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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: Cdr Charlie Schuler
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: Cdr Paul Beach
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: Cdr Jerry Gronke
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: Cdr Jim Olin
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: Cdr Jim Olin
Charlie Schuler was awarded the district award for excellence in teaching.
In 2006: Cdr Bob Boal
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: Cdr Linda Boyette
North Strand won second place in the national competition 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.
2008: Cdr Bob Candiano
- We hosted the District Summer Cruise and Rendezvous Conference at Barefoot Landing and we are proud of all the members who got involved with making this successful. Over 130 people attended with 20 boats participating.
- We adopted Heritage Shore Park in Cherry Grove for monthly cleanups.
- Once again awarded a squadron publication award presented by the National Publications Committee in recognition of outstanding performance in the practice of USPS journalism.
- We have adopted a nautical chart and will be performing periodic updates.
- We had five members complete the JN course and five are engaged in the full navigation course.
- A Life Member Award is given to a member who has earned 25 merit marks. At the 2008 Annual Meeting in Dallas. TX, this award was presented to Charlie Schuler.
- We were awarded a certificate for our efforts in winning the BowSprit Award.
2009: Cdr Jim Tucker
- We won the First place award for our teaching aid in the District competition.
- Entered into the USPS-NOAA Coop Charting Program National Honor Roll.
- Ron Kayton was named to the Vessel Safety Check Century Club for conducting more than 100 VSC's. Rob was the first member of D26 to be so honored
- NS made the VSC National Honor Roll.
- Scuttlebutt was recognized for Excellance by National.
- North Strand received the Website Excellence award.
- We have four members complete the Navigation course. Three becoming SN
- Recognized by North Myrtle Beach for our cleanup efforts.
- Conducted a special Boating Education Course for the North Myrtle Beach Safety personnel.
- Marianne Schuler recognized for 25 years of service to USPS.
2010: Cdr Jim Tucker
- Scuttlebutt again recognized by national for excellence in journalism.
- Web received "Distinctive Communication Award".
- "Educational Proficiency" awarded to Ken Delson, Jack McKinon & James Spencer.
- 2009 "Carol McVey" award for SEO of the year awarded to Charlie Schuler.
- 2009 "Ed Fetner award for Outstanding service as Cdr awarded to Jim Tucker.
- Ken Delson & Richard Foltz recognized for 25 years of service to USPS.
- We were awarded the NOAA COOP Charting National Honor Roll.
- Dave Canty entered the "Order of Mariners" .
- Awarded first place in District 26 2010 Training Aids competition.
2011: Cdr Ken Delson
- North Strand received the Distinction in Journalism awards again
- We were awarded the USPS Educational Fund Certificate of Merit
- Made the 2011 Vessel Safety Check Squadron Honor Roll
- James Spencer awarded the Educational Proficiency Award
- James Tucker achieved the Educational Proficiency Award
- Roger Lesnewski won 1st Place in D26 Spring 2011 Teaching Aid Competition
- Ken Delson won 1st Place in D26 Fall 2011 Teaching Aid Competition
- North Strand was awarded 2010 P/D/C Robert A Peters D26 Boating Activities Award
- Marianne Schuler achieved USPS Life Membership after receiving her 25th merit mark.
- Recognized by NMB for constructing 52 Life Guard Chairs during Boat Safety Week.
Other 2011 Achievements
- Heritage Park Cleanups
- Completed 129 VSCs
- 52 Merit Marks awarded
- 10 Cruises with 222 members & guest participating
- Entered boat in NMB Christmas Regatta
- Supported Horry County Rec & Parks with Christmas with Santa
- Easter Egg Scramble, fishing rodeo and Halloween party
- Hosted D26 2011 Fall Conference & COW with North Strand's
- Bob Boal becoming the new D26 Commander
2012 Cdr Roger Clark
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.
This article was taken from the May 2001 issue of The ENSIGN
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The USPS Mission is to provide leadership in recreational boating safety through education and civic activities while promoting fellowship for its members. |
United States Power Squadrons, USPS, the USPS Ensign, the Trident Design, and America's Boating Club are Registered Trademarks of United States Power Squadrons. |
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