Last Meeting Minutes
HOUSTON CANOE CLUB GENERAL MEETING
June 11th, 2014
Bayland Park Community Center
Temporary Recorder: John Rich
Commodore Harmon Everett called the meeting to order at 7:10 pm, after repeated gavel-banging, trying to get the crowd to quiet down and settle into seats. Harmon was wearing a pirate tricorne hat and eye patch for the occasion.
Harmon introduced the club officers to the assembled scurvy buccaneers.
Ahoy ye mateys! The club still needs someone to fill the role of Recorder: the job is easy - you just attend meetings, take notes with a quill pen, and send them to the newsletter editor by courier. And for that you get an extra ration of grog compared to regular crewmen. Maybe even enough to get squiffy.
Harmon Everett presented the "Safety Minute", talking about the philosophy of NASA launch safety. Most, if not all, accidents are caused by human error. Often these errors are from a "failure of imagination" to foresee what could go wrong and do something about it beforehand. We would do well to emulate that philosophy in our paddling adventures. Crew members failing to use such imagination will be keelhauled.
The last meeting minutes from May were read by scallywag John Rich and approved.
Included in the meeting minutes was mention of "Wear your lifejacket to work day", which is an effort to promote boating safety. Two HCC members submitted photos of their participation in this promotion.
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| Will Blumentritt at NASA |
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Paul Woodcock at school |
The sign on Paul's PFD says "Always wear your vest. Never boat and drink".
Honey Leveen gave an update on the planning for the 50th anniversary party, to be held Oct. 11th. The party committee is conducting intensive personal research by raiding BBQ restaurants to determine which BBQ caterer has the best food, before awarding a contract. Now there's a committee assignment you can really sink your teeth into. There will be exhibits by non-profit organizations. The committee is looking for any old photos of club members and activities. Joe Coker will organize a 50-boat flotilla, and is looking for an island to plunder. Prepare to be boarded! Attendees who join the club at the party will get booty of two free BBQ meal tickets and a ride in the crow's nest.
Harmon presented the budget numbers from January 1st through May 31st for Purser Bob Naeger who is on leave from the ship. Everything is on-track. The 50th anniversary party budget is $3,800, and $5,000 in gold doubloons has been moved from the CD account chest to the checking account coffer to cover expenses and contingencies.
Bosun Kenny Pape introduced new pirates in attendance: Larry, an experienced paddler with his own boat and cutlass; Gloria, a new paddler; Mike & Eva who are members but have been inactive and are looking to get their sea legs back; and comely lasses Ginny and Marie.
Fleet Captain Dave Kitson stepped to the forecastle to lead his trip reporting.
Recent trips, and who talked about it:
- Buffalo Bayou, two trips on different sections with different boats, by Will Blumentritt.
- Colorado River, Columbus Loop, by Fraser Baker. One word: rain.
- Champion Lake, by Joe Coker.
- Ocoee River, NC, by Robert Langley.
- San Marcos River, training session, by Tom Douglas. Congestion by tubers.
- Sabine River, 3-day trip, by Paul Woodcock.
Upcoming trips, and who talked about it:
- Week of Rivers, NC, by Joe Coker.
- Lake Charlotte, by Natalie Wiest.
- Water Safari: Harmon Everett, and Janice & Fraser Baker will have groups spectating the race, with maybe a paddle afterwards. The two club participants who planned to race have cancelled their participation due to a broken arm suffered by one paddler while training.
- Spring Fling on Lake Charlotte, by Joe Coker, has been postponed, but he will have a scouting paddle instead on Lake Charlotte.
Newsletter Editor John Rich gave a quick review of the trip reports in last month's "Waterline" newsletter, and thanked the contributors.
Conservation: Frank Ohrt talked about another upcoming Riparian Workshop, which is an excellent educational event. And David Risch talked about the Texas Stream Team training, which trains recreational paddlers to take water samples for scientific analysis and recording.
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Will runs Google Earth
for his presentation. |
The feature presentation was done by Vice Commodore Will Blumentritt, who highlighted the many paddling opportunities that exist on the east side of Houston along the Interstate-10 corridor. He used Google Earth to pan around and zoom in and out, showing the many water bodies which he and other club members have paddled, presenting various trip possibilities, routes and features, put-ins and take-outs. The water bodies featured included: Lake Charlotte, Lake Pass, Miller Lake, Mud Lake, Old River, The Cut-Off, Champion Lake, Pickett's Bayou, Trinity River, Lost River, Wiggin's Bayou, Square Lake, Cotton Bayou, Trinity Bay, Round Lake, Sulfur Cut and Mac Bayou. It was noted that Google Earth has incorrect names tagged on many of the waterways, usually "Lost River" which seemed to be everywhere at once. The scenic paddling possibilities in this maze of waterways are quite numerous and varied.
Will's Playground
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 sharp and the club jack was lowered down the jackstaff and stowed below deck until next time.
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| Picaroon Recorder, John Rich |
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| Harmon Everett |
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Honey Leveen |
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Mary Zaborowski |
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Kenny Pape
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*** highlight the value of a life jacket in boating safety. He encouraged everyone
*** to do so, and to send in photos.
*** Photo of Paul & Will...
*** highlight the value of a life jacket in boating safety. He encouraged everyone
*** to do so, and to send in photos.
*** Photo of Paul & Will...