| Home | Bridge | History | Newsletter | District 27 | USPS® |
 |
|
|
|
 |
1964 - First piloting class held at the Rocky Mount Boat Club under the newly chartered Kinston Power Squadron during the spring. About 35 registered under the leadership of Jake Rosenbloom and Harvey Lee, with about 15 passing and nearly all of them joining KPS. These included, among others, Bill Pemberton, Sam and Jeff Drake, Robert Lindsey, D. Worth Joyner, Troy Burnette, and Marvin Howell.
1966 - Marvin Howell was appointed Division Lieutenant of the Kinston Power Squadron for the Rocky Mount area in the spring. A Basic Piloting class held at the boat club with about 15 registrants and about 14 of these joining the KPS. In the fall, a Seamanship class was held at Rocky Mount Mills Cabin. Monthly meetings started at Buck Overton's.
1967 - During the spring, a very successful piloting class was held at Wesleyan College, with about 25 participants and nearly all passing the course. Membership increased to about 40 under the Rocky Mount Division.
1968 - The division held two Piloting classes with very good attendance and many joining the Kinston Power Squadron. Kinston's members still were doing much to bolster our development by teaching our classes and offering moral support.
1969 - Bill Pemberton replaced Marvin Howell as Rocky Mount Division Lt and did an excellent job with classes held at Wesleyan College and First Presbyterian Church.
1970 - Bill Pemberton spearheaded more classes and we Picked up more active members.
1971 - Marvin Howell was re-appointed Division Lieutenant. Two new active members, Marshall Brushwood and Emory Rawlins, started working with Marvin and Bill Pemberton towards getting us our own charter.
1972 - Marshall Brushwood became Division Lieutenant. We held our own classes with our own instructors and proctors. Attendance at meetings was on the upswing and we were getting organized with our nucleus of active members growing more rapidly than ever before. We finally earned and received our own charter, dated 7 May 1972, and elected Emory Rawlins our first Commander.
1973 - Marshall Brushwood was our second Commander. The squadron completed the long rise from a fledgling to a solid part of District 27. Attendance was good at meetings; turnouts were excellent at our classes, including the advanced courses; and social affairs were eagerly anticipated by members, proving quite successful as the whole family unit became involved. Membership increased.
1974 - L. M. Barnes III was elected as our third Commander. Commander Barnes and his Bridge assumed operation of the Squadron in February 1974. Membership rose to 59 during the year. Social affairs included two rendezvous at the Sand Spur on the Pamlico River, two Pig Pickings, ladies nights, and meetings at members' homes. Educational efforts included boating, seamanship, and AP classes. Rocky Mount won the Tom Smiley award under the leadership of SEO J. D. Barkley. Five members began a course in Junior Navigation. Our Cooperative Charting program was conducted from Morehead City to the New River Inlet.
1975 - Larry Birchfield, elected as our fourth Commander, took the helm along with his bridge at change-of-watch ceremony held at the Rocky Mount Elks Club in February. Boating classes were conducted in Rocky Mount and Wilson. The JN course continued to meet. A Wilson Division of the Rocky Mount Power Squadron was planned. Cooperative charting was conducted in the Nags Head, Manteo, Oregon Inlet area, with many members and their boats participating. Membership grew to 78 members.
1976 - Charles Newcomb was elected as our fifth Commander. Commander Newcomb and his bridge assumed their responsibilities at a change-of-watch ceremony held at Northgreen Country Club in February. The Educational Department, headed by P/C Brushwood, had an outstanding year. Two boating courses were taught in Rocky Mount.
1977 - John B. Stilley was elected our sixth Commander. Membership grew to 90. We had the most successful cooperative charting cruise we've had so far. We will be ranked with the top in the nation in NOS points. The squadron participated in a joint venture with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission in erecting an artificial reef in Lake Gaston. Educational courses under Educational Officer Harold D. Colston, AP, included AP, two Public Boating classes, and Officers Training. Regular meetings were held at Benvenue Country Club.
1978 - Robert J. Sheridan served as the seventh Commander. RMPS was an Honor Roll Squadron in cooperative charting again this year as we returned to the Pamlico area. Our salt water rendezvous was held in conjunction with the Mullet Festival in Swansboro. Two Public Boating classes were held at Nash Technical Institute and a Seamanship class was held for the squadron. Also, ten members passed our first elective course, Engine Maintenance.
1979 - J. D. Barkley ended the decade as our eighth Commander. Dave Abel, our Educational Officer, conducted two Public Boating courses, as well as courses in Marine Electronics, Engine Maintenance, Piloting, Instructional Techniques, and Instructional Aides. Harold Colston chaired our cooperative charting, which was held in the Pamlico Beach area. Rocky Mount was the host squadron for the District Rendezvous at Cape Lookout.
