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Harbor Lights June/July 2013 page 1 www.madisonsquadron.org

Volume 40, Issue 3 Summer Cruising Issue June/July 2013

Harbor LightsHarbor Lights Published by the Madison Sail and Power Squadron

A unit of District 10 and

United States Power Squadrons®

P lease Remember L t/C Dav id Mi ran, SN in your P rayers St f /C Jim Pahl -Washa, JN Inside this Issue

Lt/C David Miran, SN Tribute 1

From the Helm 2

The Last Horizon 3

A Collection of Photographs 4

Boating Safety Week Report 5

Official Wear It Report! 6

Squadron Contact List 6

Mallards Deadline June 6th 7

June 30th Open House 8

Summer Star Gazers Guide 9

Marlinspike Controversy 10

Calendar of Events 11

Tributes & Sailor’s Poem 12

Summer Rendezvous Info 13-15

Storm Cloud 16

I was really looking forward to working on this Summer issue until I learned earlier in the week that David Miran lost his fight with Cancer. We knew the battle was not going well, but the end came far sooner than most of us were prepared to accept. We now turn our attention to Claudia and the family. You’ll find the usual features and articles inside about squadron activities, but I took the liberty of inserting a number of tributes to our late SEO and Port Captain, David. He was a tremendous indi-vidual, who demonstrated great courage and love for his family and friends, which includes the members of the Madison Sail & Power Squadron. David was a tireless advocate for boating safety, and all of us will miss him dearly.


I write my article with a heavy heart as we have lost our dear friend David Miran. I want to express my appreciation for all that David did for me and the Squadron over the years that he was a member. Continuing on….

I want every member to come out and participate in our two events of the summer; the Mallards Baseball Game on June 20th and the June 30th Fundraiser in McFarland.

JUNE 30th - FUNDRAISER – 5100 Restaurant & Bar in McFarland, 5100 ERLING ST

MUSIC, DANCING – Dimensions in Sound, DEMONSTRATIONS, GAMES and LOTS OF FUN!

THERE IS A PLUS! The squadron has designed new team shirts this year with our Burgee and United States Power Squadrons 100th Anniversary logo. ALL MEMBERS THAT VOLUNTEER at the June 30th event will receive a complimentary team shirt. These are extremely high-quality shirts. There are many benefits to membership, but this shirt is worth more than half of your annual member-ship. Since we want volunteers to be wearing the new shirts on the day of the fundraiser, we need to place our order well in advance. Please call me immediately if you plan to participate with your shirt size. There will be both Ladies and Men cut shirts available.

100% of the money raised at the June 30th event will go to sup-port the McFarland Fire Department Lake Patrol and the Dane County Lakes and Watershed Commission Summer Intern pro-gram. Our sponsorship sends a powerful message to the com-munity. It shows that as a boating group we support our first responders the future of boating from invasive species.

Dane County Lakes and Watershed Commission Internships – the interns conduct boat landing inspections for invasive species as people take their boats out of the water. They help educate boaters about the need to properly drain all water from boats at the launch site and to inspect for any weeds clinging to the trailer, boat and equipment. Many of the interns will have on hand boat cleaning stations at various boat landings. The intern outreach program is very important, since recent legislation created stiff fines for anyone caught on the highway with any type of weeds hanging off a boat trailer, motor or vehicle. The fine for a first offense is $200.

TAKE THE TIME TO INSPECT YOUR BOAT….REMEMBER what you don’t clean off your boat is carried from one body of water to another.

The Dane County Water Resource Department will be demon-strating the new cleaning stations at our June 30th event in the parking lot of the 5100 Restaurant (Formerly the Park Pondero-sa) in McFarland. There will be a number of displays on hand; including an area that will educate kids about the “100 Years of Wearing It” life jacket contest. We’ll be holding a one-day con-test for kids from ages 6-14 to collect posters for the USPS an-nual national contest. There will also be games for everyone including an “ALIEN TOSS” bean bag challenge.

