[Keith Norrington]

A belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Judy Patsch, who celebrated her "three score and three" -- on the Pacific Coast this year instead of the Mississippi River -- this past Saturday, September 26th.

Also today marks the 92nd birthday of Cincinnati steamboat buff extraordinaire, and gentleman, Larry Walker. For MANY years, Larry, his late wife Ethel, and the late Dorothea Frye, made annual fall pilgrimages to New Orleans for a two week southern sojourn, riding steamboats, taking side trips to visit plantations, even shopping at yard sales -- and generally just having a wonderful time in dear old Dixieland! This trio also made many trips on the DELTA QUEEN in the 1950's and '60's era -- and Dorothea ran the gift shop during the 1966 season as a favor to her good friend, Mrs. Letha C. Greene. Larry is a former member of S&D and was treasurer of the organization for some 17 years of his 40+ years membership, a post to which he was greatly devoted and his duties professionally performed in every way.

A long a two shorts of the whistle to both -- and a jaunty, delightfully offkey steamy rendition of the birthday song on the ol' cally-ope!