SIDE VIEW
My thanks to the small, but enthusiastic audience that attended the June program, How to try for Better Starts. Refresher courses are available in a one on one basis. With the summer doldrums on us now, the best place to be practicing those starting skills would be at the Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday fun races that are occurring both north and south of the Buckman. These races would be ideal because they are NOT serious, and are done for fun, the way it should be. See "Racing Dave" Kyser, our illustrious Rear Commodore, about details.
Summer is a pretty idle time on the St. Johns River. The combination of heat, humidity and no wind make for a miserable afternoon on the boat unless you’re willing to sail the "iron genny" to make you’re own apparent wind. Most of us slow down activity on the river for those reasons. Not everyone, however, slows down. There’s a group of folks that are very busy working to make the downtown area more conducive to the boating world.
The Maritime Heritage Foundation is working very hard to make an empty, unused part of the north side river bank an active hub for boating interests. If you saw the recent TU article by Larry Dennis, you know the future they are working for. I recently spoke to one of the directors, and he’s busy trying to seal a deal that will bring a REAL attraction to the space where the River City Music Shed once stood. Among other things is a plan for tall ships to harbor here. More on that as it happens.
Otherwise, the section of river bank between Metropolitan Park and the Landing would become filled with another center, dedicated to Maritime History and Industry. Right now, the plans are in flux as to what will exactly end up in the area, but right now are leaning towards a tourist and visitor section along with shops and museums. The exciting part to me is the history. For someone not originally from the area, most of my waterways were built for commerce or convenience. It’s almost mind boggling that the St. Johns River has been here for centuries before man thought about writing down history.
For the July meeting, we’ll hosting a member of the Maritime Heritage Foundation. Jack Allen, a 20 year Presbyterian minister, is very interested in the Maritime history in our area. I spoke with him a while back, and found him to be an extremely engaging character. And that’s putting it lightly. When I met him, he was wearing clothing that was all hand made by him. All of it was in the style of an able bodied seaman from sometime in the early 1700's. Dressed in that manner, he assumed the character of the seaman he embodied. He also has a great sense of humor, and one of the quickest wits I’ve encountered.
Join us in the July meeting for a chance to relive some of the local history that describes our past, affects our present, and influences our future.