Reedville Fishermen's Museum - Reedville, Virginia
Reedville Fishermen's Museum - Reedville, Virginia
Reedville Fishermen's Museum - Reedville, Virginia
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www.rfmuseum.org-<br />
Summer2008<br />
Starry Banner<br />
Starry Banner<br />
<strong>Reedville</strong> Fishermen’s <strong>Museum</strong> - <strong>Reedville</strong>, <strong>Virginia</strong><br />
www.rfmuseum.org SUMMER 2008
Greater <strong>Reedville</strong> Association and<br />
<strong>Reedville</strong> Fishermen’s <strong>Museum</strong><br />
2008 BOARD OF DIRECTORS<br />
OFFICERS<br />
President - Kathy Elsden<br />
Vice President - Dick Doyle<br />
Secretary - Margaret Hudnall<br />
DIRECTORS<br />
Clif Ames<br />
Carol Cole<br />
Dennis Dalpino<br />
Maureen Gillmer<br />
Aubrey Henry<br />
Susan Carter Hughes<br />
Eve Jordan<br />
Tom Miller<br />
Bill Rogers<br />
Ben Ward<br />
Glen Warner<br />
DIRECTORS EMERITI<br />
George and Katherine Frayne<br />
BOARD COMMITTEES<br />
Financial Management– Aubrey Henry<br />
Long Range Planning – Dick Doyle<br />
Membership - Susan Tipton<br />
Planned Giving - Susan Stubbs<br />
OPERATING COMMITTEES<br />
Boat Collection - Dudley Biddlecomb<br />
Boat Donation and Resale - Clif Ames<br />
Boat Shop - Jay Rohmann<br />
Building and Grounds – Glen Warner<br />
Claud W. Somers - Harry Towne<br />
Curatorial - Maria Rogers<br />
Docent - Rita Johnson/Martha Tallent<br />
Education - Audrey Brainard<br />
Elva C. - Spud Parker / George Butler<br />
Exhibits/Interpretation - George Koman<br />
Gift Shop - Marcia Adams<br />
Landscape and Gardening - CBGC Judy Burgess<br />
Model Shop - Bob Dillon<br />
Photo Group - Doug Brogden<br />
Publications - Rita Johnson / Tom Ryals<br />
Publicity - Tom Ryals<br />
Quilters - Tippie DeLeo<br />
Walker House - Carol Cole<br />
MUSEUM STAFF<br />
Executive Director - Chuck Backus<br />
MISSION STATEMENT<br />
The Greater <strong>Reedville</strong> Association, Inc. supports educational<br />
and recreational activities that improve the quality<br />
of life for area residents and visitors by operating a<br />
museum, supporting historic preservation and providing a<br />
forum for commuity involvement.<br />
The <strong>Reedville</strong> Fishermen’s <strong>Museum</strong> promotes an understanding<br />
and preservation of the maritime heritage of<br />
the lower Chesapeake Bay with emphasis given to the<br />
commercial fishing industry, its related trades, and social<br />
and cultural history of the area watermen. As such, we<br />
collect, conserve, interpret, provide access to, and foster<br />
an appreciation of this heritage to a diverse community of<br />
residents and visitors.<br />
VISION STATEMENT<br />
The GRA/RFM is working to conserve and sustain the<br />
traditional working landscape, waters and natural and<br />
cultural resources that reflect our maritime heritage. The<br />
<strong>Reedville</strong> Fishermen’s <strong>Museum</strong> is the focal point for visitors<br />
wishing to experience a traditional Chesapeake Bay<br />
fishing village.<br />
In <strong>Reedville</strong>, visitors can view traditional waterfront<br />
industries, historic homes and commercial structures,<br />
boatyards, wharves and vessels, and seafood processing<br />
operations. We also provide access to the Cockrell’s Creek<br />
water trail from which visitors can explore the beaches,<br />
tidal marshes and trails of our natural area preserves and<br />
observe our commercial fishing industry at work.<br />
STARRY BANNER<br />
is a membership benefit and is published quarterly. The editors<br />
encourage readers to submit information about programs,<br />
exhibitions, projects and other information desired. The Fall<br />
Deadline is September 10th.<br />
Editors:<br />
Rita Johnson rita@kaballero.com<br />
Tom Ryals tom@crewone.com<br />
Photographer: Tom Ryals tom@crewone.com<br />
Distribution:<br />
Clarice Williams<br />
<strong>Museum</strong> Office: 804.453.6529<br />
