Brad Fisher
LOVES Wooden Canoes
Happy upcoming holidays, paddlers! We’ve got news!
Fred Capenos is doing great!
I spoke with Fred the other day, and his doctor is very pleased with the pace of his recovery following heart surgery. He’s doing so well, in fact, that he’s decided not to sell his project boat work-in-progress and instead finish it himself. Fred wanted to let all of us know that he’s very appreciative of the well wishes and cards he received.
Dues are due
Fred’s recovery put him back on duty as our dues collector (he’s the Chapter Treasurer). As you know, your dues help us cover some of the expenses of our yearly events (see below) and sponsor other worthy canoe related activities such as the Children’s Program at Assembly. (Note, these are Chapter dues, separate from WCHA dues).
Rich Seman is selling a stripper
Chapter Member Richard Seman is one of our finest craftsmen, and he’s selling a beautiful Redbird cedar strip canoe.
Call or text him at 412-901-1627 for details.
2026 Events
Your Executive Committee met in St. Clairsville, Ohio a couple of weeks ago to plan events for 2026. It was a productive session. Thanks to Mark and Ruth Zalonis, Craig and Diane Johnson, and Millie Sass for taking the time and making the drive. Here’s the schedule so far. Mark your calendars! And by the way, let us know of any ideas you may have for 2026 events. We’re still planning things out. Your feedback is essential.
February 12 - zoom presentation
Human powered boats of Chautauqua Lake - Brad Fisher
March - date TBD - zoom presentation
Wedding Paddle Art - Murat Vardar - Canadian/Northern Lakes Chapter
Murat is an accomplished paddle carver and authority on the history and culture of canoe paddles.
April 24-26 - Moraine State Park, PA
Our traditional first outing of the year. Join us for a paddle/picnic/campout hosted by Fred Capenos and Aleta Grubish.
May 15 - Big Run State Park, MD
Paddle/picnic/campout hosted by Mark and Ruth Zalonis
June 6 - Cooper’s Lake, PA - Western PA Solo Canoe Rendezvous-https://wpascr.org/
This is an annual event sponsored by the Western PA Solo Canoe Rendezvous group. It’s a chance to test drive the latest solo designs … and eat delicious pancakes!
June 26-28 Canada Mini-Assembly - Peterborough, Ont.
Craig Johnson is working with the Northern Lakes folks on a multi-organizational gathering at Beavermead Park, right next to the new Canadian Canoe Museum.
Late June - No Octane Regatta - Blue Mountain Lake, NY, Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts https://www.adirondackarts.org/event-details/no-octane-regatta
We’re doing something a little different from our usual outing format. We’re hoping to participate in this event with a canoe display with educational info on wood/canvas boat design and history. Of course, we’ll be paddling in the events as well.
July 14-19 - WCHA Assembly - Paul Smith’s College, NY
September 9-11 - Chautauqua, NY
Paddle/picnic/campout hosted by Brad Fisher
October 10-12 - Mini Assembly
This event, hosted by the Delaware Valley Chapter, is always a great opportunity to meet with other chapters in the area. They’re currently looking for an alternative location to Gifford Pinchot State Park, which will be closed for renovations.
November 16 - Planning/Annual Meeting - St. Clairsville, OH
Other opportunities to wave the WCHA flag
We discussed and are planning to participate in other events during the year, not as Chapter picnic/paddle outings, but as opportunities to represent WCHA and educate the public about the heritage and history of wooden canoes. An ambitious goal, but we think it’s part of our ‘mission’ and a key to Chapter growth. Here are some of the events we’re working on:
Thanks and happy paddlin’ holidays!
Brad
Fred Capenos is doing great!
I spoke with Fred the other day, and his doctor is very pleased with the pace of his recovery following heart surgery. He’s doing so well, in fact, that he’s decided not to sell his project boat work-in-progress and instead finish it himself. Fred wanted to let all of us know that he’s very appreciative of the well wishes and cards he received.
Dues are due
Fred’s recovery put him back on duty as our dues collector (he’s the Chapter Treasurer). As you know, your dues help us cover some of the expenses of our yearly events (see below) and sponsor other worthy canoe related activities such as the Children’s Program at Assembly. (Note, these are Chapter dues, separate from WCHA dues).
- Make $20 check payable to WCHA Three Rivers Chapter
- Mail to Fred Capenos, PO Box 227, Chalk Hill, PA 15241
- Thanks!
Rich Seman is selling a stripper
Chapter Member Richard Seman is one of our finest craftsmen, and he’s selling a beautiful Redbird cedar strip canoe.
Call or text him at 412-901-1627 for details.
2026 Events
Your Executive Committee met in St. Clairsville, Ohio a couple of weeks ago to plan events for 2026. It was a productive session. Thanks to Mark and Ruth Zalonis, Craig and Diane Johnson, and Millie Sass for taking the time and making the drive. Here’s the schedule so far. Mark your calendars! And by the way, let us know of any ideas you may have for 2026 events. We’re still planning things out. Your feedback is essential.
February 12 - zoom presentation
Human powered boats of Chautauqua Lake - Brad Fisher
March - date TBD - zoom presentation
Wedding Paddle Art - Murat Vardar - Canadian/Northern Lakes Chapter
Murat is an accomplished paddle carver and authority on the history and culture of canoe paddles.
April 24-26 - Moraine State Park, PA
Our traditional first outing of the year. Join us for a paddle/picnic/campout hosted by Fred Capenos and Aleta Grubish.
May 15 - Big Run State Park, MD
Paddle/picnic/campout hosted by Mark and Ruth Zalonis
June 6 - Cooper’s Lake, PA - Western PA Solo Canoe Rendezvous-https://wpascr.org/
This is an annual event sponsored by the Western PA Solo Canoe Rendezvous group. It’s a chance to test drive the latest solo designs … and eat delicious pancakes!
June 26-28 Canada Mini-Assembly - Peterborough, Ont.
Craig Johnson is working with the Northern Lakes folks on a multi-organizational gathering at Beavermead Park, right next to the new Canadian Canoe Museum.
Late June - No Octane Regatta - Blue Mountain Lake, NY, Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts https://www.adirondackarts.org/event-details/no-octane-regatta
We’re doing something a little different from our usual outing format. We’re hoping to participate in this event with a canoe display with educational info on wood/canvas boat design and history. Of course, we’ll be paddling in the events as well.
July 14-19 - WCHA Assembly - Paul Smith’s College, NY
September 9-11 - Chautauqua, NY
Paddle/picnic/campout hosted by Brad Fisher
October 10-12 - Mini Assembly
This event, hosted by the Delaware Valley Chapter, is always a great opportunity to meet with other chapters in the area. They’re currently looking for an alternative location to Gifford Pinchot State Park, which will be closed for renovations.
November 16 - Planning/Annual Meeting - St. Clairsville, OH
Other opportunities to wave the WCHA flag
We discussed and are planning to participate in other events during the year, not as Chapter picnic/paddle outings, but as opportunities to represent WCHA and educate the public about the heritage and history of wooden canoes. An ambitious goal, but we think it’s part of our ‘mission’ and a key to Chapter growth. Here are some of the events we’re working on:
- Joint event with Sylvan Canoe Club
- ‘Display at Three Rivers Regatta in Pittsburgh
- Display at Paw Paw Fest in Albany OH
- Display at Nessmuk’s Spring Festival in Morris, PA
Thanks and happy paddlin’ holidays!
Brad
