America's Boating Club. District 29 Spring Conference March 2018 Sawmill Creek Resort Huron, Ohio

Transcription

1 America's Boating Club District 29 Spring Conference March 2018 Sawmill Creek Resort Huron, Ohio

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3 Sawmill Creek Resort will be the venue for our Spring Conference March 16, 17 & 18 hosted by Port Clinton Power Squadron. Whether you have a Canoe, Kayak, Sailboard, Windsurfer, Personal Watercraft aka Jet Ski or a Powerboat, Motoryacht, Sailing ship or a Submarine, there are things to do at the conference. Our National Rep is V/C Gary P Cheney, SN., our current National Executive Officer. He is an Ohio native and spent most of his time in Ashtabula, Ohio boating on our freshwater ocean known as Lake Erie. Registration Friday afternoon. Friday 2000 we will start things out with a social gathering to renew old acquaintances and meet our newest members. Saturday morning will feature educational seminars on the America s Boating Club Marketing Guidebook, Instructor s Recertification for those in need, a presentation on the Sandusky Maritime Museum, and The Two Burner Gourmet will show us great ways to eat well aboard and also a great way to simplify meals anywhere. Following lunch, the conference meeting will convene, handle the Business of the District and the Bridge of D/29 will be sworn in except for the D/C. Then take some time to relax before the After Dinner, X -Commander of Port Clinton Pam Yarletts, AP will take her oath to assume the responsibilities as District Commander of District 29. Ask Pam about the X Welcome Aboard, Commander Dennis P. Timple, AP

4 CALL TO THE 2018 SPRING CONFERENCE To: From: District 29 Conference Members: 1) District 29 Council Members: District 29 Bridge Officers, the Immediate Past District Commander, Chairs of the General Committees, Squadron Commanders, Squadron Delegates at Large 2) Past District Commanders 3) Squadron Delegates and 4) all District 29 members D/Lt/C Sharon Manter, AP, District 29 Secretary Date: 8 February 2018 Please be advised the District 29 Spring 2018 Conference will be held March at Sawmill Creek Resort Huron, Ohio Squadron Commanders: A copy of the Conference Meeting Delegate form has been sent to you for your use in providing a list of your squadron's delegates. Please complete the form, sending a copy to the Treasurer (Lt/C Jason Snook, SN, Dove Ct, Shelby Township, MI d29treasurer@yahoo.com to be received by 09 March This may be sent via first class mail or electronically. Delegate Voter Cards: can be picked up Saturday, one hour prior to the meeting. Uniform of the Day: Men: Uniform F, white long sleeve shirt with black four-in-hand tie, long dark pants, or other business attire. Women: Uniform F, white long sleeve shirt with ladies' black tie, long dark pants or skirt or other business attire. Payment: Lunch and Dinner payment must be RECEIVED by 12 March 2018 by mailing to: D/Lt/C Jason Snook, SN; Dove Ct; Shelby Township, MI Squadron Commanders and Committee Chairs: Verbal reports will be requested at the general meeting Fall Conference Minutes: Copies of the minutes are included with this mailing. Additional copies will be available at the Spring Conference meeting.

5 V/C Gary P. Cheney, SN National Administrative Officer for 2014, V/C Cheney is a native of northeast Ohio and lived most of his life in the port city of Ashtabula on Lake Erie. He joined the Ashtabula Power Squadron in late 1986 and enrolled in Seamanship in January of In the next three years he completed all of the Advanced Grade and Elective courses, he holds a rather unique Full Certificate; all of the course stickers are signed by the same National Educational Officer, V/C Louis Spector. Gary served as squadron executive officer and commander and in 1990 he was appointed to the national Navigation Course Committee where he served for six years. He was elected to the D11 Bridge and served as district commander in He was again elected to the D11 Bridge in 2004 and served as district commander for the second time in He has spent nine years on the National Budget Committee, three as Staff and six as Rear Commander, and the past 2 years as National Treasurer. Gary has served as an aide to two Chief Commanders, National Meetings Committee Treasurer, chairman of several squadron and district events, and has taught all of the Advanced Grade courses. He is now a member of Erie Power Squadron in D11 and is a Life Member with 27 merit marks, and currently resides in Atlantic Beach, NC. Gary is a graduate of Kent State University with a Bachelor s in Industrial Technology and Master of Business Administration. His professional career was spent working in small entrepreneurial manufacturing companies in the plastics industry, from grass roots startup to developing young companies. Growing up on Lake Erie, boating was part of his life from a young age. His first boat was a16 aluminum outboard and boating quickly became a family affair. They progressed through a number of powerboats until work took him away from the area. Gary has one daughter who lives with her family near Richmond, VA, and three grandchildren.

