The Channel Chatter is the Official Newsletter of the Duluth Power Squadron.  It contains the latest news and information about monthly events and programs the Duluth Power Squadron is having.  Members of the Duluth Power Squadron receive the Channel Chatter in the mail every other month.   Excerpts Below

Commander's Report Cdr Mary Brisky Commander’s Report to the Channel Chatter Like most of us, my husband Greg and I consider ourselves smart shoppers and consider value when purchasing products or services. When I think about and count all the watercraft we have owned (over a dozen throughout our twenty years of marriage) with the exception of two, including our current LUND Fisherman, all have been pre-owned.  Each search for that perfect boat was a fun adventure. Looking at boats – all types and sizes – continues to be a passion for us. Knowing the various features, climbing inside to inspect storage compartments and engines is a big part of the hunt.  After going through the buying process and fitting out each boat, we have had the good fortune of sharing our boating adventures with family and friends, including many Duluth Squadron members. Our memories have long outlived the use of a particular boat.Just recently, Greg was smitten by finding a used pontoon over the internet and did something quite unexpected. He bought it sight unseen and had friends that live in Bloomington pick it up for us in St. Cloud, on their way to our Crane Lake cabin for the 4th of July weekend.  After using it over the weekend and needing some assistance from a local marina mechanic, Greg started to have buyer’s remorse and wished that he would have inspected and water-tested the pontoon before taking ownership.  After bringing it back to Duluth, and a short stint at a body shop for a paint touchup, we dropped it into the St. Louis River where we will keep it at our dock at our home on the river.  And in spite of some brief disappointment, we are happy with our purchase and are making plans for new adventures on the water. You may be asking yourself, “where is she going with this story?”.  The following provides a correlation between the above and some random thoughts I have as commander of the Duluth Squadron. Many of us have signed up for squadron membership directly after the “high” of completing the Boating Course. Current membership data indicates that our squadron has lost many newer members. Perhaps these individuals have experienced “buyer’s remorse” and never got involved enough to have the fond memories, that many of us have experienced. Our Membership Committee is in the process of revamping our New Member booklet, but we are still in the process of building a Membership Involvement Committee, that is so important in acclimating new members.  Please let me know, if you  have any interest and time to work on this important committee.  The more faces we have on this committee, the better.  Being smart shoppers and involved in various community groups, both Greg and I recognize the value that comes with membership in the Duluth Squadron. Whether it using the Squadron dock, taking member courses that are made available every year, or attending the planned social activities, Squadron membership provides opportunities not found in any other organization.  Whether you are a new or experienced boater, we have programs that you can benefit from. After not taking any courses for several years, I enrolled in the new USPS Weather Seminar, offered during Safe Boating Week. In this brief course, I gleaned some valuable information and put it to use during a boating trip within a couple of weeks of taking the course.     The key to membership satisfaction is directly related to being involved.  For each of us, the extent of our involvement depends on other time commitments. However, like the analogy of buying a boat and never using it, you will need to use your membership to experience the benefits. I would encourage you to venture out and try something new, should you have doubts.  Take a course – attend a dock function – sign up to be on a committee –  call an older member for their thoughts on what membership means to them - reach out and get involved.  The simple sharing of the love of boating amongst members is contagious. Times change and interests change. When once Greg and I had owned cruisers, we are now interested in pontoons due to our home location on the river.  Whether due to lifestyle changes, the economy, or various other factors beyond our control, our Squadron needs to adapt to the changes affecting our members. Please let us know if you have any suggestions on how we can improve our programs or activities. We want to maintain your interest in our organization and retain your membership. In closing, I would like to extend an invitation to pontoon with us on the St. Louis River.  We will be planning weeknight excursions and would like to include you, as our guest onboard our pontoon, or have you meet us using your own boat.  Due to weather and other commitments, we do not have any set evenings. We hope to continue boating into the Fall, when the colors on the river are spectacular, and hope to take advantage of what is left of the boating season. Please call Greg at 348-0358 if you are interested in making any plans with us. Respectfully submitted,                                                        Cdr Mary Brisky, AP  Boat Safely… Think Education… Reach Out… Get Involved… Ignite Passion Back to the Top

