Lake Murray Celebrates Oktoberfest
and Elects Leadership for 2022
Lake Murray Power Squadron packed the house for Oktoberfest and
the election of its new bridge officers on 8 October 2021. There was no
question of a quorum as 74 were in attendance, including four new members who
were sworn in during the evening's festivities.
The evening's primary order of business was to vote on a new
bridge and elected committee members. With that done in short order, those
present approved the 2022 budget and heard from Cdr Ed Garbe who praised P/C
Rick Agar's leadership during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic before talking about
the squadron's 2021 efforts as the COVID pandemic continued.
Between folks being vaccinated and the many personal precautions
taken, he said, "the squadron hit the ground running in 2021. Squadron members
rebuilt docks, painted our building, and installed a new heat/ac unit displacing
an old unit that sounded like a 747," Ed said. By the end of September enough
money had been raised to add new gravel to the road leading into the squadron's
facility. On top of those successes, the squadron hosted five major social
events, held 15 organized boat trips/cruises, and conducted five educational
courses, Citing the squadron's civic service activities, Ed spotlighted the
squadron's hosting of a day on the lake for residents of Thornwell Children's
Home and partnerships to assist the Dam Swim and the Lake Murray Yacht Racing
Association's Overnight Sail Race. To top all of that activity, there were six
Flotilla Friday evens and members came out for nine cleanup days to keep our
Flotilla Island facilities properly maintained!
It may have been the annual meeting, but members were excited to
celebrate Oktoberfest. Newly elected Member-at-Large Joe Firimonte, directed by
newly elected Secretary Susan Firimonte, was in charge of
the "fest" part of the evening and kept everyone happy with a variety of
Oktoberfest beers and German wine; while Robert Blalock cooked up brats on the
grill and Carol Gaylord and Lori Blalock assisted Susan with providing sides and
desserts. It was a beautiful Friday evening with temperatures in the low '70s,
which delighted those members who attended by boat.
LMPS member Pam Burtis provided "shoeboxes" and announced the
deadline for collection of the Operation Christmas Child Boxes. Operation
Christmas Child uses gift-filled shoeboxes to transform the lives of children
around the world who are victims of war, poverty, famine, terrorism, disease and
natural disasters. "These boxes bring joy, hope and love to children in need,"
Pam said. Last year, LMPS members were among others in the United States who
contributed more than 7.8 million shoeboxes for distribution to children in
need. For those participating in this charitable event, please return your
filled shoebox to the Change of Watch on Friday 5 November at the Yacht Cove
Clubhouse.
If
anyone needs more boxes, please contact
Pam at ppburtis@yahoo.com.
If you have filled a shoebox but are unable to attend the 5 November meeting or
if you have any questions, please contact Pam. Thank you for supporting just one
of the many great
causes LMPS has adopted!
Listed below is the full
slate of members who were elected to a specific office for the 2022 watch year.
Come celebrate with them as they are sworn in during our Change of Watch
ceremony at 6:30 p.m. on 5 November 2021 at the Yacht Cove Clubhouse. Watch your
email for a formal announcement about the COW and the cost for dinner.
