The Michigan Maritime Museum Weblog

News from the Michigan Maritime Museum .

Friday, January 21, 2011

Volunteer Connection

 

Volunteer Connection

January 20, 2011

 

 

 

Greetings Friends of the Michigan Maritime Museum!

 

Another two weeks have flown by!  At this rate it will be spring before we know it.  To those of you who are somewhere warm, and enjoying the sunshine…..good for you.  For those of us here in good old Michigan, sticking out the wrath of winter, well, we’re in this together.  At least we have much to do to keep us busy.  I hope this latest Connection will keep you “connected” to all that is happening in and around our Campus.  Thank you for your interest and your dedication to our cause.  

 

Patti Montgomery

Business Director

 

 

TSCA Meeting Report

 

Greetings All, and a Happy New Year.

 

Our regular meeting was held Saturday in the Padnos. Members present were:

Chuck Snow, Tom Jarosch, David Green, Rick Smith, Phil Nager, Sandy Bryson, David Ludwig and yours truly. Work continued on the Dory with a stem being cut and shaped and mounted on the form. The patterns for the sides were cut and partially trimmed. They should be finished by the next meeting. A pattern was cut for the tombstone (transom) but we need to have the form for that in place. Tom Jarosch has expressed interest in this project so I suggest we let him take the lead there at the next get together. David and I will put our heads together to get materials before the next meeting.

 

A business meeting was held during lunch; the following items were discussed. John Hansen brought his prototype Lightning model. He's suggesting that if we decide to build a fleet of these that we have a mold made and make them of fiberglass. While most agree this is probably best, none here were ready to undertake that project, and most felt that we had enough on our plate at this time.

 

Sandy talked about the Classic Boat Show and festival. There were several good suggestions for places to advertise this event, hopefully at no cost.

We discussed the auction, the possibility of donated items (a nautical flea

market) and the division of the proceeds. The subject of the museum charging admission was discussed. It seems that is likely to happen this year.

 

Quiet Water Symposium was discussed. We have the same space we did last year. There was discussion of perhaps making it a little less canoe oriented than in the past (I don't know why) with more pulling boats there to more evenly describe what it is TSCA stands for. We still need a commitment from the museum as to what they can do at the show since part of the space is donated to them.

 

The next meeting will be 22 January at the Padnos. I won't be there but the materials should be.

 

Pete Mathews

Secretary, Michigan Maritime Museum Chapter Traditional Small Craft Association canoenut@bciwildblue.com

 

 

 

Ship’s Company First Meeting 2011 Season

Sunday, January 23, 2011  4:00PM

 

 

   "All hands”!  Muster for the Ship's Company Meeting, Sunday, January 23 at 1600 hours.  Come early for the Shackleton Presentation.  Topics range from the business side of tall ship during an ASTA summer, opportunities for voyages and programs for next summer, new sail training initiatives, new Drug Testing pool and South Haven's own tall ship weekend for next August.

 

-Jim Spurr, First Officer"

 

 

   MICHIGAN MARITIME MUSEUM

Friends Good Will Ship’s Company Meeting

Sunday, 23 January 2011, 1600 Hours

Museum Main Gallery

 

1.  Introductions and Welcome             Patti Montgomery, MMM Business Mgr.

 

2.  Personnel Announcements                               Patti Montgomery

 

A.  Captain Adele Arlitt, 2011 Season

B.  Volunteer Assistance from the MMM Office

C.  MMM Education/Programming Committee

 

3.  Financial Review of 2010 Season; Budget for 2011                  Jim Spurr

 

4.  Drug Pool                    Al Kempf, Jr. and Jim Schneider

 

5.  Maintenance and Work Sessions                   Eric Standen

 

6.  Opportunities for Sailing to other ports and destinations in 2011;  Tall Ships, South Haven                         Jim Spurr

 

7.  Sail Training Program and Classes     Al Kempf, Jr. and Sail Training Committee Members

 

8.  Mechanical Systems and Engineering Committee

 

9.  First Aid and CPR Classes

 

10.  Uniforms

 

11.  Costs to Join the Ship’s Company                                Patti Montgomery and Marcia Flynn

 

12.  2011 Policy and Training Manual; distribution of CD’s                    Eric Standen

 

13.  River Launch                                           Jim Schneider

 

14.  Additional Questions or Other Topics

 

 

 Sunday Lecture Series…….. This Week!                        