In addition to all the wonderful displays and games, we’ll have live music during the mid-afternoon thanks to the Dimensions in Sound. This is the same “Big Band” that performed at our 2011 District Spring Conference at the Marriott Hotel. You won’t want to miss the opportunity to hear this group if you missed them the first time.

We anticipate a fun packed day that may also include radio and TV personalities being on hand. This community project is a good way for people to learn more about The Madison Sail & Power Squadron, especially the benefits of membership as we celebrate the Year of the Ensign and the 100th Anniversary of the United States Power Squadron.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER TRIP – I am planning a trip in August. It will be Thursday thru Monday. More details to come. If you are interested, please give me a call at (608) 221-0988 or send an email to [email protected].

Summer has finally arrived, but what a wet one….but much better than last year with our need for water. We have been boating already and it feels absolutely great!

From the Helm Cdr Carol ine F r i t sch, AP

Above Photo: 100 Year Ensign Flies Proudly on Rest-N

Cover Photo: Cdr Carol Cruising on Lake Waubesa after McFarland ABC3 Class

mailto:[email protected]


MADISON - David Elliott Miran,

age 65, passed away Tuesday,

May 21, 2013, at UW Hospital. He

was the son of Sol and Belle Miran

of Colorado.

David worked for the Wisconsin

State Laboratory of Hygiene for

37 years, retiring in February 2009

as deputy director of the WSLH

Division of Information Technolo-

gy. His contributions to the lab's

mission and work earned him the

status of UW-Madison Staff Emer-

itus when he retired.

David came to Madison in 1969 to

attend graduate school at UW. He

met his wife Claudia when they

volunteered to help with the TGIF

parties sponsored by the Grad

Club at the Wisconsin Union. He

learned to sail in spring 1970, and

was a member of Hoofers Sailing

Club for many years until he

bought his own sailboat in 1989.

At that time he became a mem-

ber of the Madison Sail and Power

Squadron, and began taking

courses offered by the squadron.

He eventually completed all the

courses offered by the squadron

and earned the grade of Senior

Navigator. He was the education

officer for the Madison Sail and

Power Squadron for the last ten

years of his life.

He is survived by his loving wife,

Claudia Berry Miran; his sons Sean

(Marnie) and Douglas; daughter

Sonya (Christopher Moore);

grandsons Jackson and Samson

Miran and Jensen Moore; mother,

Belle Miran; and siblings Jonathan

and Frances Miran. David was

preceded in death by his father

Sol Shalom Miran.

Memorial services will be held on

Friday, May 31, 2013, at 11:30

a.m. at Cress Center, 6021 Univer-

sity Avenue, Madison. A visitation

will take place one hour prior to

services. An additional gathering

for family and friends will follow

the services at 12:45 p.m. at St.

Dunstan's Episcopal Church, 6205

University Avenue, Madison.

The family is asking that in lieu of

flowers memorials be made to the

following organizations:

Second Harvest Food bank of

Southern Wisconsin

2802 Dairy Drive

Madison 53718

www.secondharvestmadison.org

UW Foundation (check memo to

Lymphoma Research Fund or fund

#12902923)

U. S. Bank

Lockbox 78807

Milwaukee, WI 53278

www.supportuw.org

Madison Sail and Power Squadron

c/o Lt/C Gregory Norman, AP,

Treasurer

245 Kelvington Drive

Sun Prairie, WI 53590

www.madisonsquadron.org

Reprinted from the Cress Funeral Home website.

The Las t Hor i zon – Lt/C Dav id Mi ran, SN

- David Elliot Miran -

February 14, 1948

May 21, 2013

Photos Below

David enjoys a laugh with

P/C/C Creighton Maynard at

2011 D10 Conference

David teaching the Anchoring

Seminar at the Madison

Marriott Hotel during the 2010

Spring Conference to a packed

house.


More Photo Memories Lt/C David Miran, SN

Above left: David at the 2012 Spaghetti Feed

Above right: SEO, David Miran, and Assistant SEO,

John Finstad enjoy a moment during the many

years they worked together.

Right: Claudia and David during a recent Madison

Change of Watch. What a great Couple!

