Howdy. I read with great interest Judy Patsch's entry for the Message Board concerning the Natchez. I'm writing on this column as the message board is under construction and I'm an idiot in figuring out computer work. I'm on the internet all the time but less on the making it work skill department. (I'll relearn the message board in time, don't drink Vodka...)
So, my question is......during the Tall Stacks time.....by helping the Natchez wouldn't be also helping our great steamboats in the country. Why couldn't certain cities be mapped out and then those cities are incharge of finding whatever volunteers are needed to 'staff the boat'. Have someone from Natchez be there to coordnate the troops. Staffing could be various things, like welcoming, seeing who paid table, greeting guests to the boat open areas, why couldn't caterers be used locally for the food--they make money on the drinks, if it was needed for music--I bet any city's Philharmonic or special music group could make it into a fundraiser with adding more to the ticket price for a "special evening on the Natchez with....thing". (Side note, our city, needs help....it wanted to charge the Natchez a dollar per ticket to dock here the next time. I have almost fainted each time and felt sick. They don't understand the concept of GREAT MARKETING/ADVERTISING WE'RE GETTING FOR THEM BEING HERE AT ANY TIME. It just infuriates me. There are those of us in the city trying to show the little boy politics that you don't do that in our country...they dock for free. UGH. They'll get past it in due time.)
ANYWAY, if there couldn't be another national sponsor to sponsor their tour and do tramp up and down the river, then how about different cities key into that.....find out cost to charter the boat, put it into ticket price, as what we all do anyway, and there could be a special fundraising event or even what each city wants to do.....rent out upstairs for private parties, if downstairs isn't used for storage....which it probably would be...then rent that out at each city. Hey, it isn't a lot of money, but it is some money. Count me in as a charter for our city. I've been keeping our Philharmonic open for a boat to come for months.
It gets the word out about the steamboat, too. Maybe the Governor or Louisiana would give some start up bucks to get the boat from point A to B. I'd say the city of New Orleans, LA, may be strapped for cash right now. I'm just suggesting. I want the boat to come to Evansville, IN, as anyone would want it to come to their city. If it is shortage of help---then, lets help our own. Get volunteer staffing to help, make it a fun event for each city involved--whip it up whatever event is done and SELL tickets. Sell tickets in each city on Ticketweb or someone in their city be responsible for the money. Or sell on ticketmaster like what was done before and settle each closing night in each city before the Natchez goes onward to the next city like they do at concert shows. Each city responsible for what event is on the boat--like a venue for rent that day.
Kids, it is America. And all things are possible if the boat allows it, I'm sure if the insurance company allows it, and who ever is on board. Gordon Stevens, Adrienne Thomas, you know I'm from Evansville, Indiana, and I'd love to have you here. Count me and our city--I'll have to club a few in the head---but, count us in. We love you, talk about you all still in our city, and would love to have you back. Coooooommmmmmeee oonnn, to Indiana. It is just a thought. Glad to air this out in the open. I'll call you Adrienne Thomas on Monday, May 15, 2006, and see if we can get something shaking on this. I don't know what the Tall Stacks folks would have to say about contract arrangements---but, get a life. If we can help these folks, save a national treasure in our country....then, please allow us to do that. If they can do a river tramp--come tramp with us. If they need to tramp some cities up and some cities down to New Oreans, LA, or deadhead up to Cincinnati, OH, then come back down on tramp.....
Thanks, that is all today, I'm sticking to my story, and now I must say to all who it applies to "Have a Happy Mother's Day". Mary K. Hukill