6 Bridge Reports District Commander D/C Daniel Mullane, SN-IN This is my last article as District Commander of D/29. This past year has really flown by! It seems just a short time ago I was being sworn in. Carmen and I have enjoyed attending almost all of the Christmas parties and Changes of Watch. The Squadrons have made us feel at home when we have visited them. We also attended several cruises and trips. I especially want to thank my Bridge for the outstanding jobs they have performed during this last year. I am confident that they will each do a great job as they progress through the chairs. As I write this, we are coming up on the Winter Council meeting in Ada. I hope to see many of you there. The next meeting will then be our Spring Conference at Sawmill Creek in Huron on March. This will be hosted by the Port Clinton Squadron. Their own D/X/O Pam Yarletts will be installed as D/C. Good luck to her as she takes over the leadership in The temperatures have been pretty bitter this Winter, along with a fair amount of snow. I will put all of that behind me as I leave for Florida and the Annual meeting in nine days! Then during the following week, many of us will be cruising in the Caribbean. I cannot wait. I have decided to cross another milestone in my life. As of 1 May, I will officially be retired. I look forward to having the time to do more of the things that I enjoy. Too bad I did not retire last year. I could have had more time for District Commandering! Anyway, thanks for a great year! EDUCATION OFFICER D/LT/C MARK DAHLMANN, SN We have scheduled four interesting seminars for Saturday morning of the Spring Conference. INSTRUCTOR RECERTIFICATION R/C Robert Rayburn, SN-IN For the past year, we have had many requests to offer an Instructor Recertification seminar. This two-hour seminar will focus on new technologies and techniques for presenting to adult audiences. It is an audience participative program designed to renew enthusiasm and enhance presentation skills. It covers the benefits and pitfalls of using PowerPoint as an aid, as well as the value of manual aids. THE MARITIME MUSEUM OF SANDUSKY Lt/C Annette Wells Discover the rich maritime history of the Sandusky Bay area. The Maritime Museum of

7 Sandusky has an extensive collection of maritime artifacts on display that document the old days of boating, commercial fishing, and shipping on Lake Erie. There are many interactive exhibits, as well as a professional boat workshop, and vessels on display. The gift shop has a large selection of nautical items and books, including shirts, decorations and toys. A representative will present a history of the museum, describe the many exhibits and features, and discuss their relationship with Sandusky Power Squadron. THE TWO BURNER GOURMET Mary Dahlmann & P/C Kathy Runner, AP The Two Burner Gourmet by Terry L. Searfoss has inspired Mary and Kathy to discuss ideas for galley cooking and they would like to share some easy and delicious recipes. This presentation will include a cooking demonstration. Attendees are welcome to share personal recipes and ideas for preparing onboard meals. AMERICA S BOATING CLUB D/Lt/C Mark Dahlmann, SN United States Power Squadrons hmmm. What does power mean? Exactly what is a squadron? Nowhere does it imply that we are a boating organization. Unfortunately, many people don t know who or what we are. Our national Marketing team released the America s Boating Club Marketing Guidebook to help squadrons, districts, and national committees understand how to market the United States Power Squadrons around the America s Boating Club brand and market image. After a presentation about the rebranding of our organization, we will discuss what we can do and what we are doing to get the word out about America s Boating Club. See you at the D29 Spring Conference at Sawmill Creek! Osprey: Instructor Recertification R/C Robert Rayburn, SN-IN 2018 Spring Conference Sawmill Creek Lodge Seminar Schedule This seminar is for recertification of current instructors and will focus on new technologies and techniques for presenting to adult audiences Eagle: The Maritime Museum of Sandusky Lt/C Annette Wells A representative from the Maritime Museum of Sandusky will present a history of the museum, describe the exhibits and features, and discuss the relationship with Sandusky Power Squadron.

