Howdy, I just finished going down the list of House of Representatives and the Senators to do the 'Save the Queen' campaign.  It doesn't take too long to write out a few lines to these folks.  Turn on some great music in the background to make it more enjoyable.  I found out in the finance business one time, when state legislators were deciding to change the percentage our industry could charge folks it made a heap of difference if the legislators got some or any response from folks about their cause.  Yep, sometimes the squeaky wheel gets the grease.  I found that if you keep that cause in front of them they'll remember it.  May not be in  your favor, but they'll remember it.  So, take the time to go right down that line/list of names and just pound out a few lines to them.  You'll be glad that you did. 

Hey, heard a rumor on TV that the Queen series was coming to Grandview, Indiana this year to help them celebrate their 200th city anniversary.  Hope that is true.  That is exciting.  All three boats will be there, the Mississippi Queen, the American Queen, and the great Delta Queen.  I don't know the date, but anyone in Spencer County or Grandview could probably tell you.  Now, that would be some sight!

Hope you all are enjoying the summer so far.  Global warming is preluding us to some hot stuff.  In a couple of weeks, they're projecting 97 degrees and up already.  Geez.  What will July be like. 

We're all working hard to redo the river fronts in Western Kentucky and Southern Indiana.  Once they are all done, you'll like what you see.  It will be something.  And, some, like we did, will be adding bike paths along the river front.  Now, we're talking.  Two river fronts will have some sort of fountains or water spouts.  SO, that will be nice.  Our Casino boat thought of gutting out the downstairs, which is facing the river, and making it into a bar scene/restaurant.  It has been scrapped lately, but I hope that if they resell the buisness (casino) that they will do the development.  Folks would sit along the river and see the Ohio River and its traffic as they eat and drink.  Now, that's entertainement.  So, we'll see. 

Well, write to those Politicians.  It won't take too much time and you will have made an impact.  Each letter counts.  I only did a few lines per person.  Enjoy the weather and have a great summer along the River. Mary

Howdy, it has been a time since writing and even late on this announcement.  Henderson, Kentucky, is starting to tear down old trees and structures to clear the way for a neat riverfront.  It was recently announced that they'll starting getting another phase of $10 million dollars to help enhance the best river front area in our region.  Henderson, Kentucky is giddy and quietly striving onward to keep building the best docking area for the Queen series.  Our area town, the largest in two to three hours, get to have buses come and pick up passengers to see what we have to offer in new museums and such.  Our city is giddy in having them come each time and appreciate it, that's Evansville, Indiana.

Our local newspaper puts out a visitors guide that is about 100 pages in length about what events we have for the summer months.  We live in a tristate so we see events for Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois.   Our area Chamber of Commerce recently visited the Cincy USA folks to see how to better market a region.  The trip there to Cincinnati, Oh, was interesting to them and wraps up also visiting Louisville, KY, and Nashville, TN, in past years.  The striking picture in the booklet almost made me loose my teeth.  It was the same picture of the Delta Queen when it came, under past owners, and it was BEAUTIFUL.  Steam, well, black smoke, was billowing out the stakes coming down the river.  And, they were kind to mention the river boat company's schedule for all to see.  These booklets are sent to people, placed in Hotel rooms in our city, and given to other groups that have or cater to visitors.  So, the Queen series will get national play on it.  Now, after three long fighting years, our newspaper wants to help bring in river boats, well, the Queen series.  I almost fainted.  But, was so glad that someone out there was thinking.  The article does mention that we get buses from Henderson, Ky, of the Queen series passengers to come here.  We appreciate it.  Our local CVB gives your passengers goodie bags so that they'll remember their small stay here.    Plain out, if I could build you a better dock, I'd do it.  Just don't know how to get that done.  Believe it or not, we open the area facing the river for Canoe races, Rubber Duck races, and Hydroplane Races.   Yep, rubber duck races.  Our city hasn't embraced the idea of seeing riverboats, yet, and I keep in there.  BUT,  they are turning the corner, seeing their foot shot, and want to reach out and see how to make it work.  Yep, we're turning a great corner.  Small minds take time to change.  It will be a great day coming.  We've got the River Barge Excursion folks (Explorer) coming and the Belle of Cincinnati.  So, we're coming down the pike on this issue.  We can race INDY cars on ethanol but taking longer to embrace what made our country tick on river commerce, bringing showboats to settlers in the past history, and what made our country great on the Ohio River.  I think it is great that the newspaper booklet has a listing of what schedule the Queen series has and we're turning a corner.  It is great news.  I keep in there.  I believe that in time the Ohio River Region in our area will be spectacular and thrive with a lot of river boats visiting.  It will take time.  Yes, its two and a half years behind, BUT, it will happen.  We're not turning back, now.   Queen Series, please come and see how you'll be treated.  Yep, Henderson, Ky, is okay, too, as we're a region.  We'll figure out a way for your passengers to dock safely yet.  I've asked in the past for an additonal barge effect dock, but not one positive response on that.  Not even connected with the LST 325.  But, keep in there.  We'll all find a way, eventually.  There's a way, just got to find it.   Mary