Lower left: David sporting his “Shades” on the Deck

of the Betty Lou

Lower right: David accepts the District 10 Education

Award, one of many accomplishments that Madison

earned with David as our SEO.


Boat ing Sa fety Week: Vesse l Safety Checks at Green Lantern & UW Memor ia l Un ion

Hoofer ’ s “J” F leet Captain Jef f Thurner ty ing up at the UW Memoria l Moor ing F ie ld.

National Boating Safety Week is May 18-24, 2013. The Squadron cele-

brated the event in a number of ways. On Saturday, May 18th, the

ABC3 spring classes concluded with a Dock Demonstration at the

Green Lantern Restaurant docks. We used the class to review proper

docking procedures, setting dock lines, and conducting a vessel safety

exam. Finally, we used the event to wear our life jackets to celebrate

the “Ready, Set, Wear It” National life jacket wear event.

Dave and Carol Fritsch provided their cruiser for the demonstration,

vessel exam, and our first boat ride of the season. Joel Chapiewsky,

one of our McFarland class graduates joined us at the dock and for

the boat ride.

On Sunday, May 19th, I had the opportunity to conduct vessel safety

exams for three of the UW Hoofer fleet boats. All boats were inspect-

ed at anchor in the mooring field just off the UW Memorial Union.

This marks the first time that I conducted VSC’s in such a manner,

where I had to be shuttled to the moored craft. I was accompanied by

Jeff Thurner, the new J Fleet Captain. Jeff has an extensive sailing

background, growing up on sailboats from Florida, the Bahamas' and

Cayman Islands. Jeff is fitting out the two J24’s for the summer cruis-

ing season.

Jim Pahl-Washa conducts VSC for Carol & Dave’s 26’ Cabrio at

Green Lantern Dock on Lake Waubesa.

Schedule your

Vessel Safety Check

Today!

VSC Examiners Stf/C Jim Pahl-Washa, JN

608.692.2452

P/D/C Dick Baker, AP

608.850.5192


2013 Bridge and

Department Contacts

Commander: Caroline Fritsch, AP

(608) 221-0988

[email protected]

Education: TBD

Administrative: Jim Pahl-Washa, JN

(608) 846-8088

[email protected]

Secretary: Claudia Berry Miran, AP

(608) 274-0765

[email protected]

Treasurer: Gregory Norman, AP

(608) 837-0132

[email protected]

Member-at-Large: Jan Norman

(608) 837-0132

[email protected]

Member-at-Large: John Finstad, JN

(608) 835-5508

Member-at-Large: Dick Baker, AP

(608) 850-5192

[email protected]

David Miran was always one of the first to sign up to work a shift at

the Madison Boat Show. He was always a fan of the Sunday morning

shift, and can be seen here talking with an attendee about our 2008

class offerings and the benefits of membership.

Saturday May 18, 2013 was

“Ready, Set, Wear It” Day

We wore our Life Jackets to help beat the world record of 3,993 people wearing life jackets at one time. Did You?

Send your names and photos to Jim Pahl-Washa , so that you can

be counted.

David Mi ran at the 2008 Madison Boat Show


Th i rd Thursday

Event

June 20 , 2012

The Deadl ine to

purchase t ickets i s

June 6 th www.mal lardsgroups.com

2nd Annual Night at the Duck

Pond

Madison Mal lards

Basebal l Game

&

Ta i lgate Par ty (a l l you can eat)

$16.00/person

Ta i lgate 5:30 - 6 :30 pm

Game Star ts 7 :05 pm

Cal l J im Pahl -Washa for t ick-

ets a t 608.846.8088


Cal l ing a l l Members to Jo in us in McFar land on June 30th


Monthly S tar Gazers & Navigat ion Guide for June & Ju ly

From Draco the Dragon to the Ghost of the Shimmering Summer Dawn

With the exception of the ringed planet Saturn, four of the five visible planets will hover in the glow of twilight throughout June 2013. In their outward order from the sun, the five visible planets are Mercury, Venus, (Earth), Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. Three visible planets – Mercury, Venus and Saturn – can be seen first thing at dusk. But you have to catch Mercury and Venus in the glow of evening twilight about 45 to 60 minutes after sunset. Both of these worlds will follow the sun beneath the hori-zon at late dusk or nightfall whereas Saturn will stay out until the wee hours of the morning.

