Ahoy there! Is that boat of yours ready? I hope so. And, I hope you are in good health as well.

With calm seas, gas in our tank and cold beer in our shipboard cooler, we can untie those mooring lines and head out to join our MCC friends.

Fleet Captain Joanie Ridnour Skinner has worked hard to put together an interesting and enjoyable schedule of cruises.

For the first time in a long time, we have a raft out scheduled. Cruise with the MCC fleet one time and I promise you’ll be back for more.

So, what all do we have to look forward to? Well we have:

In between time there are social functions at our sister clubs that we can attend. Examples are:

to name a few.

Between now and the end of September, there are dozens of social events scheduled at other clubs. The prices are reasonable and you will be made to feel welcome.

If you are interested, go to:

on the Web and look up “Schedule of Club Events.”

IP/C Angela, Chairlady of the Nominating Committee is putting together a slate of officers for next year. If you would like to hold an MCC office, please contact her, V/C Dotty Murray or P/C Betty Stahler and let them know of your interest.

Wishing you blue skies, calm seas, big fish, cold beverages and a good mate by your side.

Schedule of Events

Fleet Captain Report

Ten boats have signed up for our Cruise to Tilghman Island with Ventnor Yacht Club on July 11-13. Unless there is a cancellation, there are no more slips available.

Seven boats have signed up for our Cruise to beautiful Kent Island on 9-10 August. The cost is $1.50 a foot and the electric cost $6 a plug. We can check in any time on Saturday and leave any time on Sunday. I am reserving the pavilion so we can have a brunch on Sunday. We can take a ferry to a restaurant for dinner for a cost of approximately $6 per person round trip on Saturday night or maybe we can all pile on someone’s boat and go out to dinner. Who wants to volunteer to be the captain for the evening?

Cruise to beautiful St. Michaels on August 30-September 1. The cost for the slip is $1.35 per foot per night. Electric cost $5 for 30 amp and $10 for 50 amp per night. Next month, I will know more about the crab feast they are planning on having that weekend.

Captain Duane and I received the plaque for MCC for the boat that traveled the most distance to Belvedere Yacht Club’s Opening in May.

If anyone would be interested in an 11-day cruise leaving Baltimore on 24 November and returning 4 December, Captain Duane and I would love to have you join us aboard the Celebrity ship Galaxy. Here is the itinerary:

The price is a grand total of $879 per person for an inside cabin (172 square feet and a king size bed unless you want two singles). The price includes port fees and taxes, accommodations, ocean transportation, fabulous entertainment and daily activities, on-board meals and some beverages. It does not include shore excursions, personal expenses, gratuities, or alcoholic beverages (bring a bottle or two for your room).

This will be our 4^th trip on the Celebrity ships and our 3^rd trip on the Galaxy. I have researched this trip extensively and this is a great deal, especially over a holiday. Since we leave on Monday, 24 November, Captain Duane and I plan on decorating for Christmas the weekend of 22-23 November so if we feel a little down coming back from a wonderful vacation our house will be all decorated and it will cheer us up.

If you are interested, please call Fleet Captain Joanie at home (410) 437-4390 or send an e-mail to jridnour@comdt.uscg.mil.

- Fleet Captain Joanie Ridnour-Skinner

We've all done it. Sneaked an extra piece of cake when nobody was looking. Nobody, that is, except the cat, and who was he going to tell? Or we might say that we're running out of the office for a minute to pick up something from the drug store, or the newspaper stand, or the ... Oh! heck, what does it matter? And instead we go to the new candy shop down the street.

Some call it "cheating." Sneaking. Closet eating. But one of the reasons dieters "cheat" is that they're often so strict with themselves that they end up feeling deprived. Healthy eating includes lots of "good" choices with a few "naughty" ones as well. Devising some strategies to help you enjoy treats rather than "cheat" will help keep you on the straight and narrow. Here are some suggestions to try:

1. Plan for treats. Making sure you enjoy your favorite treats every once in a while will help you from feeling deprived. Pick a night each week when you can indulge in something decadent like a piece of chocolate mud cake. Give yourself permission to truly enjoy your dessert! Taking time to savor a treat is always more satisfying than gobbling it down with feelings of guilt or shame.
2. Put your pantry on a diet. If most of the foods that enter your house are healthy, then the battle is almost won. If you must have tempting foods around for a special occasion, store them out of sight or buy them at the last minute. On the big day, enjoy your favorite foods and send any leftovers home with your guests.
3. Choose your friends wisely. Beware of any "friend" who continually tries to coerce you into "just a cappuccino" - which you know really means a cappuccino and a slice of carrot cake with frosting an inch thick. Put these friends on hold until you're feeling strong enough to say "no." Or suggest a different kind of get-together, such as a walk in the park or an afternoon at the movies.
4. Count the cost as well as the calories. Allocate so many dollars per pound you plan to lose and save the money in a separate account or piggy bank. Or "pay" yourself so much every day you stick to your weight-loss plan. Then treat yourself to something fabulous like a new outfit or a day at a beauty spa.
5. Picture yourself. Find some not-so-flattering photos of yourself and place them strategically at prime temptation spots - the fridge, the cookie jar, or in your desk drawer. That way you will be reminded of the positive changes you're trying to make to your life whenever you're tempted to overindulge.
6. Surround yourself with witnesses. Tell everyone you are changing your eating habits. Give them permission to remind you of your dedication to better health if they catch you transgressing. Make sure you have chosen friends who will support and encourage you. The last thing you need is someone who will try to trip you up.
7. Check up on yourself. Keep a food journal where you write down every single thing that passes your lips each day. If you often eat when you're upset or stressed, try to record this too. If you gobbled up a candy bar after arguing with your partner, you probably need to find alternative ways of coping with your moods. Next time try phoning a friend or going for a stress-relieving walk.
8. Keep a sense of proportion. We all slip up from time to time. We all forget our best resolutions and bend the rules. It's not the end of the world. The worst thing you can do is give in and say "Well, I blew it. Let's forget it. I'm never going to succeed." Now, that would really be cheating. Not just cheating on your diet, but cheating on yourself and your health as well.
9. Keep a sense of proportion. We all slip up from time to time. We all forget our best resolutions and bend the rules. It's not the end of the world. The worst thing you can do is give in and say "Well, I blew it. Let's forget it. I'm never going to succeed."

Now, that would really be cheating. Not just cheating on your diet, but cheating on yourself and your health as well.

- V/C Dottie Murray

Anniversaries

07/16—Captain Ronald & Joyce Filius

07/17—Captain Danny & Dottie Abel

07/17—Como Don & Rosalie Antos

07/20—Captain Cleve & Mary Potter

07/26—P/C Gerry & Sussan Mannel

The Choking Gourmet is going on a sabbatical until further notice. I will continue with the Lighter Side however. The problem after looking around at all of our members is that no one else is gaining weight. If you were trying out the restaurants that were reviewed over the last several years, you’d be getting fat just like me. In the future if a new restaurant opens I will review it. But in the meantime, I will try to get back to my fighting weight.

* * * * * * * * * *

Bud and Jim were a couple of new-life drinking buddies who worked as airplane mechanics in Gander Newfoundland. One day the airport was fogged in and they were stuck in the hanger with nothing to do. Bud said, “Man I wish I had something to drink!” Jim said, “me too, you know I’ve heard that you can drink jet fuel and get a buzz. You wanna try it?”

So they pour themselves a couple glasses of high octane hooch and got completely smashed. The next morning Bud wakes up and is surprised at how good he feels. In fact he feels great! No hangover, no bad effects, nothing!’’

Then the phone rings….It’s Jim.

Jim says, “Hey, how do you feel this morning?”

Bud says “I feel great, how about you?”

Jim says, “I feel great too. You don’t have a hangover?”

Bud says, “No, that jet fuel is great stuff, no hangover, nothing. We should do this more often.”

“Yeah, well there is just one thing. Have you broken wind yet?”

“No”

“Well don’t, cause I’m in Toronto.”

* * * * * * * * * *

Hillary Clinton goes to a kindergarten class to talk about the world. Last week the class talked about the benefits of homosexuality, abortion and drugs. This week the principal thought it would be good if the kindergarten class could hear one of his heroes, Hillary Clinton. After her talk, Hillary offers question time. One little boy puts up his hand, and the Senator asks him what his name is.