1980 - George D. Howell, Sr., was elected our ninth Commander. Membership grew from 59 to 67 members. Under the direction of Dave Abel, our Educational Officer, classes were held in S, AP, JN, IT, W, Sail, ME. Two Public Boating classes were held at Nash Tech. Rocky Mount ranked among the top squadrons in the nation for Advanced Grades. RMPS received the district Tom Smiley Award for second place in Junior Navigator and Navigator.
1981 - Michael J. Anderson completed the first decade of the Rocky Mount Power Squadron as Commander. P/C L. M. Barnes III held the position of District 27 Commander during this last year. Much of the squadron efforts have been devoted to the District Change of Watch to be held in March of 1982. Planning and preparation for the Change of Watch have gone on since the summer, with participation of 60 members and their wives. Sixteen members contributed their time to Cooperative Charting and the accompanying salt water Rendezvous. In addition, several wives and children helped with the Charting and Rendezvous. The Boat Show booth was very successful. Regular meetings were highlighted by two members having summer cookouts at their home or cabin. The Commander's Pig Picking, rendezvous at Gaston Lake, and the squadron Christmas party wound up the fall social program. Several members continued their quest for advanced grades, including AP, JN, N, and Sail. Additionally, a basic boating class was held in the fall.
1982 - U. Glenn Daughtridge was our eleventh Commander. The squadron hosted the District 27 Change of Watch in Myrtle Beach, where P/D/C L. M. Barnes III, JN, was relieved as District Commander. We charted in the Edenton area, and were a Cooperative Charting Honor Squadron with two members, Jim Dugan and Glenn Daughtridge, making the individual honor roll. Our publication, The Coastal Plains Signal, was the only squadron publication in the District to receive the performance award. Seamanship, Piloting, and Junior Navigation courses were held for squadron members. A Public Boating course was held in the spring. Summer cookouts, a fall rendezvous at Lake Gaston, and the Commanders' Pig Picking highlighted the year's social program.
1983 - Bill Jones was our twelfth Commander and membership at year-end was 57. A saltwater rendezvous was held at Manteo and a fresh water outing was held at Lake Gaston. Eighteen members attended the District Rendezvous held at Cape Lookout. Four members and wives attended the National Convention held in Miami were the Squadron won a second place award for a Seamanship teaching aid. The Squadron had a most successful Cooperative Charting Rendezvous with Jim Dugan as chairman. His results received a national Honor Squadron ranking. The Squadron participated in the District National Geodetic Survey with 18 members involved with a successful conclusion. The Squadron highlighted its annual social program with the Commanders' Pig Picking held in Rocky Mount with 93 in attendance.
1984 - Dave Abel took the helm as our thirteenth Commander. A salt water rendezvous and cooperative charting was held on Ocracoke Island. All who attended had a great time and lots of charting was done. Interest in boating by the general public increased in 1984 due to an improved economy and stabilizing gas prices. This caused us to have high participation in our Public Boating classes. A fall fresh water rendezvous was held at Lake Gaston and was enjoyed by everyone who attended. The Commanders' Pig Picking was a good conclusion to a very good year for the Rocky Mount Power Squadron.
1985 - Larry W. Battle was the fourteenth Commander. We had graduates in many areas of education: Public Boating courses in spring and fall, Seamanship, Piloting, Advanced Piloting, Junior Navigation, Engine Maintenance, Instructor Qualification, Sail, Operation Training, and our first Skipper Saver course. Several members and their families participated in Cooperative Charting at Oriental, NC, where the Neuse Sailing Association hosted a social hour. We also enjoyed several interesting programs during the year plus cookouts at the Porters' and Pembertons', the annual Past Commanders' Pig Picking, and the Christmas party. Three members and their wives attended the annual meeting of USPS® in Hollywood, Florida, in January 1986.
1986 - James F. Dugan III was our fifteenth Commander. Our Educational programs, under Dave Clements, included graduates in the Weather elective and in advanced grades of Junior Navigation, Advanced Piloting, and Seamanship. We conducted a spring and fall Public Boating course, graduating 24. Our Nautical Cooperative Charting, under Jim Nichols, was held at Swansboro with 13 participating. Geodetic Marker Recovery had 6 participants. Our squadron made the Cooperative Charting National Honor Roll. The Pembertons once again hosted our summer cookout. The annual Commanders' Pig Picking was held in December. P/C Daughtridge represented our squadron at the National meeting in Reno. P/C Abel represented us at Miami Beach. We reached a membership of 60 Active, one Associate, 10 Family, and 8 Certificate Holders.