FAX: 804.453.7159<br />
Email: office@rfmuseum.org<br />
Website: www.rfmuseum.org<br />
RFM Location:<br />
504 Main Street,<br />
<strong>Reedville</strong>, VA<br />
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 306,<br />
<strong>Reedville</strong>, VA 22539<br />
Greater <strong>Reedville</strong> Association Inc./<strong>Reedville</strong> Fishermen’s<br />
<strong>Museum</strong> is a non-profit organization.<br />
Starry Banner is named for the first menhaden steamer to<br />
operate in <strong>Reedville</strong>. The steamer was purchased by Elijah Reed<br />
in 1880. Captain Reed, founder of <strong>Reedville</strong>, was a pioneer in the<br />
menhaden fishing industry.<br />
2 Starry Banner Summer 2008
CONTENTS<br />
ABOUT THE COVER<br />
7 14<br />
Reflecting a shared<br />
heritage, the 1922<br />
deckboat, Elva C., joins<br />
the 1911 skipjack,<br />
Claud W. Somers, and<br />
the 1961 workboat<br />
Foggy River at the RFM<br />
pier. Each boat displays<br />
deadrise construction,<br />
meticulous restoration<br />
work by RFM volunteers<br />
and a legacy of labor on<br />
the Chesapeake Bay.<br />
Photo by Tom Ryals<br />
EVERY ISSUE<br />
4 FROM THE PILOT HOUSE<br />
5 PRESIDENT’S CORNER<br />
8 BOATS FOR SALE<br />
FEATURES<br />
6 N.C. YACHT CLUB<br />
TRAVELS TO RFM<br />
7 THIRD GRADERS RETURN<br />
11 BLESSING OF THE FLEET<br />
<strong>Reedville</strong> Fishermen’s <strong>Museum</strong><br />
online<br />
Home Page<br />
www.rfmuseum.org<br />
About Us<br />
www.rfmuseum.org/visitorinfo.html<br />
Claud W. Somers<br />
www.rfmuseum.org/somers.html<br />
9 SHARE THE NEWS<br />
10 CALENDAR OF EVENTS<br />
16 RFM FLEET<br />
17 RFM QUILT GUILD<br />
20 COCKTAILS ON THE<br />
CREEK AND MUSEUM<br />
GIFT SHOP<br />
12 DAUNTLESS DOCENTS<br />
AND PRESERVING A<br />
SKILL<br />
13 FESTIVAL HALLE<br />
AND INDEPENDENCE DAY<br />
14 WALKER HOUSE EXHIBIT<br />
15 BOAT SHOP AND MODEL<br />
SHOP<br />
16 NEW ARTIFACT<br />
STORAGE FACILITY<br />
18 FOGGY RIVER<br />
19 SPIRIT OF 1608<br />
Elva C<br />
www.rfmuseum.org/elvac.html<br />
Spirit of 1608<br />
www.rfmuseum.org/spirit1608.html<br />
On Exhibit<br />
www.rfmuseum.org/experm.html<br />
Education Programs<br />
www.rfmuseum.org/education.html<br />
Events/Activities<br />
www.rfmuseum.org/annualevents.html<br />
Photo Galleries<br />
www.rfmuseum.org/photoarch.html<br />
Volunteering<br />
www.rfmuseum.org/volunteering.html<br />
Starry Banner Summer 2008 3
“Those are good boys. They knew what they<br />
were talking about. I fished with their fathers<br />
& their grand-fathers. Let me tell you. They<br />
knew what they were talking about.”<br />
-- Captain Earnest Delano<br />
On the morning of April 16, 2008, Captain Tom<br />
Moore, skipper of Omega Protein’s Lancaster,<br />
and spotter pilot John Mark Deihl presented<br />
“Conversations with a Captain” at our Third<br />
Wednesday docent training session. At our<br />
invitation, the duo spoke about their jobs and<br />
21st century menhaden fishing.<br />
FROM THE PILOTHOUSE<br />
and excitement began to surface. Soon, the<br />
explanations of nets, sets, and menhaden<br />
schools grew into accounts of a grandfather’s<br />
wisdom, battles with rough seas, and crew<br />
members pulling together to support their<br />
families.<br />
It was a great way to spend an April morning.<br />
A sample of audience comments indicates that<br />
the presentation left quite an impression on<br />
those attending:<br />
• “ I’ve lived here my whole life and that<br />
was the first time I’ve ever heard a<br />
(Menhaden) Captain talk like that about<br />
fishing. You could see how much it<br />
meant to them.”<br />
• “ Don’t you know every parent in the<br />
room was thinking ‘I hope my son or<br />
daughter finds a career they enjoy as<br />
much as those boys do.’”<br />
• “ The passion they felt was so obvious.<br />
I was really touched.”<br />
The two were intelligent, articulate, and<br />
well-versed in their craft. They provided<br />
