Delta Queen Christmas Cards

As the holidays creep up on us, many of us flash back to wonderful holiday memories on the river. Well, with no riverboats running this holiday season, at least you can retain a bit of that wonderful nostalgia in your Christmas cards.

A true Delta Queen legend, Karen “Toots” Maloy has developed a lovely series of handmade Delta Queen Christmas Cards. I thought these were so cute, I just had to put a link here on the blog. If you’d like to see all the available colors and variations, to visit her website, click here.

Of course, for a great holiday gift idea, don’t forget the musical CD Laura and I produced that musically chronicles the boat’s amazing history. To listen to samples of the CD, click here.

 

Another Congressional Effort Defeated

Rep. Baron Hill of Indiana

This morning, Congressman Baron Hill introduced an amendment to the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010, H.R. 3619, regarding the necessary exemption for the Delta Queen to resume cruising.  In order for the amendment to reach the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives during consideration of the larger bill, H.R. 3619, the House Rules Committee needed to find the amendment germane and in order.  Unfortunately, when the Rules Committee met this afternoon they stated that the amendment was not made in order.  In response, Hill issued the following statement:

“This decision by the Rules Committee is simply one decision.  I am going to pursue other paths for getting the necessary exemption and seeing the Delta Queen back on the Ohio River.  While I’m disappointed with the decision, I’m going to keep fighting.”

To read Congressman Hill’s press release, click here.

Special thanks to Rep. Hill for his efforts. He had stated, “My perspective on the Delta Queen and its safety has evolved significantly. After speaking with various officials and the former captain of the Delta Queen, I am convinced it should cruise again.  To that end, I have introduced this amendment with the full intent of seeing this through until the Delta Queen is back on the Ohio River.  The Delta Queen is not only historically significant, but is a job creator and economic boon to the areas along its route.”

To read his release about his support of the Delta Queen, click here.

A couple of interesting notes about the Rules Committee’s decision not to allow Rep. Hill’s amendment:

The Rules Committee is a group of 13 representatives who wield the incredible power of deciding what amendments will be allowed to be attached to legislations. Those 13 members include:

Rules Committee Members:
Chairwoman Louise M. Slaughter (New York)
James P. McGovern (Massachusetts)
David Dreier (California)
Alcee L. Hastings (Florida) 
Lincoln Diaz-Balart (Florida)
Doris O. Matsui (California)  
Pete Sessions (Texas)
Dennis Cardoza (California)   
Virginia Foxx (North Carolina) 
Michael Arcuri (New York) 
Ed Perlmutter (Colorado)
Chellie Pingree (Maine) 
Jared Polis (Colorado)

Does anyone else notice that there is not one single member of this committee from a state touched by the rivers that the Delta Queen traveled on including the Ohio, Mississippi, Tennessee or Cumberland Rivers? Isn’t that amazing? This incredible power is controlled by representative of only eight states – and no state between the Rockies and the Appalachian Mountains is representated! Interesting. If you are a Delta Queen supporter and any of these are your representatives, please communicate your strong dissappointment in their decision.

An array of other amendments were added to the bill, including a lengthy array submitted by Minnesota Congressman James Oberstar, the Chairman of the House Transportation Committee. Congressman Oberstar has repeatedly stated his opposition to the Delta Queen’s continued operation. He cites safety concerns despite much evidence to the Delta Queen’s safety. To see and learn for yourself about the Delta Queen’s safety, watch the video here. To review the ammendments added to the bill, click here.

We are thankful for Rep. Hill’s efforts on behalf of the Delta Queen. She is a National Historic Landmark and the last operating overnight steamboat in U.S. history. She deserved the opportunity to operate, keep history alive, thrill passengers, provide jobs, and generate revenue for struggling river communities.

 

Stopped by the Delta Queen

Traveling from Knoxville down to Atlanta, we passed through Chattanooga and stopped by to check in on the old gal. The Delta Queen rests comfortably there at Coolidge Park and has been decorated for the autumn. The boat looks great and business is beginning to pick up. We continue to wish the best for the Delta Queen Hotel venture as they serve as the best caretakers we can realistically hope for at this time.

If you’re ever passing through the Chattanooga area, stop in for a drink or to stay the night. For their website, click here.

We met with Leah Ann Ingram, the new managing partner, and we are discussing possibilities for our eventual return to the boat to continue the Riverboat Entertainment tradition. Keep your fingers crossed!

 

Where have we been? Getting married!!!

I’m sure some of you were wondering why I have taken a bit of a hiatus from the DQ blog. Well…Laura and I got hitched on August 10! We had an incredibly beautiful wedding in the Columbia River Gorge (just can’t get too far away from a river!) and it was attended by our families and some of our dearest friends. Even some old steamboat entertainers such as Norman Bergan, Mark Cotter, Jennifer Neiderloh, Eric Hadley, Fred Bishop, Rick Lewis, Jeff Siri, Ken Anoe and Christopher Dean were on hand to witness our nuptials. We’ve been traveling ever since the wedding on a tour for Holland America that has taken us from Hawaii to England, so the first months of our wedded life have been a whirlwind. Thanks for being patient as we have taken time to catch our breath from our wonderful adventures. More Delta Queen posts to come…

 

I know I’m behind!

My apologies to my faithful readers. Things have been so crazy busy here that I have not posted as I should.

I will let you know that I have been taking photographs and making frequent notes in my notebook. I will get these written up and posted soon.

In short, things are going well. Laura and I are performing a variety of entertainment programming from 4:30 to around 10 each night Tuesdays through Saturdays. Days have been busy with meetings, family visiting, planning a wedding, etc.

