2015-2016 PRPS BRIDGE

Commander Howard Gasaway 202-583-7121

Executive Officer Bonnie Gaskins 202-297-6054

Education Officer Jim Gorman 301-253-5050

Admin. Officer Edwin Gasaway 205-526-2428

Secretary Janett Gasaway 202-583-7121

Treasurer Anthony Brown 301-649-9643

Asst. Secretary Nancy Gorman 301-253-5050

Asst. Treasurer Lorraine Roberson 301-262-5609

Asst. Admin. Officer Janice Marshall 202-297-9849

Ribber Editor Dominic Gasaway 202-360-1952

For our June All Hands Meeting, June 21st, we

plan to have our meeting on the “Gang Plank

Barge.” The menu will include: hamburgers, hot

dogs and sides.

If you plan to attend please contact: 1st Lt

Lorraine Roberson, (301-262- 5609). Family and

friends are welcome just rsvp.

Janett and I would like to extend our wishes to

each of you to enjoy a fun and safe boating

season.

June Meeting

Tuesday, June 21, 2016 7:00 p.m.

Gang Plank Barge

600 Water Street, SW Washington, DC

Dinner Provided ($5.00 a person)

Come out and enjoy an evening

on the water.

Commander’s Report By Howard Gasaway, Jr P

Our membership is growing and it is exciting for PRPS to start the

boating season off with 13 new members. Hopefully they will sign

up for the many committee assignments or upcoming events. At

our May All Hands meeting we had the pleasure of Barbara

Dejong, Morris Tyler and Roark White to take the USPS Pledge.

I specifically would like to thank the Public Boating course

instructors who make my job easier. They are P/C John Wilmot,

JN and Lt Cheryl Fellenz, S. Congratulations for a job well done.

Potomac River Power Squadron is moving forward with an

exciting energy. Fund Raising ideas, Vessel Safety Checks at

various local marinas and boating education have helped to make

us the largest recreational boating organization in the metropolitan

area!

We hope that you will be able to join us this summer at the D/5

Summer Council Meeting and Rendezvous and hope you will take

part in the Navigation Contest and bring home the trophy for top

novelist and enjoy the comradery. You cannot place a value on the

lasting friendships you form doing things that they truly enjoy.

Your support, even if you no longer are a boat owner, is more

important now than ever before. Please do not hesitate when you

receive your renewal request in the mail. Continuation of your

support is very much appreciated by me as a PRPS commander

and each member in the squadron who consider the ideals of USPS

a vital link in the effort to have more boaters –more safe boaters—

in our communities and our waters.

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

June 2016 Commander’s Report-Cont

Education Officer’s Report

By P/C James Gorman, Jr AP

Thanks and job well done to Lt Cheryl Fellenz, S who

taught a basic boating course and because of her skill and

preparation all her students passed the course. Thanks,

also, to P/C Chris Pickwick, AP who proctored their final

exam. Due to their efforts we are not only safer on the

water; we may also add some new members to our

Squadron.

Squadron course and seminar offerings will be coming out

soon. I am still open to suggestions for particular courses

and seminars. I am still looking for a convenient and

inexpensive place to hold Squadron classes. Any ideas

and suggestions would be appreciated.

I look forward to seeing you – on the water and at the

HAPPY.

Executive Officer’s Report By Bonnie Gaskins, S

Hello Everyone, Our initial kick-off of National Safe Boating Week was Vessel Safety Checks scheduled for 21 May, organized by Lt Cleveland Leggett, S was postponed due to inclement weather. Please watch for email communication regarding a re-scheduled date. As you know after our 21 June 2016 meeting the squadron will be on summer break for July and August, therefore the Ribber will not be published. Speaking of our 21 June meeting…we will socialize again on the Barge at The Gangplank Marina, 600 Water St SW, Washington, DC 20024. Bring your boating attitude and be prepared for a fun filled evening. CCA-Chesapeake Cruiser Association – Membership applications are always available, please contact me. Hope to see you on The Barge, 21 June. Cheers!

Administration Officer’s Report By Edwin Gasaway, S Hope all had a great Memorial Day weekend and what a wonderful time of year for water activities. Most Yacht Clubs and Boating Organizations are participating in the time honored tradition of "Flag Raising". This naval tradition dates back to Dec. 3, 1775 when Lt. John Paul Jones, having just received his first commission from the Continental Congress, hoisted the Grand Union Flag in Philadelphia Harbor aboard Alfred. It was the first time the American flag was raised over an American naval vessel and marked the beginning of a number of traditions related to the raising of the flag the Navy observes to this day. This year, the D-5 Power Squadron will host its Flag Raising aka "H.A.P.P.Y" on the 19th of June at the Wilmont estate on the South River is not to be missed. Following just a few days later on 21st of June, we’ll all gather on the party barge at Gangplank Marina for a fun cookout. Remember safety first when on the water and look forward to seeing everyone in attendance.

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United States Power Squadrons - PRPS - The Ribber

March 19, 2016 ABC Class

Safety Report

By Eugene Roberson, Jr. S

Safety Tips for Recreational Boats

Now we are going into summer vacation and I wish

everyone an enjoyable and safe summer.

Remember when you are out on the water you must

look out for other boaters. Some have not taken a

class and do not know the rules of the road.

You should never leave the dock without first

checking the local weather forecast. You can get

Page 3

Mark You Calendars

Activities for All Come and Join Us and Invite

a Friend

June 18 HAPPY (NERVE), Flag Raising

Wilmot Estate

June 21 PRPS Meeting

United States Power Squadrons - PRPS - The Ribber

weather information from the TV, radio, local

newspaper, online, or from the weather channels on

your VHF radio.

