Here comes Labor Day - And here comes "Earl"!
Earl - At this time we are have a Tropical Storm Warning in effect for Hurricane Earl. It now looks like we will begin to experience gale force winds around 9:00 am on Friday morning. The peak effect on us in Strathmere should occur around noon Friday, when top sustained winds, from the north, should reach 42 mph, with gusts of 52 mph. Sustained winds should fall below gale force by 2:00 pm, with some gale force gusts occuring thereafter. Low tide Friday will be at 9:30 am and high tide not until 4:00 pm, so we should expect minor tidal flooding at most. Watch the weather forecasts as predictions can sometimes change dramatically...
The Strathmere Ensemble will present a free concert, "All the Way on Labor Day" at the Church at 7:00 pm on Saturday. We're told this will be a very different program from what they've done in the past. We suspect you will love it. They will repeat it at the Sea Isle City United Methodist Church on Sunday at 4:00 pm.
SIA Strathmere Baseball Caps ($15) and Visors ($12) are are available at 212 Bayview Drive. We also have a few adult XXL and adult small Strathmere tee shirts ($10).
Schiavo Library Book Sale will be held from September 10 to 18 for members and non-members. Come out and find something you'll enjoy.
Upcoming Events:
**Kids' Surf Fishing Tournament Saturday, September 4, 9:00 am
**Strathmere Ensemble Concert at 7:00 pm Saturday, September 4
**Last day of Flounder Season, Monday, September 6 (Labor Day)
**Last SIA Meeting of 2010 at the Firehouse, 8:00 pm Friday, September 10
**Book Sale at the Schiavo Library, September 10 - 18.
and every Sunday at the Strathmere United Methodist Church: 9:15 Hymn Sing; 9:30 Service
Our thanks to all who have paid their SIA Dues ($10 annually per adult). If you have been meaning to send them in - here's your chance!
You can contact us by responding to this e-mail sia6@comcast.net or by mailing the SIA at P.O. Box 57 in Strathmere.
Lifeguard Fund Raising - Following our article on the Kayak Festival, we were asked why the Lifeguards need to raise money (no - it's not for parties!). Captain Bill Handley graciously responded with the attached explanation.
"I understand the SIA is looking for some information on what the kayak and t-shirt money we raise is spent on. I will give you some of the items/services/fees that the money has been used for over the last two seasons.
Our patrol exists for the vital and professional purpose of protecting the beaches in Strathmere and Beesley's Point. The Township funds our O & E needs for this purpose by purchasing all equipment that we request within reason to fulfill our professional purpose. We do have a recreational component to our patrol that, in my opinion, relates directly to the level of skill that our guards achieve. This component would be the races that we host and participate in regularly during the summer. In some years, the township has funded requests for equipment used in races, but not always, and due to budget constraints recently, we cannot expect funding for this in the near future. We have purchased a racing paddleboard, bags for the board, and paid for fees that competitors are responsible for in certain swimming, running, and rowing races. We also have had to cover expenses for the races we host if the sponsorship we get does not cover the cost of the whole race. This has been the case for the MS Bay Row over the last two years. These competitions are the drive for all lifeguards in South Jersey to learn and master the skills necessary to be the best guards they can be. The money has also been used for incentive rewards for the outstanding guards each season. We recognize the city champions in every event we compete in and also certain stand out guards who are recognized by their peers as being the rookie of the year, most proactive guard, and guard of the year. These awards have been engraved mugs and engraved water bottles during the past two years. This allows us to recognize our best guards with something tangible to commemorate their success and to help motivate other guards to work harder the following season.
Each year I present a budget proposal on the assumption that nothing will break, get lost, or become damaged. Working in the ocean environment makes this impossible to accomplish. Each season we have oars that get lost in the ocean, bent beyond use, or simply broken in half. We may require repairs to boats or paddleboards that need immediate attention and the process of going through the township finance office and working within a fixed budget makes these situations too complicated to be done effectively. We could (and sometimes do) apply for re-imbursement for some of these replacements/repairs, but in an effort to keep our budget from oscillating up and down, we just handle this through our association account.
The last items we use the money for would be special occasions and special uniform enhancement. We did contribute money to the Matthew Bonsall Benefit because we wanted our guards to be present to recognize the passing of ex-Lt. Gerry Bonsall. Many of our guards did not know him so we thought we could pay for their donation to attend the affair at the Firehouse. We have contributed to similar occasions when it is obvious that the town we lifeguard in has been or could be impacted by such an occasion. We also plan on purchasing jackets for our guards because the jackets supplied by the Township have become worn out. The Township does provide us with nice uniforms of sweats, shorts, and shirts, but they cannot order jackets every year for every guard. We have also supplemented our uniforms with different shorts and shirts in the past. "
Thanks to all for your continuing support!
Butch Vandegrift - President
Ken Weaver - Vice-President
Donna Diefenderfer - Treasurer
Debbie Vandegrift - Secretary
No comments:
Post a Comment