Mars sits low in the east-northeast at dawn so the red planet is extremely hard to see in June. You’ll have a much better chance of spotting Mars and Jupiter in the predawn and dawn sky in late July, especially when Jupiter and Mars meet up for a close conjunction on June 22. The upcoming full moon on June 23, 2013, will be the closest and largest full moon of the year as it presents the moon’s closest encounter with Earth for all of 2013. This full moon is often referred to as the “Supermoon”.

If you’re lucky enough to be under a dark starry sky on a moonless night in late June, you’ll see the great swath of stars known as the Milky Way passing in between the Summer Triangle stars Vega and Altair. The star Deneb bobs in the middle of this riv-er of stars that passes through the Summer Triangle, and arcs across the sky. Although every star that you see with the unaid-ed eye is actually a member of our Milky Way galaxy, oftentimes the term Milky Way refers to the cross-sectional view of the galactic disk, whereby innumerable far-off suns congregate into a cloudy trail of stars. The Summer Triangle is Nature’s seasonal calendar

The Summer Triangle serves as a stellar calendar, marking the seasons. When the stars of the Summer Triangle light up the eastern twilight dusk in middle to late June, it’s a sure sign of the change of seasons, of spring giving way to summer. However, when the Summer Triangle is seen high in the south to overhead at dusk and early evening, the Sum-mer Triangle’s change of position indicates that summer has ebbed into fall. This July 2013 full moon presents the second full moon after the June solstice. Normally, there are only three full moons in one season – the period of time between a solstice and an equinox, or vice versa. Howev-er, in 2013, four full moons take place in between the June solstice and the September equinox. The third of four full moons to fall in one sea-son will occur in August, and some people will call this a Blue moon. In North America, the July full moon is often called the Buck Moon, Thun-der Moon or Hay Moon. At this time of year, buck deer grow velvety antlers, thunderstorms rage and farmers work extra hours putting up hay.

June 05: Find Draco the Dragon Constellation

June 08: Four of five visible planets can be seen at twilight.

June 13: This year’s earliest sunrise, which always precedes summer solstice.

June 14: The Moon pairs up with Regulus, the Royal star

June 20: The Summer Solstice brings northernmost sun. Celebrate by attending the June “Third Thursday” social event!

June 21: Summer Solstice arrives at 12:04 a.m. CDT

June 23: Full Moon is 2013’s Supermoon

June 30: Search the Sky for the Summer Triangle, your path to the milky way

July 06: Vega, the most prominent star in the eastern sky, highlights Lyra Constellation

July 10: Crescent Moon and Venus Prominent in western sky at dusk.

July 22: North America’s Buck Moon

July 31: Orion can be spotted in the eastern sky, “the ghost of the shimmering summer dawn”

http://earthsky.org/tonight/solstice-brings-northernmost-sunset

http://earthsky.org/tonight/solstice-brings-northernmost-sunset


Master ing Mar l insp ike: Def in i t ions of Knots , Bends and Hi tches

Clove Hitch: One of the basic knots demonstrated in the ABC3 class and Sea-manship is the Clove Hitch. It uses 2 or more quick hitches to secure a line to a post. To make the hitch more secure, additional Half Hitches must be added in the same manner. The Clove Hitch can also be used to hang fenders over the side of the boat, which may be a better use of the knot than mooring.

Be Aware that a Clove Hitch has a tendency to Slip or Bind

Slipping: In the source article, the author describes an attempt to dock a 53'

cruiser using the Clove Hitch. Each time the bow mooring line was handed to a

marina assistant, a clove hitch was used to attach the line to the dock's post.

An offshore wind was blowing the stern away, so the skipper used his engines to swing the stern in. Each time he

did so the strain was too much for the Clove Hitch, which slipped undone. This process was repeated seven times

despite requests from the skipper that some other knot be employed to secure the line. Reviewing the events

later it became apparent that the assistant was using the only knot he knew.

