May 2015 - United States Power Squadrons

The Bearing
March 2014
2
Anna Maria Island Sail & Power Squadron
The Bearing
Come for the Boating Education…
Stay for the FriendsSM
Commander
Janet Razze, AP
Monthly Newsletter
May
2015
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER!
Note the date of the next Work Party will
be E-Blasted when the building needs it.
5 MAY — Seamanship Class*
4 MAY — ABC Class *
We wish our snowbirds a safe
journey home. For those of us
remaining in paradise, we still plan
to have boating activities. I find the summer to be
the best time to boat, especially in the morning to
early afternoon. All of the “year-rounders” fully understand to off the water by the time those dark
clouds come barreling in the afternoon. Please be
on guard for those thunderheads and keep your radios tuned to stay updated on the weather. One of
the best apps for your phone is called “StormEye”,
but it is only for androids at the moment. I found
this app to be very accurate and helpful following
storms and showers on the water. Unfortunately, I
then purchased an iphone and I did not realize this
app was not available for that phone!
6 MAY — ABC Class *
7 MAY — General Meeting
11 MAY — ABC Class *
13 MAY — ABC Class *
14 MAY — Charting Seminar *
— Brunch Bunch, Enrich
16 MAY — C&R/Flotilla, the Bearded Clam
17 MAY — VSC at Kingfish Ramp—Safe Boating
Week
18 MAY — ABC Class *
20 MAY — ABC Class *
21 MAY — Electronic Navigation *
We will be having C&Rs during the summer as well
25 MAY — ABC Class *
as some other boating activities. If you plan to be
here for the entire summer or just part of the sum*Call 941-795-0482 to register
May 21
mer, please let me know if you will be interested in
any boating activities and the dates you are in the
area. This way, I can plan the activities better. Also,
let me know if you would be interested in going to
Crystal River to scallop this August. This is an overnight trip. The scallop season is
Congrats to
FYI (new address):
very short and I would like to know
Cheryl Matheson
if we have enough interested prior
Orlo and Ann Blake
to planning this activity. Just drop
&
941-704-6232
me a short note at jrazze@aol.com.
Jim Charney
612 Schoolcraft
Safe boating everyone!
for achieving a grade
Street, Grand
Sincerely,
of Pilot!
Cdr. Janet Razze, AP
Ledge, MI
48837
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Anna Maria Island Sail & Power Squadron D-22
A Unit of the United States Power Squadrons®
1200 71st Street NW, Bradenton, Florida 23209 941-792-0394
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
2015 Bridge
Commander
Cdr. Janet Razze, AP
761-1860
Executive Officer
Lt/C Danny Wood , S
580-5932
Admin Officer
Lt/C Jim Charney, P
Education Officer
Lt/C Ron Sidlowski, AP
794-1832
Treasurer
P/C Cliff Root, SN
383-1269
Secretary
Lt/C Cheryl Matheson, P
794-2496
Exec Comm-at-Large 1st Lt Larry Wilhelm
Asst Commander
Open
Asst Exec Officer
Open
847-217-0738
2015 VSC Stickers Now Available!
To schedule your complimentary VSC,
please contact any of the examiners
listed below
AMISPS Vessel Safety Check Team
Will Wichers, SN
Janet Razze, AP
383-3485
Gary Razze, AP
Asst Admin Officer Lt/C Cheryl Matheson, S
794-2496
Asst Treasurer
1st Lt Gary Razze, AP
761-1860
Asst Secretary
1st Lt Irene Estler
792-9600
Membership Chair
Open
Carol Mae
Bob Fraser, S
Tony Rizzotti, S
Membership Involvement Committee: Open
Nominating Committee:
Open
Auditing Committee:
Open
941-739-2259
941-761-1860
jrazze@aol.com
941-761-1860
grazze@aol.com
608-692-9985
carolmmae@gmail.com
941-778-5506
Rfraser34@yahoo.com
603-303-0937
Tony1950R@gmail.com
Safe Boating Starts with a Vessel Safety Check!
