Commander’s Report By Jim Gorman, AP

Greetings,

It is a couple of days after Thanksgiving as I am writing this

and I hope each of you had a wonderful holiday. I feel very

blessed especially this time of year with all the family,

friends, and activities that are a part of my life. Life is busy,

but life is good. Except if I have to watch another football

game on TV, I am going to scream!

PRPS’s November meeting, Our Thanksgiving Meal, was

well attended and the food was great. A big thank you goes

to P/C Bonnie Gaskins for arranging the food and Capital

Yacht Club for giving us a private room. Also, thanks go to

P/C Tony Brown for getting the word out about the meeting

to our members. We had plenty of food, enough to invite the

Yacht Club members who were at the Club to join in our

meal and enough to share with a few area homeless people.

At the meeting we acknowledged awards and certificates we

received at the District 5 Education Conference. P/C John

Wilmot received the Charles I Chapman Excellence in

Teaching Award which was presented to John by

P/C Howard Gasaway, PRPS’s Education Officer. We also

received several Education Awards which I was pleased to

give to Howard. Check out Howard’s article for the

particulars. Job well done to Howard and John!

At the D-5 conference we received the 100 Year Certificate.

PRPS is the second oldest Squadron in the United States

Power Squadron. We should be very proud of this achieve-

ment and thankful to our forbearers for all their work and

time helping to make the waterways a safer place to boat.

Our Holiday Party and Meeting are on

15 December at Ft. McNair Officers Club.

This will be a lot more party than meeting

and I really hope you can make it. See the

enclosed flyer for details. The uniform of

the evening will be Blazer with holiday tie

or appropriate attire. This is one of very

few “dress up” affairs we have. Come join

the fun! We will all have a better time

with you with us.

Cdr Jim

The Potomac

United States Power Squadrons

We’re on the Web

www.usps.org/localusps/potomac

Ribber Newsletter of the Potomac River Power Squadron, Washington, DC

Established in 1915. A District 5 Unit of the United States Power Squadrons

America’s

Boating

Club

Sail &

Power

Boating

2015-2016 PRPS BRIDGE

Commander Jim Gorman 240-308-0389

Executive Officer Scott McLellan 301-252-7220

Education Officer Howard Gasaway 202-583-7121

Admin. Officer Justin Chambers 919-602-7607

Secretary Janett Gasaway 202-583-7121

Treasurer Chris Pickwick 301-422-8388

Asst. Secretary Nancy Gorman 301-253-5050

Asst. Treasurer Lorraine Roberson 301-262-5609

Asst. Admin. Officer Edwin Gasaway 205-526-2428

Ribber Editor Nancy Gorman 301-325-9010

December Holiday Party Meeting Tuesday, December 17th

6:00 p.m.

Fort McNair Officers Club 4th St & P St. SW

Washington, DC

$20.00 a person $25.00 after December 1st

See Flyer on Last Page

December 2015 Commander’s Report-Cont

Executive Officer’s Report By Scott McLellan, P

It’s hard to believe that 2015 is drawing to a close. Reflecting back at the last eleven months, this has been a memorable year. Potomac River Power Squadron, with our re-established our routes in the District, celebrated our centennial as a Squadron. We continued to offer quality boating education and interesting meeting programs, attracting a number of enthusiastic new members. With New Year’s just around the corner, this is also the time to plan for the future and make resolutions. I encourage you to include the Squadron in your resolutions. Here are some ways where you can show your commitment to boating safety and education:

Resolve to be active in Squadron Activities. These are the stepping stones that keep our members active.

Attend one of Potomac River Power Squadron’s educational offerings. The safe boating courses are just the beginning. From Seamanship to Senior Navigator, or perhaps an engine maintenance course; there is always room to increase your knowledge or improve your skills.

Take advantage of all of the Squadron meetings, but don’t stop there. There are District and National events, too. Spring Conference is only a few months away.

And most importantly, get out on our waters, whether the Potomac River or Chesapeake Bay. Fly our colors and be an example for our fellow boaters to admire.

