Meet Our Bridge...

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	Commander: Cdr Lawrence J. Willwerth, AP
	Executive Officer:  P/C Paul E. Reichert, AP I was born and raised in Connecticut with very limited boating experience. During the summer my parents rented a cottage on Long Island Sound and we had the use of a small row boat. During my teen years a friend had the use of his father’s boat, with an outboard motor, and we went fishing. Generally the best fishing spots were near the coast so we did not venture out too far. Remembering back, I don’t think either of the boats would have passed a VSC.  Off to college, getting a job, married, raising 4 boys and then retiring to Florida. Elaine and I both took the USPS 8 week boating course while we were looking for a permanent place to live. We found a place to buy, happened to be next to a VP for Boston Whaler. He was able to locate a test boat which we purchased from  Boston Whaler in 1994, shortly after joining the power squadron. In 2001 we switched to a deck boat which we still operate.  Since joining the Ponce DeLeon Inlet Sail and Power Squadron I have served in several positions including Commander twice. I have also served our District as Safety Officer, Treasurer and Auditor. Being part of the power squadron is rewarding, meeting new people and being able to take advantage of the educational opportunities provided by the United States Power Squadrons.
	Education Officer: Lt/C William C. Benny, SN Denise and I moved to Edgewater in 2001 after taking early retirement from the Social Security Administration in Maryland where we were programmers. I substitute teach at New Smyrna Beach Middle and High School. I also taught aikido for 13 years and had a dojo in Edgewater for a while. After fishing from the local docks we purchased our Boston Whaler in 2003. Did I mention I love to fish the backwaters of Edgewater? Being new to boating, we took the BoatSmart class. We joined Ponce Inlet Sail and Power Squadron because I wanted to take more classes on boating and we like the people we’ve met in the squadron. In addition to taking boating courses, I’ve been assistant squadron educational officer for 2 years before taking on the job as SEO. I am also a vessel safety examiner for the past several years as well as a Boat Operator Certification (BOC) Certifier. This is my fourth year as SEO and I recently reached a goal that I set for myself upon joining the squadron. I completed all the squadron courses and obtained the grade of Senior Navigator (SN). Being a goal oriented person I know that it is time to set some new ones. I have decided to give back to the squadron by teaching some of the squadron courses since we are currently short of instructors. Also I want to complete the various levels of BOC. Remember, you are never too old to learn something new.
	Administrative Officer: P/C Elaine H. Reichert, AP Our Administrative Officer comes to us originally from Connecticut where she grew up but moved several times after leaving for college in Maine.  She spent many years volunteering while managing a family with four boys actively involved in sports. Once the boys were older, she received her teaching degree and taught in the Deerfield, MA school system until she retired to Florida. Having spent all her growing up years on a lake and teaching various water activities, it was a natural thing to take the USPS Safe Boating Course and to become involved in the Ponce Squadron.
	Secretary: Lt/C Myrna Courage, S The Courages came to the US from Canada in 1967 and gradually moved to Florida via Michigan and Washington DC spending the last 30 plus years in Gainesville. Four years ago we transitioned from weekenders to full time residents of NSB. At that time we purchased our first boat and learned that boating with friends was not the same as owning and piloting your own vessel. With assistance from the Power Squadron classes and members, we have extended our boating goals from making it to JB’s and back to thinking of boating as far a St Augustine via the Intracoastal. I use the term "we" as Ken is the captain for these endeavors and uses the GPS for tracking our routes. In addition to boating my interests are traveling as far and often a possible, gardening, grandchildren, Gator football and reading with relative emphasis rotating among the former. My specific squadron goals for the year are to work with other squadron members to support publication, distribution and financial viability of the EnLIGHTener and to contribute to the public visibility of the squadron's educational opportunities and public events.
	Treasurer: P/C Linda Allen, SN

webpage updated 04/05/2010