8 Hawk: The Two Burner Gourmet Mary Dahlmann & P/C Kathy Runner, AP Mary and Kathy will share some easy and delicious recipes that can be prepared in the galley. Participants will have the opportunity to share personal recipes and ideas Eagle: America s Boating Club D/Lt/C Mark Dahlmann, SN After a presentation about the rebranding of our organization and America s Boating Club Marketing Guidebook we will discuss what we can do and what we are doing to get the word out about America s Boating Club. EXECUTIVE OFFICER D/Lt/C Pam Yarletts, AP Well here we are going into another year Sounds great doesn t it. The spring time is coming upon use very quickly and I hope we take the extra precautions that we need to while we re getting our boats ready for launch. Remember to get your boat inspected with one of the Vessel Safety Check members and you can go online and get all the Federal requirements for recreational boating. All this will help you have a safe and uneventful boating season this year. The Boat Show Chairman, Ron Krock and I have been putting together a plan to get D- 29 their own table covers for the Cedar Point Boat Show. I think this will benefit the district and make use look more professional. We will have all the squadrons listed on it that belong to D-29. It will be very nice. Vessel Safety Check chairman Doris Critzer will have business type cards to hand out to all the squadrons commanders at the Winter Council. They will help promote America s Boating Club and there is an area you can put your name on them for a Free Vessel Safety Check. Very Nice. Spring conference will be in Huron again, very nice place at Sawmill Creek Resort. I ll be going in as the Commander for D-29 and would also like to take this time to invite you to attend. March th. ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

9 D/LT/C FELICIA M. EVANS, AP Hello fellow District 29 members, this short message is to tell you that the Spring Conference at Saw Mills Creek is just around the corner and there is lots plan for a weekend of fun, education and tradition. For those who are first timers, you will receive a $10.00 gift card for the Saw Mills Gift Shop for attending your first D29 Conference. Please join us Friday night for the Spring Saw Mill Creek Euchre tournament. If you missed the fall tournament, you have a chance to make up for lost earnings at the spring conference. Last fall, the competition was fierce and bloody, with only one pair surviving the night. To all D29 Squadron Administrative officers, hopefully you were able to attend winter council, and attended the AO session. It was a pleasure working with you as a group. If you attended, please try to implement the ideas discussed and shared at our Sunday morning training session. I know being the party person is tough, but your role as an Administrative Officer is one of the more important positions held in the squadron. Planning monthly programs for you squadron dinner meetings is overwhelming. My recommendation is that you have a committee of squadron members that has the ability to schedule programs that meet 1) the interest of the membership of the squadron; 2) provide the ability to enhance the knowledge of the membership; and 3) to satisfy the yearning of the membership to be lifelong learners. I look for forward to seeing ALL of you at the Spring Conference and if not by land, by Sea. COMMANDER'S REPORTS Commander Edward Mack, SN Columbus I am honored to be the new commander for the Columbus Sail and Power Squadron for My theme for this year is Growth Through Communicating. To that end, we will be promoting ourselves through the CSPS Facebook page, members doing a share with our postings, advertising, and simply talking up our organization. a lot! A program was recently started to invite guest(s) to our dinner meetings. We acquired two new members on that first dinner! ABC classes will be held on February 10 and March 10 of this year. In addition, we have numerous classes and seminars scheduled. Our newly updated website is your source for additional information: A fantastic rendezvous season has been planned! Again, check out our website for details. We invite you and all members from neighboring squadrons to attend! May 12: Ice Breaker at Sandusky Yacht Club June 23 24: Indian Lake Weekend July 4: Huron Boat Basin (with Sandusky and Port Clinton Squadrons) July 16 23: Detroit River, Lake St. Clair, Huron River August TBA: Pittsburgh Sept : Lake Cumberland Our headquarters features new technology installed to help with classes and presentations. The

