North Strand Sail and Power Squadron

A unit of the United States Power Squadron®

Sail and Power Boating

America's Boating Club®
 Boating is Fun.... We'll show you how

HISTORY OF
NORTH STRAND
SAIL & POWER SQUADRON

There was a need for a North Strand Squadron as the Myrtle Beach area began to grow. Several boaters in the area got together and formed this new squadron and the Long Bay Power Squadron was asked in the spring of 2000 to support the effort.

The National Officer in charge of Provisional Squadrons studied the issue and decided the effort had merit and awarded Provisional Status to the first members. They were Paul and Renee Beach, Bob and Jeanne Brunelle, Jerry and Donna Groenke, Denise and Ken Morin, Bill and Pat Race, Al Reddinger, Charlie and Marianne Schuler, Bob Terrell, and Bill and Kitty Winters. The idea quickly took form and a big party was planned for 14 October 2000.

Excitement and enthusiasm were in the air. There were displays showing the Vessel Safety Check program, Nautical Trivia tests, Teaching Aids, a contest to name the squadron paper, Scuttlebutt, and a huge cake with the USPS Ships Wheel. It was a fun party attended by many. The enthusiasm for the new squadron was evident as several more boaters signed up that day and North Strand was on its way to a new adventure.

By 11 November 2000 the squadron had 42 active members and 22 family members. They signed the petition for charter at that meeting and North Strand was awarded USPS squadron status 30 November 2000. Our brand new squadron was small enough in those days that we could hold our monthly meetings in the Officers Club of the Myrtle Beach Yacht Club.
North Strand Sail and Power Squadron is one of 13 squadrons in District 26 where the district covers all of South Carolina and the northern part of Georgia. We now have over 160 members. Some of our significant achievements over the years are:

In 2001:
Bill Race was recognized by district as the Squadron Education Officer of the year.
Charlie Schuler was recognized by district as the Commander of the year.
We won the Inter Squadron Predicted Log Contest hosted by Shallotte River Sail & Power Squadron
We won teaching aid awards in both district and national as well as the Co-Op charting award and the district Bowsprit award.

In 2002:
Paul Beach was recognized by district as Commander of the year.
North Strand won the district membership growth award with 18.97% growth.
We won the district Education Achievement Award
We made the Honor Roll for the Education Fund and Co-Op Charting
Bill Race and Marianne Schuler were recognized by the Order of the Mariners. This is a district organization that recognizes you when you achieve fourteen Merit Marks and Educational Proficiency.
Charlie Schuler was recognized for 25 years of service to USPS.

In 2003:
North Strand hosted the District Conference. This was a two day affair with close to 200 people in attendance.
North Strand was awarded the Prince Henry award, a coveted award given to the squadron with the most members who complete advanced grades based on total membership.
Bill Race was awarded the district award for excellence in teaching.
North Strand had the greatest growth in the district at 48%.
Our newspaper, the SCUTTLEBUTT was recognized by national for excellence in journalism.
And our website was recognized by national for excellence.

In 2004:
Linda Boyette was awarded the District Educational Officer of the year award.
Our newsletter, the SCUTTLEBUTT, was again recognized by national for excellence in journalism.
Our website was the best in the Nation receiving 99 out of a possible 100 point score.

In 2005:
Charlie Schuler was awarded the district award for excellence in teaching.

In 2006:
Jim Olin was recognized by district as Commander of the year
North Strand received the Website Excellence and Distinction in Journalism awards again
Bill Race's Range Marker teaching aid was awarded 3rd place at the USPS Annual Meeting
North Strand again received the district Bowsprit award

In 2007:
North Strand won second place in the national competion for Training Aides with a Lighted Range Marker display and a first place in District for the Relative Bearing Training aid, both developed by Roger Lesnewski
We adopted Heritage Shores Park on the water in Cherry Grove, for monthly clean-ups.

Sponsored the first boat auction to support National Safe Boating Week.
Our Safe Boating Class was interviewed by the Sun News and was shown on TV to promote Safe Boating.

We work closely with the North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce and Keep North Myrtle Beach Beautiful in promoting beach and waterway clean-ups and other civic opportunities.

We encourage joint participation in our classes with our neighboring squadrons. This has been very successful in our elective grades such as Weather and Engine Maintenance.

We continue to support the national mission of the USPS, to provide leadership in recreational boating safety through education and civic activities while promoting fellowship for its members.

As such we have hosted cruises, civic events, and social gatherings to foster a greater sense of fellowship while helping our community. We participated in events like waterway cleanups, collecting food and money for the needy, and we continue to teach Safe Boating to the public.

Our reputation continues to grow and so does our squadron. We are glad you have chosen to be part of our history. Participate and enjoy the fellowship, boating, and civic contributions.

See the letter from the USPS Chief Commander.

This article was taken from the May 2001 issue of The ENSIGN