April 2015 ~ Issue 4 The Bearing
1st Lt Larry Wilhelm, Editor 941-383-3485 ljwilhelm1@verizon.net
The Bearing is published 10 times annually. Members are encouraged to submit articles for publication.
Deadline for submission is the 10th of the preceding month. Send articles, comments, and suggestions to the
editor, Larry Wilhelm — email: ljwilhelm1@verizon.net
AMISPS Website — http://www.usps.org/localusps/annamaria
Regular Meeting Dates:
General Meeting - Usually the 1st Thursday of the month at 1830. Pot Luck meal begins at
1800. Meeting begins at 1900.
Executive Bridge — Usually meets on last Thursday of the month at 1830. Members are welcome to attend.
Advertise in The Bearing:
We can list “classified advertisements” for our members in good standing. Advertise your boat for sale, boating or fishing equipment, or other items you want to sell or give away for free. List your name, contact information (phone or email) and a brief description of the item(s). Each ad is limited to 200 characters. We ask for
a $10 donation by check written out to AMISPS. We can also do local businesses ads. Ads should be the size
of a business card and be sent to us electronically. Donations for a one-month ad is $20 per issue or $100 for
ten issues. We will reserve the right to refuse business ads not appropriate, etc. Monthly deadlines are on the
10th of each month. The Bearing is not published in July or August. Ads are not secured unless payment is
received by the 10th of the month. Checks to be written out to AMISPS.
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May
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Administrative Officer
Jim Charney
What has been happening administratively? Well, a couple of
things: non momentous, except
for one: recruiting new members.
The locks on our building have been changed to insure building security and lock integrity. The restrooms have been refitted with handicap handles.
The metal shed has been emptied of all the things.
Gary and I also loaded it with unusable things from
around the building before arranging to have it emptied. Other things were sold at the garage sale in my
neighborhood.
We've been assembling a tool box that has enough of
the right tools to do some general handyman stuff. If
you have extra or unused tools please let us have
them. I'll come and get them.
There are numerous things to do around the building
to keep it in good shape. The building must be kept
in good shape if it is to earn its keep. Janet put together a partial list of things that need doing. I'll add
to that list as I find other things. I'll post a list so
members can select a repair or maintenance activity
they'd feel comfortable doing. Then on Work Party
day members can come prepared for their activity.
Does that found fair and sound? Let me know.
Several of us have talked about having more on the
water activities. Things like a “rafting up” social, an
oyster gathering social, a boating overnighter, and
any other things you may offer. With the next General Members meeting May 7th we're working toward
having an on-the-water Meeting/Social. We'd like it
to be a great send-off for the members returning
North.
This past week Ron, Cher, Janet and I followed-up
on Janet's “Reach One, Bring One Challenge.” I contacted four “trial members.” Two were already on
their way North. But, they gave a positive response
to doing something in the fall when they return. I'll
follow-up with them in October. Another “trial”
{continued next page}
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Education Officer
Lt/C Ron Sidlowski, AP
First I would like to congratulate
Cheryl Matheson & Jim Charney
on achieving the grade of “P”. We
received notice from National that
both were credited this grade from
classes that were successfully transferred from the
Coast Guard to the Power Squadron. Jim was also
credited with an elective for Sail. I was able to acknowledge Jim at the last General Meeting but, unfortunately, Cheryl's information did not come in until
after the meeting.
The Seamanship class scheduled to start on April 14
has been canceled due to lack of enrollment. However,
we did graduate three members from the January class
so the results are not disappointing this year. We are
also canceling the Charting and GPS Seminars which
were scheduled to run in May. Additional sessions
will be considered in the fall if there is a demonstrated
need.
May 4th will begin the third session of the popular
ABC class offered in the new format which consists of
seven sessions. There will be two classes each week
for three weeks followed by the exam as the final session. This will be the last ABC class in this schedule
format until fall.
