Topic starter
12/02/2011 8:43 pm
Dear Steamboating colleagues:
The March, 2011 S&D REFLECTOR just arrived and it's a classic! I just pawed the envelope off my issue and will digest from "kivver to kivver" later, as Capt. Fred Way used to say. Total of 55 Pgs. with many color photos. David Tschiggfrie, Editor, hasn't wasted any space with articles, letters, photos and his skill/talent shines forth. Judy Patsch has contributed one fine article "STRECKFUS Steamers: Company and Fleet" with great photos and text enlightening all on a famous company. John Fryant's "Small Stacks" RE: "Proud Monsters of the Sunny South" with photos of models of Str. IDLEWILD, J.M. WHITE gives you clear perspective of what these two steamers would have looked like in real life landed next to each other.
Jack Hinkley's "Wood frjom TELL CITY: Source for Steamboat Model" fascinating. Also Capt. Carl Henry's "Pddlewheels to Z-Drives" tells you all and more. I could go on and on, but won't at this point. Many thanks to David and ALL the fine contributors. Keep your eyes on your U.S. Mail boxes if your issue hasn't arrived yet. *All S&D renewal letters/notices were mailed this past Monday by Secretary Rick Kesterman. Thanks to Rick for this big job. I've written and fired my check off promptly.
Cheers!
R. Dale Flick - Treasurer S&D of Pioneer Rivermen
Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River, Cincinnati.
13/02/2011 2:16 pm
Dale: Good to see that you beat old Laidley to the mailbox. Haven't seen the March issue yet myself but did enjoy your and Fred Rutter's contributions to the MOR newsletter! Watching my mailbox with baited breath! Cap'n Walnut.
13/02/2011 2:36 pm
dues check
I sincerely hope I receive my March issue from Richardsons, as when I submitted my check to the Secretary in January, I noted that I was rejoining specifically to receive the Reflector, and to be sure my name made the mailing list for March. That check has not cleared yet, so I have concerns. It is so nice to be getting a quality Reflector in a regular and timely manner again, hopefully the dues situation will not now be a problem.
Topic starter
13/02/2011 6:49 pm
*RE: Ole Laidley/S&D REFLECTOR*
Hi, Tom & steamboating colleagues:
Thanks for comments RE: the MOR newletter RIVERVIEW. Fred Rutter one fine writer like his grandad Fred Way with a most informative--and pointed--piece on the October BELLE OF LOUISVILLE jaunts at Madison in 'Warm Trip on the BELLE.' I just tagged along with the 'Memories of the MISSISSIPPI QUEEN' piece from her fist shakedown cruise and arrival in Cincinnati, July 20-22, 1976. Fred's title apropos as the MQ trips were also warm--and then some. Hard to believe it has been thirty-five years.
Ole Commodore Fred Laidley already got wind Ellis Mace and I recevied our REFLECTOR issues at the wharfboat yesterday as we all work on Saturday, including the Commodore. When the QUEEN CITY pulled in he saw a crowd standing waiting as the Marietta mail bundles/bags were hauled off. Pure chaos and bedlam I tell you. Fred beat it back to our office here anxiously lurking up and down the middle of the office with hands in vest pockets looking casually at Mace's and my desks. "Ummmm, boys, no mail in yet? Aren't you two expecting something special...you know?" he mumbled with his billy goat whiskers flapping looking like a hurt little kid. Ellis looked at me and winked behind Laidley's back. "Ummm, no Commodore...nothing special...usual mail for you and us...that's it and nothing more." Laidley went so far as to glance down in our waste baskets for an opened S&D REFLECTOR envelope before going in his office, slamming the door.
Laidley's cigar smoke drifted out before he opened his office door again and strode up and down in front of Mace and me. "Look heah' boys, I know that REFLECTOR arrived as I can see it in your faces. Lookie heah,' when you read your copies could you..umm...errr...loan one to me? 'Y'all think I'm made of money? Mrs. Laidley and the children also get a kick out of it as I read the articles in the evening after dinner." Ellis and I sat pat saying nothing. In an hour Laidley came out of his office and gently placed a check for his S&D membership on my desk. "Ummm, see heah' Dale you run this check through your books, stamp/envelope and get my memba'ship off quick as you can...heah' me?" Old Laidley can be like that.
R. Dale Flick
Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River, Cincinnati.