the audience with insightful information and<br />
thoughtful answers to questions. In short,<br />
they were everything we had hoped for. Had<br />
that been their entire contribution to the event,<br />
it would have been a success.<br />
• “ I didn’t realize it was so complex!<br />
They’re thinking about so many things at<br />
the same time. It’s just amazing.”<br />
• “ You can tell they really love it, can’t<br />
you?”<br />
• “ We need to do this again.”<br />
Our sincere thanks to Captain Tom Moore and<br />
Mr. John Mark Deihl. We invited them to teach<br />
us about fishing. We ended up learning much<br />
more.<br />
Chuck Backus<br />
Executive Director<br />
But both these young men have deep roots<br />
in the community. Their connection to the<br />
water is multi-generational and when they<br />
speak, they speak from a place of family pride,<br />
tradition, and legacy. As a result, each was<br />
able to talk only a short time before his passion<br />
4 Starry Banner Summer 2008
PRESIDENT’S CORNER<br />
Recalling how my friend and mentor Wendell<br />
Haynie began his Spring Edition article with<br />
the words Deja vu, let me begin my first Starry<br />
Banner message by stating what every vicepresident<br />
and boy scout know quite well – be<br />
prepared. Just like Arthur, Coolidge, Fillmore,<br />
Ford, Johnson, Johnson, Roosevelt, Truman<br />
and Tyler, I have very large shoes to fill. By<br />
the way, can you name their predecessors?<br />
Clearly, two roads lie ahead. The first road<br />
leads to the past and is bordered by rumors<br />
and speculation. It’s dark and bumpy and<br />
poorly maintained. It is a dead end. The<br />
second road leads to the future and is well<br />
paved. On the way we pass a humble road<br />
sign announcing the undeniable fact that<br />
Wendell has decided to “retire” from the<br />
Boardroom. When we see it, let’s not ask why;<br />
instead, remember all that Wendell Haynie<br />
has done and continues to do for GRA/RFM.<br />
And, should he pass nearby, extend a cheerful<br />
hand in thanks and gratitude for his ongoing<br />
contributions, commitment, integrity, and<br />
passion.<br />
Meanwhile, let’s congratulate Dick Doyle who<br />
has stepped in as our new Vice President, and<br />
welcome Maureen Gillmer as our newest Board<br />
member. These changes/additions compliment<br />
a talented group that is poised to move<br />
forward, together with our Executive Director,<br />
Operations Committees, and Volunteers with<br />
the harmony, stability and urgency required<br />
to ensure the continued success of our<br />
organization and the challenges we face.<br />
Nearly halfway through the calendar year<br />
and a third of the way into our museum year,<br />
there is much work to be done, in addition<br />
to the obvious recurring annual events and<br />
fundraisers. Some highlights of our list of<br />
organizational goals include:<br />
• Developing and publishing an updated Long<br />
Range Plan, and expanding it to include our<br />
newly acquired Festival Halle;<br />
• Expanding and updating our Policies<br />
and Procedures to include detailed job<br />
descriptions, measurable goals and<br />
objectives, and performance based job<br />
evaluation and compensation criteria;<br />
• Advancing pending and planned TEA-21<br />
Federal/State reimbursement programs<br />
to maintain and enhance the appearance,<br />
compliance, functionality, and hospitality<br />
of our campus for all of our members and<br />
visitors;<br />
• Aggressively pursuing ways to maximize<br />
grants and other funding opportunities,<br />
minimize expenditures, and optimize the<br />
satisfaction quotient of our shareholders<br />
(you), our sponsors, and our guests<br />
• Maintaining creative efforts to train<br />
and retain our dedicated and capable<br />
Volunteers, while gradually increasing the<br />
number of members and active participants.<br />
Without our Membership and Volunteers,<br />
