Howdy, y'all, it is bright sunny weather here in southern Indiana, western Kentucky, and southern Illinois.  After last night's terrific storms, this sunshine is appreciated. Although, we broke 84 degrees before lunch.....so, it is going to be muggy.

Mammoth Marine officials yesterday announced that they are on their second extension of their purchase agreement contract.  Pulling together the financing for them in this volital market has been challenging.  It is expected the Owensboro, Kentucky, project to be about $90 million dollars.   President Deborah Dewey, is fully aware that this land could be of interest to other companies and is doing all 'her group' can do to finish the closing after all of the financing is secured.   It will be a Barge Manufacturer with 150 jobs expected.  Nick Brake of the Owensboro Economic Development Corporation states having two extensions is normal in this size of a real estate deal.  (Yep, that is true, it is in one of my purchase agreements to do such for a commerical property.)  This Mammoth Marine will be a Shipyard and have a fleet of 100 Barges states Ms. Dewey.  She also reiterates that it is far less expensive for companies to move product along a river and says the Ohio River is a great resource for barge traffic use. 

Some more news along the Ohio River confirmed also this week that the sale of the Casino Aztar in Evansville, Indiana, will take a tad longer from the bankruptcy position it is in with other Columbia-Sussex parts.  So, instead of June 26, 2008, being the target date of the $245 million dollar sale, it may not be until September 2008 that the Eldorado bunch from Reno, Nevada, can secure that deal.  When they do purchase the Casino and change the name to "Eldorado", they anticipate putting in $20 million dollars of new slots and doing at least $6 million dollars of marketing to introduce their company to the area, states CEO of Eldorado Resorts and Casino Bob Jones.  The Anderson, Indiana, "Hoosier Park" is opening and that was a Casino in addition to the Race track and it is superb, by all statements.  It is run by the same first manager, Jim Brown, that use to run for about 11 years Casino Aztar before it had new owners. 

So, lots going on in this part of the country.  If you want to inquire about jobs at Mammoth Marine, please call the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation at 270-926-4339 and ask for Melissa.  No matter how many times you email me, this is all I know about Mammoth Marine.  Please contact the phone number I gave and they will help you to the right folks on this.  Mammoth Marine hasn't closed yet.....but, the Owensboro folks give names/phone numbers/requests to the Mammoth Marine folks and they can help you.  Good Luck.

Well, enjoy the summer weather starting...with the weather the way it has been, I'm sure we'll see sizzling weather this year.  Get the shorts out, the lemonade and the floppy hats.  Mary

Yee, Ha! when you thought the party couldn't get any more rousing.  I was told by Kelly Blazoski, of the Marietta, Ohio CVB, that on June 12, 2008, when they have their rally for the Delta Queen, they'll also have music, can sign petitions, speakers, and guess what.  The American Sternwheelers Association will be there with a resolution showing their support....don't know how many boats will be there from the group.  Hope it is a Flotila.  If you have any questions on this event call the CVB at 1-800-288-2577.  This should be a rousing event for all.  Come if you can.  Mary

Howdy, y'all, there are some towns in this part of the country that are just top of the line for river vessels and Madison, Indiana is one of them.  Just like Henderson,  and Paducah, Kentucky.  They out shine the others.  The others do love river vessels but these towns just have it together.

Madison, Indiana, Executive Director Linda Lytle of the CVB reports that their rally was a huge success....the Delta Queen can always dock here any time.  She states that there was music, signs, 200 signatures collected, trolley rides to downtown and sites, Captain Valley was around to help greet folks....their town river boat mascot from a local bank called River Valley Bank.  Ann, the CVB Marketing Director states all went well with the festivities.  Linda Lytle gave out some great news that House Rep. Baron Hill was also there to speak and he mentioned that it was his thought that the House Representatives will bring the Exemption vote up again in Congress.

That is great news!!

So, the Delta Queen may have some great opportunity to get another vote on the House floor and possibly pass instead of squeaking a vote loss.  This is exciting news.  Thanks, Madison, Indiana, for putting on a great Rally for the Delta Queen.

These gals at the CVB are great and I'm sure other towns wish they had such a great team to work with.  I know that our Evansville CVB is right up there with them.

Thanks to Madison, Indiana, for displaying their true love for the Delta Queen.  Mary

Howdy, we're the state where the Indianapolis 500 race is KING this weekend, but the Delta Queen in southern Indiana and western Kentucky has stolen the show for the moment.  The Evansville Courier and Press newspaper had a great editorial on "Save the Queen" that was WONDERFUL.  It rocked.  Then, on Saturday had a follow up on the festivities in Henderson, Kentucky in the newspaper again.  WHEW.  It also was on shown on our TV news of WEHT--Channel 25,  and a long story on WTVW--Fox 7 news.  The Delta Queen got plenty of head shot, panning shots, shots of folks with "Save the Delta Queen" on posters.  A rep from House Representative Ed Whitfield's office from the Henderson, Ky, area was there on hand to greet the boat and tell of why the exemption means so much to our area for the Delta Queen.  It was a great day for the Queen.  Our media wants to show support and show that we appreciate the times, the many times that the Delta Queen stops by our great neighbor Henderson, Kentucky.  Marcia Eblen, the Henderson Tourism Executive Director asked everyone to sign the petitions and to for sure call the office of House rep. James Oberstar.  There were even enemies of river boating from Evansville that came to cheer the Delta Queen on.....now, that was strange, but hey, welcome to folks in helping to save the Queen.  So, the support here is unanimus to save the Queen....no doubt the passengers aboard the boat felt that this part of the country does love the great mighty Queen.  God Save the Queen and God Save America, and on this weekend of honor, God Bless America.  Mary 

Howdy Folks, looks like Carmen was ahead of me on this one.....the Evansville Courier Press newspaper had a great article in the Sunday Front page of the Delta Queen coming to dock in Henderson, Ky.  It has a great story, interviews, and yep, a video of the docking.  We've come a long way, baby.  This newspaper editor likes and appreciates riverboats....well, steamboats.  He says either you get it or you don't get it.  That is right.  If you love them, you love them.  If you don't, I'm sure it is another thing that makes your crank turn.  I'm so proud of our local newspaper in being objective on this subject.  Hope you see the article entitled "Queen's Course Irks Riders" in the www.evansvillecourierpress.com   It is the internet section.  The Delta Queen was in Henderson, Ky, on Saturday, and they had a lot going on in that town over the weekend so it was a great time to dock.

Front page in the newspaper, and a great photo in the article, too.  Mary