14/02/2011 1:46 am
S&D dues checks
Hopefully Laidley's check gets cashed sooner than the one I sent Jan. 26 which hasn't cleared yet.
Topic starter
14/02/2011 2:51 am
Hi, Judy: Thanks for the 'tip off' RE: your uncashed check. I'll delve into this tomorrow when I see/talk with our S&D Secretary. No doubt a packet of checks may be awaiting my handling and deposit. Ole Laidley had a perfect snit over Ellis and I not handing over our copies. He'll get over it.
Steaming out Thursday for two weeks at sea but will be able to check E=Mails aboard ship.
Just finished your REFLECTOR article and it's a dandy. This 55 Pg. issue not devoured at one sitting.
Cheers!
R. Dale Flick - Treasurer S&D of Pioneer Rivermen
Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River, Cincinnati.
14/02/2011 4:00 pm
I'll be sending my check soon and you can take as looong as you want to deposit it. Waiting with great anticipation for the next mail stage to slog its way through the Eisenhower Tunnel. Bon Voyage.
Topic starter
14/02/2011 7:19 pm
*RE: S&D Subscription Process*
Hi, Lexie & steamboating colleagues:
I've had some 'lurker' questions RE: the recent March REFLECTOR issue. As lowly 'Mud Clerk' Treasurer for S&D I receive, bank, audit, pay bills, file IRS/TAX Nonprofit status. ALL new/renewal subscriptions go first to S&D Secretary, Rick Kesterman--as they did for years to Bee Rutter and later Dick Prater. After the names are recorded etc. checks sent/handed to me. I'm a stickler in keeping tabs of our money along with seeing that all subscribers receive the courtesy and attention they deserve. Ole' Dale just keeps pluggin' along. Again, I can't praise high enough the work David Tschiggfrie has done on the March issue. 'Deck Outline Lights and Steam Calliopes, 'Return to Alton Slough' [More on Str. GORDON C. GREENE], 'The Newer Faces of S&D' featuring young Matt Dow real gems. Betty Blake used to comment on "Fred Way's 'shy speakers' at meetings." S&D also has a fine coterie of very talented but not so shy 'writers' that have enriched this latest issue.
The updated S&D web site has great information
R. Dale Flick
Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River, Cincinnati.
17/02/2011 8:12 pm
The "mail packet" brought the March issue of the S&D REFLECTOR to the museum office yesterday. The magazine is, in a word, MAGNIFICENT! Not since the editorship of the late Capt. Fred Way (whose 110th birthday is today!) have we seen an issue of 56 pages -- and each of those pages is packed with fabulous photos and tantalizing text. Capt. John Vize's recent photos of the W.P. SNYDER, JR., all in color, are excellent, as is the article and photographic parade of the Streckfus excursion boats, ably compiled by "Streckfii" expert Judy Patsch. Capt. Carl Henry expounds upon his career from paddlewheels to Z-drives, Matthew "Bubba" Dow delightfully writes of how he's become a youthful calliope perfessor, John Fryant continues his "Small Stacks" series --and there are many more memorable moments around every bend! The photographic reproduction quality is superb and Editor David Tschiggfrie has again done a stellar job, of which he can be justifiably proud! Thanks Dave, and BRAVO!
17/02/2011 8:58 pm
March Reflector
I'm glad everyone is enjoying Dave's magnificent product. I wish I'd get my copy.
18/02/2011 12:55 pm
I got mine yesterday, and words do not exist to describe it. FANTASTIC job!!!
18/02/2011 8:08 pm
Yep! US Mule dropped off mine...stunner! Congrats to David et al. Cap'n Walnut.
19/02/2011 12:54 am
Picked up mine today on the way to the ski area, so haven't read it, but it looks good. So I will read it apres ski, which means as soon as possible.
19/02/2011 4:37 am
Lexie,
Don't fall off the mountain with the REFLECTOR secured between your ski poles! Hope you will enjoy the latest issue in the comfort and warmth of the ski lodge with the logs burning brightly and a hot toddy close at hand. . .
Also a most sincere thank you to all for your extremely kind and generous words about the March issue. I am truly gratified and humbled, but our contributors are the real stars and the reason for its appeal. After all, the editor spends most of his time just navigating a blue pencil around the paper from time to time.
20/02/2011 8:58 pm
UMR contingent should have received theirs by now. Arrived here in STP yesterday.