I look forward to seeing you at the December Holiday Dinner Meeting and hope that you and your families have a wonderful holiday season. Yours in Boating, P/C Scott McLellan, P

Administration Officer Report By Justin Chambers, S

Hopefully, everyone had a very nice Thanksgiv-ing with friends and family. As of this writing, I’m enjoying time on the Potomac with friends. We had a delightful Thanksgiving dinner, with all the usual fixings, while enjoying a beautiful sunset over Nomini Bay. The weather was per-fect for cruising and relaxing…and eating!

Speaking of holiday-related fun on the water, don’t forget about the annual Parade of Lights taking place Saturday, Dec. 5. There will be two waterfront venues to enjoy the lit boats – and the wharf at Southwest Washington DC. I will be entering my boat again this year with the theme “Santa’s Seagoing Sleigh, led by Rudolphin, the Red and Green-nosed dolphin.” I think we’re going to take the prize – don’t you? If you want to hop aboard, send me a message. If I don’t see you then, I’ll look for-ward to seeing all of you at our Holiday Party at Fort McNair on the 15

th. Alright, I better get

back to decorating the boat!

Page 2

United States Power Squadrons - PRPS - The Ribber

Cdr Jim Gorman received a certificate for PRPS’s

100 years as a Squadron. Congratulations..

Educational Department

By P/C Howard Gasaway, Sr., P

American Boating Course— will be offered in four sessions, two hour each: February 2, 4, 9 and 11, 2016 (6:30 pm-8:30 pm) at the Seafarers Yacht Club, 1950 M Street, SE, Washington, DC. The instructor will be P/C Christopher Pickwick, AP.

Two certificates of Congratulations were presented to PRPS at the D/5 Fall Conference (Cherry Hill, NJ)

1) Second Place winner in 2015 Competition “District 5 Seamanship Award” in memory of P/R/C Kenneth G. Smith, SN.

2) Second Place winner in 2015 Competition. “District 5 Commander’s Trophy” for Advance Grade Courses.

Congratulations and thanks to everyone who helped in the Education Department for a job well done.

Wishing all of you a safe and happy holiday.

Safety Officer’s Report

By Lt Eugene Roberson, Jr., S

Winter is on its way and don't let the cold catch you. Prior to your haul-out date, I recommend that you tap off your fuel and pump your waste tanks. This is the best time to remove loose gear and out-boards where feasible. If you take your boat out of the water for the winter, reopen your thru hulls . Make sure props are cleaned, turned and bal-anced. Proper cleaning, turning, and balancing your props is proven to be an effective way to re-gain speed and make your boat run smoother. Take your props off each year for a quick once over.

Hope everyone has a Happy Holiday, and a

Happy New Year!

Page 3

Mark You Calendars

Activities for All Come and Join Us and Invite a Friend

Dec. 15 PRPS Holiday Meeting

Ft. McNair

Jan. 19 PRPS Meeting

Feb. 16 PRPS Meeting

Feb 14-21 USPS Annual Meeting

Orlando, Fl

United States Power Squadrons - PRPS - The Ribber

P/C Howard Gasaway, P present P/C John Wilmot,

JN the Charles I Chapman Excellence in Teaching Award 2015

presented at the D/5 Fall Conference @ our monthly meeting.

PRPS members dressed up for the D/5 Costume Party.

P/C Howard Gasaway, P receives the Second Place winner in 2015 Competition “District 5 Seamanship Award” in

memory of P/R/C Kenneth G.

Smith, SN.

PRPS members clean up for the D/5 Banquet. We had a

good time at D5 Education Conference in NJ.

one treated her right. Jim uttered a few little

phrases and proceeded to locate someone to pump

150 gallons of no-good fuel out of the tank. The

next day after the pump-out, it was back to the fuel

dock for another 150 gallons of gasoline. And off

on our Bay Cruise. The boat ran fine part of the

time, but when we were close to our destination,

she decided to act up and miss a little. Probably a

little left over diesel fuel trying to get through the

injectors. I think it was just that the Nansea Gale

knew she had been treated badly and wanted to let

us know it

The moral of this story is: Treat that lovely Lady

with care, give her everything she wants, but when

she makes up her mind, just say “Yes Dear”

By P/C John Wilmot, JN

Boats and Women- We love them!

