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CROSSROADS
OF MARTIN COUNTY
Volume 51 Number 1 Stuart, Florida January/February/March 2021
A Publication of St. Lucie River Power Squadron Chartered 24 January 1970
www.SLRPS.org
Good & Welfare Committee
If you know of any member or spouse who has died, who is ill, in the hospital, or could use a lift of spirits, please contact Lt Rosalie Goebel at 772-781-1098
BRIDGE OFFICERS 2020-21
COMMANDER Cdr John E. Goebel, SN
(772) 781-1098 [email protected]
EXECUTIVE OFFICER Lt/C Robert Chaille, AP
(786) 234-4652 [email protected]
EDUCATIONAL OFFICER
Lt/C Paul Vallier, SN (772) 678-2468
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER Lt/C Peter A. Rodaway, S
(240) 604-8500 [email protected]
SECRETARY
Lt/C Richard Pontynen, AP (772) 247-7295
TREASURER Lt/C William E. Gelpke, AP
(772) 692-9197 [email protected]
Assistants to the Bridge
Asst. SEO 1st/Lt Paul Bendeck, P Asst. A/O P/Lt/C Sheri Muller, S Asst. Secretary 1st/Lt Ruth A. Frederick Asst. Treasurer Lt/C Richard Pontynen, AP
Crossroads Staff EDITOR
Cdr John Goebel, SN (772) 781-1098
PUBLISHER/MAILING COMMITTEE P/Lt/C Tom Gatziolis, S Lt Sue Gatziolis, S (772) 781-2876
[email protected] [email protected]
Title: CROSSROADS Issue Date: 1 January 2021
Authorized Organization’s Name & Address: St. Lucie River Power Squadron, Inc.®, 1820 NE Jensen Bch Blvd, #628,
Jensen Beach, FL 34957 (772-212-2970) Issue Number: Volume 51, Number 1
CROSSROADS is published 4 times a year by and for the members of the St. Lucie River Power Squadron, Inc.®, a unit of the United States Power Squadrons®, District 8. Articles, opinions and advertisements do not necessarily reflect USPS, D/8 or SLRPS policy or endorse-ment unless so designated. Submit articles, comments, etc. before 15 March to the editor: Cdr John Goebel, SN, 11150 SW Vitalia Ct., Port Saint Lucie, FL 34987 or email to [email protected]. Please use the word “Crossroads” in the subject line.
January/February 2016 CROSSROADS January/February/March 2021 PAGE 2
CROSSROADS
(See Commander on Pg 3)
COMMANDER’S REPORT
Cdr John Goebel, SN
(772) 781-1098 [email protected]
I’d like to start off by wishing all our members and families a very happy and healthy 2021. As I write this the Covid-19 vaccine effort is un-derway in our tri-county area. So with any luck at all we may be able to safely resume our nor-mal social and educational activities again in the near future. Our Civic Service activities have commenced with the 2021 Vessel Safety Checks. It’s not too early to get yours. Contact our VSC chair Lt Peter Burns (772-486-2684) to schedule an ap-pointment with one of our examiners. Unfortunately the pandemic has impacted all levels of United States Power Squadrons, America’s Boating Club. The Annual Meeting planned for Ponte Vedra, FL will be held virtual-ly via FreeConferenceCall.com. The good news is that numerous committee meetings will be available to members who normally would not travel to participate in the Annual Meeting. More details regarding the detailed agenda and dial-in info to be forthcoming. In November SLRPS successfully conducted its Annual Meeting via Zoom. We had a nice turn-out and successfully completed all the neces-sary business required by our bylaws. The 2021 budget was approved and our new Lead-ership Team was elected. On 21 January we will conduct our Change of Watch virtually via Zoom. Our District 8 Commander Michael Jackson, SN will serve as our Installation Of-ficer for the event that will commence at 1900. A detailed agenda appears on the cover of this publication and our membership will be in-formed via our Simplelists email system. Unfortunately, due to the Covid pandemic, our annual Royal Caribbean cruise has been shifted one year and rescheduled for January 2022. At this time we have ten cabins booked but more are available in all shapes and sizes. See page
CROSSROADS November/December 2015 PAGE 3 CROSSROADS PAGE 3
CROSSROADS
(Educational Officer’s report continued on Page 4)
January/February/March 2021
EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S
REPORT Lt/C Robert Chaille, AP
(786) 234-4652
Dear fellow Members, It’s been a pleasure serving our squadron for the past two years and I look forward to passing the baton to our incoming Executive Officer, Lt/C Peter Rodaway, S Thank You and stay well, Bob
In March 2020 our “winter educational season” abruptly came to an end with the Covid-19 pan-demic. However, through the end of March 2020, we were able to complete everything scheduled except the “Introduction to Navigation” lesson for graduates of our ABC3, public boating course. “Intro to Nav” had been planned for March 21
st but had to be postponed.
