Lake Murray Power Squadron
Welcomes New Leadership

Squadron members rebuilt docks, painted our building, installed a new heat/ac and, by the end of September, raised enough money to add new gravel to the road leading into the squadron's facility. On top of those successes, he said 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, Cdr Garbe 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. In addition, there were six Flotilla Friday events and members came out for nine cleanup days to keep our Flotilla Island facilities properly maintained!

As P/C Garbe thanked everyone for their support of LMPS this past watch year, he gave special thanks to his wife Barb. He then asked his bridge to come forward to be dismissed and presented each a personalized baseball cap embroidered with LMPS and the name of their boat. Turning the squadron over to D/Lt/C Theriault, he said, “It’s been a helluva year and 2022 will be even better – we’ve got a great guy coming in to lead the squadron.”

Before beginning the formalities of the Change of Watch, D/Lt/C Theriault said it was his first visit to Lake Murray, noting the warm welcome he and North Strand’s Executive Officer Ellen Simpson had received. After reviewing the 2021 activities highlighted on Lake Murray’s website and hearing Cdr Garbe’s remarks, he said he was envious of the squadron’s success. D/C Rich Norris wants D/26 squadrons is to build on their traditions and move forward, understanding that what they do makes a difference, he said, noting, “Lake Murray already appears to be doing that and from what I’ve seen, I’m convinced Lake Murray leads the pack.”

D/Lt/C Theriault then called Mike Urquhart forward, with his wife Cathy at his side, to be sworn in as commander of America’s Boating Club of Lake Murray. Speaking to his newly sworn-in Bridge, Cdr Urquhart said he was excited to serve with them. He thanked D/Lt/C Theriault and Lt/C Simpson for their participation.

During his acceptance speech before the 66 members and guests in attendance, Cdr Urquhart noted he would not be a commander in name only. He said he wanted to enhance the organization and had identified three goals to achieve this: (1) improve new member engagement, (2) enhance how the squadron communicates with its members, (3) modernize financial processes by implementing the use of QuickBooks.

He concluded the evening by presenting P/C Garbe a plaque thanking him for his service to Lake Murray. Click on the first thumbnail below for a slideshow of our celebration of the watch year concluded and the new one that has begun!