1987 - Matthew "Ted" Strickland was our sixteenth Commander. The Educational program under Larry Battle included a Public Boating course and courses in advance grades. Steve Daughety led our very successful Cooperative Charting effort in the Beaufort-Morehead area. RMPS was again a National Honor Roll recipient. P/D/C L. M. Barnes III served as an aide to the National Chief Commander. We held our first squadron fishing tournament during October. The Commanders' Pig Picking continues to be a very successful fellowship event and was attended by several members of the District Bridge. Three of our members attended the national annual meeting of USPS® in Miami.
1988 - George D. Howell was our seventeenth Commander and the first member to be Commander twice. Our Educational program, under the direction of Larry Battle, included nearly all advanced and elective courses. The Boating course produced 14 new members. L. M. Barnes III, Larry Battle, and Dave Clements passed Navigator, making them our first Ns. Larry and Dave also became our first full certificate holders. P/C Joseph E. Hardee, N, transferred to our Squadron from Greensboro. Glenn Daughtridge and Bob Sheridan did a great job on Cooperative Charting in the Pamlico River area; John Stilley, L. M. Barnes III, and Steve Daughety did well with rendezvous and the fishing tournament; and Bernie Tyndall headed a trip to Norfolk. We held a burial at sea for P/C Marshall Brushwood, JN, at Cape Lookout.
1989 - Bernie Tyndall served as the eighteenth Commander of the Squadron. The year was full of educational and boating activities. The Educational Department provided two Public Boating courses, with the spring course enrollment the largest in the Squadron's history, resulting in 15 new members. Additionally, there were two Piloting, Weather, Seamanship, and Operations Training classes offered. At the District Change of Watch, the Squadron proudly received the Prince Henry the Navigator and the Howard Greene Bent Prop Award, both for outstanding educational results in the previous year. Cooperative Charting took place at Oriental, NC, under the able leadership of Jim Nichols and Bowie Martin. Bryan Stilley headed up an outstanding spring fishing tournament at Morehead City. An exciting cruise to Ocracoke from Beaufort was enjoyed in July, conducted by P/R/C L. M. Barnes III, N. One of the highlights of the year was the Squadron's assignment of the transferring the USPS® Ensign to District 5 in Norfolk, Virginia, during the 75th Anniversary Voyage of the Ensign. The Coastal Plains Signal received the Distinction in Communication Award for 1989.
1990 - Bernie Tyndall took command for a second year in a row to serve as our nineteenth Commander. With another active year in the education, the Educational Department offered a Spring and Fall Public Boating course, graduating approximately 53 students, while also offering courses in Seamanship, Piloting, Advanced Piloting, Junior Navigation, and Sail. The year also saw P/R/C L. M. Barnes III, N, complete the educational requirements to become a full certificate holder. District involvement took on a special meaning as our own Joseph E. Hardee, N, served the year as District Commander. Special squadron events during the year were a fishing tournament at Atlantic Beach and Cooperative Charting in the Beaufort area. There were plenty of social events that provided fun and fellowship, such as a 4th of July cookout at George Howell's clubhouse, the Commanders' Pig Picking, and Christmas Party. Safe boating was promoted throughout the community through numerous efforts, including the Boat Show Booth at Tarrytown Mall, a television appearance by Cdr Bernie Tyndall, AP, P/C Dave Abel, AP, and P/C James F. Dugan III, AP, and involvement as inspectors at the United Way Neighborhood Raft Race. Awards received during the year were the USPS® Journalism Award, P/D/C Membership Growth Award, and an Honor Roll Certificate for Cooperative Charting.
1991 - Larry W. Battle, the twentieth Commander, was the third member to serve twice. The Educational Department offered two Public Boating Courses and several advanced and supplemental courses. We had our second Skipper Saver course, an Operations Training class, and our largest class ever of 14 members taking and passing the new Cruise Planning course. We were proud to host the D/27 COW for our own D/C Joseph E. Hardee, N, who "flushed" himself out of office with much fanfare. We thank P/C John B. Stilley, P, who chaired the COW Committee. In June, P/C James F. Dugan III, made Junior Navigator. We enjoyed a July 4th picnic, the Commanders' Pig Picking at the Howells', and a fishing tournament at the Winsteads' beach home. Several members participated in cruises to Wilmington and to Norfolk. Six of our members worked in Operation Clean Sweep. We had excellent coverage in newspaper and TV for Safe Boating Week. Alvin E. Paetzell was honored with a D/27 Certificate of Appreciation for his boat lights training aid. We also received 1 of 5 awards to D/27 squadrons for Distinction in Communications Awards in 1991 given by USPS®.