One significant highlight of 2020 included new member Ken Chen, S passing his Seamanship exam in March with a score of 92%. Since we continued to have Seamanship course materials on hand but weren’t able to use them because of the pandemic, Commander John Goebel, SN and I reached out to National Educational Officer V/C Willian J. McManimen, SN, and John per-suaded National to honor the former “Seamanship” course and grade exams until De-cember of 2021. Consequently, with Covid-19 vaccine becoming available, we expect to offer Seamanship perhaps one or two times during the upcoming year. Until such time as the SLRPS Executive Commit-tee authorizes "in person" teaching during 2021, all classes and seminars will be presented using virtual ZOOM technology and the Power Point presentations commonly used for our vari-ous courses. In addition to being a prudent ac-tion for all concerned, we have learned that USPS insurance protection is non existent relat-ed to any Covid litigation. Such insurance is needed to financially shield instructors and the USPS organization in general if someone were to sue after contracting Covid in one of our classes. To encourage participation in our course offer-ings, the SLRPS Executive Committee approved the following reduced price schedule for educa-tional programs offered in 2021. a) ABC will be offered at $25 per person or per family if a book is shared. Commander
EDUCATIONAL OFFICER’S
REPORT Lt/C Paul A. Vallier, SN
(772) 678-2468 [email protected]
Commander’s report continued from Page 2)
6 for all the details and how to sign up. Looking forward to getting together virtually and hopefully in person in the not-so-distant future. I’m sure we’ll all have plenty of stories to share. John
50th Annual St. Lucie River Blessing of the Fleet and Marine Parade -
Saturday, 13 February 2020 This traditional and historical event had its be-ginning with early fisherman asking their clergy to bless their ships, crew and catch. The event now mirrors similar events held worldwide with our local Blessing Parade inaugurated in 1941.
The parade will again take place in the North Fork of the St. Lucie River. Gathering will start-ing at 1100 with the parade starting at 1130. Patrol boats are needed. Please contact P/C George Kay (772-509-7860) for more infor-mation.
b) Seamanship will be offered at no cost to Squadron members until our inventory of text-books is consumed. c) JN will be offered to members only, at half the Squadron's actual cost of $103. (ie. student pays $52) Students would be required to pur-chase their own plotting instruments. d) All Seminars will be offered to members for a cost of $10 A firm schedule will follow once we confirm teaching assignments and the Covid-19 pan-demic subsides. Lt/C Paul Vallier, SN, P/Lt/C Mike Knapp, AP and 1
st/Lt Paul Bendeck, P
September/October 2016 PAGE 6 PAGE 4
CROSSROADS
CROSSROADS
Photo by Cdr John Goebel, SN
January/February/March 2021
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER’S
REPORT Lt/C Peter A. Rodaway, S
(240) 604-8500
Educational Officer’s report (continued from Page 3)
Welcome to 2021 with a new Bridge ! We are having virtual meetings and socially distanced lunches at Sandsprit Park to keep the membership informed and involved in Squadron activities. It is essential that mem-bers renew their dues to enable USPS and SLRPS to continue operations during these dif-ficult times for us all. Also, the benefits availa-ble to members will be welcome savings when we all get back to a "new normal" and we start to travel again! We have been placing SLRPS signage at vari-ous Martin County boat ramps to encourage safe boating, vessel safety checks and our ed-ucational activities. Those have already helped secure new members and requests for vessel safety checks. The good news is that people are now able to get Covid vaccines and after a 3-4 week period get contacted for a second one. This will help get us back to organizing outings, lunches at the "PIG" (for the free ice cream lovers!) and other functions that we have enjoyed in years past. Unfortunately, due to health concerns, we will not be staffing the Stuart Boat Show this year. Stay safe and please do not get complacent about wearing a mask and socially distancing until we all get vaccinated. Peter
Informal Lunch at Sandsprit Park—28 October
Photo by Lt/C Peter Rodaway, S
PAGE 5
CROSSROADS
Photos by Lt/C Bill Gelpke, AP
CROSSROADS January/February/March 2021
A MULTI-PART SERIES ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER, History & Legends
When we visited New Orleans, Pat and I took a ride on the Steamboat Natchez. The name Natchez
embodies the ultimate beauty and speed on the river. There have been eight steamboats named the
"Natchez". The latest named steamboat was built in 1975 and carries on the grand tradition focused
on luxury and entertainment.