10 conference room now has a new projector and electric screen. Both can be controlled remotely or by pressing a switch. The projector also will receive WIFI signals in addition to plugging it in. I would also like to thank all of our members who diligently work hard volunteering for the squadron: To all who put on our display and worked at the Boat Show in Columbus, To all those who volunteer to teach, To conduct boat inspections, and, To every member who works tirelessly behind the scenes. Commander Tom Streacker, P Findlay The days are getting longer!! The best thing about winter solstice on December 21, 2017 is that we begin to see more daylight. Some would say that hope is on the horizon and that we will make it through another hard winter. I had to look up the date (12/21/17) and on the internet, it also said, An increase of positive energy is expected to flow during the winter solstice The Findlay squadron just wrapped up the change of watch at Birchhavem on January 27 th. If you weren t there, the first year Commander stumbled his way through the event with only 2-3 minor errors (Doris Critzer, can you ever forgive me?) We enjoyed 39 friends from Findlay and area squadrons who joined us for a very nice meal. At the end of the Change of Watch, the Findlay squadron presented Doug Kerr with a glass paperweight inscribed, Doug Kerr, 45 years of service to the Findlay Sail & Power Squadron. Doug has served on the local, district and national levels for the Power Squadron earning 45 Merit Marks. While he indicates that he wants to step back, he also expressed to remain a memberat-large. Thank you Doug for all you ve done for all of us. We are busy finalizing plans for the February 24 th ABC course at Millstream in Findlay. AO Joanne Streacker is planning another fun year for the squadron. We are looking forward to these events including wine tasting in April and a lake visit in May. I take a positive attitude into 2018 for the Findlay Sail & Power Squadron. So much more to do. We look forward to seeing everyone in Columbus and Lima at their Change of Watch and upcoming Winter Council in Ada. Commander Richard Manter, AP Fort Wayne The Fort Wayne Sail & Power Squadron held our Change of Watch on January 21 at Hall s Guesthouse in Fort Wayne with 18 in attendance and myself taking the helm of the squadron once again.

11 We plan on having an ABC class the first of April and the discussion at our February Board Meeting was to have it at a boat dealer and marina close to many of the lakes north of Fort Wayne in Steuben County. Dave Hart, our SEO and Carl Clair, our Asst. SEO taught a class there last year and the dealer was very accomodating to them. It was a small class but we think with some good PR this year we can greatly increase that. We are in the talking stages of our squadron taking a trip to Evansville, Indiana which is located on the Ohio River for a Summerfest & Air Show weekend on June 28 thru July 1. It features an air show, military reenactments, live music and many other activities. We hope to have our Summer Rendevous again at the home of Bob & Cathy Dillman on Jimmerson Lake north of Fort Wayne but have not yet finalized those plans and a Fall party & bonfire at the home of Dennis Keyfauver in October. Our squadron will be hosting the Fall District Conference this year in Fort Wayne as this year is the 60 th anniversary of our squadron. We are in the process of putting together ideas for this celebration. We hope that many of you will come to Fort Wayne to celebrate with us. Commander Bradley Barton, SN - Lima What a beautiful day it is. As I write this I look out over Grand Lake St. Marys toward the west with the morning sun throwing shadows lakeward and glistening off the ice with sparkles here and there and a pair of geese who don t seem to mind sitting on the cold, hard water. The thermometer on the porch says 40 degrees F which is pretty nice for a late Sunday morning at the end of January. It makes my blood flow and my thoughts come fast as I think of the season ahead and soon to be. So with that in mind, please plan to join the good people of the Lima Squadron this year: 10 February is the Change of Watch at ONU in Ada, stay overnight before the Winter Council and enjoy dinner and the company of your squadron friends you gotta eat after all. There is a discounted rate of $129, I think it is, at The Inn there. Get a jump on the year at the Indian Lake Boat Show March 2-4. Lima will have a booth again at the show and would like to speak with P/D/C DuBray about bringing down the simulator. We are combining with the Findlay group for our April and May dining events. April is a wine tasting at Feasel s Garden Center in Findlay, Wednesday, April 4 and Wednesday, May 2 we meet at Viva Marie s in Ada with a scientist speaking on the toxic algae

