[Keith Norrington]

It's a beautiful morning here at the Howard Museum and the sun is sparkling on the Ohio like diamonds. On both sides of the river things are "abuzz" with preparations for the annual Thunder Over Louisville Fireworks and Air Show tomorrow. Planes have been zooming and ROARING over the mansion for the past few days as they practice for the air extravaganza! I wonder, what would the Howard's who built this mansion in the 1890's think if they could but see...

To add to this glorious morning, I just had a visit from a generous donor who brought us some unique steamboat souvenirs, including a rusty and very HEAVY door from the boiler room of the wrecked Str. SPRAGUE, a stirrup from her sternwheel, a wooden life float and a cork life jacket, a box of duplicate steamboat magazines (to be sold in the gift shop) and a framed station bill from the Str. AVALON (today's BELLE of LOUISVILLE) signed by Capt. Ernie Wagner.

What a great day --- and it's not even noon!

Happy Steamboating!