1992 - Harry M. Matthews served as the twenty-first Commander of RMPS. At the annual USPS® meeting, V/C L. M. Barnes III, N, was elected National Administrative Officer, becoming the first squadron member to serve on the National Bridge. The Educational Department offered two Public Boating Courses, Junior Navigation, Advanced Piloting, Marine Electronics, and Weather. At the D/27 Change of Watch, the squadron received the Howard Greene Bent Prop Award for outstanding educational achievement for the previous year. The squadron also received the Cornerstone Award for exceeding the USPS® building fund goal. Cooperative Charting took place in the Morehead City - Bogue Sound area. The squadron again made the national Honor Roll. P/D/C Joseph E. Hardee, N, also made national Honor Roll. The squadron members and their families enjoyed several interesting family nights, including a Fourth of July picnic and the annual Past Commanders' Pig Picking.
1993 - John C. Sykes, Jr., was the twenty-second Commander. The Educational Department offered two Boating courses and several advanced and supplemental courses. The squadron was ranked 51st nationally in this year's Cooperative Charting efforts. The following members made Honor Roll: Al Paetzell, Joe Hardee, Harry Matthews, and W. T. May. The squadron highlighted its annual social program with a family picnic in June, an Independence Day rendezvous in July, the Commanders' Pig Picking in November, and a great Christmas celebration in December.
1994 - Alvin E. Paetzell was elected the twenty-third Commander. The Squadron had representatives at all National and District Meetings during the year. We were represented at the NOAA workshop in Norfolk, Virginia and the rededication of the Power Squadron Spit at Cape Lookout. Four members attended a nautical program at the Morehead Planetarium in Chapel Hill that was sponsored by the Goldsboro Power Squadron. P/C Bernie Tyndall, AP, conducted a two day cruise and rendezvous to Cape Lookout over the Memorial Day weekend. The Squadron sponsored a booth at two area boat shows. The Educational Department held two Boating Courses for the public. Over 50 students attended and over 40 graduated. One advanced course was completed, the OT program was presented, and one additional advanced course was scheduled. Co-op charting took place from Bogue Inlet to New River Inlet, with three boats and eight members participating. The Squadron and four members (Bolling, Dugan, Hardee, and Paetzell) made the national Honor Roll. We had an on the water boat display for safe boating week on the Stewart Parkway in Washington, NC. We received good publicity from the Washington Daily News for the display. Twelve social functions included a June family picnic, a July boating rendezvous on the Pamlico River, and the Past Commanders' Pig Picking in October. All three legs of the USPS® triangle were covered.
1995 - H. Clay Helm was the twenty-fourth Commander. Activities at the squadron level included monthly family night meetings and at district level included attendance at all district conferences, the Change of Watch, and the Rendezvous at Cape Lookout Lighthouse. Twenty members attended the USPS® Annual Meeting in Miami where our own L. M. Barnes III, N, was inducted as the new Chief Commander of USPS®. In Cooperative Charting, RMPS made the National Honor Roll for the 18th year and ranked 78th in the nation. Three members, P/D/C Joseph Hardee, N, P/C Alvin E. Paetzell, AP, and Lt/C Clarence Bolling, P, also were on the National Honor Roll. Other local events were the Rendezvous at Marker #9 on the Pamlico River, the summer picnic, the Past Commanders' Pig Picking, the Christmas Party, and finally the Change of Watch in March. In general, this was a rebuilding year and brought a renewed commitment from some of our less active members. 1996 will be a great year.
1996 - H. Clay Helm was elected the twenty-fifth Commander of RMPS and the fourth to serve twice. The Squadron was active on all levels including the local level with monthly Family Night meetings. Attendance rose with each meeting throughout the year with an average attendance of better than half the membership at each function. Meetings and programs were arranged by Lt/C Bowie G. Martin, P. The Bridge was present at all District conferences, the Change of Watch, and the Rendezvous at Cape Lookout Lighthouse. C/C L. M. Barnes III, N, National Flag Lt U. Glenn Daughtridge, AP, and others attended the national conferences. The boating activities looked like this would be a banner year starting with a rendezvous at Oriental. The next event was to be Cooperative Charting on the Pamlico River with a cookout at Bowie Gray's place. Along came Bertha (Class 2 Hurricane) and wiped out the plans. The next event was the District Rendezvous. The weather was stormy and the Commander and his crew sailed out through Beaufort Inlet to the lighthouse, a waterspout appeared behind them. In spite of stormy weather, they arrived at the lighthouse in good spirits and had a very good time. The next event was to be a rescheduled Cooperative Charting trip on the Pamlico River and a cookout at Bowie Gray's with a look at his new pier. Along came Fran (Class 3 Hurricane) and blew it all away. We never did get to have the cookout but cooperative charting went well. After the two hurricanes, the Past Commanders' Pig Picking and the Christmas party were quite tame. The Squadron was presented with the "One Star Squadron" award by D/27. RMPS ended the year with more members than it started with, making this is the first year of positive growth in several years. The Coastal Plains Signal received the Excellence in Journalism Award for 1996.