12 problem. There is nothing more important than whether or not our waterways will be safe for recreation so plan to get an informed update with us there. Sunday, June 10 we will meet again at Stan Maxson s cottage on Indian Lake for a picnic and boat rides, weather permitting. Joe Zuppardo, AP took a boatload out last year and it was super fun. RSV or get with our AO, Lt/C Anita Barton, P by at Anitabarton1961@gmail.com or call or text her at We hope the winter has been kind to everyone and that we ll see you soon. Commander Dennis Timple, AP Port Clinton Port Clinton had a very successful Change of Watch in December. Thank you for those in attendance. We honored a 50 year member of the squadron with his family in attendance: P/D/C Martin Recny, SN. Thank you, Martin for all of your years of service. We have 12 pre-registrations for the boating class which will start on Tuesday, February 6 at 1800 at the Firelands Presbyterian Church. The class is intended to last for 6 weeks. At least 3 people from Port Clinton Squadron plan to attend the National Meeting in Orlando, Florida. Hopefully, the weather will be warm! Our Vessel Safety Check program is on its way with multiple inspectors. We would like to do a Seamanship class if there is enough interest. All squadrons are invited to join us. Commander Mark Dahlmann, SN Sandusky There is not much new since our report in the recent Dock 29. The Executive Committee continues to plan for the year to include events for members and guests, educational classes, and participation in community events. We recently had a successful social event at the Shore House in Sandusky, with a nice number showing up on a very cold night. Good suggestions have been made for future member/guest events. Plans are in the works to have a public boating class in March. Our N class is wrapping up, with completion in sight, unless corrections have to be made. (yes, pun intended!) Additional course offerings are being planned for members. This year is the bicentennial year for the city of Sandusky. Many events have been and are being planned for the city celebration. Many years ago, The Sandusky Yacht Club Regatta was known as the Sandusky Bay Regatta. Sandusky Yacht Club, Sandusky Sailing Club and Sandusky Power Squadron enjoyed a weekend of fun events on and around the water.

13 These three organizations recently joined forces to help plan water related activities for the city. A calendar of those events will be published in the near future. Currently, there are at least six tall ships scheduled to dock at Jackson Street pier. The tall ships visit coincides with our D29 Summer Rendezvous/Summer Council meeting to be held at Sandusky Yacht Club on the weekend of July I am hoping to see a record number of attendees at the rendezvous. We will continue to update our events, as well as the water related bicentennial events in our publication, The Lookout. It can be viewed by visiting our web site Commander Rita Buck, S Toledo Meteors! Thunder and Lightning! Super Moons! All of these interact with boating but in January, Really! Are these celestial events omens for The Squadron s 2018 Year of Exciting Events? So many members have volunteered new ideas for events and ways to entice new members. My goal for the 2018 year is to gain 10 new members. This will take help from all of our squadron. Put on your thinking hats! Please help. I have contacted many of you. Everyone and I mean everyone has jumped on board and opened their hearts and minds for the upcoming year. Some have purchased new boats to continue your love of boating. I wish you well. Happy boating! But remember where you began. Boating is constant learning, training and sharing so America s Boating Club will always be there for you. D29 Fall Conference November, 2017 Huron, Ohio District Commander Dan Mullane opened the meeting at 1:30 pm convening the Summer Council Meeting of 5 August, 2017 asking if there was any old business or new business to discuss. There was not and a motion was called for to adjourn that meeting with a second and all were in favor. The Summer Council meeting was adjourned. Commander Mullane then called to order the 2017 Fall Conference meeting. He called on D/Lt/C Felicia Evans, AP to present the colors.

14 Colors were presented, the National Anthem was played and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by P/D/C Charlie David, AP. P/C Sue DuBray gave the invocation and P/D/C Robert DuBray, AP introduced the P/D/Cs. Commander Mullane introduced our National Rep Craig D. Fraser, SN, his guest and D7 P/D/C David Belarucki, SN SP??? D/Lt/C Felicia Evans, AP introduced our first timer, Shari Harrington from Columbus. D/Lt/C Sharon Manter, AP took the roll call of the squadrons and reported that we did have a quorum. The Commander asked the secretary if the minutes of the last conference had been distributed and the answer was yes. They were printed in the Pier 29 and also were on the D29 website as well as hard copies on the registration table. The Commander called for any additions or corrections, as none were given the minutes were accepted as distributed. Commander Mullane called on our guest V/C Craig Fraser to deliver his message to our conference regarding the updated image of the USPS. He spoke about using Americas Boating Club on our publications as a way to bring our name forward to the public. This will be used in addition to the United States Power Squadrons name and logo in materials used for education, etc. He also spoke about the new digital library videos that are now available from USPS. He also presented a message from Luis Ojeda our National Commander via podcast. He encouraged our squadrons to use the videos in promoting what our squadrons are all about. There is a promotional video list available. After V/C Fraser s message he was asked to help with the awards presentation. The following members received their 50 year member awards. Gordon D. Springer, P Columbus Sail & Power Squadrons Lyle J. Boytim, P Port Clinton Power Squadron Martin Recny, SN Port Clinton Power Squadron In the members absence, the squadron commanders accepted the awards. Commander asked for reports from the Bridge Officers. DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICER D/Lt/C Mark Dahlmann, SN Mark reported that the SEO s met at 7:45 this morning to discuss courses and seminars offered by each squadron this year as well as those planned for the rest of the educational year. Ideas were exchanged for planning and teaching courses. The National Representative, National Educational Officer V/C Craig Fraser, SN and the National Educational Representative, Chairman of the Instructor Development Committee, R/C Robert Rayburn, SN-IN were present at the meeting to discuss topics of interest from the National Education Department. Thank you to both for attending and lending your insight. The seminars this morning were interesting and informatiove. Thank you to the presenters who