This summer we will be trying another new format for
the ABC class which will be aimed at teens. Two sessions will be held in July which will each run for a
week. The format for these will be a half day from
Monday – Thursday with the final test being on Friday. We are excited to see how this new summer format will be received by younger students. Adults will
also be welcome with the hope of attracting several
family members to the class.
Finally, I would ask for everyone's help. Each month
before we schedule classes, I submit a request to many
of the local newspapers to run free advertisements for
us. Since so much of this is done electronically, I get
little to no feedback from the papers as to if and when
these advertisements will run. So if anyone everyone
sees an AMIS&PS educational ad, please save a copy
for me. I would love to see how these are actually presented and the dates they appear. I will be submitting
articles for May classes this week.
Now that the weather has begun to feel more like summer, I hope that all are starting to enjoy more boating.
Ron
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member is planning on attending the Tarpon Point C & R. I offered to drive but he wanted to drive himself. I
feel bad that I won't be there to greet and introduce him. I'll be attending the District 22 Conference in Tampa.
Make him feel at home. The fourth “trial” member is caught-up with family activities.
It was tough for me to go back to cold-calling. I sent an email in advance letting the “trial” member know I
would be calling on a particular day. When I reached them they were expecting my call. I didn't have to go
through the “cold-call” introduction in 7 seconds. I felt good about the conversations and it seems the contacts
felt good about being called.
Carol Mae did an outstanding job orienting me. Now I'm on my own. I've also been trained by USPS to the hilt.
What I need to do now is “do.” I look forward to seeing you at our events and meetings.
Jim
Top of the day to everyone! As many of us year-round residents
Executive Officer
Lt/Cdr Danny Wood start our boating season, our part-time residents are packing up to
head back North. The building rental schedule is still very much
open this year, so, let your friends & families know that we have space for that special event
they will be having. Safe boating week is quickly approaching! The national dates are May
16th- May22nd. We will be inspecting boats at the Kingfish boat ramp on May 17th, so the
C&R is not affected. I need all the volunteers/inspectors to call or email me at 941-713-3372
or danielwwood1@gmail.com to confirm your times. I will have a sign-up sheet at our next meeting. I was at
the ramp yesterday with my family and witnessed a terrible fight. Best part was when the Bradenton Beach police showed up and handled it! So, if not for the shear entertainment value (inspectors falling in the water, etc.),
please come out in support of making our area boaters safer! Have a great month!
Danny
MEET JOE DEFRANCESCO
by Lori Fenstermacher
BIG WELCOME to new member, Joe DeFrancesco, a native of Hamburg, Michigan, about
29 miles from Ann Arbor. He moved to Bayshore Gardens after living on AMI for 18 years.
Prior to being widowed 3 years ago, Joe was married to his beloved Sarah for 52 years. Joe
has two married daughters, Michelle, living with her husband in Ft. Lauderdale, and Jacqueline and her husband, Doug, living in Michigan. Michelle and Dave’s twins, Nicholas and
Jessica, are both sophomores in college.
Joe is a veteran of the US Army during the Vietnam era. He had a long career as a Systems Analyst for
Hoskins, a company that makes resistance wire used in items such as electric meters, cigarette lighters, and
hairdryers. He retired in 1999. Since then, Joe has devoted his time to working at less demanding jobs such as
the one he describes as “the best job ever”: cutting grass at a private golf course. How many people get paid to
regularly ride around in a gorgeous environment seeing the greenery, the stars, the moon, the sky? To say Joe
likes to keep busy is an understatement!
Joe has always believed in giving back and has done a lot of volunteer work. He and 3 other men used to repair broken fishing rods and reels to “like new” condition and then donated over 6,000 of them to young children, identified through the Manatee County School System. His buddies no longer participate, but Joe continues the tradition, taking great pleasure in seeing the smiling faces of the new “fisherpersons.”
