Howdy!  Just a note that in our Ohio River Region will keep going forward in expanding the horizons.  A group of businessmen along the bend part of the river near our downtown is talking about how that area can be updated for expansion of barge traffic, business to transport goods, and railway system use.  It is about 13 or 14 parcels of land.  The businesses along there is rock, sand, railroad, old bridge for the greenway project,  utility company, and other sundry businesses.    I don't know much about the first meeting they had, but it possibly is to make it into a harbor or bigger barge stopping place.

A grade school and high school classmate is the Depty Commerce agent, of the Secretary of Commerce Department.  He is David A. Sampson, and is a fellow Texan of President Bush.  David was hand picked for his position by President Bush.  Anyway, David comes to town every so often to rub elbows with the other business folks and talk about some economic development.  I went ahead and emailed him the few days later when he was in North Carolina for a speech.  I mentioned to him about river boats, steamboats, yachts and so on and what I've been trying to bring to Evansville, IN, and the region for the past two years.  Yep, I told him about the many, many trials and triumphs in getting boats here.  I told him that I'd keep pressing onward.  He's excited that we'd finally get some great boats in the area.  I agree.    He suggested that to expand this area that our area keep in contact with the folks in Chicago, IL, to further economic development.  I hope our folks do take that advice.  It will be a matter of time.

It is a matter of time for the river boats, again.  In 2005 out of five boats coming my company got two of them in.  For 2006, one boat I cancelled due to conditions here, one owner and I agreed to wait out til January 2007 to come to make sure the boat is coming in a great condition--which that Captain was just here today to check out the marina I was told for 2007,  two boats did get in, and two others just didn't get in from one sponsor cutting his original monies and the other sponsor just didn't fit the situation best, it was felt by all. 

So, you just reload.  Heck, in the past forty years we've only seen three boats here, and a St. Louis, Mo, boat was here for a private function.  That is it.  Not counting the River Barge Excursion folks who docked at the Angel Mounds Boat ramp, or so I was told.  So, that is all our city has seen.  I was bringing in one year more than what we would have seen in 40 years.  That is how some are geared here.  We're suppose to be impressed with just a few in 40 years.  Baloney.  The rest of us went to other cities--YOURS to see and cruise on boats.  So, a group of us believe that in 2007, we'll get to start back up and bring some more in here, again.  For 2008 it should definitely rock in this river region.  Now, Henderson, KY, and Mt. Vernon and Tell City, IN, have been getting the Queen series for years.  In our city, you'd think the boats just came off the press for some.  Yep.  Just invented water.    So, that is what I have to work/deal with.  Small thinkers and producers.  It is easier for those folks to down trod someone, anyone bringing anything new to this area. 

In 2007 we should have some other boat up and down the Ohio River Region.  My clients have been looking at different boats for sale for almost a year, now.  We came close to one boat a month ago.  They are looking at three boats now and will soon decide if they are proceeding on a boat or not, by Thursday.  I check out the financing on Monday.  I'm excited.  These guys and another family want to bring something fresh to our river region.  I agree.  It is in that way that our river is vibrant.  Forty years is a long time to just have a few boats here.  Of course, your cities prospered from that.  I'm going to bring in more boats to spread the money around, cross market, add some excitement to the river in our area.  I keep reloading.  In 2007 you'll start seeing more in our Ohio River Region.  We want boats here.  Our public does and I'm going to bring that product to them.  We've now seen what docks and marinas to not use and which one to use.  It has been a process.  A lawyer and accountant is now always at hand quicker and will oversee what they need to do on each boat.  I've had to learn tighter techniques.  Keep in there.  Our public and I want you here and we'll get you here.  Schedules would even be great to start setting, be it a year behind now, but heck, for forty years we didn't have a darn thing but three boats.  Whoppie.  Having boats here on a great schedule each year or every other year would be great.  I've got a great contact in Washington, D.C. in the Commerce Department.  I keep our state Commerce Department aware of getting boats here and our great Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman, who is over our state's tourism department.  They want to see great boating here, and by golly, we'll get you here.  Just keep in there.  The public is wily, getting anxious, and wants them in here no matter who doesn't.  I'm seeing sponsors getting the picture better I need their help and that this does help economic development.  And jobs.  I've had folks wanting to make pin money for the past two years.  They want you here!!

