STORY STORY - Real Muskoka

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General Manager’s Report: The summer of 2012 was a milestone season for the Muskoka Steamship & Historical Society. The Muskoka Boat and Heritage Centre and Muskoka Steamships both enjoyed successful seasons with a significant increase in our special event’s business such as weddings, private celebrations and corporate functions. R .M .S . Segwun celebrated her 125th anniversary which we recognized with a number of special occasions such as the festival and parade in early July, the 100 Mile Cruise in August and our Steamship Classic Golf Tournament last month. All events were very successful and well attended—thanks to all the volunteers that made them possible! This fall, the Society also received two awards: The Muskoka Awards presented us with “Outstanding Community Business,” and the Muskoka Heritage Foundation presented Segwun with their “Community and Cultural Heritage Award.” Both awards are a testament to our vibrant organization, dedicated volunteers and staff, and a strong, passionate Board of Directors. One of the greatest achievements of our organization this year occurred on September 28th, the day we made the last payment to the Royal Bank to retire the Wenonah II construction loan. In 2001, our fundraising campaign was going strong—3 million dollars were raised towards the Wenonah II construction project with just 2 million dollars to go. When tragedy struck on 9/11 in New York, we halted the campaign and approached the Royal Bank for the remaining funds. As you can imagine, this was not a simple loan application, it was a large commitment for a small organization! With the loan in place and Wenonah II launched, we entered into a decade of very slow tourism growth due to a number of challenges, but never missed a payment—it was all worth it in September! Now we focus on paying the money borrowed for our drydock inspection last year. Today, with a new Vision Committee tasked with developing a five year plan to grow and strengthen the organization, we will take stock of our products and offerings and create and execute a plan that will add value to our customer experience. By next year you will see enhancements through new technologies, staffing, programming and marketing that will help us reach new demographics such as youth, families and different ethnic markets. These improvements will build our customer base and further ensure that we continue to preserve and promote our wonderful heritage attractions. John Miller, General Manager Membership Matters: 2012—What an exciting year to be a part of the Muskoka Steamship & Historical Society! We were treated to the events and celebrations of the 125th Anniversary of R .M .S . Segwun including the Segwun Parade and July 1st weekend celebrations, the very successful 100 Mile Cruise, our annual Members Day Cruises, and the 1st Steamship Classic Golf Tournament. We are pleased to announce that 53 new members have joined the Society in 2012. We would like to thank them for their support and welcome them aboard. The 2012 Membership Year will end on November 30th. Our yearly members will be receiving a 2013 renewal form. Once again, there will be an incentive offered to members to renew early in the year. It is a great help to the Society for us to receive membership funds early in year which is traditionally a quiet time. The Membership Committee has been working hard throughout the year, and we are now preparing for the 2013 season. Did you know that the Society turns 40 in 2013? Do you have any suggestions for our 2013 programs or are you are interested in becoming part of the Membership Committee? We value your feedback and we are always interested in hearing from you. Please feel free to contact us through the Heritage Centre or at membership@realmuskoka.com. Corrections: We would like to correct the following errors that appeared in the Summer 2012 issue: Seasons of Bangor Lodge: • Paragraph 2: last line should read “she,” not “he.” • Paragraph 7: an “a” was missing before the word “shop.” • In the poem The Bangor Song, the words “the things” were erroneously repeated in the 3rd verse. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the Committee members for their many contributions over the year. They are: Kathy Barkey, Pat Young, Nancy Thompson, Bruce Patterson, John Rooney, Tom Payne, Rick Terry, Lawton Osler, and John Lee. I would also like to express our thanks to John Miller, Ann Curley, and their staff for their continued assistance. Happy Sailing! John Glendinning, Membership Committee Chair 6 Issue 83 • Fall 2012 The Real Muskoka Story
2012 Steamship Classic Golf Tournament: The Muskoka Steamship & Historical Society held the first ever Steamship Classic Golf Tournament on Tuesday September 25th at the Muskoka Lakes Golf & Country Club. In what had been a week of rain and cool weather, our golfers and volunteers were treated to a perfect golf day at one of Muskoka’s premier courses, followed by a memorable moonlight dinner cruise aboard Wenonah II. We are pleased to report that the Society was able to raise approximately $11,000.00 as a result of the tournament. These funds will go to the Segwun Restoration Fund to assist with the ongoing maintenance & restorations of R .M .S . Segwun. Special thanks is owed to the Muskoka Lakes Golf & Country Club, and in particular General Manager Trevor Noonan, Head Golf Pro Jordan Nathan and all of their staff, for making such a beautiful course available to us and for all of their help leading up to and on the day of the tournament. In addition, we were privileged to have a number of Sponsors and Donors who supported us. Thanks to Commodore Sponsors Muskoka Lakes Golf & Country Club and Barometer Capital Management Inc.; Captain Sponsors Windsor Boat Works, North Restaurant & Catering, Merit Golf Vacations, and Richardson GMP; Mate Sponsors Osler Business Consulting and Pro Fitness Advisors Group; and Donors Dan Cornacchia and John & Lynne Rooney. There were a number of Society Members who volunteered to help the day of the event. Thanks to Kathy Barkey, Janet Gray, Mary & John Storey, John Twist, George & Pat Robbins, and Al Young for all of their assistance! Finally, I would like to thank the Steamship Classic Golf Committee for the work of planning and preparing for the Tournament. The Committee consisted of Mary Patterson, Pat Young, Bruce Patterson, John Rooney and our staff members John Miller, Cathy Tait and Jordan Waines. This was the first year in which we have planned and run our own tournament. Without the dedication and effort of the Committee members, we would not have had such a successful day. Thank you. John Glendinning, Chair, Steamship Classic Golf Committee The Real Muskoka Story Issue 83 • Fall 2012 7
Page 1 and 2: The Real Real Muskoka Issue 83 Fall
Page 3 and 4: In This Issue: About Us: FeatureS:
Page 5: with the ships RMS Segwun and Wenon
Page 9 and 10: how he and Gord Hawker, Bert’s so
Page 11 and 12: Running out of Bracebridge, she ran
Page 13 and 14: The Many Symbols of Segwun’s 125t
Page 15: The work crews from Beaver Creek ar
Page 18 and 19: WA WWA AI I TE FFU F U E L S O/ O/O
Page 20: 100 Mile Cruise—2012 Style! R.M.S

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