Power squadron installs new officers at banquet

Friday, May 9, 2008

The mission of the squadron is to advance and promote safe recreational boating. The group does this through boating education courses; civic actions, which can include vessel safety checks, cooperative charting and boating safety programs; and through informative membership meetings.

Incoming officers installed for the 2008-2009 term included Robert F. Prior, advanced pilot, of California as commander; Lt. Cmdr. Kenneth Perigo, advanced pilot, of Leonardtown as executive officer; Lt. Cmdr. Wayne M. Rogers, junior navigator, of Lusby as education officer; Lt. Cmdr. Randall D. Headrick, advanced pilot, of California as administrative officer; Lt. Cmdr. Albert Simkins, advanced pilot, of Lusby as treasurer; Lt. Cmdr. Wendy Headrick, advanced pilot, of California as secretary; 1st Lt. Laura Magdeburger, seaman, of Lusby as assistant education officer; and Lt. Daire V. Hughes of Lusby as flag lieutenant.

Members at large are Lt. Richard D. Jenkins, seaman, of Swan Point; Lt. Michael J. Thompson, pilot, of Park Hall and Lt. Larry Whitbeck, advanced pilot of Leonardtown.

The Squadron Lighthouse Award, which is presented annually to a non-bridge squadron member who has worked to improve the good of the squadron, was awarded, to squadron newsletter editor Debra Hughes, advanced pilot, of Lusby.

Lt. Cmdr. Kenneth T. Perigo, advanced pilot, was presented the Squadron Cooperative Charting Award for submitting the most chart corrections and geodetic mark recovery to the National Oceanographic Atmospheric Administration.

The ‘‘Harold L. Willard, Senior Navigator, Excellence in Education Award” is presented annually to that squadron member demonstrating dedication and commitment to education of squadron members and the general public. This year’s recipient was Past Cmdr. Donald W. Kilpatrick, senior navigator, of Lusby.

Past Lt. Cmdr. Joel Ekhaus, advanced pilot, and Past Lt. Cmdr. Robert G. Stammerjohn, senior navigator, were recognized as skippers of the year.

The squadron offers courses in safe boating to the public in St Mary’s and Calvert counties several times each year.

For more information on the public boating class, a vessel safety check or to find a boating safety speaker for a civic organization meeting, contact 301-475-3883 or visit www.usps.org⁄localusps⁄patuxent⁄.