15 took time out of their busy schedules to share their expertise. We have three educational awards to present. John Miga, from Toledo Sail and Power Squaderon is receiving his award for Educational Proficiency. Ray Gall, Toledo Sail and Power Squadron and Richard Sorensen, Columbus Sail and Power Squadron, have both achieved the grade of Senior Navigator. DISTRICT EXECUTIVE OFFICER D/Lt/C Pam Yarletts, AP Pam reported that the Boat Show at Cedar Point will be August 23-26, 2018 and Ron Krock will be the Boat Show chairman. She thanked him for his work in our participation in the show this past summer as well as the upcoming year. DISTRICT ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER D/Lt/C Felicia Evans, AP Felicia called on Phil Osborne for a report on cruises and rendevous and D/Lt Ruth Wilcox reporting for the Youth Activities reported that D/29 had two 1 st place winners in the children s poster contest. DISTRICT TREASURER D/Lt/C Jason Snook, SN Jason reported that all bills are paid and we are solvent. DISTRICT SECRETARY D/Lt/C Sharon Manter, AP Sharon reported on changes to the mailing for the Pier 29 newsletter. She met with the PDCs at last night s meeting and they approved the changes. The newsletter is sent electronically to all members with s but we have just over 100 members who don t have s so their newsletters need to be sent through the mail with first class postage. The mailing in past years has been sent by bulk mail using Sandusky s bulk mail permit but they will not be renewing their permit. Names will be sent to each of the squadrons with names of those without s to see if they can find out whether or not these members want to receive the newsletter. If we can eliminate some of them from our mailing that will help with the mailing costs. Committee Reports Nominating Committee PDC Larry Cole, SN Rules Committee P/C Tom Patterson, JN Planning Committee Cdr Phil Osborne No report No report Note to all members to please update s throughout the year so we have current information

16 Spring Conference P/C Bill Hall, AP The Spring Conference will be March 16-18, 2018 hosted by Port Clinton at Sawmill Creek Resort, Huron, OH The Fall Conference for 2018 will be hosted by Fort Wayne at Hall s Guesthouse in Fort Wayne November 9-11, 2018 PDC Bob Runner reported that the district merit marks had been submitted to National for Bill Lehner gave high praise to Bob for the way the D29 merit marks were submitted. Commanders Reports Columbus P/D/C Phil Osborne, JN Columbus has been busy this year with some interesting rendezvous and summer activities. Now that our boats are put away for the winter, our attention is bnow on classes and attracting new members. During our last membership meeting we recruited two new members, two former members re-joined and we have another person requesting a membership application. Our Squadron Education Officer has our education schedule planned out for the fall and we have two ABC classes scheduled as well as a few seminars scheduled at Cabelas. This will be our first seminar at this venue and we are looking forward to this. The Cabela store in Columbus attracts a lot of shoppers and this should be a good opportunity for us. Our Administrative Officer was contacted by the Naval ROTC Commander at the Ohio State University recently and the Navy is now going back to teaching Celestial Navigation to their Commanders and at the Naval Academy. He asked if we could provide the ROTC students some information and introduce them to Celestial Navigation to tweak their interest. We then invited the Commander to be a guest speaker at our monthly gathering at Schmidt s Sausage Haus and he gave an outstanding talk and enlightened us on the two boating accidents the Navy experienced recently. Columbus will be putting a course together this Fall in Celestial Navigation and will be taking the students to Alum Creek so they can take sights and introduce them in the use of the sextant. We are very excited with this opportunity and look forward to building on this. Findlay Commander Tom Streacker, P The pirates were out in force on Catawba Island on August 19. We all had a lot of fun at the 1812 Food & Spirits restaurant. Findlay, Port Clinton, Columbus and Lima members also joined us in the gala event. If you weren t there, be on the lookout for your costume next year. On September 9, we met in Grand Rapids, OH at the Providence Metro Park for the canal boat ride. Drawn by a draft horse, we rode along the Erie Canal for ¾ mile at a rapid 4 mph enjoying the beautiful fall day and listening to a young college girl describe life on the canal in the 1860 s. The Erie Canal once connected Toledo to Grand Lake St. Mary s. The 1913 flood damaged the canal and railroad travel became the preferred method of travel.