we will fall short.<br />
Thank you one and all for your ongoing<br />
enthusiasm and support.<br />
Kathy Elsden<br />
Board President<br />
Starry Banner Summer 2008 5
N.C. YACHT CLUB TRAVELS TO RFM<br />
Chesapeake Bay Garden Club<br />
Adds Beauty to the <strong>Museum</strong><br />
I hope everyone saw the beautiful display<br />
of yellow daffodils in the gardens in April.<br />
Some of those<br />
bulbs were<br />
transplanted into<br />
the Biddlecomb<br />
garden from Miss<br />
Frances' home<br />
place. After<br />
blooming, the<br />
daffs were dug<br />
and replanted<br />
along the fence<br />
line to make<br />
way for the new<br />
garden at the<br />
Walker House.<br />
Rebecca Elston<br />
designed the<br />
herb garden<br />
with oyster shell<br />
walkways.<br />
The small Covington garden will soon feature<br />
a heron in place of the damaged tree. The<br />
Landscape Design committee chaired by Joy<br />
Young and Bobby Brogden hope to have him<br />
in position by the July 4th celebration.<br />
CBGC members Rebecca Elston, Sue Moore,<br />
Judy Strange, Barbara Yinger and Lorraine<br />
Van Wickler are providing fresh flower<br />
arrangements to compliment the wedding<br />
dresses displayed inside the Walker House.<br />
Judy Burgess<br />
6 Starry Banner Summer 2008
NORTHUMBERLAND THIRD<br />
GRADERS RETURN TO RFM<br />
For the second consecutive year, Northumberland Third Graders visited The<br />
<strong>Reedville</strong> Fishermen’s <strong>Museum</strong> for a unique perspective of Natural, Renewable,<br />
Human, and Capital Resources. The RFM Education Committee under the<br />
leadership of Chair Audrey Brainard provided hands-on activities encouraging<br />
students to discover the history and science at work in the world around them.<br />
New this year were tanks of oysters and crabs located near the <strong>Museum</strong> pier.<br />
Starry Banner Summer 2008 7
BOATS FOR SALE<br />
6<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
7.<br />
8.<br />
9.<br />
The Boat Donation Committee has<br />
BOATS FOR SALE<br />
9<br />
1972 Larson 17 foot fiberglass OB with trailer. Asking…$200.<br />
40 foot deadrise, “Catherine T”, 3208 Caterpillar Diesel. Asking…$8,000.<br />
1970 Thunderbird 23 foot fiberglass boat with Mercury I/O225HP. Asking… $2500.<br />
1985 Bayliner 27 foot Contessa Command Bridge 260HP Chevrolet Volvo IO.<br />
Asking…$6000.<br />
1985 Bayliner 18 foot Capri 2.1 liter Volvo I/O with trailer. Asking…$2500.<br />
1978 Hobe Cat 14 foot with trailer. Asking…$1000.<br />
1971 Jersey Yacht fiberglass 23 foot twin Detroit diesels. Asking…$11,000.<br />
1985 Small Craft Inc 22 foot two man rowing shell, with slide seats & three pairs of<br />
oars. Asking…$1100.<br />
1989 Seaswirl 230 Cordova, OMC stern drive, trailer included. Asking…$5000.<br />
If interested, please contact<br />
Committee Chairman Clif Ames through the RFM, 804.453.6529<br />
WE ARE LOOKING FOR DONATIONS<br />
If you have a boat with clear title that you wish to donate to the museum please contact Clif<br />
Ames at 804.453.3506 or RFM at 804.453.6529.<br />
8<br />
8 Starry Banner Summer 2008
SHARE THE NEWS<br />
SO, DO YOU GET THE RFM<br />
E-NEWSLETTER?<br />
The RFM E-Newsletter, an e-mail<br />
reminder of upcoming events, is available<br />
at no charge to RFM members. The<br />
E-Newsletter is sent on an irregular basis,<br />
perhaps every two to four weeks.<br />
If you’re an RFM Member and would like to<br />
subscribe to the RFM E-Newsletter, please<br />
e-mail the museum office (office@rfmuseum.<br />
org) or Harry Towne of the Membership<br />
Committee (htowne01@nnwifi.com) and we’ll<br />
get you signed up. Don’t forget to include<br />
your name along with your current email<br />
address.<br />
Everybody into the Pool<br />
Are you looking for a way to meet new people,<br />
enjoy new activities, and maximize your travel<br />
dollars? Consider car pooling to your next<br />
RFM event or Volunteer opportunity! Contact<br />
