Thanks to all who joined us on July 19th for our second fundraising cruise on the Detroit River. We were joined by many of the Boblo reunion crew - folks who had worked on the Island or on the boats for a festive cruise down the River. Thanks to Lori Feret and our wonderful Detroit volunteers as well as Karen Winkler of the Boblo Reunion crew and  Capt. Sam Buchanan, Columbia’s volunteer shipkeeper who served as captain on the MV Friendship. Once again we enjoyed the delivery of pizza through the generosity of the good folks at the J. W. Westcott II mailboat. We enjoyed beautiful weather and smooth sailing. Lisa Hagopian again kindly recorded many wonderful memories of SS Columbia.

We all look forward to the next cruise and if you have memories you’d like to share before then please email us and we will arrange for it.  The funds raised during the cruise will go towards completing the essential stabilization project.

Please join us for our second festive fundraising cruise on the Detroit River on Saturday, July 17th from 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm aboard the MV Friendship.  The cruise will also serve as an official reunion event for former Boblo crew members and employees.

On this celebratory cruise down the Detroit River, you are invited to bring memorabilia, share your fond memories and reminisce about America’s oldest surviving passenger steamer as you cruise past the beloved Bob-Lo boats, Columbia and Ste. Claire.

During the cruise, you will feast on complimentary pizza delivered by the J.W. Wescott II mailboat while toasting the slow steady progress in restoring the Columbia to its former glory.

The Friendship will depart from the dock behind the Portofino Restaurant at 3455 Biddle Avenue, Wyandotte.  Boarding begins at 1:00 pm.  Suggested donation is $35 per person.

• Donate by phone: 248-546-9712
• Donate electronically at www.sscolumbia.org
• Donate by check to:

SS Columbia Project
1574 Westbrook Drive
Madison Heights MI 48071

Please book your tickets soon as that last year we sold out !

On December 22nd vital work to protect Columbia against winter weather began as workers from our contractor Boss Construction led by Sammy Hixson began to lay down the recycled billboards that will re-seal Columbia’s top deck ( known on all steamboats as the “Hurricane Deck” ) in effect “re-roofing” the ship.  This is a wonderful step forward in the stabilization process of protecting the ship meaning that it will no longer rain and snow inside SS Columbia.

We had a wonderful turnout for our first official fundraiser to celebrate the beginning of the rebirth of Columbia. On Saturday, September 19, nearly 100 residents with fond memories of the beloved vessel stepped aboard the MV Friendship for a cruise along the Detroit River to recreate Columbia’s former route. Captain Art Herrala was onboard to share 43 seasons of stories from his days as a 19-year-old deckhand to full captain. Captain Herrala is one of the many lucky passengers who found their true love thanks to Columbia. Also among the attendees were former SS Columbia crewmember Captain Sam Buchanan, who serves as MV Friendship’s skipper and who also kindly keeps watch over the Columbia as volunteer shipkeeper, and several other former crewmembers and Boblo Island employees. Karen Winkler, Columbia’s undercover security guard during the 1980s, now spearheads the Boblo Island reunions. Here is an excerpt from her account to Boblo alumni:

 

“It was a beautiful day on the river. We got to see the Ste. Claire and Columbia up close again and than headed up the river to the Ambassador Bridge and back to Wyandotte. I learned a couple of things on Saturday… One being that I don’t know how today’s kids would handle an all-day boat shift on the river. I took my two daughters, and besides being wigged out by the bees checking out their soft drinks, they were initially tortured by the thought that they would have to remain on a boat for three hours. Once the wind was whipping through their hair, and later when the [J.W. Wescott mailboat] delivered pizza to the boat, it was more fun for them, and for me!  Secondly, I’m not sure what was more of a deja vu moment: seeing Brian Pattison not looking a day older than he did in 1989, or coming up to the Clark Street-Boblo Island dock area like it was only yesterday instead of 20 years ago when I had last made that trip? If Brian hadn’t been sitting next to me, I would have expected to see him standing at the dock with his crew waiting to tie up the boat and bring on more concessions. What a wonderful and missed memory!

 

Thanks to Richard Anderson, Lori Feret and Sam Buchanan for a great day and opportunity! There are many of us hoping that the SS Columbia Project can save our beloved Columbia. There has already been talk about planning a future reunion or field trip to New York and the Hudson River once you bring her back.”

 

Several guests at the fundraiser shared their memories on camera.

Memories of the S. S. Columbia - BobLo Boat from Lisa Hagopian on Vimeo.

If you have a story to tell about traveling on Columbia or have any photos or memorabilia you would like to share with us, please email caquila@sscolumbia.org

 

Thanks to everyone who made it possible

On behalf of the SS Columbia Project, many thanks to all the volunteers who made this event such a success: Lori Feret, Gloria Davis, Beryle Hymer in Detroit; and Helen Applebaum, Cynthia Aquila, Francine Catibyan, Nicole Clarke, Ian Danic, Marisa Kefalidis, Justine Mann, Roger Marquis and Laura Vialva in New York.

 

We are also grateful for the generosity of the following friends and businesses: Portofino Restaurant for its donation toward the cost of the cruise; Jack’s on the River, Polonus, R. P. McMurphys and Sibley Gardens restaurants for donated raffle prizes; Monica Nacianceno of Lil’ Monica’s Bakery for our delicious cakes; the J. W. Westcott Company for pizza delivery service; our film crew, Lisa Hagopian and Eric Harabadian; and Joel Stone, of the Detroit Historic Society and former Columbia D.J., for his Columbia music compilation.

 

And finally, special thanks to Capts. Sam Buchanan and Art Herrala for their advice and time — and, of course, Richard Anderson for his vision and tireless commitment to Columbia.

 

 

Please join us for our first official fundraising event !: A fun and festive cruise on the Detroit River on board the M.V. Friendship. We will serve complimentary pizza delivered by the J.W. Westcott II mailboat and a cash bar will be available. During the 3 hour cruise we will be able to view both the Columbia and the Ste. Claire.

When: Saturday Sept. 19 2009 2 - 5 pm ( please be prepared to board by 1:30)

Where: departure from the dock behind the Portofino Restaurant, 3455 Biddle Avenue, Wyandotte

Price: donation of $ 30 (U.S.) per person

Payment Methods:

- donation via this website ( pls. click on donate now button)

- by check payable to the SS Columbia Project and mailed to :

SS Columbia Project

c/o Lori Feret
1574 Westbrook Dr.
Madison Heights, MI 48071-3045

- by telephone via 248 546 9712

Tickets will be held at the dock

Please book as soon as possible as space is limited

For further information:

- contact@sscolumbia.org

- 212 228 3128 / 917 532 4300