Topic starter
05/12/2013 9:08 pm
December 16,2013 : Friends are invited to BB Riverboats in Newport, Kentucky.Boarding will begin at 1:00 PM, the boat will depart the wharf at 2:00 PM , and return between 3:00 PM and 3:30 PM.
08/12/2013 7:41 pm
See Dobbling, Muehlenkamp-Erschell Funeral Home | Home for more information and Virginia's obituary.
11/12/2013 3:17 pm
*RE: Virginia's Memorial Service*
Hi, Frank,
Many thanks for your initial posting RE: the memorial for Virginia Bennett aboard B/B RIVERBOATS here on Monday, December 16th. Things appear to be well solidified and in order. Capt. Bill Judd and others will have parts with readings and poetry. A few coming in to town here: David Smith, S&D's Jeff Spear from Marietta, Taylor Abbott from Clarington, Oh. Ginny nailed down her wishes some ten years ago. Plans are to scatter her ashes in the river under the Suspension Bridge. I just hope the weather cooperates in light of what we've all experienced in the last week.
R. Dale Flick
Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River, Cincinnati
11/12/2013 11:27 pm
So very sorry I will not be able to be at Virginia's memorial service aboard the Belle of Cincinnati on Monday. Please know I will be there in spirit. Gayle Hindman gave me the news of dear Virginia's passing last Thursday when I arrived in Chattanooga for the Final Farewell Reunion on the Delta Queen. I suppose if this sad news of the passing of our good River Mother had to come, it was fitting that it should be on that boat, for I was able to offer memorial renditions at showtime of the two tunes Virginia always loved to hear tooted on the calliope whenever one of the steamboats (especially the Delta Queen, of course) passed by Harbor House - "Ain't She Sweet" and "Ol' Man River." How many countless times when leaving Cincinnati she would come out on her balcony and wave as we passed by Harbor House and the Virginia Bennett Light (which she said she always preferred over Bud or Miller Light). It was always fun to prep the passengers gathered at the calliope for the Cincinnati departure and the trip on down through the bridges. By the time we got to Harbor House they all knew a little about Miss Virginia and waved back to her excitedly.
Thank you for all the love and memories, Virginia. And for all those wonderful meals of White Castles, the good times on BB Riverboats and DQSC, the long phone conversations that were almost always punctuated by radio calls, and for generously sharing your amazing museum of river memorabilia along with your endless knowledge of the river and its people. Mostly, thanks for the love that always flowed out in such great abundance from your big heart to all who had the good fortune to know you. Rest in peace, good friend.
Jazzou
13/12/2013 9:51 pm
*Dick Prater on Ginny Bennett*
Steamboating colleagues:
Fine words above, Jazzou, obviously from the heart for Ginny Bennett. Many thanks. I've been in communication with Dick/Nancy Prater down in Florida with news about Virginia. Dick Prater, son of Helen Hughes Prater and grandson of Capt. Jesse P. Hughes. Dick conveys his sympathy with comments that he knew Ginny very well back in 1948 when she was working for GREENE LINE STEAMERS. Dick did his time also working on the then newly renovated, remodeled DELTA QUEEN. Dick fessed up to me that's he's now 81. Happy birthday Dick.
Dick/Nancy have sold their previous home down-sizing to a one floor residence and indicates they love it. "Mom and Virginia were good friends for a long time," he mentions. We also discussed the fine art work by Mike Blaser with Dick declaring his favorite painting is the one showing the DELTA QUEEN fresh from California, 1947, docked at the wharfboat with the last ISLAND QUEEN in the composition. And I couldn't agree more.
R. Dale Flick
Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River, Cincinnati.
13/12/2013 10:48 pm
"Greene Line Gals"
Indeed, Virginia Bennett and Helen Hughes Prater were lifelong friends, really more like sisters, who literally grew up on the steamboats of the Greene Line, with the Ohio River as their playground and multitudes of river people their extended family.
Attached is one of my favorite photos which I call "Greene Line Gals", taken aboard the Str. DELTA QUEEN on the Charleston trip in 1998. Too bad there isn't "sound" with this image, but we can well imagine the "river reminiscing" that is going on in this scene! I'm sure that Ginny and Helen have reunited by now and have taken their places on the deck of a glorious steamboat! God bless those dear ladies -- gone from our sight but never from our hearts.
15/12/2013 12:21 am
That is a great picture, Keith, and thanks for posting this treasure. Nothing says "contentment" more than seeing these two grand ladies rocking above the paddlewheel on an idyllic summer afternoon on the Ohio River aboard the Delta Queen.
15/12/2013 7:40 pm
Jazzou, both of your postings are what the British would call, "spot on." I'm sure that you will be missed by all onboard the BELLE OF CINCINNATI tomorrow, but I can promise that you'll be there in spirit along with "Doc" and many others.