Joe loves boating and fishing. He recently installed a new boat lift and purchased a brand new 23’ pontoon
boat with a 150 Mercury. He is always looking for people to join him, so don’t be shy about asking him. He
named the boat, “Lulu”, in memory of his wife (her nickname). He also enjoys his hobby of antiquing and has
helped build several of his and his children’s homes. One of his most fun hobbies is restoring antique Ford
Mustangs. At one time, he had 5 in his garage (must have been a BIG garage). He also restored 3 Farmall tractors, the last one being of a 1947 vintage which his youngest daughter now owns. Joe is a real people person
and for the past two years has enjoyed meeting people working in the concession department of the Pittsburgh
Pirates in Bradenton. He has some great stories to tell! Next year if you go there for a game, be sure to let him
know in advance and he’ll make you an extra good burger or dog. (He also enjoys cooking for groups of people, so we may, some day, get to enjoy the “fruits of his labor.”)
Joe is enjoying his new squadron friends & looks forwards to fun boating activities &serving the organization.
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CRUISE & RENDEZVOUS (C&R’s) 2015
Please sign up to be a host/hostess—it involves reserving the restaurant, greeting people, handling out tickets
for door prize (provided). 50/50 will be done by another volunteer. C&R’s begin @ 1130 hours.
Contact Carol Mae or Lynda Einspar if you can be a host.
5/16 The Bearded Clam:
355-2600 7150 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota Hostess: Lynda Einspar
6/20 The Old Salty Dog: 388-4311 1601 Ken Thomson Pkwy, Sarasota Hosts: the Roots
7/18 Tide Tables: 567-6206 125 12507 Cortez Rd, Cortez Host: Betty Zimmerman
8/15 Pier 22: 748-8087 1200 1st. Ave. W., Bradenton Host: OPEN
9/19 Tarpon Pointe Grill: 756-8700 801 Riverside Dr. E., Bradenton Host: OPEN
10/17 The Seafood Shack: 794-1245 4110 127th St. W., Cortez Hosts: the Kotlareks
11/21 Riverside Cafe: 729-4402 955 Riverside Dr., Palmetto Hostess: Lynda Einspar
Need Teaching Photos
Adventures with Skipper!
Skipper had 1 too many & ended up in the
fountain while vacationing with the
Wilhelms in New Orleans!
We
are
looking
for
interesting
photos
to
use in our
classes.
If
you see any
examples of
“dangerous boating”, “boating idiots”, or interesting/confusing navigational aids, please take a
photo or video and pass it on to our instructors.
IN CASE YOU WERE WONDERING:

COW = “Change Of Watch”

C&R = “Cruise & Rendezvous”

OTW = “ Off The Water” (trip)

VSC = “Vessel Safety Check”

ABC = “America’s Boating Course”
Have silly jokes or sayings to share ?
Please forward them to me at ljwilhelm1@verizon.net.
This month’s joke was supplied by:
Larry Wilhelm
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A tribute to those who worked hard to make it happen!
To Eileen from Irene’s for
her fashion commentaries, a
special thanks! This was her
last year—best wishes in
retirement!
The Bearing
May 2015
And If One Good ‘Turn’ Deserves Another…
Here’s Our Sexy Models In Other Outfits!
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May 2015
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USPS Merit Mark Awards for 2014
The USPS awards merit marks to those individuals who demonstrate substantial personal effort in furthering the interest, programs and objectives of USPS, its districts and
squadrons. (Bylaw 16.1) Merit marks are awarded each year to members who volunteered time
and effort for the betterment of boating education, boating safety, membership recruitment,
membership retention, public awareness of USPS, District 22 or the local squadron. It is a coveted award; it is
by and large the only official recognition members receive for their efforts. Only one merit mark may be
awarded in a year to a member, no matter how extensive the contribution [Bylaw 14.1.7] A certificate is issued
and a special insigne may be worn on USPS uniforms [Refer to 10.44 on page 10.8] Certificates are mailed directly to the member from USPS. Earn five merit marks and you become a Senior Member. Earn 25 merit
marks and you become a Life Member, who no longer has to pay dues.