Binding: Finally, if you make the knot secure by stacking on additional Half Hitches, i.e., multiple clove hitches,

then you are inviting a major strain to cause the earlier turns to bind tightly and become impossible to untie. So, if

on a boat you feel an urge to use a clove hitch - Consider an alternative unless you are merely hanging a fender.

Alternatives: There are alternatives to a Clove Hitch when mooring such as a rolling hitch, bowline, or cleat

hitch. The alternative knot that is a variation of a Clove Hitch follows.

A Round Turn and Two Half Hitches: is a useful variation of the clove hitch for attaching a mooring line to a dock post or ring. As the name suggests, the Round Turn and Two Half Hitches is composed of two important parts:

Round Turn: The initial 'Round Turn' –

actually two passes of the tail – should

take the initial strain while you complete

the knot. This may be critical when han-

dling a mooring line. An additional turn,

or even two additional turns, should be

added initially if you are handling a heavy

load, e.g., with a large vessel or in a strong wind. These turns allow you to control the load while you add the half

hitches to finish the knot

Two or More Half Hitches. The two Half Hitches actually form a clove hitch round the standing end of the line.

However, it is common to see an additional one, or more Half Hitches - either to make the knot more secure or to

use up excess line. This knot neither binds nor slips, unlike a Clove Hitch.

Source for this month’s Marlinspike article & Suggested website for more information: www.animatedknots.com


June Saturday June 8: 0830-1000 hours Take a Stake in our

Waters (Renamed from Take a Stake in the Lakes). This will be our 16th annual cleanup day at Mendota County Park in Middleton. Breakfast rolls and beverages will be served. Volunteers should wear proper attire to cleanup the shore-line and beach area. Volunteers receive a 2013 team t-shirt compliments of the Dane County Lakes and Watershed Commission. Contact Lt Jan Norman S , at 608.837.0132 to signup for the event.

Monday June 10: 1900-2100 hours. Monthly Bridge Meeting at the Monona Gardens Family Restaurant, 6501 Bridge Rd, Monona. Dinner off the menu at 1800. Open to all members.

Thursday June 20: Second Annual “Third Thursday” at the Duck Pond. Mallards Baseball Game & Tailgate Party at the Pepsi Tailgate Tent. Game time is 07:05 pm. The Park opens 90 minutes prior to game time

Sunday June 30: Save our Lakes Open House Fund Raiser at the 5100 Restaurant & Bar in McFarland from 1200-1800 hours. Volunteers should arrive by 1100 to help with setup. Madison members will work with DNR & Dane County Watershed staff to greet all that attend, help with games, hand out membership materials, assist with informa-tional booths, take donations, and generally have a fun day. This is our 2013 Community Service project to celebrate the USPS 100th Anniversary.

July July 12-14: District 10 Summer Rendezvous hosted

by Milwaukee Sail & Power Squadron in conjunction with Bastille Days and the South Shore Frolics.

August Commander’s Cruise on the Mississippi: Carol &

Dave Fritsch are hosting this cruise. Details will be posted on the squadron website and sent out to membership as they become available. Contact Carol or Dave at 608.221.0988 if interested.

.September Monday Sept 2: Labor Day Holiday

Tues Sept 3 - Sunday Sept 8: USPS Governing Board Meeting in San Antonio, Texas. Grand Hyatt San Antonio Hotel on the River walk.

Monday Sept 9: 1900-2100 hours. Monthly Bridge Meeting at the Monona Gardens Family Restaurant, 6501 Bridge Rd, Monona. Dinner off the menu at 1800. Open to all members.

.October Monday Oct 14: 1900-2100 hours. Monthly Bridge

Meeting at the Monona Gardens Family Restaurant, 6501 Bridge Rd, Monona. Dinner off the menu at 1800. Open to all members.

\

.November Monday Nov 11: 1900-2100 hours. Monthly Bridge

Meeting at the Monona Gardens Family Restaurant, 6501 Bridge Rd, Monona. Dinner off the menu at 1800. Open to all members.

