FROM THE COMMANDER. Volume LXX Number 1 APRIL 2014

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1 APRIL 2014 Volume LXX Number 1 Official Publication of the Stark County Power Squadron A Unit of District 7 and the United States Power Squadrons Sail and Power Boating; America s Boating Club BRIDGE COMMANDER Cdr James F Hoffee, SN jashoffee@gmail.com EXECUTIVE OFFICER Lt/C James J. Kosmos, AP uspsjk@yahoo.com ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER Unfilled office Volunteer needed! EDUCATIONAL OFFICER Stf/C Kenneth T. Leque, SN kenleque@sssnet. SECRETARY Lt/C Cindy Kosmos, AP uspsck49@yahoo.com TREASURER Lt/C S. Thomas Hancock, P thancock@neo.rr.com FROM THE COMMANDER Stark County's Change of Watch in March went very well. D/C Craig Frasier installed another most capable bridge for Thanks Craig and every officer and committee member that makes the whole thing work! We were delighted to have D/Lt/C Mike Siwek, SN attend. Mike is a member of Mansfield PS. Mike will be D/7's next D/Cdr. An old college buddy of mine, Cdr Joe Jonhenry, JN from Berea PS was an unexpected and pleasant surprise! USPS re-united our friendship. I must say I am grateful for the opportunity to be your commander once more. At this watch your commander received an award that he felt would never come his way. Our "Hall of Fame", the Wheel Horse Award. I saw this award go to the one that was obviously the most dedicated SCPS member each time during my 28 years of membership. I wonder if they feel as me, that what I give to this great organization is little compared to what it has given me. To this day and always I will cherish being a "Wheel Horse" for SCPS. Already this watch SCPS Education has started with 3 members taking the Sail Course. I know some are eager to take Engine Maintenance. Our Educational Of- Cdr James F Hoffee, SN ficer Ken Leque shoved the new course manual in my hands recently. The title of this course can be misleading. This course is about understanding a watercraft's power-train so one can recognize and address issues that evolve. The new book looks streamlined since the last time. It can be accomplished in short order, maybe 9 weeks and can begin soon. Let Ken or myself know if you are interested. National Safe Boating Week comes in late May so don't forget to mention that SCPS has a 2 night for 2 week Safe Boating Course during that time. May is also the month of our Launch Party at Sippo Lake. This event is always nice. Meet some new members. Try to come to a short meeting with fabulous food prepared by our members. The same goes for the Picnic at Price Park in June. If it seems like your commander is in a hurry you are right! It is off to Pittsburgh Pa for our D/7 Spring Conference at the Crown Plaza Hotel. You will learn more about this event in our May "SOUNDINGS". Finally, I bet you all will agree with this. It's been long enough and we have earned this. Warm waters and more fun! All are coming our way so let's plan on being there and sharing all this!

2 Page 2 WHAT S NEW IN EDUCATION SEO STF/C KENNETH T. LEQUE, SN The Sail class in underway with three students. Next will be the engine maintenance class to be taught by Commander Jim Hoffee. After that we are planning the first of three modules of the Marine Electronics series class. Let me know if you are interested in taking this class. We're pleased to announce that the partnership arrangement with the Great Lakes Cruising Club (GLCC) will continue for the coming year. All GLCC on-line cruising-related webinars are available to USPS members at reduced USPS registration rates. Over 40 webinars are planned for the GLCC School curriculum year. Weems and Plath is offering USPS members a 25% discount on anything ordered via their web site. Check out the details at the Weems and Plath Store online. Ken Leque H C ACADIA ST NW MASSILLON OH Cdr James Hoffee with guest and new member Kathy Russell at the recent Change of Watch Send your articles and pictures to: Cliff Long 1304 Washington Blvd Louisville, OH clifflong@neo.rr.com The Stark Soundings is published monthly, ten times a year except for July and August. The editor reserves the right to edit any articles submitted for size, clarity, spelling and grammar. The editor also reserves the right to omit any submitted article due to article content or to space limitations. Please submit articles either as a Word document or in the body of an . DEADLINE FOR THE MAY 2014 ISSUE IS 25 APRIL 2014

3 Page 3 AUDITING COMMITTEE P/C Richard E. Dunlap, AP MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE D/Lt Lynda C. Leque, N NOMINATING COMMITTEE D/Lt Lynda C. Leque, N FROM THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER Lt/C James J. Kosmos, AP Another successful Change of Watch took place at La Pizzaria. Thank you for the efforts and scheduling provided by some of our SCPS members, and a special thanks to D/Lt Joanne Hancock, SN for coordinating this event. It was so nice to see all our guests attend and show support for our new bridge. My appreciation goes out to all of you! I also want to give a special thanks to our own Cdr James F. Hoffee, SN for contributing his leadership to this squadron for another year and also a very sincere congratulations on being this years recipient of the Wheel Horse Award. An appropriate recognition for the time, dedication and work he has contributed in the last 24 years. Next stop, Spring Conference in Pittsburgh! PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER Lt Tillie Kinsley, P RULES COMMITTEE Stf/C Kenneth T. Leque, SN VESSEL SAFETY CHECK Lt Cathy J. Dunlap Is published by P/C Clifton I. Long, P 1304 Washington Blvd. Louisville, OH Cell: clifflong@neo.rr.com Boating season is almost here! During my years in the workforce I was always reminded to be an optimist, I was asked Jim do you see the water in the glass as half empty or half full? and then told An optimist would see it as half full Now that I have joined the USPS/SCPS I have found another way to answer that question Boss, do you see the water in the boat as half empty or half full?. This is an example when an optimist would say the boat is half empty. PROOFING Lt Karen Long