The first Natchez was a side-wheeler built in New York City in 1823. It ran between Natchez, MS
and New Orleans. Fire destroyed it in 1825. Natchez II, a sternwheeler, was built for Captain T. P.
Leathers in Cincinnati in 1845 and ran til 1848 when Leathers sold it. The Natchez II was abandoned in 1852. From the sale of the Natchez II, Leathers built the Natchez III , which he operated from
1848 to 1853. In 1866, it sank in Mobile harbor due to rotting.
In 1853, the Natchez IV was also built in Cincinnati. In 1854, after six weeks afloat, it collided with
the Pearl sinking her. A month later, it was destroyed in a wharf fire along with 12 other ships. Leath-
ers went back to Cincinnati immediately and built the Natchez V. He sailed her until 1859. In 1860, she also was destroyed by a fire.
Undeterred, Leathers built the biggest Natchez, the Natchez VI in 1860. It was used to transport Confederate troops to Memphis during the Civil War. After the Union captured Memphis, the boat
was moved to the Yazoo River. In 1863, it was burned to keep it out of Union hands.
In 1879, Cincinnati Marine Ways launched the biggest steamboat of all, the Natchez VIII. It had 47
elegant staterooms and cost $125,000 to build. By 1887, the railroad took away most of the steam-ship business. In 1888, Leathers renovated the Natchez VIII at a cost of $60,000. Unfortunately, in
January 1889, she burned down. Leathers said he was too old to build another Natchez and he re-tired.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER PART 6 by Gerry Moran
MISSISSIPPI RIVER PART 7 by Gerry Moran The name "Mark Twain" is ever associated with the Mississippi River. Mark Twain was the pen name of Samuel Clemens. Sam grew up on the banks of the Mississippi near Hannibal, Missouri
dreaming of becoming a riverboat captain. At 18, he headed to New York City and found success writing articles. A year later he returned to the River to serve as a cub pilot. In 1859, the 23 year-old
received his steamboat pilot's license. He piloted his own boat for two years, until the Civil War halt-ed steamboat traffic.
Sam's father owned a slave and his uncle owned several. Sam spent many boyhood years playing in the enslaved people's quarters, listening to tall tales and spirituals that would be the basis of his
greatest novels.
Clemens became an American humorist, journalist, lecturer, and novelist who acquired internation-
al fame for his travel narratives. In 1870, Sam started a family and moved to Hartford, Connecticut and for the next 17 years (1874-1891) completed some of his most famous books. Novels such as
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876), Life on the Mississippi (1883), Prince and the Pauper (1881), A Connecticut Yankee in King's Arthur's Court (1889) and The Adventures of Huckle-
berry Finn (1884) all of which became movies in the 20th Century.
Bad investments brought Clemens into bankruptcy in the mid-1890s and forced Sam to set out
on a worldwide lecture tour to pay off his debts. He died on April 21, 1910 at age 74. Mark Twain
is considered one of America's best and most beloved writers.
CROSSROADS
PAGE 6 CROSSROADS January/February/March 2021
Attention: St. Lucie River Power Squadron Members & Friends:
We have Finalized the Arrangements for our Annual 2022
Royal Caribbean Cruise Aboard the Beautiful Oasis of the Seas
Join your fellow members for a 7 -night cruise to the Western Caribbean.
Departing from Port of Miami on 23 January 2022.
Itinerary:
23 Jan: Miami Depart 4:00PM 27 Jan: Roatan, Honduras
24 Jan: CoCo Cay, Bahamas 28 Jan: Costa Maya, Mexico
25 Jan: Cruising 29 Jan: Cruising
26 Jan: Cozumel, Mexico 30 Jan: Miami Arrive: 6:00AM
Important Notices:
$250/person deposits will hold your cabin up until due date of final payment ( 15 October 2021)
25/cabin on-board credit special for our SLRPS Group
Current 60% off 2nd Guest Sale Price (as of 28 December 2020) (per person based on double-occupancy)
include port charges and government taxes & fees
Interior Cabin (Cat. 4V) $950
Outside Ocean View (Cat. 4N) $1,116
Balconies
Ocean View (Cat 4D) $1,350
Boardwalk View (Cat 2I) $1,300
Central Park View (Cat 2J) $1,160
Contact Cdr John Goebel (772-781-1098) for additional details or
Contact our travel agent Monica Elliott (287-5300, ext. 230) to book.