1997 - Bowie G. Martin was elected twenty-sixth Commander. The momentum of 1996 carried forth into 1997 with squadron membership greatly increasing; the squadron ranked first in growth in District 27 and received the National Boating Federation award for outstanding participation in the Boating Course. Approximately a hundred students took the public classes, with a pass rate of about 96%. A rendezvous at Cape Lookout was well attended, as was one at Oriental with a raft up at South River for the day. Cooperative charting on the Pamlico River featured a great cookout at Goose Creek at the cottage of Bowie and Adele Gray, our gracious hosts for the weekend. RMPS made the honor roll for the 20th time and placed 33rd of the 450± squadrons. Receiving Individual Honor Roll certificates were Clarence Bolling, Jim Dugan, Gary Erbse, Joe Hardee, Clay Helm, Bowie Martin, and Sonny Whitehurst. Nationally the squadron was well represented with our own L. M. Barnes III, N, serving his second year as Chief Commander and U. Glenn Daughtridge, AP, serving as his N/F/Lt. Cdr Martin and his bridge attended all district meetings including the Change of Watch. Attendance at the meetings continued to increase, and Administrative Officer Nelson Gainey arranged excellent programs. The Past Commander's Pig Picking was a huge success, and the Christmas Party was outstanding. New members contributed greatly to the squadron revitalization, and the squadron outlook at year-end was quite positive. Continued growth seemed assured and a strong contingent of new and old members demonstrated great enthusiasm in carrying on the squadron's tradition. The squadron was awarded "Three Star Squadron" status in 1997 by District 27. The Coastal Plains Signal received the 1997 Excellence in Journalism Award.
1998 - Michael C. Pevear was elected the twenty-seventh Commander. Squadron Family Nights proved to be very interesting with elegant meeting locations and outstanding speakers, including Rick Dove of the Neuse River Foundation and the Mariner's Museum presentation on the recently discovered wreck of Blackbeard's flagship. Boating Activities featured a stormy Ocracoke Rendezvous. We finally dodged the hurricanes and had a rendezvous in June at Belhaven for Cooperative Charting in the Pungo-Alligator Canal. Although the day was gloomy and overcast, we had plenty of boats and personnel to help complete a depth survey of the entire length of the canal. For the day's efforts, RMPS and six of the ten members participating made the Coop Charting National Honor Roll. The Coastal Plains Signal received the 1998 Excellence in Journalism Award. Squadron Boating Courses were well attended with the largest being in the Spring. The Past Commanders' Pig Picking was a great success and the Christmas Party proved to be one of our largest. We are still concentrating on member growth and hope to continue on the course our previous Commanders have started.
1999 - Ralph Underwood was elected the twenty-eighth Commander. We maintained our enrollment by recruiting the same number of new members as we lost through attrition. We taught the Boat Smart Course® for the first time and gained most of our new members from the class. Cooperative Charting at Belhaven was the big event for the year. Our squadron made the National Honor Roll; ranking 17th in the nation and third in district! Barnes, Daughtridge, Dugan, Gainey, Gray, Martin, Paetzell, and Underwood eight of the eleven members who participated) also made the National Honor Roll. We placed more attention on Cooperative Charting this year and that led to the increased interest. We had rendezvous at Oriental and Cape Lookout. P/C/C Barnes, P/N/F/Lt Daughtridge, P/D/C Hardee, P/C Dugan, and their spouses attended the Governing Board Meeting in Puerto Rico. P/D/C Hardee and P/C Paetzell participated in the "Passing of the Ensign" commemorating the 85th anniversary of USPS®. We continued to stress education throughout the year and had many members enrolled in classes from seamanship through advanced piloting and several electives. Many members took courses by self-study. The Coastal Plains Signal received the 1999 Excellence in Journalism Award. Family Night programs included marine science, coastal management, the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, the Atlantic Turkey Shoot, and emergency management after the devastation of Hurricane Floyd.