Recommendations for a merit mark are made by squadron, district, rear and vice commanders to the chief
commander. Active, family and apprentice members may be recommended [Bylaw 14.1] Merit marks earned
by family and apprentice members shall not count toward senior, life or emeritus status [Bylaw 14.1.8] Merit
Marks are earned from January 1 – December 31 each year but the report from the Squadron Commander is
due in October. Thus, members may submit an outline of expected activities from October through December
to the Squadron Commander.
If you do not see your name below and would like to earn a merit mark this coming year, you still have time
to contribute to the squadron. Instructors, hosting meetings or C&Rs, accomplishing Vessel Safety Checks, participating in Co-Operative Charting, participating in Work Parties, organizing and working on special events,
doing tasks for officers, etc., are just a few of the things you can accomplish to earn merit marks. For a detailed
list of qualifying merit mark information, email jrazze@aol.com.
We appreciate those named below for their dedication and hard work to improve our squadron. Our squadron
is not just a building made of wood and nails, it is the membership that truly makes our squadron. We congratulate all of you.
Sincerely,
Commander Janet Razze, AP
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We extend a warm welcome to the following individuals who passed
the America’s Boating Course in January and March this year. We
look forward to meeting all of you at our General Meetings and Cruise
& Rendezvous (C&Rs).
January 2015
Daniele Flannery – Bradenton
Stephen Lee – Palmetto
Kathie Miller – Palmetto
Kurt Miller – Palmetto
John Schmitz – Bradenton
John Skladany – Bradenton
Sharon Skladany – Bradenton
Debra Jill St. John – Holmes Beach
Douglas Tepper – Cortez
March 2015
Curtis Lewis – Parrish
Curtis Lewis II – Parrish
Carl Schmidt – Bradenton Beach
Emma Stephens – Ft Meade
News Flash!
I know I have brought this up before but it is happening again all over our boating area. We are having a rash of boats stolen from docks and lifts at night. Also,
stainless steel props are being stolen. Lifts are being damaged in the process of
getting the boats off. I cannot stress enough how important it is to secure your
boat as well as remove all technology and items when it is not in use. Make sure
you fully understand your boater’s insurance. Stainless steel props are very expensive and most boaters’ insurance will NOT cover them when stolen unless
you are using a prop lock! Take a photo with the lock on your prop and keep the receipt of your prop lock. A
boat and lift was severely damaged right on Palma Sola Bay this week. A boat was stolen from my neighborhood floating docks within the same week. Kayaks, paddle boards and canoes are also being taken out of
yards, including backyards with fences at night. Make sure you secure these items. Keep your eyes and ears
open and don’t hesitate contacting the authorities if you see anything suspicious happening in the area. ~
Commander Janet
50/50 IS BACK!
At our monthly meetings and at other select
meetings and C & R’s.
MORE TICKETS FOR YOUR MONEY
MORE CHANCES TO WIN!
Any funds collected will be “the earmarked” to
help defray the cost of an event or special project.
WORK PARTY
Brunch Bunch
The Brunch Bunch usually meets the
3rd Thursday of the month. This is
an informal gathering of women in
our squadron for lunch & conversation. All are invited to attend. Hostesses and venues will be announced via email as info becomes available.
INFO
“All Hands” Work
Parties usually run
9am to Noon and
sometimes we go out for lunch. Please bring cleaning or painting supplies, tools, etc. with you for
whatever needs to be done. This is our squadron
building & we want to keep it nice for ourselves &
our renters.
May 10th
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March
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May
2015
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Sun
3
10
17 VSC
Kingfish Ramp
24
31
Mon
Tue
5 Seamanship
12
19
26
13 ABC Class
6 ABC Class
22
14 Brunch Bunch 15
Charting Seminar
7 AMISPS Gen8
eral Mtg 6pm pot
luck, 7pm mtg
1
Fri
30
23
16 Cruise & Rendezvous (C&R)
Bearded Clam
9
2
Sat
Thu
20 ABC Class
21
Electronic
Navigation
29
Wed
27
AMISPS Calendar of Events
May 2015
4 ABC Class
11 ABC Class
18 ABC Class
25 ABC Class
28 Executive
Bridge Mtg.
6:30pm only if
needed