4 April 2014 Page 4 Board of Directors/General Membership Meeting/Launch Party, Cinqo de Mayo and May Day Celebration Sippo Lake Clubhouse 5300 Tyner Ave. NW Thursday, 1 May, (6:00 pm) The squadron will provide tacos and beverage. Please bring a covered dish to share. Bring your own table service and utensils for eating. Cost: $10.00 per person Reservations by Monday, April 28 th to Joanne Hancock, , lilboy@neo.rr.com or SailAngle

5 Page 5 MEMBERSHIP IS JOB ONE! RECRUIT, RETAIN, INVOLVE MEMBERS!!! We are pleased to welcome 3 new ABC3 6-month members who recently successfully completed the class. They are Kathy Russell and Dennis & Sheryl Hardman. Kathy has just joined us for our Sail Class! Dennis & Sheryl are seasoned boaters who are outfitting a new sailboat and are anxious to set sail on Lake Erie! Let's give these new members a hardy welcome to our ranks! The following is the D7 membership report presented at the 2014 Spring Conference in South Hills, March. As of this date, SCPS has had a decline in the last year of 8 members, both through "Crossing the Bar" and non-renewal. Membership continues a slow decline, both Nationally and District-wide. We need to re-focus our efforts on member recruitment, retention, and member involvement. Provide ongoing communication through personal contact, , SailAngle, texts, UP-TO- DATE websites, Facebook, and Squadron newsletters. Plan events that appeal to a wide range of interests, such as personal watercraft (kayaks, canoes), fishing, inland lake boaters, jet skiers, environmental concerns, family oriented activities (picnics, beach party, amusement parks). Think outside the box and share what is going right for you! Contact new members, potential members, boat dealers, cyber members, honorary members, and inactive members before your events and have some friendly conversation with them to encourage involvement in your squadron. Collaborate with other squadrons to plan events and share ideas. Develop a PLAN for the coming year and set a GOAL for increased membership in WE'RE ALL MEMBERS OF THE MEMBERSHIP TEAM! LET'S KEEP D7 GROWING STRONG! Now, let's get the ball rolling with our own New Membership Drive! We have contacted our two local Marine Dealers, Atwood Lake Boats & Gummere, to offer a free ABC3 course and free materials to those who have recently purchase a new or used boat. Now we need to get together to plan our Salt Fork New Member Picnic to be held June 14th. P/C Fred Spring, P/C Glenn Swope, Lt/Cs Jim & Cindy Kosmos, Matt & Debi Hawrysko and myself, D/Lt Lynda Leque, have formed a committee to oversee the picnic. However, we need the support of ALL of our SCPS members to insure a highly successful event. Details will be discussed at our April meeting and posted on our FB site and SailAngle. Anyone wishing to join in the planning, please contact me! Let's help SCPS GROW!!! Yours in Boating, D/Lt Lynda Leque, N D7 & SCPS Membership Chair

6 APRIL 2014 Page 6 For The Good Of The Order GET WELL - Member Barry Kuwatch was recently admitted to Mercy Hospital's cardiac unit after experiencing a heart attack. He had surgery to insert stints and is home recovering. Please send out well wishes for a speedy recovery! GUMMERE MARINE TO CLOSE ITS DOORS AFTER 70 YEARS IN THE MARINE BUSINESS Following the recent sudden passing of Gummere Manager Susan, the Gummere team has decided to close its doors in June The business is currently offering 25% off all merchandise. Gummere has long been the mainstay of local boaters and highly respected in the Marine community. We will miss their presence in Stark County and wish them all well as they pursue life outside this 70 year plus business! COMMANDER HOFFEE IS AWARDED WHEEL HORSE Congratulations to Cdr James F. Hoffee, SN for receiving the coveted Wheel Horse Award. This award is presented annually to a member who has done the most to further the aims and objectives of the squadron for that year. Cdr Hoffee definitely fits the mold for this honor. He has attended all meetings and events along with the D7 Fall and Spring Conferences and has represented the squadron well. He is beginning his unprecedented third term as commander and we can be very grateful that he has agreed to hold the office again. Thank you Jim!

7 Page 7 Cdr Hoffee being sworn in as Commander Cdr Hoffee being presented the Wheel Horse Award The SCPS Bridge being sworn in by D/C Craig Fraser at the recent Change of Watch at LaPizzera

8 O f f i c i a l P u b l i c a t i o n o f t h e S t a r k C o u n t y P o w e r S q u a d r o n 1304 Washington Blvd. Louisville, OH We re on the Web SCPS 2014 CALENDAR OF EVENTS 3 April Board of Directors/ General Membership Meeting 1930 North Canton Acme 1 May Board of Directors/ General Membership Meeting / Launch Party Sippo Lake 1800 See Page 4 5 June Board of Directors/ General Membership Meeting 1800 Picnic Price Park, North Canton 14 June New Member Picnic Salt Fork State Park May National Safe Boating Week June SCPS Lake Erie Cruise Maumee Bay State Park Contact Joanne Hancock for details 20, 22, 27, 29 May ABC Safe Boating Class North Canton Acme in rear of store 1900 to June SCPS Lake Erie Rendezvous Bay Point Resort Mark Your Calendars Now!