Marker 797, the Nu Plaza Yacht Club and the Dogtown Boat Ramp.  Mr. Jim Hall at 812-483-2536.  He's treated me with great respect, courteous, and even found/bought an extra part to get one of the boats to dock here.  Now, that is a great guy.  Positive, legal licenses--yes, we've called to make sure.  A competitor keeps asking about licenses and float plans.  I question why someone else is questioning the boats and the marina having proper liceneses.  I'd said that person's license isn't up to snuff.  My company will call, as does the marina, the proper authorities just to make sure licensing is correct.  And, you boat operators ususally do your own float plans a week ahead of time, so that should be okay, too, so far.

So, fasten those seatbelts, get those helmuts on, as we do the G-Force of 9 to 12 miles per hour down and up the river and watch us grow.  You'll glow just like we will.  Mary.

Howdy!  I evidently received a comment on my blog and will respond.  After next weekend, I'll take the time to go over this web blog and chat page area with my password and stuff with my brother.  He knows about computers pretty well.....I'm not too good on them.  But, work daily with emails in business---now, that I need!!  So, forgive me, and I'll learn this thing next weekend.

To the person who sent me a memo:  All I know is what I read or hear from our local media.  They are on this story like a hot potato oozing with butter hopes it is on a plate.  (?)  Anyway, in the news story of our local paper, the Evansville Courier, it states that the company owning the Mississippi Queen offered to folks full refunds is they didn't want to continue their trip.  Some took the offer, and most didn't.  Believe it or not, the boat capacity was at 528 intoday's story and yesterday it was at 380.  So, who knows.    The Food and Drug Admisistration and a staff of epidemiologists are going to investigate the disease.  Now, I don't know how much someone travels, but when there is an investigation of a disease, there will be a sanitizing done and the FDA will make that efficient.  I'm sure that the company doesn't want reinfection and will take every precaution to follow the instructions of the FDA.  I can't speak for the company, but know that as a fellow business person, they'd make every precaution to make it as safe for the present passengers still on board and the ones coming next.  There were some passengers that were sick and still wanted to stay on the boat and were told that they'd have to stay in their rooms for the next three days.  Others were asked to get medical treatment off the boat.   If the passengers were sick, and I'm not sure how all of this went on, if those passengers received treatment they didn't/suggest/whatever to return the rest of the trip.  Bottom line, once the Feds get in there, the boat will be sanitzed and it should all well.  Reinfection shouldn't happen.  To the guy that emailed.....I don't have a clue which decks were involved.  The main thing in life is to always wash your hands.  If you fly in a jet, you take precautions.  It is the same any which way one would travel.  i contantly wash my hands and have for years carried handiwipes in the trunk of my car after shaking customer's hands.  Just take precautions.  I'd say a newly santized boat would make me feel very comfortable.  They aren't clearing unless it is considered sanitized.  Match that up with any jet you fly on.  The MQ minimized the spread of the virus by using prepackaged food, closing public restrooms, and installing hand sanitizing stations throughout the boat---ya' see, my handiwipes idea isn't off the wall.  I've done handiwipes for years.  I don't trust where folks hands have been--I don't care who I offend on that.  And, sir, there were 20 medical folks who met the boat at the dock plust about another 80 folks who worked at the Hospital ER and emergency workers who were well prepared even before the boat got in Henderson, Ky.  Our area treats these Queen Series boats as rock stars.  We want them to come back again, and again.  Our area is darn sure that we are going to help the passengers feel like they are royalty.  They are ambassadors to others how they were treated here.  And, I'm sure that the MQ, the AQ, and the DQ does the same thing.  This wasn't a yearly occurance.  It just happended and that is that.  So, I'd go on that trip this fall or next and enjoy the great leaves.   The color this year is spectacular in our area.  Best in years.  Email me again if you need to....and to the rest of the folks, I'll learn to use the Message Board thing yet.  My brother will help me.......Haven't taken the time to read the instructions sent about a month ago.  Ugh.  I apologize, Franz.  I'll read it for next weekends jaunt on the internet to correct and tend to.  Always something more to do.  Laundry and vacumning today.  WHEE, what joy!   Mary

