Holiday Greetings!

*Holiday Best Wishes To All*

Steamboating colleagues:
Let me add my heartfelt best wishes to you all for a safe, pleasant, healthy Holiday season and prosperous New Year, 2012. I've sent out a ton of Christmas, Hannukah, Russian Orthodox cards notes from here. Our thoughts for those now departed, alone, ill or in extremis. Bless our returning military forces and those recovering or receiving long-term therapy for war injuries. Keep our .org family close for the New Year. Remember those away on boats, ships of war or trade separated from loved ones 'Bless be the ties that bind.' Ole' Commodore Fred Laidley, Capt. Ellis Mace, stenographer Henrietta Martin and I holding down the fort here on the Big Sandy Wharfboat as the CITY OF LOUISVILLE steams out tonight.
Cheers!

R. Dale Flick
Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River, Cincinnati

How can anyone top what Wesley and Dale wrote, so I'll just wish my best to all for a merry Christmas and a healthy, happy, and prosperous New Year.

Happy Holidays,
Frank

Same wishes from sunny N. Calif. far far from brown waters!
Back to my wallpaper which is the DQ wheel churning up the mighty Miss. Oh to see those grand rollers again!
Steamcerely,
Linda & David Dewey

Frank: How, indeed? Best wishes to all...Cap'n Walnut

Merry Christmas to all from a gloomy New Orleans. I am the duty officer on the CAPE KENNEDY @ Poland Street for the long holiday weekend and just gave the boys on the NATCHEZ a wave as they went by on the 11:30 trip. in the meantime there is quite a bit of traffic going by reminding me that a lot of other folks are working through the holiday season. Stay warm everyone!

*RE: Standing duty at Christmas*

Hi, Jim,
Merry Christmas Eve from chilly, bright, sunny Cincinnati. So, you're standing duty like others on "boats, ships of war and trade."

Your interest in a previous posting RE: plight of the SS KEEWATIN at Saugatuck/Douglas, MI regarding her high stack [funnel] with 'guy wires' on the mark. Pete Sisak, fellow .orger on this thread, shortly after your comments found/forwarded a fine video with music filmed in the KEEWATIN's last days running for CANADIAN PACIFIC. Lost of action shots, deck scenes, auto/cargo handling, arriving, departing, steaming etc. Several shots of her boilers being fired by hand you may be interested in. One way or the other Pete and I will figure out how to do a 'Forward' if you're interested. I do not have your E=Mail access. Don't drink too much egg nog or eat too many Christmas cookies. Good seeing you posting here. Cheers?

R. Dale Flick
Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River, Cincinnati.

This Christmas season brings quite a lot of excitement for many. Lets not forgot those we have lost (both the people and the boats) and those who continue to be on our prayer lists. For all of our servicemen and women out there I thank you and pray for you to come home soon. I pray you are healthy and happy with your families where you belong. For those out working on the rivers in this winter season, Godspeed and thank you for all you do for the rest of us! For all of those of us excited about the new 2012 steamboating season, I hope the best for you and look forward to seeing your smiling faces on many boats this season coming. What ever holiday you celebrate in your home, may it be filled with joy, happiness, and healthiness! A New Year is coming and with it are many great opportunities for all of us.

From my family to yours, a very Merry Christmas and the best wishes for a safe, happy and prosperous New Year!

Travis

Merry Christmas and Happy 2012 to all!

Adding my very best Merry Christmas wishes to all here on steamboats.org! I was just remarking to Sharon yesterday what a treasure our friends are, and those "steamboat" friends are among the dearest. How much poorer our lives would have been if not for all of you here and those now departed.

Thank you, Franz, for providing his forum for us. A Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!