz, and...

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