August 2, 2009

Hi Everyone,

Only 2 thoughts come to mind as we look back at yesterday, and try to process the day.... WOW and THANK YOU!!

It could not have been a more perfect day, between the # of attendees (including 2 US attendees, one with no passport and one with no birth certificate, who did arrive back without too much hassle:)), the weather and the location with it's beautiful grounds and pavillion!

We hit a minor glitch early on, when our fun, very friendly & brave bus driver, Bob got to Amherstburg and realized he had to take his greyhoud bus over on the ferry.  He initially was adamant that he was not putting the bus on the ferry as he had no doubt he and his bus were going to end up in the river! After several phone calls with my husband and ferry personnel on the dock to Karyn Anderson and I on the island, the captain of the ferry was able to convince Bob that he had handled bigger and heavier loads before:)  As we learned at the end of the day, Bob did not know how to swim, so we really appreciate Bob facing such a personal fear yesterday in order to get everyone over to the island and back:)  Thank you to Mr. Lee again for securing us the bus and our great driver Bob!!

It was so nice seeing so many of the faces from the past 2 years, as well as so many new ones!!  Having Capt. Rod Graham and his daughter Lori join us, after driving across the state of Michigan yesterday morning, was such a treat, and it was nice having our last captain of the S.S. Ste. Claire and Capt. Art Herrala the last captain of the S.S. Columbia with us!  We also had a last minute addition with Dave Anderson, the Boblo Island Groundskeeper from 1959 to it's closure in1993!  I could go on and on, but it was special having everyone there, whether in the past, you served food, operated a ride, worked in an office, ran a game, wore a Boblo Bear costume, secured the island or boats, operated a boat, or are currently restoring a boat!!  You are all a part of Boblo's past, present and future!

We were able to wish Capt. Art a Happy 80th b-day, and he was able to inspire all of us to look and feel that "80" can be pretty darn good!  Thank you to all who sang Happy Birthday, shared in his cake and signed his picture mat!

We had lots of Boblo explorers!  From those that visited the Dance hall and area around the paviliion, to others that embarked to other areas such as the space needle, old dock and the old putt-putt area.  Some were even braver, renting bikes to explore the island, and "three amigos," I hear were in areas with weeds up to their faces, maybe feeling like the early settlers seeing Boblo Island for the first time:)?!

Our own Scott Shuttleworth grilled some great bugers, brats and hot dogs and The General Store offered some extra treats and many enjoyed ice cream, snow cones and cotton candy back near the marina which really brought back the smells and enjoyment of the old amusement park!

Ron Kattoo and Saqib Nakadar spoke about the progress of the Ste. Claire and hope for the 2010 season, and Ron even got a chance to be reunited with a couple of childhood schoolmates who were residents on the island and visiting the pool nearby when Howard announced his name  Ron and Saqib mentioned that they will be getting wood in the next few weeks to begin re-building her decks, but what they didn't stress, is if anyone has some time, motivation and especially some carpentry skills, they could really use your help over the next few months to get her ready to be pulled out next season for her 100th b-day!!  Sign-up for the volunteer list on www.bobloboat.com, and you'll be notfited of volunteer days and times.

Paul LeVeck spoke about Capt. Art Herrala and Capt. Ken Horner's induction into the Maritime Museum  in Roger City, MI on August 15th, and discussed how others could be considered and selected for future inductions..

In addition to Jim Kasuba, the Downriver News Herald Reporter who is also considered a Boblo Crewmember due to his extensive support and past articles about the Boblo boats, we had a suprise visit from a Windsor Star reporter and photographer, so hopefully with some more media exposure, our Boblo Family will only continue to grow!  I will let you know when the articles will be printed and/or send you the links.   Jim besides reporting on so many pressing issues each day, is looking to incorporate the island, Ste. Claire and Columbia info. and progress in one article, and the Columbia's contribution won't be obtained until an event tentatively scheduled for next month.  So thank you to Jim, and also thank you to Karyn Anderson at Bob-lo who apparently tipped off the Windsor Star:)!

We introduced our own Karen McCord, who is running for Detroit City Council, so if you are able to vote in Detroit's primary on Tuesday, be sure to add in her vote, as besides being a great gal, she's a Boblo supporter, and could possibly pull some strings for Ron and Saqib in the future!!

Finally, we were able to get a full group picture at the end of the day, minus a few that had to leave early, and that along with the other photos that Howard took throughout the day should be posted on www.boblocrew.com in the next couple of days.  If anyone would like their photos to be submitted on the website, please send them to Howard or the site!

Dates for next year will be forthcoming.  Looks like we may be doing (2) next year.  One on the island, as it's a perfect site for a reunion and our Canadian alumni increased drastically over the past couple of months, and one on the US side hopefully incorporating the Ste. Claire and honoring her 100th b-day (attendance will be open to all for either reunion)!!  After next year, we'll determine if we will continue with (2) reunions or alternate sides each year?!

THANK YOU AGAIN for those that made yesterday possible, and for those that were not able to attend, we hope you'll re-join us or come for the first time next year!

Karen, Howard, Ted, Scott Shuttleworth & Lori Voutt-Morin
 (as you can see, we recruited a couple more greatly needed and greatly qualified planners yesterday !!!