Howdy, been busy today.....but saw the news tonight on TV.  From what I understand the Mississippi Queen had passengers a couple of days ago sick and they first docked at Owensboro, KY, and left off some sick passengers for the hospital.  Then, the boat or someone got in contact with Henderson, Ky, Methodist Hospital, where emergency personel reacted by getting the Hospital ER unit ready, about 20 medical responders met the boat with buses and ambulances to transport folks from the boat when able, all medical folks wore masks, several doctors were called in to respond.  From indications of the Evansville Courier newspaper, yes, they had a front page story and big color photo on back of front section, and from the other news media, the Mississippi Queen left Henderson this afternoon and headed for Paducah, Ky, where the CDC will meet to see where/how this virus may have started and is it contained on such a small and confined setting.  Supposedly, two doctors are traveling with the boat to be of service.  There were symptons of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, lots of dehydration.    Even a former editor of our newspaper was one of the passengers on board.   It is alleged that there were 380 passengers on board and between 35 to 50 got sick, with it being for sure about 35 folks.  You know how news stories can go.....up to fifty folks affected.  The boat was going from Cincinnati, OH, to St. Louis, MO, for a fall foilage cruise.    Public dining rooms were closed.  Passengers still staying on the boat were to be checked again to keep watch of other break outs.  Rails, door knobs, anything continually getting contact was advised to be aware of the risk of spreading the virus, expected to be the Norfalk virus.....I don't know the spelling....the one on the large cruise ships.   Folks seemed to be in good spirits even with the break out.  Some folks left in Taxis, but don't know if that was departing folks.  I'm sure that the situation was handled greatly by the Mississippi Queen staff.  The folks here will jump at helping the boats as everyone now realizes, and I'm talking two years of a grind to get the word out more,  the importance to be of service to any of the Queen series.  As a matter of fact, today the Alcoa company helped clean out Pigeon creek and entry ways to help clean up the waterways.  Folks realize the economic development and in a faster gear than in the past.    Supposedly there were about 100 medical responders to be there just incase the folks needed any assistance.  There are a few still in the hospital, but it is mostly dehydration in effect.  So, when the CDC (Center for Disease Control) goes over the boat with some medical folks, I'm sure they'll find out what can be done.  I hope the best on that one.

Well, that is all I know.  Was out on errands today, the sunny skies, the gorgeous leaves on the trees made it for a terrific day to be out and enjoy the autumn day.  I told you what I know and that is all I've heard or read.

Our area, in time, will prove its worth in being more of a service to the river boats, steamboats, and yachts in our country.  Henderson, Ky, has a leg up on all of us, as does Mt. Vernon and Tell City, IN.  Owensboro, KY, in two years will be a definite powerhouse.  Evansville, IN, we'll do the best we can.....slowly, folks are trying to improve the river banks, the waterways around the Ohio River, and certainly everyone, the cities, are working to make their water fronts and improved docking situations shine.

Up here, if you have any questions, call Jim Hall at 812-483-2536, of the Nu Plaza Yacht Club, at marker 797, who also helps with the Dogtown Boat Ramp.  He has the largest private marina in this area and has some impressive clients that stop by from Chicago to Florida.  Henderson, Ky, and the staff at the Methodist Hospital will help the Mississippi Queen passengers with a lot of care and concern.  They'd be precious cargo to us in this area.  Hope the best for those passengers who got sick.  And, hope the others are able to still enjoy something from their cruise.  The leaves here are spectacular at this time.  Best I've seen in years!!  Mary