Volunteer Connection
February 27, 2010
Greetings, Friends!
Michigan Maritime Museum Hosts Master Woodcarver and Maritime Artist
On Sunday, March 7 at 2:00 p.m., the Michigan Maritime Museum will host Master Woodcarver Patrick B. Pointer of Manistee, Michigan. Mr. Pointer carves exquisite woodcuts in relief, depicting many scenes of Michigan’s Maritime History.
The carvings are fashioned with much patience and skill, from African and Honduras Mahogany, Cherry, Walnut Maple and Pine. Mr. Pointer is well known for his museum quality carvings, such as of the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald, one entitled “Fare Thee Well” and the other, “Every Man Knew.” The S.S. City of Milwaukee is featured in “The End of An Era.”
Mr. Pointer’s award winning carvings are found in museums and private collections, both corporate and personal, bringing art to life in the dramatic tales from the Great Lakes vessels he has selected as the objects of his talent and skill. Mr. Pointer hopes that the viewer is able to “hear, encounter and live” the scene, if for only a moment.
Mr. Pointer will unveil his most recent carving, which will delight South Haven and West Michigan residents. It features Friends Good Will, sailing past Fort Mackinaw on her way to Fort Dearborn, significant to the maritime history of the Great Lakes. ~ Jim Spurr
Night for the Museums This Thursday, March 4 at Maria’s Restaurant
Maria’s Restaurant at 330 Center Street is ready for the next Night for the Museums on March 4 between 5:30 – 7:30 PM. Join your friends and neighbors, dine in or call for take-out 637-FOOD (637-3663). You may preview the menu online at www.mariastasteofitaly.com . Support the South Haven area museums: the Historical Association of South Haven the South Haven Center for the Arts, Liberty Hyde Bailey Museum, and the Michigan Maritime Museum. ~ Diane Schlanser
Overnight Aboard Ship—Revised Policy from the Friends Good Will Committee
When sailing on two consecutive days, Ships Company above the age of 18 are welcome to overnight aboard ship if they receive permission from the Captain. Crew shall obtain a briefing as to the location and use of safety and emergency equipment. When overnighting, crew are expected to assist in closing the ship in the evening and opening the ship in the morning. Crew must provide their own bedding and have all bedding and clothing removed from the ship and stowed in their cars no later than ½ hour prior to the ship / museum opening to the public. Crew will use only the midship bunks and leave their bunk area cleaner and neater than how they found it. Absolutely no alcohol will be permitted aboard. ~ Jim Spurr, Friends Good Will Committee Chair
Your Help Needed on Monday, March 1, from 1-5 PM
If you have some free time on this Monday, March 1, between 1-5 PM the Museum is seeking individuals to assist in taking down the Inland Fishing Exhibit that is currently in the Davis Gallery. The exhibit opening for the new Boat Model Exhibit will be on Friday, March 19 and there is a lot of work to do to get ready!
If you would like to assist this Monday with removing items from the wall, packing boxes, or moving a few boats around, please email mstephens@michiganmaritimemuseum.org. Thank you.
From the Business Director…
After considerable consideration of revenue during these past several weeks, along with the projects on hand constructing our new exhibit, upgrades to our Museum Store and Inventory entries I feel it is the best interest of the Museum to close on the weekends. We will be open as planned for our next Lecture Series on March 7, 2010 at 2:00 PM- 4:00PM. We will reopen for the weekends on Friday March 19th, the opening of our new exhibit Michigan Boat Models and will resume our in season hours in May.
Thank you for your support in this decision. There will of course be much to do during this period of time! With the help of our volunteers and staff, we will start the 2010 season with our best foot forward. ~ Patti Montgomery, Business Director
Grand Rapids Boat Show
The Maritime Museum is extremely grateful to the following individuals for representing the Museum at DeVos Place last week during the Grand Rapids Boat Show: Chuck Snow, Doug Burrows, Ron Wittig, Marcia Flynn, Tim Mattson, Toni Carroll, Tim Carroll, Megan Blough, Annette Stephens, and Pete Mathews.
This was our first time participating in the Grand Rapids Boat Show and it was a wonderful opportunity to publicize Museum special events, programming, membership, and volunteer opportunities as well as to interpret some early 19th century traditional rigging and navigational skills.