When you are heading out - Keep right or steer to

starboard, pass port to port, just like you are driving a

car.

Fueling - Take precautions: be sure to refuel ashore;

close all hatches, turn off engines, all electrical

equipment, remove passengers, and run your blowers

for at least four minutes. Also, don't forget the sniff

around to make sure there is no order of gasoline

anywhere in the boat.

Crossing - Give way to the boat ahead and to the

right , slow or stop

Passing - When overtaking another boat, give way

and steer clear

Danger Zone- Give way if a boat is in your danger

zone

When headed upstream remember RED Right

Returning = Even Numbers

GREEN on Left = ODD Numbers on Right

MAKE SURE YOUR FRIENDS ARE WEARING

THEIR LIFE PRESERVERS

HAVE A SAFE SUMMER AND COME BACK IN

THE FALL WITH PICTURES

AND STORIES OF ALL THE FUN YOU HAD ON

THE WATER.

May

Safety Officer’s Report-Cont

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United States Power Squadrons - PRPS - The Ribber

Extra Extra, Read All About It Report

By LT/C Anthony Brown, P

Stay in the loop with SailAngle.

Ahoy All New Members! Are you getting the latest exciting news about your Potomac River Power Squadron? You are if you see notices from SailAngle in your email.

SailAngle is a social media community specifically for boaters. United States Power Squadrons is a partner site with SailAngle who provides us with a private area for member communication. The national bridge uses SailAngle to send messages to your email and so does your Potomac River Squadron.

The national maintains the mailing list. Sometimes that means that there is a lag when new members affiliate with a local squadron and when they start seeing squadron mailings.

Here is what to do if you are not receiving squadron messages:

· Be sure the squadron has your correct email address. Verify this with your commander or secretary.

· Be sure your membership reflects that you are affiliated with Potomac River Squadron. That may require a toll-free call to the national office, (888) 367-8777. Have your certificate number handy. It’s on your membership card.

· Asked to be kept informed of upcoming events until you are routinely notified what’s happening through newsletters and the squadron web site, www.uspsdc.org.

Taking stock of squadron inventory

The treasurer, Tony Brown, is compiling a list of the squadron’s physical inventory. If you are in possession of our “stuff” please send your list by email to “Disco Kid,” dyskokyd@yahoo.com.

Looking for PCs, projectors, screens, audio-visual equipment, cups, mementos, trophies, sextants (Yes! We own sextants.), any other non-monetary asset of Potomac River Squadron. I wish to present the inventory at the next annual meeting in February 2017.

NOTE to the SEO and the Ship’s Store captain: I will ask for your inventory at year end.

F H D H P S A F E T Y

M L L W O T X P Q K A

D S Y R D E A M O T N

R Q K B F R N S S E C

O U I O R N T B Q B H

N A X W C I M I V D O

Z D P D N F D O C K R

P R O P B T K G R H I

T O W H V E S S E L X

W N M O C D X N S W P

B D I T H R O T T L E

Potomac River Word Search

-ANCHOR -DOCK -THROTTLE -FLYBRIDGE

-BOW -STERN -PROP -VESSEL

-SAFETY -SQUADRON -CREST

Answers revealed June 10 at www.uspsdc.org

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United States Power Squadrons - PRPS - The Ribber

Potomac River All-Hands Meeting

What Knot to Know...

Form a counter-clockwise overhand loop in the standing part. Leave the tail about twice as long as the size of the loop desired.

Pass the working end up the loop from below.

Pass the working end around behind the standing part.

Pass the working end back down through the loop.

Fair the knot by tightening the loop by pulling on the standing part while holding the loop.

To add security, tie a double overhand knot around the loop to prevent the bowline from untying in slippery line.

The Bowline The Bowline is an ancient but simple loop knot. Memorize it now!

Page 6

United States Power Squadrons - PRPS - The Ribber

H.A.P.P.Y Heckhaus Annual Pigpickin’ PartY

and FLAG RAISING

Saturday, June 18, 2016 1:30 pm – until.. Wilmot’s House, South River

3301 Leritz Lane, Edgewater, MD 21037

COME BY BOAT OR CAR. Tie up at our dock or park at the end of

Leritz Lane.

Festivities start at 2 pm with a Flag Raising for PRPS and firing of

the cannon. After raising the flag we will begin our---

MINI-OLYMPIC GAMES

Try your skill at Croquet, Ball-toss, Hula Hoop, and Cornhole Game

(Bring your Swimsuit if you would like to try the PADDLE BOARD)

Great Fun and Prizes

THE ROAST PIG WILL MAKE HIS ENTRANCE ABOUT 5 pm

OPEN BAR: 2:00 pm til … Keg of Beer, Mixed Drinks, Sodas, H2O

This year we lowered our price and are asking you to check what you would like

to bring. Please mail check by June 3, Payable

To: John Wilmot at 3301 Leritz Lane, Edgewater, MD 21037.

Home: 410-798-7102 Cell: 301-873-0071

Email: johncwilmot@verizon.net

Tear Off and Mail_____________________________________________________

No. of adults____ @ $15.00=_____ Children (7-13) ___@ $8.00=________

Children under 7 – no charge Total enclosed________

Name _______________ Tel No _____________ e-Mail________________________

Bringing:

Salad______ Beans_______ Dessert______ Appetizer_______ Other_____________________