Topic starter
11/12/2006 7:22 pm
Thanks to ALL who attended the Holiday Open House at the Howard Steamboat Museum yesterday afternoon. We had a larger than usual turnout of visitors and fewer than usual "hands on deck" to deal with crowd control, etc. With the ongoing back porch new reception area/gift shop project temporarily closing the usual entrance, it was a bit of an inconvenience for people to make the long trek from the parking area, through the gate and around to the side (once the carriage entrance) door. The construction work is stirring up LOTS of white dust and, although I cleaned and dusted ALL of the model and exhibit cases on Friday afternoon, you could write your name on the tops of them yesterday! Oh well, I tried!
The Big Muddy String Band never fails to please and there was always a crowd at the music room door, with many people sitting on the floor inside to enjoy the toe tapping tunes, including many by the late Capt. John Hartford. The gift shop, offering a 10% discount, did a brisk business, judging from all the bags of "steamboat booty" I saw in the hands of visitors. THANKS! Revenue from the gift shop helps keep the lights on and the doors open, not to mention helping to pay the cost of heating the 22 room mansion! It was really great to visit with old and new river friends yesterday and I hope everyone enjoyed the afternoon. Come back soon and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Watch for news of upcoming programs in the "River Ramblings" series!
"Curator Keith"
11/12/2006 7:44 pm
Keith,
If there was dust to be found, I sure didn't see it! The Museum looked great as usual. The progress on the new entrance is coming along very well and is quite attractive, I might add. The Open House is becoming a tradition I hope will live on for many years to come. Like an annual rite of steamboatin passage.
It is a great opportunity to renew your membership at the museum while enjoying top-notch entertainment and the chance to catch up with old friends and make new river friends.
The Howard Museum gift shop is quickly becoming my "Christmas Present" to my self each year. They really do have one of the greatest selections of river related books and merchandise in the local area. If you are looking for a special gift for that special river friend, you would be remiss of your duty to not look here first!
After the Open House a number of River Luminaries had a impromptu dinner get together at Kingfish on Riverside Drive in Jeffersonville and a great time and great food were had by all. We were treated to one of those "once in a lifetime" sunsets over the Ohio River, a spectacular display of Mother Nature's vivid paint brush at its best. And of course who can forget the skyline of Louisville in its Christmas lights and colours, with the focal point of an authentic steamboat with her Holiday lights on display as well!
We had guests from many points in attendance. Even Steamboat Mary made an appearance (albeit sans her DELTA QUEEN ENGINEROOM hat....but we can forgive this small indiscretion).
Like always Keith, a good time was had by all and we all await the next chance to do it again!
Thanks to the Museum staff for making this great event possible!
~Travis~
Topic starter
11/12/2006 8:01 pm
Thanks Travis! Indeed, the dinner last night at Kingfish was great fun, but it was hard to keep up with all the happy chatter going around the table amongst the dozen or so river folk who gathered for food and fellowship. And, yes, the clear night made for a spectacular view of the Louisville skyline and Second Street bridge aglow in brilliant lights, with our beautiful BELLE decked out in red and green lights, and floating upon a sparkling silver river. WOW!
11/12/2006 8:08 pm
Steamboating colleagues:
I concur 100% with the fine posting from Travis Re: Sunday's Holiday Open House at the Howard Steamboat Museum. Keith stood duty like a trooper on the 2nd floor and if there was any dust I missed it. The mansion gleamed from top to bottom with period holiday decorations. The formal dining room was set with cookies, cheese, crackers and other snacks and drinks. Santa and Mrs. Santa held court in the 1st floor library. The white and gold Moorish room was the pefect setting for the music ensemble. It was good meeting new friends and putting names with faces from postings on Steamboats.org. Seeing the renovations in progress was interesting. Jim Reising favored some of us with fine copies of the AMERICA on a hot summer day [1927?] at the Louisville wharf with a full church baptisim in progress.
Dinner at 'King Fish' in Jeffersonville was a rare treat with some 12-13 of us around the long table. Great way to end the boating season and welcome the holidays. As Capt. Fred Way used to say, "Well, when the robins of spring return..."
Many thanks to all at the Howard for such hard work and dedication.
Cheers,
R. Dale Flick
12/12/2006 8:05 pm
Hello all--just returned from Cincinnati, where I did not have internet access--I'd like to add my kudos for the great open house! Certainly worth the drive to put some faces with some names at last, and to see the museum all dressed up for the holidays. The music was spectacular, the company the best. Thanks, Keith, for making it all possible. Mary
Topic starter
12/12/2006 8:24 pm
Mary: Thanks so much! I always enjoy the vast variety of visitors we have at the museum, but it's always SPECIAL when "river people" come calling! It was great to meet you and I look forward to your next visit when we hopefully will have more time to chat. At the museum we are very lucky to have a small, but dedicated group of volunteers who "pitch in" with hard work and enthusiam to make events such as the Christmas open house happen. We operate on a shoestring budget but as Judy Patsch (who is a LIFE member of the museum, has helped out numerous times, and has generously trucked many a load of her chocolate chip cookies 400 miles to serve at programs!) has said, we are "the little museum that CAN and DOES!" Thanks for coming, keep up steam and happy holidays!