Updated Sail Training Class Schedule…
March 6 has been selected as the date for the rigging the topsail yard and the first Topman Training Class. All Ship’s Company Members are invited to participate in rigging the yard and also in going aloft to try out the footropes in the Padnos. Coffee, donuts, rigging and climbing—it doesn’t get much better than that!
March 27 is the date the Basic Seamanship I Introduction Class.
Sail Training Dates and Descriptions:
Basic I Introduction Class, March 27 at 1:00 PM—This is a two part class. The first hour covers the history of the original Friends Good Will, an overview of the Museum collections and exhibits, an explanation of the Sail Training Program, the Education Program, volunteer opportunities, and the season’s schedule. The second hour of the class will focus on ship board safety, emergency procedures, sail handling, and nautical terminology.
Topman Training and Rigging of the topsail yard March 6 at 8:30 AM—This class will familiarize crew with mandatory safe climbing procedures, working aloft, and use of the topsail. Required for all prospective topmen and recommended for all current topmen.
Basic II Class, aboard FGW dockside, May 1 at 8:30 AM—This class is taught aboard Friends Good Will when she is fully rigged. It covers ship board safety, emergency procedures, sail handling, and nautical terminology.
Basic III Class underway with FGW, (offered twice) May 1, Afternoon and May 2, Morning—This sail training experience is taught underway with experienced crew onboard assisting crew trainees.
To sign up for any of these classes please email mstephens@michiganmaritimemuseum.org
Satisfy the Requirement for First Aid and CPR Certification for Ship's Company Crew at the Maritime Museum
Dr. Roland Springgate has graciously offered to conduct another Red Cross Certified First Aid and CPR Class for the Ship’s Company Crew. This class will satisfy the Crew requirement for holding current First Aid and CPR Certification. Pre-registration is required. Please email me to confirm your attendance. Training will take place in the Aker’s Gallery.
Updated Time: First Aid and CPR First-Timer Class—March 6—12:30-4:30 PM
Upcoming Summer Voyages for Ship’s Company Crew…
Tentative Voyage Leg Dates:
Kenosha—May 17-22 and May 22-27
Green Bay—August 8-13 and August 13-18
Chicago—August 23-27 and August 27-31
- Crew are to report on deck at noon on the first day of each voyage leg in uniform.
- Crew are expected to remain on duty until properly relieved by oncoming crew.
The Michigan Maritime Museum will be accepting requests for crew positions on these voyages until April 1 to facilitate crew scheduling and pre-planning for the upcoming season. Please email your request along with your current crew rating to mstephens@michiganmaritimemuseum.org if you are interested in crewing aboard the vessel during dockside tours and extended voyages this season. If you have any questions regarding crewing please contact the Volunteer Coordinator, Mary Stephens at 269.637.8078.
The Michigan Maritime Museum’s requirements for all Ship’s Company to serve as crew include the following criteria:
- Current Museum Membership
- Successfully passing a 5-panel pre-employment drug test
- Current Michigan Charter Boat Association Membership Card on file
- Completion of the Basic Seamanship Sail Training Classes I, II, and III
- Completed emergency contact form on file(attached)
- Proof of current First Aid and CPR training
Upcoming Activities at the Museum:
Date: Event:
Monday, March 1, 1-5 PM Remove Inland Fishing Exhibit from Davis Gallery
Wednesday, March 3, 6-8 PM FGW Work Session
Thursday, March 4, 5:30-7:30 PM Night for the Museums at Maria’s
Saturday, March 6, 8:30 AM-noon Topman Training (pre-registration required)
Saturday, March 6, 12:30-4:30 PM CPR/First Aid First-Timer Class (pre-registration required)
Sunday, March 7, 2-4 PM Sunday Lecture Series with Master Woodcarver Patrick B. Pointer
Wednesday, March 10, 6-8 PM FGW Work Session
For the good of the cause,
Mary Stephens
Education & Volunteer Coordinator
Michigan Maritime Museum
260 Dyckman Avenue
South Haven, Michigan 49090
voice: 269.637.8078
www.MichiganMaritimeMuseum.org