Executive Officer's Report Todd Carlson Greetings.  I am sure everyone is staying busy this summer enjoying the Twin Ports weather.  We have had a great couple of months.  On June 14, we had the Captain’s Platter Fishing contest.  We had a great turn out and wonderful meal at the dock.  The weather held out all weekend.  Numerous boats stayed all weekend and enjoyed the Dock and the company of the members and the fishermen.  We handed out many door prizes to all the contestants.  The feeling of the group is to expand the event to more fishermen in the area.  Next year, we will be looking for volunteers to aid in the planning of the event and operating it.  Due to it’s success and popularity, the committee feels we have a great opportunity to reach out to the fisherman.  Almost every boat that fished the contest had a current Vessel Safety Check sticker on the port side of the boat.  This is fantastic!  We want to expand this next year.  I will be looking for help soon. We had a nice weekend over the 4th of July holiday.  The Duluth fireworks were “the best”.  The following day was the Predicted Log at the Squadron Dock.  I am happy that I competed in the contest.  Just need to get to know my boat a little better….  For those that didn’t make it to the dock on Saturday, you missed a great meal.  We had a nice picnic with burgers, brat, hotdogs, onion rings, watermelon, and a very tasty dessert.  Hope to see you all at the upcoming Corn Roast. Excecutive Officer Todd Carlson    ---------------------------------------------------------------- Squadron Education Officer SEO Kay Bakke How fortunate we are to live near this great body of boating water. I have seen many of you enjoying the summer and using your safe boating skills to have fun in the bay and on the Big Lake. My education message will be brief, must get back on the water. Congratulations to Bob and Val Ouellette, the winners of this year’s Predicted Log contest during the July 4th weekend festivities at the squadron dock. Bob successfully predicted his time to cover a given course upon the water outside the Superior entry with the most accuracy. It was a beautiful morning with bright sun and calm seas. I wish to thank John O’Neil for traveling by car from Washburn to supervise the event. Participation by Bob and Val, Dave Stokes, Todd Carlson and Murray George all helped make this a successful navigation challenge. Some members have asked about courses to prepare for the Coast Guard Captain’s License. Although the US Power Squadron does not offer a specific Captain’s License preparation course, many individuals have begun their study by taking the Seamanship, Piloting and Advanced Piloting course. DSPS will offer Piloting this fall.  See page 12 in this edition and visit our website in August for specific times and location. As you meet your boating friends, please remind non -members that we continue with a consistent schedule of the Squadron Boating Course, the United States Power Squadron safe boating course. Please send questions or comments to Kay Bakke, Squadron Education Officer at kbak@cpinternet.com Kay Bakke Administrative Officers Report Don’t Miss The BoatsSummer, summer, summer…this is why we boat on Lake Superior.  And it’s not too early to think ahead to upcoming events.  The Maritime Festival, which includes 3 Tall Ships, is just days away.  Our Squadron will assist in escorting the ships under the bridge and into the harbor on July 31st.  Eight of our vessels will be official escorts, with the entire membership encouraged to follow in behind.  More than 10,000 people have already pre-registered to visit the ships, so it will be a popular event!  Any Squadron members interested in volunteering to greet visitors as they board the ships are encouraged to contact Visit Duluth to sign up.The first 4th of July event at the Squadron Dock in years was a lot of fun for those who made the effort to attend.  Many thanks to John O’Neil for a perfect Predicted Log event!   It was my first time doing the run as a captain and Purr-ecious Time humbly took second place!  Of course, riding along with my dad on the Driftwood and Sheri Sue all those years ago didn’t hurt in providing some familiarity with how the Predicted Log works.  When you get right down to it, it’s a heck of a lot of fun and having experienced members help you along takes all the fear out of it. Our Squadron is very fortunate to have a treasure from years gone by:  a book of Predicted Log courses put together by Past Commander Wayne Youngren.  This is a true gift from the past. The 25+ members who came to the dock via boat, car and motorcycle enjoyed some great summer grilling for dinner.  Plus, Todd Carlson’s onion rings and the dessert contest were the perfect touch to dinner with friends. The winner of the dessert contest goes to new member Del Clark, not only for the taste of her strawberry pie, but also for bringing it on her motorcycle!!  The weather was clear and Tom Stemm had the bonfire roaring.  Looking ahead, Corn Roast isn’t far off, so I ask YOU, yes YOU, to sign up in any way you think you can help!!!  We have laid the groundwork for the event already, but there’s always plenty more to do. The first committee meeting will be 5:30PM on Wednesday, Aug 6th at Sammy’s Pizza Downtown so please plan to attend or let me know how you can help.  We always seem to have a great crew and a great time, so thank you in advance! Smooth Sailing, Admin Officer Dave Stokes Back to the Top