the RFM office 804.453.6529 and add your<br />
name to the list of RFM members interested in<br />
car pooling to various museum functions.<br />
Fighting Rising Fuel Costs<br />
A visit to the gas pump can be a<br />
discouraging event these days. With the<br />
rising cost of fuel, RFM Volunteers are<br />
facing unprecedented expenses in their<br />
trips to museum activities.<br />
These expenses can be somewhat<br />
mitigated by taking a deduction on<br />
your income tax return for “charitable<br />
mileage.” Current regulations allow those<br />
of you who itemize your deductions to<br />
take 14 cents per mile of travel to and<br />
from the museum and for any errands<br />
you may run for the museum. Any tolls<br />
or parking fees involved may be deducted<br />
also.<br />
You should keep a log of your miles either<br />
on a daily or weekly basis to substantiate<br />
your deduction. RFM has created a<br />
simple log sheet, available at the museum<br />
office or on the museum website for<br />
download at http://www.rfmuseum.org/<br />
milesheet.pdf to help you keep track of<br />
your volunteer miles.<br />
At the end of the year, you may find<br />
yourself with a substantial deduction on<br />
your tax return.<br />
As always, please consult your own tax<br />
advisor for details.<br />
By the Numbers: Spiders & Volunteers<br />
2011 Number of unique species of Nearctic Spiders currently listed in the Nearctic Spider Online<br />
Database.<br />
2011 Odometer miles on a previously owned 2006 Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder convertible<br />
currently selling for $184,992.<br />
2011 Year in which Spiderman IV is scheduled for cinematic release.<br />
2011 Number of hours donated by RFM Volunteers during the month of May 2008. Averaging<br />
an incredible 64.87 volunteer hours per day!<br />
Do you recognize<br />
these RFM<br />
volunteers<br />
frequently seen<br />
around the<br />
campus?<br />
Starry Banner Summer 2008 9
DAUNTLESS DOCENTS<br />
The Docent Committee is proud to welcome 5 new docents to our roster. Imy Weimerskirch,<br />
Marcia Hanson, Rose Schlatter, Janet Johnson and Carole Wiley have received training and<br />
are beginning to welcome visitors to the <strong>Museum</strong>. If you are lucky enough to be serving as a<br />
docent with one of them be sure to let them know how happy we are to have them join us and<br />
by all means give them the advantage of your knowledge as a Dauntless Docent.<br />
The third Wednesday of every month at 10:00 am there is a Docent<br />
Coffee. This is a time to learn about the <strong>Museum</strong>, get questions<br />
answered and meet other docents informally. This is on the Docent<br />
Calendar, but make sure you have it on your personal calendar as<br />
well.<br />
The Docent Committee is always looking for new faces to join our<br />
team of <strong>Museum</strong> “greeters”. If you are interested in becoming a<br />
docent please call Martha Tallent at 804.453.6832 or Rita Johnson<br />
at 804.580.3052<br />
PRESERVING A SKILL<br />
RFM Docent Winifred<br />
Delano, right, helps Tippie<br />
DeLeo select the perfect<br />
gift at the <strong>Museum</strong> Gift<br />
Shop.<br />
Come learn to make a real crab net!<br />
Donald George will endeavor to teach us how!<br />
Be warned...it is not easy and will take some<br />
patience and practice. The end result,<br />
however, will be that you will have learned a<br />
skill that is worthy of preservation; a skill as<br />
valuable to the Northern Neck life as square<br />
knots, bowlines and half-hitches. Besides,<br />
you'd blow your grandchildren's minds if you<br />
could teach them how to tie a real crab net.<br />
The class will be scheduled at a mutually<br />
agreed-upon time and enrollment will be<br />
limited.<br />
Please contact me at tallent@crosslink.net or<br />
804.453.6832 soon. I'm looking forward to<br />
hearing from you!<br />
Martha Tallent<br />
Pictured above is a finished crab net made by<br />
