Volunteer Connection

 

 

Volunteer Connection

December 2, 2010

 

Greetings, Friends!

 

Don't Miss Tonight's Night for the Museums at the Thirsty Perch…

 

A Night for the Museums

December 2, 5:30 – 8 PM, at the Thirsty Perch, 272 Broadway Street, South Haven, MI

Join your friends and neighbors for dinner.

Order from the regular menu.

 

The Historical Association of South Haven, the South Haven Center for the Arts, Liberty Hyde Bailey Museum, and the Michigan Maritime Museum benefit from the proceeds.

 

Distinguished Underwater Archeologist Kenneth J. Vrana to speak on "The Titanic Mapping Project and Le Griffon Initiative" for Lecture on December 12…

The Michigan Maritime Museum is pleased to announce that the President of the Center for Maritime & Underwater Resource Management underwater archaeologist Kenneth J. Vrana will be the speaker for the Sunday, December 12^th lecture at 2 PM.  Mr. Vrana's presentation will provide background historical information, summaries, and updates on the current scientific investigation of RMS Titanic, and the archaeological assessment of a site in northern Lake Michigan believed by some to be LaSalle's Le Griffon, lost in 1679.

 

Kenneth J. Vrana is principal of Maritime Heritage Consulting, a member of Tribal Marine Services LLC, and president of the Center for Maritime & Underwater Resource Management (CMURM), a nonprofit scientific and educational organization originally established at Michigan State University in 1994. The mission of CMURM is to assist and enable businesses, communities, and governments in making the often difficult decisions necessary to wisely use and preserve their precious maritime heritage as well as sustain coastal tourism and other economic benefits. Mr. Vrana is also the Director of the Isle Royale Institute at Michigan Technological University (MTU), which is a collaborative program of MTU and the National Park Service to enhance research, education, and science‐based resource management at Isle Royale National Park and the surrounding waters of Lake Superior.

 

Mr. Vrana has been involved in numerous underwater archaeology and maritime heritage management projects as operational scuba diver, archaeological research diving technician, project coordinator, principal investigator, or consultant since 1979 on sites throughout the United States, and in the North Atlantic, Caribbean basin, and western Pacific. He was project coordinator for the first civilian expedition to Edmund Fitzgerald in 1989, and served as consulting underwater archaeologist for Titanic Expedition 2004, Carpathia Expedition 2007, and Titanic Expedition 2010. He is currently co‐director and co‐principal investigator of the Titanic Mapping Project for Premier Exhibitions, Inc. During a 30‐year career, Mr. Vrana has logged nearly 1,000 operational and scientific dives on historic shipwrecks and other underwater heritage sites.

 

 

Traditional Small Craft Association, Michigan Maritime Museum Chapter Update…

A small but dedicated crew met November 20 at the Padnos to start work on the form for the Gloucester Light Dory. Jack Lawrence, Phil Nager, Richard Smith, Sandy Bryson, yours truly and a first time visit by Paul Vandenbosch made up our crew. The ladder frame has been constructed after only two trips to the hardware store (we're getting better) and cleats were cut and attached in preparation for mounting the station molds to this strongback. The station molds were checked against the plans for accuracy and found to be accurate. Richard and Phil found some 1/8" plywood and made a pattern for the stem. We ultimately hope, given the number of these that could be built, hope to make patterns for all the parts to simplify the laying out process. Jack and Sandy brought two beautiful live edge vertical grain sassafras boards donated by John Wilson of The Home Shop we can use for chine logs and or stems, transom framing or other applications requiring hardwood. It won't be enough, but it's a start.

No business meeting was held.

The next meeting is 4 December when we will continue the set up of the form and perhaps build more patterns for the transom pieces, sides and bottom. I'll pick up some more 1/8" pattern material before then.  We may also consider ordering material for the first boat or two. While each individual building one of these boats may choose whatever material they'd like for their own boat, we have discussed using Okume for the first two boats, the one for use on the waterfront and the one to raffle during the classic boat show. ~ submitted by Pete Mathews

 

Big Sale Just in Time for Christmas! 30% off all items in the Ship's Store!

 

All items in our Ship's Store are included in this big one day event…including selected artwork! Also choose from selected Christmas items including tree ornaments and nautical Christmas CDs. December 11, 10 AM-5 PM One day only.

 

 

Upcoming Events at the Maritime Museum…

 

Date:                                                                                        Event:

 

Thursday, December 2, 5:30–8 PM                 Night for the Museums at Thirsty Perch

Saturday, December 4, 9 AM-4 PM                Traditional Small Craft Association Work Session--Gloucester Light Dory

Saturday, December 4, 9 AM-12 PM               FGW Work session

Wednesday, December 8, 6-8 PM                   FGW Work Session

Friday, December 10, 1-2:30 PM                       New Exhibit Committee Meeting—Anyone interested is invited to come!

Friday, December 10, 3-5 PM                           Board of Directors Meeting, Akers Gallery—Members encouraged to attend!

Saturday, December 11, 10 AM-5 PM               30% off Sale in Ship's Store

Saturday, December 11, 9 AM-12 PM               FGW Work session

Sunday, December 12, 2-4 PM                         Lecture Series Speaker Ken Vrana on "The Titanic Mapping Project and Le Griffon Initiative"

 

 

Mary Stephens Update…

 

Dear Friends, You may know from the grape vine that I have recently submitted my letter of resignation to Museum Business Director Patti Montgomery. I am moving on to a new challenging position in another organization in a couple of weeks. My last working day will be Saturday, December 11th.

 

Over the course of these last seven years, I have truly enjoyed the privilege of working with each of you. I will miss your dedication, enthusiasm, perseverance, and, of course, the many remarkable talents that each of you bring to the Maritime Museum. With many of you, I have shared a unique camaraderie which I hope will continue in the years to come. Thank you for your support and encouragement throughout the years.

 

Please extend your cooperation to the current leadership team and the succeeding Education and Volunteer Coordinator. I wish each of you, my fellow volunteers, all the very best. Do not hesitate to contact me at: stephensmary1@gmail.com. ~ submitted by Mary Stephens

 

For the good of the cause—today and in the years to come,

 

Mary Stephens

Education & Volunteer Coordinator

Michigan Maritime Museum

260 Dyckman Avenue

South Haven, Michigan 49090

voice: 269.637.8078, xt. 224

fax: 269.637.1594

www.MichiganMaritimeMuseum.org