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MERCHANT MARINE STORIES FROM CAPTAIN LANCE 2 Revolvers, One Lunatic
I’d seen people lose their minds onboard before. As a captain, you never know what’s going to happen in the event of an insurrection or mutiny, or who you can trust. My logic was that if I needed to give an officer a gun, I could give them an unloaded gun as insurance.
This strategy unexpectedly helped me with my barricaded, irate crew member.
To get to him, there were two dog-downed doors (i.e. locked from the inside) and one hatchway above him. Making entry from the two doors would be too difficult and time consuming, and going down the hatchway surely meant death for the descending person. So, I instructed the officers to make noise at the two deck doors entry points to divert attention there while the Chief Officer would open the hatch above. It was daytime, so I knew he’d see the shaft of light as soon as it was raised up. I had no intention of going down the straight ladder to him. Instead, I dropped my revolver down the hatch into the compartment below while loudly announcing (in colorful language) that “I just dropped my revolver down the hatch.” In a flash, the mad dog seized the weapon off the deck he stood on and yelled up to me, “Now I’ve got the gun Captain! What are you going to do?” My officers were perplexed as they looked at me, unaware of my plan. Then, while I was pulling out my loaded revolver from behind my back and pointing it at him, I said, “One of these is loaded and one is not, which one do you think you’re holding?” With that, he put down the weapon, surrendered, and climbed up the ladder where we put him in irons. He was restrained for several days, and upon arrival at Singapore, we turned him and my official log book report of the incident over to the American Consul. They repatriated him back to the states, where he faced the consequences of his criminal acts. His victim survived. With lots of stitches and a load of antibiotics, he too was sent off in Singapore for better medical care. As always, I have more stories (although, a little more mature in language) within my book, “Turbulent Seas: My Life in the American Merchant Marine,” available now on Lulu.com .
In past newsletters, I’ve shared stories of my journeys as an officer. At sea aboard the Golden Endeavor, about midway through 1980, I was the captain of the ship and tested not by the KGB (a story for the future), but by an irate crew member who decided to carve up another crew member like a Christmas turkey. This battle took place in the ship’s living quarters, and the instigator was quite successful, leaving his prey severely wounded and bleeding, before he ran to the forecastle (the front of the ship). Upon my arrival there, the crazy person went through the watertight doors, locking himself in. For reasons involving the ship’s safety, I knew I had to flush them out. In the area where he was barricaded, there were a lot of volatile chemicals and paints that he could easily ignite. That seemed like a real possibility, since the man had evidently lost his mind.
I had to resort to the use of some heat: the ship’s revolver(s).
At this time, most crew members were aware that the captain had one revolver on board. Most crew members, however, did not know that, in some cases, the ship carried two . No doubt with divine-inspired thought, it occurred to me that it’d be prudent to keep one revolver loaded and one empty. Of course, I made sure to mark at least one with a white, three-ring reinforcing tab so I could identify them quickly.
–Captain Lance
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www.WatercureUSA.com
Feline Friends or Canine Comrades HOW PETS IMPROVE OUR HEALTH AND HAPPINESS
As people grow older, they’re more likely to find themselves at home with less company. If your family members live far away or you have physical limitations that make it difficult to leave the house, you may be at an increased risk of experiencing loneliness. This is why adopting an animal can be so helpful. Pets offer comfort and love, and many encourage physical activity. Integrating a pet into your life as you grow older can be just what you need to lift your spirit and keep you healthy. THE BENEFITS OF PET OWNERSHIP A lack of purpose can take a significant toll, but the sense of duty pet owners have around caring for their animals helps them avoid this. The daily tasks of feeding, playing with, and walking your animal can help provide structure and bring meaning to your life. They also give you something to look forward to each day. What’s better than waking up or coming home to a wagging tail or loud meow? This is how pets help improve their owners’ mental and physical
health. Studies also show that those who care for pets have less stress and lower blood pressure and cholesterol than their petless counterparts. You’re also more likely to maintain a daily exercise routine. Humans have an innate need to be social, and without someone to talk to regularly, our mental well- being can start to deteriorate. Pets may not be the best conversation partners, but they may increase your social activity. Walking a dog to a local park every day, for example, can provide an opportunity for you to interact with other people. If you live alone, this simple activity can increase your social circle and improve your mental health. FIND THE RIGHT PET Before taking advantage of the many benefits pets offer, it’s crucial to consider which pet is right for you. Doing research can help answer important questions about which animals might be a good fit for you and your lifestyle and which aren’t. Finding a perfect
Two of our Watercure USA family pups, Koda & Greta!
match may take some time, but once that connection is made, there is nothing that will bring more joy into both of your lives. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a list of questions that will help guide you to the perfect pet. Take a look at CDC.gov/ healthypets .
What You Need to Know About Hard Water and Your Hair
If you find yourself rinsing your hair over and over in the shower but still have shampoo and conditioner residue on your scalp, hard water is likely to blame.
Iron in well water and chlorine in municipal water both can oxidize and result in the faded dye color. People that experience this problem are likely to go to the salon for a touch-up more often, causing further damage.
Hard water consists of hard minerals, typically magnesium and calcium, and uses grains per gallon.
At Watercure USA, we want to let you in on a secret: Hard water isn’t good for your hair, your scalp, or your dye job!
