Howdy Folks. Havent' forgotten about ya'. Just getting through the first of the year and all of the planning one has to do....and, it has been a planner month, indeed. Our Ohio River area use to be tops in the world around 1900.....so, for a while we've been stagnant but last few years there's been quite an upwind on commercial river traffic. Now, our city is slowly tapping into our river history and what made us great in this part of the country.
Changes we're doing include: a new CVB board of commissioners that will make this area sizzle. I'm impressed with the board and hope for the best. Now, the Executive Director can do her job more effectively, in my opinion, and has shown that in the past few boats I've had her talk to for docking clearance. What a major difference. We're nearing joining the rest of the country. WHHHEEEEEE!!!!!!! Stayed tuned til 2006 is over.
Our new Port Authority is feeling its way around with only a few meetings. But, somehow will appoint a maritime contract to someone to help run the 'dock' and area surrounding us in the river. They've looked at an Indianapolis Maritime company....no word yet if they've chosen a company. And, they were to set prices for boat visitors, like the boats I charter, and some may be charged to be there....this will be interesting. I hope they keep with wisdom, what the rest of the country does, and hope for the best in the growing process. The attitude is much better than it was last year. Some corner has been turned, but not sure what as of yet. In the process the area river fronts and docks are working harder to get themselves repositioned for great docking uses also.
Our river front may get an expanded bike path to lead up to the new Municipal dock and help the LST 325 get some business. The Executive Director did acknowledge to me that their boat 'got' some advertisement from the Natchez docking next to it. Say, what. We got a lot of mention of it and any and all mention they should graciously thank the boats. In time, that will work it self out. I'm glad for the help all the area volunteers did to help when the Natchez came to dock. They are still learning about Homeland Security, but I realize the next boats will correct that real fast to them. That will wake some up. This is a business and Homeland Security is an important facet. I followed it and they will too.
I'm going to give you a website of a photo gallery to watch of river boats we use to get years ago.....and the library stuck a picture of the LST 325 in the middle of this photo gallery. Ya' see what I have to work with. Anywhere the river boats go.....the LST 325 goes.....like a shadow.....whew......I'm married to it and don't know it, yet. Mary had a little lamb.....it goes where I go.....everywhere an LST. They need the help also. And, I was one in the background to help cheer that boat to be here...ya' think they'd understand that concept.....geez, get the money to be here/not get the money to be here....hhmmmmmm, how is that hard to understand. Anyway, we'll all work it out somehow.
Well, in time I'll go to our local CVB for some great photos and you'll see an old wooden boat steering wheel, some Jeffboat models of boats that were built in Jeffersonville, IN......I'll take the time soon, have been busy, more than I thought on getting these river boats here.....it is tough building Mt. Everest., and here is a website to check out some neat boats that visited us on the Ohio River in years past: www.willard.lib.in.us, hit "search database", then click on the inbox of "ohio river/riverfronts" and you'll see such riverboats that came: the Avalon (one of the most remembered for dances), the Chaperon Riverboat, the Delta Queen, the Kankakee Riverboat, the John S. Hopkins, some ferries and river barges, and the Evanville Boosters and river club. The librarian at Willard Library states this is just a small sampling of photos they have and have a lot on steamboats available. So, guess where another trip is sometime. And, in the middle of these photos....notice the LST 325. Yep, we built them, so they are a part of the river and river front history.
Well, talk to you soon....trying to tie down some boats that are coming and want them to come visit us. We're lonely here on the river. We want as many boats to come as we can get. By 2007 we'll have a great schedule. You'll be proud. 2006, I'm just trying to get them in this area to say "howdy". Well, off to find that wonderful word called sponsors. The ones with the money, honey. We've got boats to come and I've got to get them paid. Check out that website....you'll see some great boats on it. Til, then, enjoy yourself, have some sweet smelling hot brownies, and get those toots from the stacks starting 'cause its going to be a great year. Your river friend, Mary.
