First, let me thank our bridge for all its work. Thanks to our Executive Officer, P/C Ilene Morris, AP who, hopefully one day, will accept a well- deserved promotion. Thanks also to our Educational Officer, P/C Stan Bellis, SN, who is the backbone of our education program. Under Stan. s leadership, Manhasset Bay placed third in District 3 for the largest percentage of members studying advanced grades this past year.

Treasurer, P/C Al Seeley, SN, has handled squadron funds accurately and has kept track of all the financial details of our different events. Thanks to Lt/C Rose Closter S, our secretary, who not only kept the squadron records, but also served as Entertainment Chairman and planned our social activities.

All our instructors, P/C Dick Scallon SN, P/C Stan Bellis SN, P/C Al Mooney SN, Lt. Joe Ruggieri AP, P/Cs Joan and Mike Pappas AP, and the others who assisted as proctors, deserve a round of applause for another year of carrying our message of safe boating through education to the boating public and our membership.

Finally, thanks to Lt. Frank Welby, P for getting out Cardinal Points each month and providing this lively link to our membership.

We did not do as much as we wanted, but we kept the squadron going. We could have done more with broader member involvement. How do we get more members involved? That. s the million dollar question. Through our classes certainly; through personal calls, without doubt; but foremost by encouraging new and inactive members to be more involved in the operations of the squadron. It is a bit of missionary work, and it requires time and faith.

Our new commander obviously has both. Although she has "been there, done that", she has agreed to serve one time more. With the support of our new bridge, I am sure that she will lead the squadron to a stronger and more active membership.

Thank you, again, for the honor of serving you for a year. And come in force to our Change of Watch ceremony at the Shelter Rock Library on Wednesday, 11 April and the celebratory luncheon at Steamboat Landing on 22 April!

Our Boat Show Chairman, Frank Mattondo, Jr. SN has reported that both the Jacob Javits Boat Show and the Nassau Coliseum Boat Show were well attended. Many boaters visited the Manhasset Bay Power Squadron booth who were given both oral and printed information on the Squadron and the educational opportunities that we offer. Many seemed interested in joining, as well as taking classes.

MBPS will man the District 3 booth of yet another Boat Show at the Guy Lombardo Marina in Freeport. Frank will need volunteers from our members to man the booth for the assigned hours.

June - On 9 June the Annual Blessing of the Fleet at the reviewing stand in Manhasset Bay, immediately followed by our 1^st Raft-Up of the boating season at the MBPS buoy will get us all off to a good start for Boating Season 2001. (If we have the mooring the raft-up will take place.) Remember the MBPS's Buoy is still looking to be adopted.

A lunch or brunch is in the planning stages for this month. You will be notified.

July - Huntington Yacht Club for the weekend of 6-8 July with a rain date of 13-15 July. HYC has a lot to offer us - pool, restaurant, slips etc.

Please let us know if you are going to join us!

District 3 - Rendezvous East @ Montauk Yacht Club will be on the weekend of 20-22 July.

August - Inter-District Rendezvous @ Liberty Landing will be held from 10-12 August.

District 3 - North Shore Raft Up will take place on the weekend of 24-26 August in Oyster Bay.

September - On Saturday 8 September we will Cruise or Drive to Paradise, @ Paradise Bar & Grille in Stamford, CT for Lunch.

We would like to have a Fishing Trip aboard Capt. Rod's boat out of Captree. It is reputed as an excellent family boat; therefore even children & grandchildren are welcome. Let us know if you'd like to FISH with your fellow squadron members & we'll make the call.

[Finally, and this is very important, we must have definite, affirmative, responses at least two (2) weeks before each activity! We must provide the yacht clubs with accurate boat counts.] Either call or e-mail me:

Ilene Morris (516) 921-7572 or Poki57@aol.com

or Evey Welby (718) 224-1393 or elmwelby@hotmail.com

We look forward to joining with all of you for...

A Fun and Safe Boating Season together - 2001

SELECTIONS:

Station 1: Carving of beef, veal and fish

Station 2: Omelets, pancakes, waffles all freshly made to order

Station 3: A variety of fresh salads with gourmet dressings

Station 4: Potatoes, assorted steamed fresh vegetables

Station 5: Pastas made to your specifications

Station 6: Assorted fresh fruits

Station 7: Cake, coffee and tea

Included - Unlimited Mimosas and non-alcoholic beverages

DO YOU HAVE AN E-MAIL ADDRESS?

The 2001-2002 Roster Committee will include a page of members. e-mail addresses in this year's Roster.

Adopt a buoy

Since possibly fewer than 15% of our membership use the buoy, we must ask those members to contribute more fairly towards its cost.

The squadron will subsidize half the cost, but unless we receive voluntary contributions for the other half, we risk having to give up the mooring. As of this printing we have almost reached half of this goal by receiving $150.00 from some of our members.