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22/10/2007 12:17 pm
Many thanks to Kenny Howe for a terrific and fascinating program at the Howard Steamboat Museum on Saturday evening, presented for the fall meeting of the Middle Ohio River Chapter of the Sons and Daughters of Pioneer Rivermen. Kenny's great slides chronicled such river happenings -- and his involvement with them as engineer on the DELTA QUEEN and/or with the marine repair department of Jeffboat -- as the 1971 accident when the DQ's wheel was greatly damaged at Tell City, the launching of the GENERAL JACKSON, the breaking of the DQ's paddlewheel shaft in 1980 and replacement with the wheel shaft from the DELTA KING, and the sinking and raising of the BELLE OF LOUISVILLE in 1997. Also included were numerous scenes of the construction and early days of the MISSISSIPPI QUEEN. One vintage scene was of the Str. AVALON behind the Greene Line wharfboat with the DQ alongside and a story to go with it about two young men (Kenny and longtime friend Jim Reising) bitten with the steamboat bug, who had an amusing "almost river and rail adventure". Kenny provided excellent "first hand" commentary and there were many questions from the enthralled audience. He has lots more slides and I've already asked him to do a future program on my River Ramblings series!
The meeting, ably presided over by MOR president Mike Jones, was preceded with a wonderful box supper, catered by Bob Howe, Kenny and Ginger's son. I well remember the night in 1972 when Kenny was waiting on the wharf when the BELLE came in from a night cruise, excited and eager to tell us that he had just become a proud papa. And now that baby is 35 years old!!! The balmy fall weather provided for a very pleasant evening in the museum's 1880's carriage house and, as usual, it was a nice time of fellowship and fun when river people gather.
Don't forget upcoming events at the museum: Harlan Hubbard Art exhibit opens on Sunday, November 4th, with program at 2:30. The Christmas Open House will be on Sunday, December 9th, at 1:00 PM. Y'all come!
22/10/2007 11:42 pm
Saturday evening at Howards was a dream come true; Loretta Howard's dream.
Thanks to Keith and Eyvonne Knight the museum has fulfilled Mrs. Howard's vision of what the museum would be, a gathering place for river friends to chat and to learn. How proud she would have been to see one of her "boys" (she used to call Kenny and me her "boys") shine. I wish she could have been there.
23/10/2007 6:05 pm
I bet it was a splendid event for certain!
I'm mightily disappointed to have missed it, but am heartily lodging a call for "encore!" at a future River Ramblings.
23/10/2007 8:51 pm
Yes, it was one of our best "river gatherings" yet! We had a very productive meeting on Saturday morning to throw out some ideas for future adventures. Many ideas will be taken into consideration. Many enjoyed an inside look at Jeff Boat after that. Our poor guide was bombarded with many questions at once. It was his first tour, but he did a great job. After that it was off to lunch at Kingfish. Before the evening program so wonderfully done by Kenny, Mike Jones had brought along an audio tape of a program done by a radio station in Cincinnati about the ISLAND QUEEN. And our box supper couldn't have been better prepared. Lots of meat on the sandwich with fresh lettuce along with all kinds of sides, pasta salad, a bowl of fruit, chips and a delicious brownie for dessert. And we topped off the weekend with a Sunday afternoon cruise on the BELLE OF LOUISVILLE to perfect weather!
We enjoyed the company of some new folks who hopefully if they haven't already joined soon will.
Thanks to all for the preparation and thanks to those who participated.
24/10/2007 2:56 pm
Steamboating colleagues:
I CONCUR with all above. The weekend MOR meeting, meeting, program was incredible. Kenny Howe's presentation was like no other and he winnowed his slide photos down to the nitty gritty covering: 1. Rebuilding of the DELTA QUEEN's paddlewheel at JEFFBOAT. 2. Building/completion of the MISSISSIPPI QUEEN showing installation of her engines. 3. BELLE OF LOUISVILLE slides of the unfortunate sinking and restoration. 4. Other projects accomplished by the company including nuclear reactor components. Kenny showed us how a huge paddlewheel was laid out, built and lifted into place. This would be one fine program for a future S&D of Pioneer Rivermen meeting.
*Special thanks for all of the arrangements, hard work, hospitality and attention given MOR by Yvonne Knight and Keith Norrington...two dedicated Howard Museum personalities who are always ON DECK.
Cheers,
R. Dale Flick