March 2014 Beacon

From the Editor… As we enter into March, it seams that Old Man Winter won’t give up as he hits us with another winter storm on March 12, 2014. I’m sure for all of us, Spring can’t get here soon enough! It sure has been cold – record cold! This has also caused record ice coverage on the Great Lakes. A recent TV Report by CNBC’s Scott Cohn was broadcasted aboard the USCGC Hollyhock cruising the St. Clair River near Port Huron, Michigan on February 23 rd . The Hollyhock is 1 of 9 Icebreakers the USCG has in their Great Lakes Fleet. This monster ship is 225’ long with 50 crew members to ensure 20 million tons of cargo keeps moving through the Great Lakes shipping routes. Cohn reports, “the Great Lakes are 90% covered with ice. The record was set in 1979 with 95% ice coverage over the Great

Lakes.” Use the below link for the whole story: http://video.cnbc.com/gallery/?video=3000248088

Please read inside for highlights on upcoming news such as, Calendar of Events, Spring Fashion Show, Rendezvous', and ABYA Sponsored Events.

Thank you for reading & wishing you all the best.

Brent Malik Director, Publications

“If there’s no Wind…Row”