Donald George and Rita Johnson, one of his<br />
new students. Utilizing a solid wood handle &<br />
stainless steel bow, carefully crafted by RFM<br />
volunteer Gordon Burgess. Donald and Gordon<br />
have teamed together to construct several of<br />
these dip nets and generously donated the<br />
proceeds to the <strong>Reedville</strong> Fishermen’s <strong>Museum</strong>.<br />
10 Starry Banner Summer 2008
<strong>Reedville</strong> Fishermen’s<br />
<strong>Museum</strong><br />
Calendar of Events<br />
Courtesy of<br />
July 2008 Join us on July 5th - <strong>Reedville</strong> Independence Day Celebration!<br />
1 9:00 am Boat Shop<br />
3 9:00 am Boat Shop<br />
10:00 am Model Shop<br />
4 9:30 am RFM Needlers<br />
5:00 pm Cocktails on the Creek<br />
5 Independence Day Celebration<br />
See Article page 13<br />
8 9:00 am Boat Shop<br />
7:00 pm RFM Board Meeting<br />
10 9:00 am Boat Shop<br />
10:00 am Model Shop<br />
5:00 pm Cocktails on the Creek<br />
15 9:00 am Boat Shop<br />
10:00 pm RFM Quilters<br />
17 9:00 am Boat Shop<br />
10:00 am Model Shop<br />
2:00 pm Photo Group<br />
18 – 20 Family Boat Building<br />
18 5:00 pm Cocktails on the Creek<br />
21 – 25 Children’s Model Making<br />
See article on page 15<br />
22 9:00 am Boat Shop<br />
24 9:00 am Boat Shop<br />
10:00 am Model Shop<br />
25 5:00 pm Cocktails on the Creek<br />
29 9:00 am Boat Shop<br />
August 2008 Visit the <strong>Reedville</strong> Fishermen’s <strong>Museum</strong>: Daily, 10:30 am – 4:30 pm<br />
1 9:30 am RFM Needlers<br />
5:00 pm Cocktails on the Creek<br />
4 – 8 Granny’s Needle Arts Camp<br />
See article on page 17<br />
5 9:00 am Boat Shop<br />
7 9:00 am Boat Shop<br />
10:00 am Model Shop<br />
5:00 pm Cocktails on the Creek<br />
11 – 15 Children’s Model Making II<br />
See article on page 15<br />
12 9:00 am Boat Shop<br />
7:00 pm RFM Board Meeting<br />
14 9:00 am Boat Shop<br />
10:00 am Model Shop<br />
15 5:00 pm Cocktails on the Creek<br />
19 9:00 am Boat Shop<br />
10:00 pm RFM Quilters<br />
21 9:00 am Boat Shop<br />
10:00 am Model Shop<br />
2:00 pm Photo Group<br />
22 5:00 pm Cocktails on the Creek<br />
26 9:00 am Boat Shop<br />
28 9:00 am Boat Shop<br />
10:00 am Model Shop<br />
29 5:00 pm Cocktails on the Creek<br />
September 2008 Enjoy Cocktails on the Creek Every Friday at 5:00 pm<br />
2 9:00 am Boat Shop<br />
4 9:00 am Boat Shop<br />
10:00 am Model Shop<br />
5 9:30 am RFM Needlers<br />
5:00 pm Cocktails on the Creek<br />
6 TBA RFM Pig Roast<br />
9 9:00 am Boat Shop<br />
7:00 pm RFM Board Meeting<br />
11 9:00 am Boat Shop<br />
10:00 am Model Shop<br />
5:00 pm Cocktails on the Creek<br />
16 9:00 am Boat Shop<br />
10:00 pm RFM Quilters<br />
18 9:00 am Boat Shop<br />
10:00 am Model Shop<br />
2:00 pm Photo Group<br />
19 5:00 pm Cocktails on the Creek<br />
20 TBA Oyster Gardening Workshop<br />
23 9:00 am Boat Shop<br />
25 9:00 am Boat Shop<br />
10:00 am Model Shop<br />
26 5:00 pm Cocktails on the Creek<br />
30 9:00 am Boat Shop<br />
Please contact the museum office or visit http://www.rfmuseum.org/calendar.html<br />
for additional information. All meetings and events listed are subject to change.<br />
You are strongly encouraged to call ahead to confirm and event, date, and time<br />
before traveling a significant distance.<br />
Starry Banner Summer 2008 11
BLESSING OF THE FLEET<br />
Blessing of the Fleet marks<br />
the opening of the fishing<br />
season in <strong>Reedville</strong>, normally<br />
the first weekend in May.<br />
This event is sponsored by<br />
St. Mary's Episcopal Church<br />
and Omega Protein.<br />
12 Starry Banner Summer 2008
FESTIVAL HALLE<br />
Festival Halle was recently acquired by the<br />
Greater <strong>Reedville</strong> Association (GRA) thru<br />
the generosity of Ralph Birkel, who donated<br />
the historic school building in memory of his<br />
parents, Anton and Augusta Birkel. It is his<br />
wish and the intention of the GRA and the<br />
<strong>Reedville</strong> <strong>Fishermen's</strong> <strong>Museum</strong> to continue<br />