2000 - Nelson Gainey was elected the twenty-ninth Commander. Our Squadron conducted a Spring and Fall Boating Class and new members were received from both classes. Our internal educational program yielded a large success also. The Sail Class was the most popular class for our membership. Two members, Lt/C Kendall M. Cranston and Lt/C Robert E. Glaser, advanced to the grade of Advanced Pilot. Three members passed the new USCGA Vessel Safety Check written test and upon passing the practical portion will become our squadron's first Vessel Safety Check Instructors. Three members, P/C/C L. M. Barnes III, SN, 1/Lt Guy T. Baxter, P, and P/C James F. Dugan III, JN, obtained their USCG Captain's License. Cooperative Charting was held at Belhaven and was an outstanding event, complete with a cook out. RMPS and several members once again achieved the USPS® National Honor Roll for Cooperative Charting. We cruised to Ocracoke with eight boats and about twenty members present. Mother Nature kicked up her heels to honor us and provided a little more foul weather experience for the boat skippers during the Friday crossings. We again enjoyed the island atmosphere and great dining. We held a rendezvous in Oriental with five boats and about eighteen members present. The highlights included a raft up, a great picnic prepared by our members, and a shore party with an evening serenade. The Coastal Plains Signal once again received the Excellence in Journalism Award. The RMPS website received the 2000 USPS® Website Award. The monthly Family Nights were all extremely interesting and informative. Programs included a presentation by Claiborne Young, author of the Cruising Guide to Coastal NC, and a tour of the C-Hawk Boat Works in Bailey, NC. Our November meeting was a very successful Past Commander's Pig Picking and our Christmas Party was held at the Legacy Restaurant.
2001 - Nelson Gainey was elected to serve a second term and become the thirtieth Commander. Our Squadron's Educational Department presented both a Spring and Fall Boating Course. We attracted new members from both of these classes. The internal educational offerings yielded high returns also. We started courses in all five advanced grades. Three members passed the written JN exams and are working on their sights. One member, Albeon Anderson, obtained his USCG Captain's License. We enjoyed a cruise to Ocracoke over Easter and a rendezvous with a cookout at Bowie Gray's cottage on Goose Creek in June. Thanks to our Administrative Officer, Dick Shafer, our monthly meetings provided excellent educational and entertainment opportunities. Our Past Commander's Pig Picking and the Christmas Dinner Meeting at the Legacy were both excellent. Our Vessel Safety Check program completed the year with the first six RMPS Vessel Examiners. Our Squadron and several members achieved the USPS® National Honor Roll for Cooperative Charting. The Coastal Plains Signal received the 2001 Distinction in Journalism Award and the RMPS website received the 2001 USPS® Website Award. We were also presented the Educational Fund Award and the Bowsprit Award.
2002 - Kenneth C. Hedeen, who transferred to RMPS as a Past Commander of the Dearborn (Michigan) Squadron, was elected the thirty-first Commander. Five members attended the D/27 Coop Charting Briefing in Raleigh. D/27 was the Beta District for the new and challenging electronic data submittal system. P/D/C Joseph E. Hardee, SN, chaired Coop Charting weekend in Belhaven in April. The Squadron and several members achieved the USPS® Coop Charting National Honor Roll. The Vessel Examiners completed 44 Vessel Safety Checks. The Coastal Plains Signal received the 2002 Distinction in Journalism Award and the RMPS website received the 2002 USPS® Website Award. We were also presented our 23rd Educational Fund Award. We conducted a Spring and Fall Boating Class. Lt/C G. Scott Turner advanced to Advanced Pilot and Lt/C Robert E. Glaser to Junior Navigator. Family Night outings were held twice by the Glasers’ pool, with members bringing their favorite dishes and sharing recipes. Nine members were certified in the April CPR class. P/C Bowie Martin, P, planned rendezvous at Ocracoke and Goose Creek. Adele and Lt Bowie Gray, P, hosted the Goose Creek Cruise at their cottage. Joe Poe provided a fantastic program on the USS Monitor in October. A few stalwart members braved the December Ice Storm and power outages to attend the Christmas Party and Annual Meeting at the Legacy. A quorum was present and held the election of officers for 2003.
2003 - Robert E. Glaser was elected the thirty-second Commander. P/C Alvin Paetzell, AP, chaired Coop Charting weekend at Holiday Island / Albemarle Sound in May. The Squadron and several members achieved the USPS® Coop Charting National Honor Roll. The Vessel Examiners completed 34 Vessel Safety Checks. We conducted Spring and Fall Boating classes and had 7 Seamanship, 5 Piloting, 1 Navigator, 3 Engine Maintenance, and 10 Operations Training course completions. R/C Glenn Daughtridge received Life Membership for earning 25 Merit Marks. P/C James Dugan advanced to Senior Navigator. We received the George L. Margeson Award for second place in D/27 Navigator Education and our 24th Educational Fund Award. The Coastal Plains Signal received the 2003 Distinction in Journalism Award and the RMPS website received the 2003 USPS® Website Excellence Award. Ten members were certified in the American Red Cross First Aid Course. Cruises / Rendezvous were held at Goose Creek in June, Oriental in August, and to Norfolk up the Dismal Swamp Canal in September. As usual our October Ocracoke Cruise was competing with a hurricane and Isabel won. The Squadron invested in a LCD projector and several PR CD's were produced to help market USPS® and specifically RMPS membership benefits. We held our Christmas Party and Annual Meeting at the Legacy.