CROSSROADS BOOSTERS Show your support for publishing a quality CROSSROADS! For a donation of $10.00 (or more) per person, you will be proudly recognized in every issue for a year. Send your check, made payable to SLRPS to:
Lt/C William Gelpke, AP 1820 N. E. Jensen Beach Blvd. # 628
Jensen Beach, FL 34957
CROSSROADS
Samuel Astley 03/21 Reinhard and Ruth Bruderer 8/21
Steve and Helen Chachakis 11/20
Bob & Susie Chaille 04/21 Ken and Elaine Cote 06/20
John Esch 6/21
Tom and Sue Gatziolis 12/20
CROSSROADS PAGE 7
Bill and Lana Gelpke 06/21 John and Rosalie Goebel 06/21
Ursula and George Hehner 10/21 Bill and Lynne Husted 08/21
George and Mary Kay 06/21
Mike Knapp & Bonnie Forrest 12/20
Don and Dorothy Kurtz 06/21
Bruce and Sheri Muller 06/21
Larry and Wanda Neidigh 08/21 Rich and Angie Pontynen 06/21
Larry Reynnells 11/20
Peter Rodaway & Ruth Frederick 6/22
Robert Semple 1/21 JJ Smith 11/21
Gibbons, Robert A. (E311719) 5343 SE Miles Grant Rd, Apt G103 Stuart FL 34997-9025 Phone: 772-291-8811 Email: [email protected]
Goller, Dan R. (E311790) Goller, Helen M. (E311791) 700 SW Pine Ave Stuart FL 34994 Phone: 574-292-8218 Email: [email protected] [email protected]
WELCOME ABOARD
January/February/March 2021
It’s time to conduct 2021
Vessel Safety Checks.
Contact Lt Peter Burns, JN
772-486-2684
SCHEDULE YOUR’S TODAY
Informal Lunch at Sandsprit Park—6 January
Right-of-Way??
By P/C George Hehner, JN
When I was fishing for tuna, live bait always got an instant hook-up. To catch live bait, the Cap-tain would find a bait ball school and back up to it with a man in the cockpit attempting to grab an injured slow one using a crab net. At times, more than one boat would be backing up to the same bait ball. The question is " Who has the right of way when two boats are operating in reverse ?" Is the stern of the boat now considered the bow because the vessels are in reverse? Does the first vessel signaling three blasts on the horn have any priority? My experience has been that the biggest boat with the toughest Captain has always won.
Photo by Lt/C Peter Rodaway, S
St. Lucie River Power Squadron
1820 NE Jensen Bch Blvd, #628 Jensen Beach, FL 34957-7212
TO:
Don’t forget to look at our Facebook page and website: http://www.SLRPS.org
January 2021
2 Ground Hog Day
4 Executive Committee Meeting@1900 - Virtual
12-20 Martin County Fair
11-15 Miami Boat Show—CANCELED
12 Chinese New Year—Year of the Ox
13 St. Lucie River Blessing of the Fleet
14 Valentine’s Day
15 Presidents’ Day
15-26 USPS Annual Meeting—VIRTUAL
To Be Announced:
Merit Mark Party
St. Lucie Lock Picnic
Summer Social & B-B-Q @ Sandsprit Park
NOTE: In-person Executive Committee Meetings and all classes are currently canceled. Upon resumption they will be held at St. Joseph Parish Life Center - Rm. 7, 1300 East 10th St., Stuart.
February 2021
7 Executive Committee Meeting@1900—Virtual
15-17 Stuart Boat Show
18 Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday
21 SLRPS Change of Watch—VIRTUAL
4 Executive Committee Meeting@1900
14 Daylight Savings Time Starts
17 St. Patrick’s Day
20 Spring Equinox
March 2021
C O M I N G E V E N T S The weekly Wednesday group luncheons are canceled. Upon resumption we will meet again at:
Southern Pig & Cattle Co., 2583 SE Federal Hwy., Stuart at 1130
