The Houston Canoe Club held its July meeting on Zoom.Commodore Natalie Wiest called the meeting to order. Officers present were Ms. Wiest, Vice Commodore Christy Long, Boatswain Alice Nissen, Purser Kent Walters, Fleet Captain Bruce Bodson, and Recorder Frank Ohrt. Also present were Conservation Chair Tom Douglas, Webmaster Harmon Everett, and Sergeant-at-Arms Ann Derby. 

  Ms. Wiest asked that the minutes of the previous month’s meetings be approved, and they were.

  Ms. Nissen reported four new members: Natalie Pumphrey, Darlene Montemarano, Robert Rollen, and Brian Blakely. Mr. Blakely was present at the meeting, and introduced himself. Ms. Wiest welcomed him, and urged him to come paddling with us. Also attending his first meeting was Curtis Ruggles, a member since May. He was also welcomed. 

  Mr. Bodson gave the Fleet Captain’s report. The club had eight official trips so far in the year, for a total of 135 miles. Constantin Platon had the most (111). Recent trips included:two trips on the Brazos River, led by Mr. Bodson, of 24 and 38 miles. Tom Douglas reported a trip with his wife on Lake Charlotte, with a camera crew from Channel 11 News, filming for their “Moment of Zen” news segment. Joe Coker led a trip of 8 miles on the Mud Lake Bayou Loop. Mr. Walters led several trips, including two on Marshall Lake. Ms. Wiest led a trip on Mac Lake. 

  Upcoming trips announced were a trip on the Brazos, led by Mr. Bodson, from SH 21 to FM 60, near College Station, and a general request by Ms. Long for paddlers to join her on the San Marcos in the near future. 

  Mr. Walters gave the Purser’s report. Due to virus-related slowdown of club activity and expenditure, the club is ahead of budget for the month, and for the year. 

  Tom Douglas announced a meeting of the Spring Creek Watershed Partnership on July 29, to discus improving water quality in Spring Creek. He also spoke about the activities of the Cypress Creek Watershed Partnership. 

  Ms. Long introduce the speaker for the meeting, Celeste Silling of the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory, who gave a presentation on birding and studying bird coastal populations by kayak. It was an interesting presentation, and there were many questions. 

  Ms. Wiest noted that, while we’re out paddling, we all need to be careful and stay safe. She then adjourned the meeting.

Zoom meeting screen captures:

Tom Douglas		Christy Long		Kent Walters		Celeste Silling