Brad Fisher
Enthusiastic about Wooden Canoes
People of the Rivers,
Happy Turkey Hangover! I trust yours was all good. At ours, we tried to impose a moratorium on politics, but someone who shall remain nameless brought a fine bottle of cask-strength Jameson’s to ward off the winter chill. The moratorium failed. Fortunately there were few injuries.Here are a few items to consider:
Our next meeting is January 17. It’s a zoom.
Have you ever asked yourself, what the @#$# am I paddling through? Now you will know. Millie Sass has arranged for a fascinating presentation on invasive aquatic plants by Amber Rose Stilwell of Pennsylvania Sea Grant (https://seagrant.psu.edu/). Amber will give us the latest on recognizing invasive species that are crowding out the locals in the waterways we paddle, with tips on managing and not spreading them.Date: January 17
Time: 9:45 am
Location: Zoom. There will be no on-site meeting. Here’s the link:
https://psu.zoom.us/j/93017413874?pwd=J20xwIQjidDF9pcaAyQzFHNiDJ0Vra.1
Password: 205441
Homework: Millie says the presentation will be more interesting if you watch this 40-minute documentary ahead of time: Seeing the Unseen:
February is Review Month. Please send photos.
I’ll be hosting the February meeting, with a slideshow reviewing last year’s activities, like I did last year. It’ll probably be another Zoom. Send me your favorite photos of events you attended, and tell me why you like them. They can funny, beautiful, historic, or fun. Thanks!Shirts happen. Coming in March.
Our planning meeting last month returned us to a favorite winter activity: Silk Screening Day, hosted by Tony Stanton and Ann Mertz. This is scheduled for March. We have a preliminary design, created by Scott and Craig Johnson. Other designs are welcome. Details and a final design to come. Plan on bringing your favorite T Shirt, tote bag, handkerchief or Rebel Flag to screen it with this cool design. More details soon.This is not the newsletter. That’s the newsletter.
Another outcome of our planning meeting was a strong desire to reboot our official Chapter Newsletter. I’ll be working with Ann Mertz, who has graciously volunteered to reprise her role as graphic designer. I’ll edit the stuff you send in. YOU *WILL* BE SENDING STUFF IN, RIGHT? In lieu of actual content at this point (It’s a little early), feel free to post your ideas of what you’d like to see in the newsletter on this thread. Thanks!Speaking of newsletters…
Have you even read the Fall issue of Wooden Canoe Journal? I mean, come on! I’m telling the truth here! No joke! It’s spectacular! There’s a great story by Robin Moore on building a bark canoe under the mentorship of Tom Byers on the Vermilion River in Ontario. Great photography. Also a remembrance of master bark builder Rick Nash, who appears to have been a Canadian National Treasure. Then there’s a pictorial of a gathering of B.N. Morris beauties in North East, Maryland that, in another day and age, would have been confiscated by the Postmaster General for violating certain laws about what can be sent through the U.S. Mail. I’m talking HOT STUFF!If you’re not getting this gorgeous magazine, you’re missing out. It comes with your WCHA (not Chapter) dues, and, over the last couple of years, under the talented guidance of editor Chris Eden, has elevated itself to collectible status. I mean, every time I open it, the aroma of the ink makes me just swoon.
It’s that good.
One more thing.
Someone sent us this photo of a lifetime achievement award sent to Jackie Hutyera honoring Andy. It's good to know the town of Cadiz loved him almost as much as we did. Almost.That’s all for now. Spring is right around the corner!
Brad
