The Michigan Maritime Museum Presents Author Fred Neuschel

"Lives and Legends of the Christmas Tree Ships"

On Sunday, November 23rd, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. the Michigan Maritime Museum will host author Fred Neuschel for a program open to all members of the museum and the public, featuring the recently released book, published by the University of Michigan Press, "Lives and Legends of the Christmas Tree Ships".

Lives and Legends of the Christmas Tree Ships goes behind one of the most popular stories of the Great Lakes-the loss of the schooner Rouse Simmons on Lake Michigan in 1912- to reveal the real lives of the sailors on the inland seas.

The book begins and ends with the fatal last voyage of the Rouse Simmons which was lost while carrying a cargo of Christmas trees to Chicago. Often called the "Christmas Tree Ship", the Rouse Simmons was, instead the last in a long line of vessels that carried this unexpected cargo. For four decades sailors had been risking there lives to bring evergreens to Midwestern cities when the conditions on the lakes were at there most treacherous. Lives and Legends tell the larger story of how these sailors lived and worked together through the era when the age of sail was coming to a close. Drudgery, exploitation and poverty make their appearance, but there is also humor, adventure, bravery, ambition and achievement; and, if the truth be told, there are unconscionable acts of risk-taking and foolish acts of pride.

Fred Neuschel has lived his entire life within fifty miles of the Great Lakes. Currently, he and his wife live in Crystal Lake, IL. By day he is a counselor in an addiction treatment program. By night he is a historian whose interest lies in the broad scope of American history and focuses especially on happening in the upper midwestern United States. He is a member of the Michigan Maritime Museum in South Haven and vice president of the Association for Great Lakes Maritime History and Chair person of the associations research and publication committee. As a recreational sailor his attention has been captured by the age of sail on the Great Lakes.

The Michigan Maritime Museum offers similar programs once a month through the off season. It is located at 260 Dyckman ave, at the bridge, in South Haven .

Michigan Maritime Museum

Board Meeting

October 17, 2008

 

Present:  David Bergman, Barbara Busch, Arlene Dickerson, Charlotte Giesler, Bob Copping, Gary Horton, Pete Mathews, Janice Varney, Mike Winkel, and Jim Woodruff

    Absent:  John Busch, Bob Hoppes, Cleo Miller, and Jim Spurr

Guests:  David Bugge, David Ludwig, Frank James, Mary Stephens, George Jepson, Darcy Heavin, Janice Heavin, Jim Schneider, Marilyn Powell, Bonnie Wilson, Diane Schlanser

 

President James Woodruff called the meeting to order at 3:03 p.m.  The minutes of the Annual Meeting held on September 30, 2008were reviewed and approved.

 

Treasurer/Finance Committee Report:  An accountant has been hired after discussing the needs and requirements.  Bob Hoppes and Bob Copping with meet with Jackie McGeehey next Wednesday.  The accounting expenses will be capped at $1,000/month with subsequent months to be determined.

 

Other points covered:

·        The accounting system is running

·        Copping and Hoppes are finalizing the budget

·        We have a business plan

 

The following accounts will be kept separate for tracking:

·        Restricted purpose income (grants and donations)

·        Store

·        Special projects (includes membership & fundraising as line items)

·        Administration

 

1.     Quick Books will be used for reporting

2.     Very simple reports for board meetings

3.     All checks will be written from Quick Books

4.     Seasonalize the budget

 

A lot of programming is required and the committee will try to get a statement prepared by the November meeting.

 

Mike Winkel presented the Business Plan as covered in the handout which will be filed with these minutes.  Winkel made a motion, supported by Copping, to approve the general business plan.  Motion passed.

 

In addition to the committees as stated in our by-laws, other areas of need for committees were discussed including combining some together.  This included:

·        Friends Good Will  (Jim Spurr)

·        Combining Finance & Planning

·        Combining Planned Giving & Fundraising

·        Combining Development & Grants

·        Merchandising

·        Communications

·        Nominating & Human Resources (Cleo Miller)

·        Accreditation  (Pete Mathews)

·        By-Laws (Spurr)

·        Library/Collections (Pete Mathews)

 

Board members were asked to sign up as Committee chairs in their area of interest.  All board members need to be pro-active to move the museum forward.

 

Staff Reports:

Captain Jim Schneider gave a report about a one, five, and ten year plan.

He stated that the museum should have a long term plan so that we don’t waste time and money.  We need basic financial goals to move forward in planning.  Also to prioritize and task out to individuals/ volunteers. Other points covered in his presentation were:

·        New exhibits (fishing, boats) using museum’s collection

·        A permanent small exhibit

·        Targeted fund drive with goals to be achieved

Restricted areas (commercial fishing, collections, FGW, educational tours)  Follow up with a letter to the donor stating what we accomplished with their donation

·        Youth volunteers

·        Importance of securing the campus and expanding the store

 

David Ludwig:  Reported that the shrink wrap for FGW cost $350.