the Birkel's mission of providing community<br />
enrichment and enhancement through the<br />
use of the<br />
hall.<br />
classes, and entertainment. The Halle has a<br />
full kitchen, large ballroom, stage, classroom,<br />
and ample parking. It is climate controlled<br />
and has an excellent sound system and<br />
projection equipment. Classes are currently<br />
being planned for a full program in the fall.<br />
For rates, reservations and further info,<br />
contact Sonny Harper at 804.453.5862 or<br />
804.453.3808 or email: dsharp@crosslink.net.<br />
The hall is<br />
opened for<br />
rental to<br />
organizations,<br />
groups and<br />
individuals<br />
who might<br />
use it for a<br />
variety of occasions and events.<br />
Examples include; weddings, anniversary<br />
celebrations, family reunions, dances,<br />
business meetings, trade shows, lessons/<br />
INDEPENDENCE DAY – SATURDAY, JULY 5, 2008<br />
"A Good Old-Fashioned Fourth" -<br />
Main street comes alive with house<br />
decorations, craft fairs,patriotic<br />
singing and a 5K run/walk. Highlights<br />
are the parade in the afternoon and<br />
the fireworks in the evening. The<br />
event is sponsored by RFM, Bethany<br />
UM Church and Fairfield’s Volunteer<br />
Fire Department. Check out www.<br />
rfmuseum.org/july4.html for a<br />
complete schedule.<br />
Starry Banner Summer 2008 13
WALKER HOUSE EXHIBIT<br />
“With This Ring”<br />
The month of June, the traditional<br />
month for marriage ceremonies, was<br />
celebrated at the RFM’s Walker House<br />
with a display of elegant wedding<br />
gowns worn through the years by<br />
<strong>Reedville</strong> brides.<br />
Sponsored by the Bank of Essex, “With<br />
this Ring” also included clothing worn<br />
by children who were attendants at the<br />
weddings.<br />
Our museum is grateful to all the<br />
women who loaned us their precious<br />
wedding dresses and to the Mary Ball<br />
Washington <strong>Museum</strong> for their loan of a<br />
wedding outfit worn in White Stone in<br />
1900.<br />
The floral arrangements, in the Walker<br />
House for this exhibit, were provided<br />
by members of the Chesapeake Bay<br />
Garden Club.<br />
14 Starry Banner Summer 2008
BOAT SHOP NEWS<br />
The RFM Boat Shop is nearing completion<br />
of a dust control vacuum system for its<br />
woodworking equipment that will remove large<br />
volumes of dust and improve air quality.<br />
In the past, certain<br />
equipment would fill<br />
the shop with dusty air,<br />
especially a problem in<br />
winter months when the<br />
garage doors are closed<br />
for heating the shop. Also,<br />
the large planer the shop<br />
uses to dimension lumber<br />
would create huge piles of<br />
shavings to walk through.<br />
Today, the mountains of<br />
shavings are efficiently<br />
removed to a barrel<br />
while the cleaned air is returned to the shop.<br />
Through generous grant funding from the<br />
<strong>Virginia</strong> Department of Transportation, the<br />
effort to improve air quality also includes<br />
reduction of harmful dust created from<br />
portable sanding tools by using a pre-filter<br />
MODEL SHOP NEWS<br />
attached to a capable new shop vacuum.<br />
The portable tools remain a challenge<br />
because many tools do not include suitable or<br />
convenient ways to attach a vacuum hose to<br />
them and may often feel awkward to use. Dust<br />
will always<br />
be a part<br />
of building<br />
anything<br />
with<br />
wood,<br />
but more<br />
and more<br />
of it can<br />
now be<br />
captured<br />
as it is<br />
created.<br />
Work continues on hook-ups from the overhead<br />
ductwork to our sometimes ancient machines<br />
but when completed will provide much cleaner<br />
air for volunteers.<br />
Doug Smith<br />
The Model shop group is being dragged<br />
into the 21st century ever so slowly with<br />
the addition of a very basic digital control<br />
