LMPS Wraps 2016 with Awards and
Holiday Celebration
by P/C Debra Allen, AP
Lake Murray Power Squadron members, old and new alike, donned
their gay apparel and came out to celebrate the holiday season with good food,
fellowship and the desire to thank those who made 2016 special. It was exciting
to see so many new faces mingled with us “old timers” as Cdr Janice Ayers
welcomed 62 members and their guests to our annual Christmas Party at Saluda
Shoals on Saturday 17 December 2016. The evening featured presentation of the
squadron's annual awards, outstanding door prizes, a delicious dinner and time
with good friends talking about boating.
The Commander had an engaging slide show running during the
cocktail hour showing the many activities and events that our members enjoyed
during 2016. A special highlight of the evening was the opportunity for a
“Couple’s Holiday Photo.” Offered by P/C Tony and Donna Dodson for a
contribution to the “Ramp Fund,” the photo sessions collected $241 for our
fund-raising project to replace the ramp at Flotilla Island.
The evening’s big event, however, was the awards presentation.
First up to present the Rusty Anchor Award for an "unscheduled, unplanned, full
immersion" were P/C Mike Kirk, whose boat was involved in the incident, and Past
Rusty Anchor Recipient Retta Strohecker. This year’s recipient is Lt Chuck
Clark, who took out the railing at a gas dock on the St. John’s River in Florida
when he insisted on holding Stella’s line instead of cleating it off like his
wife Teresa told him.
Following the fun of the Rusty Anchor presentation, P/C Jerry
Wise presented the squadron's most prestigious service award – the Golden Anchor
Award. Presented annually to a squadron member "for distinguished and unselfish
service to the squadron with outstanding leadership, vision and ability," the
28th recipient is Past Commander and Past District Commander Lloyd Pitts, whose
long-standing teaching efforts were cited.
Next up was the Commander’s Award, which is solely determined by
the commander and offers an opportunity to recognize someone who has been an
asset in making Lake Murray a better squadron. P/C Wise announced that he was
presenting the Commander’s Award to his 2016 Bridge for the tremendous effort
the entire group put forth during a difficult year of rebuilding.
The next service award was presentation of the Spark Plug Award
that is given to a new member of two years or less who started their squadron
career with a real spark. The 2016 recipient is a couple: Holly and Dan Drake.
P/C Wise also congratulated LMPS Member-at-Large R.J. Becht as the recipient of
the District 26 Catch the Spirit Award.
There was no 2016 nominee for Lake Murray’s infamous Bent Prop
Award, which is presented 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 – so perhaps a good thing that there was no recipient.
Click on the first thumbnail below to open a slide show of the
evening's festivities.
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