2004 - Christopher E. Payne was elected thirty-third Commander. The year was a very productive one for the squadron. Our goal was membership involvement by means of more activities. The bridge held 12 executive planning meetings. Several members attended the District COW, District Conferences, and the USPS® Annual Meeting. The Educational Department held two general boating courses at Edgecombe Community College, two advanced and six elective courses, and two seminars. Our Administrative Department did a great job of scheduling family nights at various locations in Rocky Mount, Wilson and Tarboro. We averaged 30 members per meeting. In July we celebrated the 90th anniversary of USPS® with a rendezvous and Hawaiian Luau at Holiday Island, hosted by P/C Clay and Lt/C Wilma Helm and Cdr Chris and Lt Cathy Payne. Linda Brown and Lt/C Bobby Brown hosted a Labor Day raft up and rendezvous at Holden Beach. Who could forget our annual Past Commanders’ Pig Picking sponsored by our beloved past commanders. P/C Al Paetzell and Executive Officer Lt/C Phil Benson kept us very busy with two nautical CoOp Charting events, one at Belhaven and the other at Washington, and a geodetic marker recovery hosted by Sally and Lt/C Phil Benson. 30 members participated with 26 of them being on the honor roll. This gave us an impressive 56.6 percent squadron participation! Vessel Safety Check ended the year with 5 Vessel Examiners performing 46 Vessel Safety Checks. Lt Sam Woodley received Life Membership for earning 25 Merit Marks. P/C James Dugan received his 25-year membership pin and his publication work earned the 2004 Web-site Award for Excellence and the 2004 Distinction in Journalism Award for The Coastal Plains Signal. We were presented our 25th Educational Fund Award and the Bowsprit Award. We also were one of thirty-four squadrons to receive the Elite Status for The Power Of One Program and, as a result, were one of fifteen squadrons selected to receive a $1300.00 grant for educational materials. We again held our Christmas Party and Annual Meeting at the Legacy.
2005 - Phillip A. Benson was elected the thirty-fourth Commander. Our squadron participated with D/27 in hosting the USPS® Governing Board Meeting in June at Charlotte by providing a web site promoting the event and providing photography of the activities and meetings. Our boating activities appeared to be doomed by bad weather and gas shortages, however, successful outings were held at Belhaven, Dismal Swamp, Ocracoke, and Oriental. Lt Greg Zolas kept us very busy with two nautical CoOp Charting events, one at McCotter’s Marina and the other at Holiday Island. The squadron and eight members made the Coop Charting Honor Roll. Lt/C Lorraine Ryan did an excellent job of arranging a variety of interesting Family Nights each month, except October, which featured the Past Commander’s Pig Picking. The Educational Department held two boating courses and one seminar at Edgecombe Community College. Four members completed Seamanship, seven Cruise Planning, five Instructor Development, and three Operations Training. We have twelve Certified Instructors for 2006. The biggest challenge for the year was hosting the D/27 Fall Conference/Council Meeting in September. This event was held at Nash Community College, was well attended and turned out very well. Our five Vessel Examiners performed a record 54 Vessel Safety Checks. RMPS was recognized for our 26th Educational Fund Award and the Bowsprit Award. RMPS received the 2005 Distinction in Journalism Award for The Coastal Plains Signal. Our Annual Meeting / Christmas Party was held at Something Different Café in Wilson where the food and entertainment was enjoyed by all. P/C James Dugan earned his Life Member Award.
2006 -
Cathy A. Payne
was elected the thirty-fifth (and first female)
Commander. Our boating activities included outings at Belhaven,
Edenton, Holiday
Island, Washington, and Holden’s Beach. P/C Benson scheduled several
nautical
CoOp Charting events, some of which were changed due to bad weather,
however we
are already scheduling co-op charting for next year. The squadron and
eight
members made the Co-op Charting Honor Roll. 26 members received merit
marks.
Lt/C Lorraine Ryan and 1/Lt Dave Bock did an excellent job of arranging
a
variety of interesting Family Nights each month. October featured the
Past
Commanders’ Pig Picking. The Educational Department held one boating
course at
Edgecombe Community College. Eight members completed Advanced Piloting,
nine
Piloting, three Instructor Development, and twelve Red Cross First Aid.
We have
fifteen Certified Instructors for 2007. Our six Vessel Examiners
performed 51
Vessel Safety Checks. RMPS was recognized for our 27th
Educational
Fund Award. Our Annual Meeting / Christmas Party was held at Something
Different
Café in Wilson where the food and entertainment was enjoyed by all. 90%
of the
upcoming bridge attended the Winter Council meeting in Durham and
learned all
about their new positions. Lorraine Ryan and Betsy Vick were presented
their
P/Lt/C flags at the Change of Watch. RMPS received
the 2006 Distinction in Journalism Award for The Coastal Plains
Signal.