 

 Program on Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Endurance

On Sunday, January 23, 2011 at 2:00 p.m., author, speaker and maritime historian Rochelle Pennington will present a program at the Michigan Maritime Museum focusing on one of the most dramatic and inspirational sagas in the annals of ships and the sea.

Sir Ernest Shacketon and 28 sailors and scientists set out in 1914, as the world was slipping into the horrors of WWI, for a mission of peace and discovery of Antarctica. For more than two years, he led the small party through trials and tribulations, threatening their lives and sanity.

The manner in which these few rose to the challenges and cared for each other, have been the focus and study of management teams and business corporations wishing to learn in what manner to effectively lead people through difficult situations.

Those acquainted with the sea will marvel at the skills brought to bear by tired, hungry and nearly frozen mariners, navigating across huge expanses of the Great Southern Ocean, in the smallest of boats to make a landfall upon which their lives all depended.

Author Rochelle Pennington traveled to England and Scotland, researching source material for her book, which will be available for sale following the presentation.


Road Trip to Rhode Island!

 

Thank you for the many responses we received to heed the call of our request for a hero!!

If I didn’t know better, I’d think you have all done this before!  Once again…..you amaze me.  Plans will be made and finalized after we receive final word of our Coast Guard Inspection.  It sounds like Volunteer; Chuck Snow passes all of the qualifications needed.  THANK YOU CHUCK!  We will be in touch!

 

Patti Montgomery

Business Director

 

Greetings all:

 

A little advance warning, we are meeting this coming Saturday in the Padnos to continue work on the Gloucester Light Dory for those who can make it.

Unfortunately, I'm not one of those. But there will be folk there. Any and all are welcome at these meetings. If you've always had a dream or desire to build a boat, this is a good way to get started. Whether you want to observe, or pitch in and help with the building boat, it makes no difference. There will be coffee and donuts for all, unless you show up late. We can make more coffee, but the donuts? That's a different story.

 

The materials, the plywood at least, will be there tomorrow. I doubt if the fasteners will have arrived. I don't know when David ordered those.

 

Tom Jarosch has undertaken the task of making and fitting the transom support brace. This part is critical to having the stern of the vessel come out correctly. Chine logs need to be cut and scarfed from the available sassafras and cutting strips for and glueing up another stem should be done some time. There was a problem with the first one so it's not usable. The chines should be done carefully as there are some tricky bevels to be cut on those, though the bottom of the logs can be planed to shape. The patterns have been trimmed to shape so they should be ready to go. The 1/2" plywood for the bottom needs to be scarfed. The plans are at the museum clamped to the form for your reference.

 

Hope you all have a good time. The next meeting will be 5 February.

 

Pete

 

Reminder for Board of Directors  & Members

 

There will be NO January Board Meeting this month.  Our next Board Meeting is scheduled for February, 18, 2011 @ 3:00.

 

New Exhibit Committee Meeting will meet tomorrow, January 21st at 1:00 in the Akers Gallery.

 

Night for the Museums

 

Gather for an evening of great food, drink, and conversation while supporting your local Museums.  These first Thursday’s of the month seem to be growing in popularity!

 

Join your friends at the Vineyard on Thursday, February 3, 2011 from 5-8.  Remember that YOUR participation helps support OUR Museum!

 

Museum Closes As New Exhibit Takes Form

 

After much consideration, we have decided to close the Museum for the rest of January and February as we take the necessary steps to erect  our new exhibit for the Akers Gallery, Crusin’ Down The River!  This does NOT mean however that there is not life and activity here on a regular basis.  Again our work sessions continue each week in the Padnos and always welcome a helping hand. Our committee meetings are encouraged, called and productive.  David is successfully balancing all of our requests that require his expertise, and I continue to give it everything I have each day!  There is a presence at 260 Dyckman Ave.……..if you don’t believe me stop by and find our for yourself  

 

Patti Montgomery

Business Director

Michigan Maritime Museum

269-637-8078

 

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

 

 

Volunteer Connection

January 6, 2011

 

Happy New Year Friends!

