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 Phoenix
    Sail and Power Squadron

    A Unit
    of United States Power Squadrons® - District 28

    Sail and Power Boating

    

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On turning 50

(Editor’s Note: As part of the year-long celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Phoenix Sail and Power Squadron, we bring you a brief history of USPS. Each month we continue that narrative.)

Last month in the Bos’n’s Pipe we noted that the USPS Rules Committee had approved a new design for the Phoenix Sail and Power Squadron burgee. The design acknowledges that the squadron is 50 years old. The change from the original consists of a new golden border one-twelfth in width of the fly to the existing design. Even though the squadron’s anniversary date is June 10, 2010, the design has now become official, and is the official burgee design.

Although the history of the burgee has been published in the Bos’n’s Pipe before, here’s a recap as part of our anniversary celebration.

Before a squadron can be approved for chartering, there are certain requirements, such as membership size, a slate of officers, and the approval of a design for its distinctive burgee. This is a holdover from the tradition of yacht clubs, which as we reported earlier, was the basis for forming USPS. There are approximately 450 squadrons, more than 30 districts, and an untold number of yacht clubs throughout the world. Each has a unique design for its burgee, a signal denoting membership.

The design for the Phoenix Power Squadron (as it was known until we changed our name some years ago) comes with a remarkable pedigree. It was created by Marge and Doug Young. He was the founding commander of the squadron, and she was its “den mother.” Both worked for Fleischer studios, one of the nation’s first producer of movie cartoons, a part of Paramount Pictures. The studio is known for the Betty Boop and Popeye series as well as “...follow the bouncing ball” sing-along cartoons. The company was headquartered in Miami, where both Marge and Doug were associated with USPS from about 1940.

As an aside, women would not have the right to become members until the late 1970s. Until then there was something called the “women’s certificate,” enabling women to take and teach courses which were otherwise available only to men; that is, members.
In the early days, the squadron bore the nickname “Thunderbird Squadron,” an homage to the Native American culture which has heavily influenced Arizona’s heritage. Although the legend surrounding the non-automotive Thunderbird differs according to who is reporting, the similarity to the Phoenix, the creature that emerges from its ashes after a bout of self-immolation, can’t be ignored, although we are mixing our legends here. Some say the Thunderbird is a Hopi tradition, supported by numerous ancient petroglyphs
Some years ago, the Bos’n’s Pipe talked with Marge about the creation. She acknowledged the Thunderbird connection. She said the design began with the standard yacht burgee, and she drew and added the stylized version of the bird. She and Doug chose the same colors used in the U.S. and USPS ensigns.

According to Elsie Clark’s Indian Legends of the Pacific, “The Thunderbird is a very large bird, with feathers as long as a canoe paddle. When he flaps his wings, he makes thunder and the great winds. When he opens and shuts his eyes, he makes lightning. In stormy weather, he flies through the skies flapping his wings and opening and closing his eyes.”

So there it is: Marge Young’s burgee uses as its center piece a noisy bird. It reminds your editor of a Lake Pleasant raft up some years ago. (Note: the “g in burgee is pronounced as the “g” in Gee Whiz!)

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New Member Report
By D/Lt/C Connie Johnson, N

Please join me in welcoming our newest member Alexander Bellesia. Alex is currently taking the sail class and enjoying the classroom sessions as well as the day on the lake sailing at Lake Pleasant. That is where I caught up with him to find out more about him. Alex spent his first 10 years in Sardinia Italy, an island in the middle of the Mediterranean. From there he moved to New York where he spent his teen years and went to college. He became a physical education teacher. Finding that teachers don't make a very much money he took up a new career. He has been an electrician for the past 20 years and is still doing that, but hopefully for only a year or less before retirement. When he retires he wants to sail in Italy 3-4 months of the year.

Alex is married to Florence who is a nurse from the Philippines. They have two children in college, a sophomore and a junior.

Alex is interested in more of our education classes, and would love to be asked to crew with sailors in the San Diego area.

Welcome Aboard Alex.

 
Galley Gourmet
Phoenix Sail and Power Squadron's
Recipes for the Boat or Beach

Ingredients:

1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine
2 eggs
1 cup mashed bananas (3 medium)
3/4 cup honey
1 1/2 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking power
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup quick rolled oats

Cream sugar and butter. Beat in eggs, bananas and honey. Stir together flour, baking powder, soda, and salt. Add to creamed mixture, beating just until blended. Stir in oats. Fill 24 greased muffin cups 2/3 full. Bake at 375 degrees for 18-20 minutes. Cool on rack.

Check the Recipe Archive for other previously posted notable Squadron gastronomic delights.

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This page last updated November 2, 2009