.December Friday December 6: Holiday Party at Rex’s Innkeeper

Restaurant in Waunakee for Second Harvest Food Drive. Social Hour 6-7 pm, Fish and Chicken Family Style Dinner

Monday Dec 9: 1900-2100 hours. Monthly Bridge Meet-ing at the Monona Gardens Family Restaurant, 6501 Bridge Rd, Monona. Dinner off the menu at 1800. Open to all members.

2013 Madison Sa i l & Power Squadron Calendar


Everyone has “their” signature

style, and David definitely had

his.

Go through a dozen photos

and you’ll quickly spot a reoc-

curring dress code, that being

David’s ever present red shirt

and pocket protector.

Further note that his pocket

protector was seldom without

an ample supply of pens and

pencils.

Yes, David was a classic Geek.

Not that being a Geek is a bad

thing, it just perpetuates the

stereotype that computer

donks have a quirky dress

code.

Okay, David and I shared simi-

lar technology professions, but

I gave up my pocket protector

years ago with the slide rule.

Not so David. He wore his no

matter the occasion, so much

so that you came to expect it

like Sinatra sporting a Tuxedo.

Sorry David, not everyone can

get away with this Maverick

style of dress code.

But you managed to pull it off,

even at a western theme par-

ty, and it’s part of what made

you special to all of us.

You left an indelible mark on

all of us, not for your fashion

sense, but for what you gave

of yourself to all of us you

leave behind. You will be

dearly missed good friend.

S o m e C o w b o y s w e a r P o c ke t P r o t e c t o r s !

C r o s s i n g t h e B a r b y A l f re d , L o r d Te n ny s o n ( 1 8 8 9 )

Tr i b u t e s f r o m a r o u n d t h e D i s t r i c t

Twilight and evening bell,

And after that the dark!

And may there be no sadness of farewell, When I embark;

For though from out our bourne of Time and Place

The flood may bear me far,

I hope to see my Pilot face to face

When I have crossed the bar.

Sunset and evening star,

And one clear call for me! And may there be no moaning of the bar,

When I put out to sea,

But such a tide as moving seems asleep, Too full for sound and foam, When that which drew from out the boundless deep, Turns again home.

lences from Texas.

We’ve also heard from Oshkosh,

Hiawatha Valley, St Paul and a

other past District members as

well.

Cdr Jeff Davis from St Paul

wrote, “David has held a special

place in my heart ever since he

won the sextant at Art Molli-

ca's Change of Watch 10 years ago

in 2003.

USPS has truly lost a shining star.”

As one might anticipate, we’ve

received a number of responses

from around the District from

current and past Squadron mem-

bers who knew David.

Donna Van Dresser, a long-time

Facebook friend, was quick to

point out that Heaven has a special

path for USPS volunteers.

Past Commanders, Mary Lu and

Dick Zellers, sent their condo-

“I am convinced that

there is a special

stepping stone for all

USPS members on

their way to Heaven”

Donna Van Dresser

Central Wisconsin Power Squadron

Port Captain Flag. As the MSPS Port Captain David shared his local lakes knowledge with Boat Smart and ABC3 students and all squadron members, including out of town visitors.

Harbor Lights Editor

Stf/C Jim Pahl-Washa, JN

6929 Donnybill Rd

De Forest, WI 53532

Harbor Lights is published six times a year by the Madison Sail and Power Squadron. MSPS is a unit of the United States Power Squadrons®. USPS and MSPS are tax exempt non-

profit organizations under IRS Code Section 501 (C) (3).

Send your Photos to the Harbor Lights Editor

2013 Harbor Lights Photo Contest

Open to all Members & Family

Send in your boating or squadron related photos

to the Editor along with a story or description.

All photos used in the Harbor Lights are eligible

for “Photo of the Year” honors, which will be

awarded at the 2013 Change of Watch.

Mammatus Cloud Formation over Texas from Storm that Hit Oklahoma

Taken May 20, 2013

By Pam Rice-Phillips

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