17 I m still enjoying the steak dinner, fellowship and general meeting from last night at our annual steak fry at the Lions Club in Arcadia. We had a good turnout and shared recent squadron updates with all members in attendance. We wrap up the summer on November 1 with a general meeting at the Greek Garden in Findlay to listen to mystery writers Maureen Kovach and Bridgette Howard. They will share their inspiration for their Lake Erie mysteries. They write under the pen name Maureen K. Howard. All are welcome to attend. Social hour at 5:30 pm. Dinner at 6pm. Reservations required with Joanne Streacker at (419) Fort Wayne PDC Richard Manter, AP Our squadron has been occupied much of this year with closing our headquarters building. It was a sad day for all of our members but we are now meeting in other locations. We had our annual summer rendezvous in August at the summer home of Bob and Cathy Dillman on Jimmerson Lake north of Fort Wayne. Since retirement they spend their summers at Jimmerson and in the winter in the Florida keys. Their home there was spared, thankfully, from Hurricane Irma. We had a cookout at the home of Dennis Keyfauver for the first of our fall activities in September and had planned on having a bonfire that evening but the temp. that day was in the 90 s with high humidity so we weren t really in the mood for a bonfire. We enjoyed a great meal together anyway. The Fall Conference at Sawmill Creek will be our November event and our Christmas dinner will be Sunday afternoon, December 10 at Hall s Guesthouse. All squadrons are invited to attend. Lima Commander Bradley Barton, SN The Lima Squadron along with the Findlay Squadron will be having our Christmas Party December 9 at The Met in downtown Lima with dinner and entertainment from the Barbershop Quartet the Lima Beans. We will be having an ABC class on March 17 in Celina and an Engine Maintenance class. Date to be determined at a later date. We will have 13 members getting merit marks for their service to the squadron in Port Clinton D/Lt/C Pam Yarletts, AP The Port Clinton Squadron will be combining with Sandusky Squadron on December 10 for our Christmas party and we have an ABC class scheduled for February 16. Sandusky P/D/C Robert Runner, SN-IN

18 Our squadron has completed our Fall classes and due to a grant that was received we now own a virtual trainer along with the Maritime Museum. We have a Christmas Party scheduled for December 10 and do not yet have a date set for our 2018 Change of Watch. Toledo Commander Leonard J. Buck, JN Our squadron has 50 members who will be receiving merit marks for 2017 and we have a couple to get 25 merit marks. We have a guest speaker for our Christmas Dinner scheduled for December 2. Our Change of Watch will be January 13, We will be offering a Piloting class and Junior Navigation. Dates not determined yet. Old Business None New Business None Commander Mullane called for a motion to adjourn the meeting. It was made and seconded. The meeting adjourned at 2:50 pm. D/Lt/C Felicia Evans called for all present to rise for the retiring of the colors. The color bearers came to the front and the colors were retired with a breast salute and hand salute from all veterans. The meeting was recessed until the evening at which time the Commander s Reception will commence at 1700 followed by dinner at 1830 and entertainment after dinner. An Afterglow will be hosted jointly by all of the D/29 Squadrons. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Manter Sharon Manter, D/29 Secretary As negotiations with Sawmill Creek Resort have not been finalized yet for our Spring Conference, the registration form is not included in this newsletter. As soon as the information is available, forms will be sent to each squadron. Everyone attending must complete the registration form when it is received and mail it to the district treasurer even if you are a delegate and your conference fees are paid by your squadron treasurer!

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