2007 - R. Stephen Boshart
was elected the thirty-sixth Commander. Our Squadron conducted a Fall
Boating course as well as an
Advanced Piloting and Junior Navigation course. Nine students passed
the
Advanced Piloting taught by P/C Clay Helm and two, P/C Phil Benson and
P/C Clay
Helm became Junior Navigators under the tutelage of P/C Jim Dugan.
Members of
our Bridge attended the District Change of Watch in Charlotte and the
Fall
Conference in Hickory. It was an active year for the Bridge with twelve
executive meetings and twelve family night activities all carefully
planned by
Lt/C Dave Bock and 1 Lt Lorraine Ryan. Our November family night was
again the
Past Commanders Pig Picking. Under the direction of P/C Phil Benson the
Squadron made the Co-operative Charting Honor Roll for 2007 and
received the
Bow Sprit award as well. Rocky Mount was second in the National
Education
rankings for 2006-07 in Advanced Piloting. Boating
activities included three cruises, one to Edenton,
another to
Holiday Island and a third to Holden Beach with day trips from there to
Myrtle
Beach and Bald Head Island. Our six Vessel Safety Examiners completed
forty-one
inspections. We celebrated the Holiday
season and elected the incoming bridge at our Christmas Party held at
“Something Different Café”. The incoming bridge subsequently
attended the Winter Council meeting in Durham for
training in their new positions. P/C Chris Payne was elected to the
District
rules committee.
2008 - Kendall M. Cranston was elected as the thirty-seventh Squadron Commander. Our Squadron conducted public boating classes in both the spring and fall. Members of our Bridge attended the District Change of Watch in Greensboro and the Fall Conference in Atlantic Beach. It was an active year for the Bridge with twelve executive meetings and twelve family night activities all carefully planned by Lt/C Lorraine Ryan. Our October family night was again the Past Commanders Pig Picking. Under the direction of P/C Phillip A. Benson the Squadron made the Co-operative Charting Honor Roll for 2007 with Phil Benson and Clay Helm receiving individual awards. Boating activities included two cruises, one on Memorial Day weekend to Columbia and Elizabeth City and another on Labor Day weekend to Holden Beach. We also participated in a joint rendezvous with the Tar River and Pamlico squadrons. Our six Vessel Safety Examiners completed forty inspections. Eighteen members received Merit Marks and “The Coastal Plains Signal” received the “Distinction in Journalism” award. We celebrated the Holiday season and elected the incoming bridge at our Christmas Party held at Rib Hut in Wilson. The incoming bridge subsequently attended the Winter Council meeting in Durham for training in their new positions.
2009 - David F. Bock was elected as the thirty-eighth Squadron Commander. Our SEO Clay Helm did a great job at coordinating our squadron’s education activities which included two public boating classes, one in the spring and one in the fall and a Marine Electronics course. In addition 3 instructors were re-certified and 2 new instructors were certified to support our education programs. Three of our members received the Certification of Education Awards; recipients included Kendal Cranston, Nelson Gainey, and Scott Turner. RMPS was on the USPS Educational Honour Roll. We had 2 new members join from our spring boating class. Our social activities included 8 Family Nights and 12 Bridge meetings which were arranged by Chris Payne, Steve Boshart, and Lorraine Ryan. Family nights included special guest from NASA, and NOAA, as well as presentations from our members which include presentations on their personal cruise stories as well as Power Squadron Seminars. In addition to Family Nights the Past Commanders of the Squadron put on a great Past Commander’s Pig Pickin in October for the RMPS members. The Annual Meeting / Christmas party was held at The Legacy in Elm City were our 2010 Bridge was voted. Our membership participated in various district events including the District’s Winter Training in Raleigh, District 27 COW in Raleigh, Combined D27 / D5 Summer Rendezvous, and the Fall Conference in New Bern. RMPS had 5 Vessel Examiners this year who conducted 36 Vessel Safety Checks. Phil Benson led our squadron to a successful year in co-operative charting with our Squadron Ranking 4th in the Nation. The Rocky Mount Power Squadron was the recipient of W. T Casey Award from District, which is for the most improved Squadron as it relates to Squadron Member participation in Co-Op Charting as well as the number of points the squadron earned. We had 11 members on the National Co-Op Charting Honor Roll. Our web site managed by Phil Benson earned the USPS Web Site Award for 2009.Copyright © 1997 - 2018 Rocky Mount Power Squadron, Inc. ® All Rights Reserved.
Page updated 13 March 2018
| Privacy Statement | Disclaimer Statement | USPS® Trademark Statement |
| Home | Bridge | History | Newsletter | District 27 | USPS® |