Our contract here ends July 25. If you’re anywhere nearby, please come down and visit, see one of our shows, and stay overnight if you can. We’d love to see you before we head out to get married!

All the best to all you river and steamboat fans. I’ll update you on the details of the Delta Queen hotel operations soon.

 

A Crazy Weekend

The Delta Queen opened last Friday just as the 10-day Riverbend Music Festival began directly across the river. The Fat Cat Ferry (also owned by Delta Queen Hotel partner Harry Phillips) docks adjacent to the Delta Queen and shuttles festival-goers across the river. So, we had lots of folks coming aboard to have a drink in the Texas Lounge on their way to the concerts.

Friday and Saturday nights were wild nights in the Texas Lounge. The folks at the bar were ready to have a good time, rowdy and fun. They pushed us the edges of our repertoire with an array of very diverse requests. I think the only one we couldn’t fulfill was a request for a song by Neil Young. I admit, my Neil Young repertoire equals zero. But we’ve had them singing along and Saturday night they were even up dancing. Those of you who’ve been in the Texas Lounge are familiar with the cozy atmosphere, so it was crazy!

Laura and I ended both nights drenched in sweat and exhausted. We felt like we’d run a marathon, but we also felt really proud in a way that we had at least finished the race! With the concert-going, party crowd, this has not been the regular crowd we’re used to in the Texas Lounge. We felt like if we could survive that and keep the crowd having fun, then we might not ever be nervous again!

The festival continues through this weekend, so we’re bracing ourselves for a few more wild nights in the Texas Lounge. If you’re in the Chattanooga area, come on down. I have a feeling it’s going to be very entertaining!

 

Volunteer help

Phillip and Jo Ann

True Steamboaters Jo Ann Schoen and Phillip Johnson were onboard this weekend volunteering their help. Phillip got into all kinds of mechanical maintenance projects while Jo Ann focused mainly on asthetics. Both traveled with us onboard the boat earlier this year as volunteer workers during her historic journey from New Orleans to Chattanooga from February 4 – 11.

Phillip spent a lot of his time down below in the engineering spaces, so I didn’t get a shot of him in action, but Jo Ann was easy to catch as she focused on one of her specialties – polishing brass. And the Delta Queen never has any lack of brass needed to be polished! I think if you polished all the brass on the boat, by the time you finished it would be time to start again!

A hearty steamboat salute to these dedicated folks who have taken time out to come and work (and I mean work!) for long hours, just simply because they love the boat and want to be a part of her preservation. I am so thankful for so many folks like Jo Ann and Phillip that love the Delta Queen so deeply.

 

A tragic loss

Vince Lombardi on the Delta Queen last year.

Last week, former Delta Queen crew members lost a cherished member of our crew family. Vince Lombardi served as a housekeeper onboard and was one of those really vibrant, funny, charming people who always brightened your day. Vince passed away last week and left a huge hole in the lives of many.

Laura and I were lucky enough to work closely with Vince last season, and even in the most stressful moments, Vince always could keep us laughing. He was a joy to be around.

We all send his family our heartfelt condolences on this terrible loss. You will be in our hearts and prayers. And Vince will often be fondly held in our memories.

Our private memorial for Vince, held in the Delta Queen's pilot house.

Former passengers Jo Ann Schoen and Phillip Johnson were here on the Delta Queen this weekend and we all felt it would be appropriate to have a brief memorial in Vince’s honor. We met in the Pilot House to grieve and share memories of Vince. At 3pm EST on Sunday, we rang the big bell and blew a special steam whistle salute in his honor. We wanted to share it all with you, so we recorded the ceremony and Phillip kindly edited it into the following lovely tribute:

Vince was much loved by the passengers and the crew. He will be greatly missed.

 

Delta Queen Hotel opens

Shortly after 3pm on June 5, 2009, Jill and Eddie Wade became the first guests to check in to the Delta Queen Hotel.

Well, it’s official. The Delta Queen Hotel is open! Laura and I are so excited that this day is finally here. After the April 1 opening was delayed, we arrived in Chattanooga on Apirl 8 to prepare for the planned April 15 opening. We’ve worked hard with the dedicated staff to prepare the vessel and our entertainment programming as the ownership waded through the beurocratic hassels to obtain all the necessary permits.

But now…(trumpets sound) with a certificate of occupancy from the city and liquor and beer permits, they are raring to go.

They will open the hotel in phases. So far, just the rooms in the Aft Cabin deck are available as they are still waiting on more power from the city. Other cabins and the dining room will be operational soon. The staff are so excited to be open!

More power is forthcoming to expand needed services, more guests are booked, the restaurant and mainstage shows open on June 19. Things are moving!

Laura and I did our first evening of programming including a guided vessel tour, my riverboat gambler card magic act, and then four sets in the Texas Lounge. Despite very little publicity during the soft opening, we had a nice crowd and everyone seemed to be very happy and really enjoying themselves. We are so glad to be here and to have things up and running!!!!!!!

 

Any crew remember layup?

For any previous crew out there, you remember coming out of layup. That’s where we are now. The boat used to tie up for maintenance a month or two each winter and then the first crew of the season helped get her ready for passengers. It seemed that on embarkation day at 11am we always still had cardboard on the floors, plastic over furniture, equipment in the hallways, etc. I was always filled with a panic that we would never be ready in time for the first guests to arrive. But somehow it all always magically comes together just minutes before the first guest.

Well, today is the day. The hotel opens at 3pm and this morning is still a flurry of activity. Hoses are being relaid under the dock, equipment is being put away, things are being organized, etc. But having survived many a first cruise out of layup, I know things will come together in time.