21/02/2011 4:42 pm
No publication is worth a snit if it doesn't have a good editor who really works on it.
Actually, it would be nice to have the Reflector to read while riding the boring chair lift. That bit about the ski lodge is something you see in old movies. It doesn't really exist, at least not at the 17 or so different ski areas I've been to. Real ski area lodges are more like bus stations. Some of the accommodations have lodgey lobbies, but you really have to pay top dollar for those. Most people just eat and go collapse in their rooms, not being used to the altitude, while the expensive lodgey fireplace crackles away on its own.
I am about halfway through Judy's thesis on Streckfus and am wondering how much research went into that. Amazing! Keep digging Judy as there are probably a lot more good Streckfus stories out there.
21/02/2011 8:16 pm
Lexie,
You've zeroed in with the cold, practical eye of reality on my idealized mental image of cozy ski lodges. Rats! Another dream crumbled. The only time I've been inside a ski lodge (or on skis) was at a regional ski area near Baraboo, WI fifteen years ago or more. My experience began with a disastrous attempt to ascend the beginner's slope on a tow rope (patrons had to climb over my prostrated body at the foot of the tow line after I fell off -- no, I can't explain how one falls off a tow rope!) After two aborted attempts to ski downhill, I removed the confounded devices and walked the rest of the way down to the lodge, which did have a large stone fireplace stoked with native logs and a huge, comfortable lounge area. I sat there in a rustic log chair, legs propped up, sipping hot chocolate, and watched the rest of our family group through a ceiling-to-floor plate glass window facing the mountain as they glided effortlessly down the ski paths. My only other experience of a ski lodge is vicariously in the Bing Crosby films "White Christmas" and "Holiday Inn." They both had impressive fireplaces, comfortable lounge chairs, and all the fixin's to go with it. We live in a starker, less romantic age, I guess. Regardless, was pleased to hear that you've delved into the March issue, even if you weren't relaxing in that non-existent cozy ski lobby or lounge at the time.
21/02/2011 11:26 pm
Reflecting on skiing
You mean all ski lodges don't have a nosy old biddy operating the switchboard and almost breaking up Bing and Rosemary? I've never tried to ski, no sense of adventure, and I find it hard to believe that Ann Zeiger, who could trip over an imaginary line on flat land, was an accomplished skier...as to the research time, yes it did take time, but mainly because in looking for one thing, another popped up and led me astray to that for a while. I appreciate the chance Dave has given me to contribute to the Reflector, because where else can we read a whole tome of steamboating history now? We've got Alan's great Old Boat page in the WJ, and some items in ocean magazines, but otherwise the Reflector is it, which is why it is so important to keep it coming out on a regular basis. Did anyone else feel like they had read a whole book on steamboating after finishing this issue?
22/02/2011 2:25 am
I'm no skier, either, but yes, Judy, I did feel like I'd read an entire book on steamboating and it left me wanting MORE.
Dave, your skiing story is priceless. If that don't sound like a Fred Way story I don't know what does.
22/02/2011 3:54 pm
Schiiis!
I'm always reminded of that Goofy cartoon about skiing whenever encountering difficulties. I had to rescue myself from some deep powder the other day. It was no picnic. And we all went through what you went through unless we learned to ski when age 4. I still occasionally fall down while standing stock still. And yes, Ann Zeiger was a good controlled skier. I only remember her falling once. Another steamboater, Pat Sullivan, was also a good skier. Pat was even a ski patroller at an area near Cincinnati. You reminded me of the other reason one spends time in a ski lodge, injuries or non-skiers. The lodge where I go always has some non-skiers who are reading, usually. The other day I saw someone reading a Kindle for the first time. Holiday Inn?...way in the past, although our area is considered a little old fashioned. Like not crowded, expensive, or huge.
25/02/2011 11:12 pm
Reached the Sierra Foothills today (2-25-11) and it's GREEAAAT! Well worth the wait.
Rained last night, this morning (creek at flood stage) then snowed, then the sun came out, and now it's hailing. . . .no cozy fireplace to sit here, no ski slope either (I think my skiing days are over--haven't done it for at least 3 decades! But now sledding----I'm still game for a good belly-wopper of a run!). Rain, snow, sun, hail--NOBODY mention earthquakes now!
Hard to believe we'll be on the DQ in 4 weeks!
S'
David D.