I came across this letter by Ray McAllister describing why a course like "Suddenly in Command" would be so important for a boating family to attend. Flotilla 84 is presenting "Suddenly in Command" at Imo's on Jan 22, 2011. The letter follows.

SUDDENLY IN COMMAND

By Ray McAllister, FSO-PA, 3-6
United States Coast Guard Auxiliary
©Ray McAllister 2002

The annual fall banquet was a lovely affair. The food (at least my meal!) was very good at the Ozark House in Bloomington and we had a great space for our meeting that also enabled Will Heizer to run around to his heart's content!
 
We heard reports from Treasurer Woody Chenault about the club's finances, which are in pretty good shape, and from Commodore Joe Budden, who acknowledged all the hard work members did this year to fix up the club with the Sunfish ramp and the rubber mat for the main dirt ramp.

Coast Guard Auxiliary Winter Seminar Series Schedule

Suddenly in Command! January 22, 2011. 12:00-4:00 PM. Imo’s Diner in Farmer City. In This 4-hour boating safety primer is designed for those not generally at the helm, and will help you to “be prepared” with the basics in case of an emergency. Tuition Cost $15.00

ESPN Classic

Presents

Super Sailing Saturday

November 6, 2010

11:00am Eastern Thomson Reuters Presents: Man Against Nature: Long Distance Racing

Gary Jobson presents an in-depth look at the challenges and rigors of racing sailboats in long distance competitions. Join the crews of several boats as they race to Bermuda, across the Atlantic Ocean, on the Great Lakes and even around the world. A special focus is on the roughest ocean races on record including the 1979 Fastnet Race and the 1998 Sydney to Hobart Race.

Despite some very funky weather, which included occasional lightening, thunder and brief downpours, the club has been fully winterized. Many hands made light work as we parked as many club boats as we could fit under the pavilion, got the committee boat not only winterized but the motor repaired, and otherwise prepared for winter. We were going to just head home, but people started bringing out their soup cans, baguettes and drinks. Despite the occasional cloudburst, Josh Sigmon lit the fire and manned the stew pot while the rest of us took cover under the pavilion.