[Keith Norrington]

Many thanks to Kenny Howe for a terrific and fascinating program at the Howard Steamboat Museum on Saturday evening, presented for the fall meeting of the Middle Ohio River Chapter of the Sons and Daughters of Pioneer Rivermen. Kenny's great slides chronicled such river happenings -- and his involvement with them as engineer on the DELTA QUEEN and/or with the marine repair department of Jeffboat -- as the 1971 accident when the DQ's wheel was greatly damaged at Tell City, the launching of the GENERAL JACKSON, the breaking of the DQ's paddlewheel shaft in 1980 and replacement with the wheel shaft from the DELTA KING, and the sinking and raising of the BELLE OF LOUISVILLE in 1997. Also included were numerous scenes of the construction and early days of the MISSISSIPPI QUEEN. One vintage scene was of the Str. AVALON behind the Greene Line wharfboat with the DQ alongside and a story to go with it about two young men (Kenny and longtime friend Jim Reising) bitten with the steamboat bug, who had an amusing "almost river and rail adventure". Kenny provided excellent "first hand" commentary and there were many questions from the enthralled audience. He has lots more slides and I've already asked him to do a future program on my River Ramblings series!

The meeting, ably presided over by MOR president Mike Jones, was preceded with a wonderful box supper, catered by Bob Howe, Kenny and Ginger's son. I well remember the night in 1972 when Kenny was waiting on the wharf when the BELLE came in from a night cruise, excited and eager to tell us that he had just become a proud papa. And now that baby is 35 years old!!! The balmy fall weather provided for a very pleasant evening in the museum's 1880's carriage house and, as usual, it was a nice time of fellowship and fun when river people gather.

Don't forget upcoming events at the museum: Harlan Hubbard Art exhibit opens on Sunday, November 4th, with program at 2:30. The Christmas Open House will be on Sunday, December 9th, at 1:00 PM. Y'all come!