          We also need to move the small boat collection from Petter’s barn to another storage facility

Mary Stephens:  Reported that she is working on a plan and getting organized to                                move forward.

 

New Business:

John Busch has tendered his resignation with regret.  Winkel moved, supported by Bergman, to accept.  Motion passed.

 

Gary Horton asked the board about sponsoring the March 2009 Chamber of Commerce “After Business Hours”.  There is a $200 fee, appetizers and beverages to be provided, and 300 invitations to be sent to members.  The board agreed to decline the offer due to other priority concerns.  It was suggested that perhaps we could invite them to a summer picnic on the museum grounds to showcase the FGW, exhibits, and campus.

Horton also stated that there is no advertising budget.

 

Woodruff introduced George Jepson to the board and thanked him for attending.

Barbara Busch discussed the newsletter and wanted the following included in it:

1.     Fund drive with donation tear off

2.     Keel Club

3.     Volunteer opportunities

4.     Future exhibits

5.     Programs in the Padnos

6.     Children’s letters

7.     Email addresses of members

Horton discussed the annual appeal for funds.  An initial letter will be sent, followed by a thank you letter for donating.  If there is no response, a second letter will be sent in December.  The different letter categories are:

·        Keel Club- current

·        Keel Club- lapsed

·        Members

·        Non-members

·        Business

·        Volunteers

We should also look into Meijers and Gordon Food Services’ “community reward” programs where a percentage of money spent in their stores is returned to the museum.  We have to register for the program.

Woodruff excused himself at 5:10 p.m. and Mathews chaired the meeting.

 Discussion of museum committees and greatest need for the moment continued.  Jim Schneider stated that we need to use job descriptions to empower the staff.

Bergman made a motion, supported by Horton, to adjourn.  Motion passed.

Meeting adjourned at 5:40 p.m.

Annual Fund Drive

Dear Volunteers,

The Michigan Maritime Museum has made substantial progress balancing the budget this year. The Friends Good Will had a very good season with over 5800 passengers, the museum even more, and we have cut expenses considerably from years past. It is our intention to increase our earned income so that we are able to recover the staff positions we have given up during these difficult times. The board of directors and staff are working together to improve the efficiency of our operations, so that we are able to offer our award winning educational programs next year. Because of gifts from generous donors, we are able to remain open this winter and to continue to improve our exhibits and programs.

Your support at this time is critical. By donating to the Michigan Maritime Museum, you are supporting the preservation of the artifacts, knowledge and skills of generations of Great Lakes Mariners.

I appreciate all you have given to us, both in time as a volunteer, and donations to our annual fund drives. With your continued support, we will be passing on the traditions and stories(and making new ones) of the Great Lakes for generations to come.

Sincerely,

Capt. Jim Schneider

Just can't thank you enough

Crew of the Friends Good Will,

We would like to thank you very much for the wonderful experience, and for the most memorable evening on the sunset sail the evening of July 7th. The lack of a sunset was overpowered by a pleasant night and plenty of wind for full sail. Our families so enjoyed helping the friendly crew with the sailing tasks, and sharing their knowledge and history of the Friends Good Will. Without question this "Ship" is a tremendous and valuable asset to our port city.

Needless to say the pre-sail "Padnos Boat Shed" nibbles were outstanding and far beyond what was expected. Once again a Big thanks for that special summer moment.


The Jerome Gruber Families

South Haven Fri at Foundry Hall

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 07 - 8:00 PM - $5.00

GET TICKETS

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/44924

tomkastle.com

Tom Kastle has spent over two decades "on the road" and "on the water"
as a singer, tall ship sailor and captain, songwriter, and teller of
tales, both personal and those steeped in tradition. As half of the
maritime folk duo Tom & Chris Kastle, he toured throughout the United
States as well as Ireland, Scotland, Poland, the Netherlands, and New
Zealand delighting audiences and producing 11 recordings plus a
soundtrack for PBS (WTTW Chicago). After taking most of a year off to
captain South Haven's tall ship Friends Good Will, Tom has relocated to
Madison, WI. This Fall he is releasing his first solo CD, Across the
Centerline and will be touring in Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, and the
Netherlands.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

;Matthew Goacher, the son of
British traditional folk singers, was born and raised in Lansing,
Michigan; and spent some of his youth living in Northern England and
Wellington, New Zealand. A Renaissance man, Matt is a painter, poet, web
designer, tall ship captain, philosopher, and world traveler. Matt has
studied piano, pipe organ, and carillon, and plays guitar and sings.
/"My parents are folk singers. Many of my earliest memories include
songs like this one. Earthy simple music from other centuries and other
lands can make one feel alive, members of a timeless family."/ (Matthew
Goacher

[saltily.com]