2022 Awards Highlight LMPS Holiday Celebration

America's Boating Club Lake Murray once again gathered to celebrate the holidays and a successful boating year. The gathering was held at Yacht Cove, and 83 members enjoyed a delicious dinner of Beef Tenderloin and Chicken Marsala by Beasley’s Barbeque Catering of Hartsville. Special dinner guests, Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus, visited with everyone and were gracious enough to pose for photos throughout the evening while our bartenders made sure no one went thirsty as everyone mingled and enjoyed holiday music before the business meeting began and the 2022 awards were presented. Matriarch Debra receives a tiara from Santa and Commander Barnhill.

Santa began the evening by recognizing several members for their commitment to supporting the mission and goals of America’s Boating Club of Lake Murray during 2022. He observed there were no lumps of coal to be given out for 2022 as he had to do in 2021. First up he offered a new title to P/C Debra Allen, now to be known as Lake Murray’s Matriarch, as she opened her gift to find her very own tiara. Several received gift cards such as Lt Wayne Corley for his work coordinating A Day on the Lake for the Thornwell Home for Children; Lt K.T. Tripathi for his work on the docks at Flotilla Island; P/C Jim Rakes for his work feeding everyone at our July Fourth BBQ; P/C Rick and P/Lt/C Betsy Agar for hosting the Cloud Creek Cruise; and P/C Tony Dodson for always being there to help a fellow member fix a boat problem. Santa provided P/C Ed Garbe Garbe with a new dock line and Lts Kelly Turner and Carol Gaylord received Kelly’s favorite sausage stick in appreciation of their work hosting our Cinco de Mayo Celebration.

Following dinner, everyone got on board with clapping for winners of the Christmas sweater contest. First up was winner of the Best Ladies Sweater, Jaylynn Browning, while P/C R.J. Becht won Best Men's Sweater and the Best Couple award went to Sherrie and P/C Archie Trawick, although they had a close run against P/C R.J. and Lt Debbie Becht. Be sure to check out the photos below.

Natalie receives the Catch the Spirit Award for 2022 from P/C Urquhart. Presentation of the evening's awards began with the Spark Plug Award, which is given to a new member who started their squadron career with a real spark. Recipient of the award, Lt Gene Butler, was not present to hear P/C Mike Urquhart address his work to maintain Flotilla Island, especially his leading and coordinating workdays, as well as staining the docks and deck.

Next up was presentation of the infamous Bent Prop Award that is presented annually to the member who inflicts in a most spectacular fashion the most damage to his or her vessel or the vessel and/or property of others. While the award had no recipient in 2021, the 2020 recipient John Hunter was please to pass the award to P/C R.J. Becht whose prop found a stump while cruising on Lake Russell.

KT receives the 2022 Commander's Award from P/C Urquhart. The Rusty Anchor Award, presented to a member that has an inadvertent entry in to the water, was presented by last year’s recipient Robert Blalock to Lt/C John Klein for multiple entries into the water – specifically cited were the Beaufort and Lake Russell cruises. Accepting on behalf of John who was home sick, was his wife Anna.

P/C Urquhart presented the Catch the Spirit Award to Lt Natalie Barnhill. Started in 2014 by District 26, the award recognizes a member who embodies and fosters a spirit of cooperation among their fellow members and serves as a guiding beacon for what the ideal member would represent and cause others to emulate.

The Commander’s Award, which is solely determined by the commander to recognize someone who has been an asset in making Lake Murray a better squadron. The 2022 Commander's Award was presented to Lt K.T. Tripathi by P/C Urquhart who cited K.T.’s tireless work as a team leader or working alone to maintain the docks at Flotilla Island and most recently to complete construction of a storage closet on the side of the building.

Finally, the squadron's most prestigious service award, the Golden Anchor Award, was then presented to P/C Debra Allen. This award is presented annually to a squadron member "for distinguished and unselfish service to the squadron with outstanding leadership, vision and ability.” In presenting the award, P/C Urquhart cited Debra's unwavering and enthusiastic offering of guidance and training to the squadron’s leadership and her “willingness to do whatever is needed to keep the train on the tracks.”

Congratulations (or condolences) to all recipients of these awards and we look forward to seeing who will be recognized for contributions this coming year. Click on the first thumbnail to open scenes from the party and photos of our award winners!

Updated 11 December 2022
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