This story starts while planning our major trip down

the Intracoastal Waterway. For a 1000 mile trip you

give her anything she needs or wants, so there will be

no problems along the way. This applies to the First

Lady as well as the Boat. This includes changes of

oil, water, paint, clothes, shoes, alcohol, and spares of

everything. Also, communications are very

important, so you talk to her nicely, and promise not

to scream at her while she is driving. BUT, you must

remember that Boats and Women have a mind to their

own, and if they don’t want to do something, you just

learn to say “Yes Dear”, or “OK you *+~”

And so it happened. We planned for months getting

the Lady J and all men and women ready for the long

ICW Trip including a bottom painting job. This was

for the Lady J, not the guests. On the eve before

departure day, we had all of the food, clothes, and

guests, Jim and Nancy Gorman, aboard and ready for

an early morning start. At this point, I smelled a little

diesel fuel in the bilge, so I pumped it into a bucket,

and decided to check again in the morning. The next

morning I found about 3 gallons of diesel fuel in the

bilge, so I knew the Lady J had made up her mind

NOT to go to Florida. The nearby marina quickly

determined that we had a starboard fuel tank leaking

and that tank would have to be removed from the

boat. After uttering a few well-chosen Chinese

proverbs, I realized that my lovely 47 Mainship had

made up her mind. I just left my billfold at the

Marina.

But wait, the story gets better. Since our ICW trip

was dead, our traveling partners, Jim and Nancy

Gorman kindly offered to take the Nansea Gale on a

short Bay cruise to lift our spirits. Havre de Grace

was the chosen port and maybe Chesapeake City on

the C & D Canal. Of course the Nansea Gale had a

few needs and wants, so we headed over to the fuel

dock to get her ready. The fuel dock handed Nancy a

green hose and Jim went about getting the needed

pump-out. After pumping 65 Gallons into the

starboard tank, we realized that we were using the

same color hose that the man across the dock was

using. You may have guessed-65 gallons of diesel

fuel into a gasoline tank. At this point, Nansea Gale

decided that she was not going anywhere until some-

United States Power Squadrons - PRPS - The Ribber

We walked around the

beautiful city of Havre de

Grace and went to the Concord

Point Lighthouse. We also

went on a Ghost Tour of the

City. It was a fun time.

We went to Chesapeake

City and went to most of

the shops. We went to

Bohemia Café & Bakery

for a wonderful breakfast.

Chesapeake City is a great place to visit and stay for a night

or two.

Page 4

POTOMAC RIVER POWER SQUADRON

HOLIDAY PARTY & MEETING Fort McNair Officers Club

4th St & P St SW, Washington DC

Plenty of Free Parking, But You Must Have Picture ID to Enter Gate

Tuesday, December 15, 2015 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm - Cash Bar

7:00 to 10:00 pm - Dinner and Gifts

We will sing a few Christmas Carols – then our Crazy

CHRISTMAS GIFT EXCHANGE Each person brings a Gift ($10.00-$15.00)

DON’T MISS THIS FUN CHRISTMAS PROGRAM!

DINNER WILL BE SERVED BY THE OFFICERS CLUB

Menu will include Roast Beef or Salmon

Cost for Dinner: $20.00

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

RESERVATION FORM

Names: No. @$20 =

Roast Beef: Salmon:

Make Checks Payable to: PRPS Mail to: Lorraine Roberson 11003 Kencrest Drive, Mitchellville, MD 20721 301-262-5609

PLEASE Get Your Reservation in by December 1 Cost will be $25 after December 1

United States Power Squadrons - PRPS - The Ribber