[AJ Richardson]

Hi Gang,

Word has just reached me (thank you Capt. Steve)that congrats are in order for Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Jones who were recently married aboard the 1931 built diesel propeller towboat J.S. Lewis (ex Str. VESTA). The couple has been dating for some few years and decided to take the "plung". Nelson is best known for being President of Madison Coal and Supply Company of Port Amherst, WV. Nelson has been instrumental in saving alot of the older diesel sternwheelers and early diesel prop towboats and runs these boats daily on the Gnaw. A quick glance at the Inland River Record shows some of the neat old vessels in the MCS fleet: M/V's Fred Way, J.S.Lewis, Solvay, Dr. Edwin Welch, Drema G. Woods, Major, Laura J, Lady Lois, Charleston, Derrick boat 51 and I'm sure I'm missing a couple. Robyn had worked with the C.O.E. at Marmet lock and dam and now has her unlimited master license for inland rivers. The couple is Honeymooning aboard the J.S. Lewis. Anyone who knows Nelson and Robyn know that two finer river folks would be hard to find. I do wonder though if Robyn has been able to get Nelson to turn his cell phone off during their honeymoon. It's normally glued to his ear!

My best to both of you and congratulations!

Aaron