“Tommy.”

“And what is your question, Tommy?”

“I have three questions. First: “What ever happened to your medical health plan?” Second: Why would you run for President when your husband shamed the office?” And third: What ever happened to all those things you stole when you left the White House?”

Just then the recess bell rings. Hillary Clinton tells the kids that they will continue after recess. When they resume Hillary says, “Okay….where were we? Oh that’s right, question time. Who has a question?”

A different little boy puts his hand up. Hillary acknowledges him and ask him what was his name.

“Bobby”

From “Easy Living Low-Carb Cooking” by Theresa Sloan & Tracy Westbrook

Carbs/serving: 2.56

8 servings

2 cups heavy cream

8 oz. Cream cheese

1 small pkg. Sugar Free Jello, any flavor

Beat cream cheese until smooth. Slowly beat in cream. Sprinkle dry jello over cream and continue beating until mixture forms soft peaks. (Do not overbeat, or the result will be a dry mixture resembling cottage cheese).

This can be made without the cream cheese. The carbs decrease to 1.65/serving.

Carbs/serving: 4.54

9 servings

1 lb ground beef

1 lb ground pork, pork sausage or Italian sausage

1 tsp onion salt

1 ½ tsp garlic powder

½ tsp chili powder

4 (4 oz) cans chopped green chilies, drained

2 Cups cheddar cheese, shredded

8 large eggs, beaten

1 tsp hot sauce

1 ¼ cups heavy cream

Preheat oven to 350°.

In a large skillet, brown ground beef and pork over medium heat until done.

Drain fat. Season the browned meat with onion salt, garlic powder, and chili powder.

In a 9”x13” baking dish, layer ingredients in this order:

2 cans green chilies

1 C. cheddar cheese

browned meat

2 cans green chilies

and remaining cheese.

In a mixing bowl whip together until well mixed the eggs, hot sauce, and cream.

Pour over casserole layers.

Bake for 45 min, or until knife inserted near center comes out clean.

The National Do Not Call Registry is open for business, putting consumers in charge of the telemarketing calls they get at home. The Federal Government created the national registry to make it easier and more efficient for you to stop getting telemarketing sales calls you don't want.

You can register online at http://www.donotcall.gov if you have an active email address. Otherwise, phone registration will open to the entire nation on July 7 on 1-888-382-1222 (TTY 1-866-290-4236). Call from the number you wish to register. Registration is free.

The Federal Trade Commission, the Federal Communications Commission, and the states will begin enforcing the National Do Not Call Registry on Oct. 1, 2003. That's when consumers who put their numbers on the registry by August 31, 2003 will notice a downturn in the number of telemarketing calls they get. Placing your number on the National Do Not Call Registry will stop most, but not all, telemarketing calls.

Your peace isn’t entirely assured, since there are bound to be scofflaws willing to risk the $11,000-per-call fine. You will, however, have an easy online way to report the scoundrels, and you can still take them to small claims court if you want. The consumer’s right to sue under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act has been preserved.

Several types of businesses are exempt from having to use the registry, at least for now:

insurers

political campaigns

charities

pollsters

companies with which you already have a business relationship. (These can call you for up to 18 months after your last purchase, or three months after you make an inquiry or submit any type of application). But if you ask these callers to stop bothering you, they, too, are required to obey.

Even if you choose not to sign up for the registry -- it’s hard to imagine why you wouldn’t, but for the sake of argument let’s say you like constant interruptions -- you’ll have new ways to know who’s calling and why. The same rules that institute the do-not-call registry also require:

A ban on blocked IDs. Telemarketers will be required to transmit their phone numbers and, usually, their names to your Caller ID service.

No more hide-and-seek. Telemarketers are required to tell you upfront who they are and why they’re calling.

Less dead air. There should be someone on the line when you pick up the phone -- or you should at least get a recorded message saying who’s calling.

Telemarketers have long violated federal law by using automatic dialing systems to ring more victims than they have operators to handle. Now the FTC finally seems determined to kill this practice with tougher enforcement so you won’t have to “wait to be annoyed.”

- By Liz Pulliam Weston

Fun Fotos - The Queen Pageant & More

Many thanks to V/C Dottie Murray for providing photographs for this issue!