 

Welcome 2011!  This will be a year filled with hope, promise and excitement here at the Museum….mark my words.  We are off to a fabulous start and have much to be grateful for.  Your generous contributions continue to flow in as we come closer and closer to reaching our budgeted goal for the Ride the River Fund Drive.  Thank you all for finding it in your hearts, and your pockets to give, and for the valuable time and energy that seems to be endless for so many of you!

 

It’s a cold and snowy day today; however the Museum remains full of activity.  My office is much warmer thanks to the generosity of our President, Pete Matthews.  Thank you for the heater, it has helped tremendously and is sure to save some money on our heating bills!  With all of the active committee work, there is always someone stopping by.  Just remember to call first so that you are not standing out in the cold!  I’m always happy to see you and appreciate all of your help.  

 

Patti Montgomery

Business Director

 

 

What’s For Dinner Tonight?

 

Night for the Museums*

 

 See You All Tonight At

 

Clementine’s

 

Come out and invite a friend or two along

Greet your neighbors!

Enjoy the 1st Thursday in January

While supporting your favorite Museums

 

*Historical Association of South Haven, Liberty Hyde Bailey Museum

Michigan Maritime Museum, South Haven Center for the Arts

 

 

Volunteers Needed to Work Shows:

 

Thank you to all of those who have responded to help for the Grand Rapids Boat Show & the Chicago Maritime Festival.  Your prompt response has been amazing and further details will be communicated very soon.  What a great opportunity to spread the word about the Michigan Maritime Museum!

                                 

 Engineering, Mechanical, and Systems Committee
 

Thanks to those who heard the call and will roll up their sleeves and get greasy!  Tim Bell, Tom Askew, Jim Schultz, Tom Jett, Jim Ellis, Steve Stryd and Jim Spurr in undertaking to care for the engine, Mechanical and systems of FGW, through the year.  This will include training this winter, commissioning in the spring, maintenance through the season and winterizing come late fall.  Jim Schneider will donate time to teach the basics.  A primary goal of the committee will be to create a manual, including photographs, instructing all about the more "modern" aspects of an 1810 replica.  There is not much maritime history in these efforts, but it is said, "If they had had an engine, they would have used it!"

 

We look forward to getting started, very soon! 

 

-Jim Spurr, First Officer"


Road Trip to Rhode Island!

 

It won’t be long and it will be time to head east my friends, to pick up the hull of our soon to be Lindy Lou!  We are looking for a hero to step forward who could bring her home.  We are in need of a driver, and a truck large enough to pull a 30’ River Launch Hull and trailer.  If you or someone you know might be willing to help our cause, or if you have the truck but would prefer to co-pilot, please call or email Jim Schneider or Patti at the Museum.  The estimated pick up time is early March.  Your help would make a huge difference and I’m sure it would be a trip that you will remember and talk about for years to come!

 

Patti Montgomery

Business Director

 

Events Calendar

 

Did you know that you all have access to the Calendar of Events, Activities, and Meetings here at the Museum?  If you are interested in knowing just what’s going on visit our website at www.michiganmaritimemuseum.org   then just click on Events, and then click on Calendar of Events on the left hand side.  There you are, and hopefully I’m on top of it, and we are current with our scheduled activities.  If you would like to add a meeting or activity to our calendar, please feel free to contact me with the information you would like to add.  Together we can keep everyone informed and spread the word!

 

 

Welcome New Volunteers & Members

 

 

Word has it that we have had some new faces showing up out in the Padnos for work sessions!  Welcome, in a big way to Doug, and also to Nicholas.  Work is back in session and the heat is on in the Padnos.  With Eric and David’s leadership these work sessions are in full swing and the completion of some major projects are targeted before the arrival of Lindy Lou!  It’s a busy place and thanks to all of you who show up to lend a hand, our Tall Ship Friends Good Will shall be ready for a great season of 2011.  Stop by and see what YOU can do to help!

 

Until next time………..

 

Patti Montgomery

Business Director

Michigan Maritime Museum

269-637-8078