You might have heard that you can combat damaged
HAIR DAMAGE SIGNS FROM HARD WATER Washing your hair in hard water can result in an itchy, flaky scalp, which often causes dandruff. Hard water often leaves hair feels stringy, thin, broken, and frizzy. Does your hair feel like it has a film to it after washing? Hard water can leave a residue on hair, making it difficult for moisturizing products to get through effectively. SALON TROUBLES RESULT IN HARD WATER If you go to the salon but find that your dye job fades frequently, you’re probably washing in hard water.
hair from hard water by using moisturizing masks and leave- in conditioners, but these are only temporary fixes. In order to truly solve hair issues related to hard water, you’re going to want to use a water softener. Watercure USA offers a variety of water softeners and water filtration systems to meet our customers’ needs. We offer free water testing plus systems and solutions for every budget. We service all of Western New York, Rochester, Central New York, and the Finger Lakes Region.
Call or text us at 716-946-3598 to schedule your FREE water test!
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LANCE: 716-912-9939
DREW: 716-946-3598
First-Time Homeowners Love Watercure USA! 5-STAR CLIENT HIGHLIGHTS
RHUBARB OAT BARS Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
Ingredients
• 1 1/2 cups fresh rhubarb, chopped • 1 cup packed brown sugar, divided
• 1 tsp fresh lemon juice • 4 tbsp water, divided • 4 tsp cornstarch
When you’re buying a new home, you want your new sanctuary to make you feel safe, both inside and out. That’s why healthy, clean water is so important to us as a local family-owned business. We also believe in working hard every single day to achieve incredible customer service, and we’re very honored that many of our customers have noticed! Here are their recent five-star reviews in 2021: “These guys are awesome. As a first-time homebuyer, water filtration systems are foreign to me. Drew and his team take the time to truly educate and inform about what exactly is going on and what needs to be changed and why. I so appreciate the length they go to to make sure their customers feel comfortable and understand. Cannot say enough about the customer service of this company. The free water test/estimate alone is so informative. Highly recommend calling them if you have concerns about your water. Thank you, Drew!”
• 1 cup old-fashioned oats • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour • 1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut • 1/2 tsp salt • 1/3 cup butter, melted
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 F and grease an 8-inch square baking dish. 2. In a medium saucepan, bring rhubarb, 1/2 cup brown sugar, lemon juice, and 3 tbsp water to a boil. 3. Reduce heat to medium and cook until rhubarb is tender (about 5 minutes). 4. In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and remaining water, stirring until smooth. 5. Gradually add to the rhubarb mixture, return to a boil, and cook until thickened. Remove from heat and set aside. 6. In a large bowl, combine oats, flour, coconut, salt, and remaining brown sugar. Stir in butter until mixture is crumbly. 7. Press half of the oat mixture into the prepared baking dish, spread rhubarb mixture on top, then sprinkle with remaining oat mixture. 8. Bake 25–30 minutes until golden brown. Cool completely before enjoying!
–Kaitlyn M.
“Drew and his family took great care of ours! The new water system they installed works great, it’s easy to maintain, and, most importantly, my family has pure, clean drinking water from any faucet in the house. The price was surprisingly reasonable, and their response time is well above average. After our water treatment system was installed, I had a few follow-up questions. I picked up the phone, and on that one call, I got all the answers I needed. If you’re looking for a lifetime water solution, I recommend Drew and his team. You won’t be disappointed.”
–Wendy W.
“Our service guy was right on time with the extra filter we needed. He tested everything and was clear about the results (all good). We couldn’t be happier with Watercure USA. I think they’re more customer service-oriented than the other guys (rhymes with mulligan). Thanks, Drew and crew.”
The Good News “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23
–Mary G.
Thanks so much for your kind feedback! It means a lot to our family, and we can’t wait to serve you again soon.
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www.WatercureUSA.com
318 Center Street Lockport, NY 14094
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INSIDE This Issue
2 Revolvers, One Lunatic
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Caring for Pets Brings Health and Happiness Secrets Your Hairstylist Won’t Tell You About Hard Water
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First-Time Homeowners Love Watercure USA! Rhubarb Oat Bars
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5 Ways to Increase Your Family’s Fitness
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Get Fit With Your Family
5 EASY WAYS TO GET EVERYONE MOVING
May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. As a parent, you probably know exercise is important for your children’s physical development. It helps build healthy bones, muscles, and joints and reduces the risk of developing diabetes and other diseases later in life. But did you know that physical activity also has many mental and behavioral health benefits? It’s been shown to improve children’s cognitive skills and concentration, boost their self-esteem, and reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. One of the best ways to encourage healthy behaviors in your children is by modeling them yourself. Studies have found that more than 80% of adolescents and adults are not getting enough aerobic activity, showing that children often follow in their parents’ footsteps and that exercising together can benefit everyone. You may be thinking it’s hard enough just to get yourself to the gym, but Stephen Virgilio, author of “Active Start for Healthy Kids,” encourages parents not to limit themselves to traditional forms of exercise. Instead, think of exercise more broadly as “leading an active lifestyle.” And remember that exercise can be fun and a great way to get in more family time.
Here are five easy ways to incorporate more movement into your family’s day. 1. Create a walking ritual. Start walking around the neighborhood before or after dinner each night. Aim for a 20-minute stroll. 2.Have a dance party. Clear some space in the living room, make a playlist with everyone’s favorite tunes, and boogie down for as long as you have the energy. 3. Turn chores into games. Dirt has invaded from outer space and must be eliminated. Set the scene with your kids, grab your tools, and get to work removing the enemy while having fun. 4. Incorporate simple exercises into screen time. Start by making up fun names for exercises like situps or jumping jacks. Then, challenge each other to see who can do the most during your favorite show’s commercial breaks. 5.Get fit in the great outdoors. Cleaning up the yard, planting and maintaining a garden, or just running around outside are all great ways to get in more movement.
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DREW: 716-946-3598
LANCE: 716-912-9939
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