system for the trains. When we re-open at<br />
Thanksgiving, we will have an operating sound<br />
system for the two steam locomotives and the<br />
GG1. The control of the trains will be greatly<br />
enhanced by a walk around control<br />
panel that will operate each engine<br />
separately. This should mean fewer<br />
wrecks.<br />
One of our new engines has a new<br />
control chip thanks to the language<br />
skills of George Koman. All of the<br />
hobby shops we talked to wanted<br />
$160 for a new chip. George wrote<br />
to the company in Germany in their<br />
native tongue and explained the problem<br />
very carefully. Two week later we had a new<br />
chip and a nice letter from them. No cost! I<br />
wonder what he said in that letter?<br />
This is the second notice for the summer<br />
children’s boat building class. The boat will be<br />
a Skipjack about the size of last years model.<br />
The cost for the class will be $65 for each<br />
student. This will include the ship model kit<br />
and all equipment and paints. The minimum<br />
age is ten years old. Class will be 10:00 am<br />
until 2:00 pm each day with thirty minutes<br />
for lunch. Bring your own lunch. The dates<br />
for the first session will be July 21 -<br />
July 25 and the second session will<br />
be Aug. 11 - Aug. 15, 2008. Please<br />
call the office before the first of July<br />
for the first session and the first<br />
of August for the second session.<br />
Remember that each class is limited<br />
to six students and we usually fill up<br />
early.<br />
All of the other projects in the model<br />
shop are moving along nicely with the addition<br />
of trees and shrubs and dirt to the layout. As<br />
always, we are looking for new people to help<br />
out with our plans. Come by the model shop<br />
any Thursday morning and see what we are<br />
doing. You are always welcome!<br />
Bob Dillon<br />
Starry Banner Summer 2008 15
CREEK CRUISES<br />
Beginning June 21, 2008 the Elva C. will take<br />
Narrated Creek Cruises at 4:00 pm on the 2nd<br />
and 4th Fridays and 3rd Saturdays of each<br />
month.<br />
To sign up, please call the <strong>Museum</strong> office<br />
at 804.453.6529. Please register at least one<br />
day prior to the cruise and provide your name<br />
and a phone number.<br />
Cruises last from 1 to 1 1/2 hours.<br />
POUND NET CRUISES<br />
The Elva C. also takes an early morning trip<br />
To active pound nets in the Bay. These trips<br />
are dependent on the weather so they cannot<br />
be scheduled ahead of time. If you wish to join<br />
them, email Spud Parker at spudparker@gmail.<br />
com. When conditions are right, you will receive<br />
an email message announcing a planned pound<br />
net trip. Pound net trips depart at 5:30 am and<br />
typically return by 8:30 am. Plan to bring your<br />
camera on this unique journey!<br />
Enjoy Our Maritime Heritage this<br />
Summer Aboard the RFM Historic Fleet<br />
2008 Somers Sailings<br />
Saturdays - 10 AM<br />
July 19th<br />
July 26th<br />
August 9th<br />
August 23rd<br />
September 13th<br />
September 27th<br />
October 11th<br />
October 25th<br />
Enjoy the experience of a<br />
lifetime when you set sail<br />
aboard a masterfully restored<br />
Chesapeake Bay Skipjack!<br />
All sailings leave the dock at<br />
10:00 am and typically return<br />
at 1:00 pm. Passengers may<br />
bring food and drink. Call the<br />
RFM Office at 804.453.6529<br />
for reservations.<br />
NEW ARTIFACT STORAGE<br />
FACILITY UNDER<br />
CONSTRUCTION IN THE<br />
PENDLETON BUILDING<br />
At the <strong>Reedville</strong> Fishermen’s <strong>Museum</strong>, we’ve<br />
grown accustomed to high visibility success.<br />
We’ve enjoyed the national recognition<br />
bestowed on projects like the Elva C.<br />
and Claud W. Somers. We’ve celebrated<br />
unprecedented international visibility courtesy<br />
of the Spirit of 1608, the “Hands-Acrossthe-Sea”<br />
quilt, and similar efforts. We’re<br />
accustomed to seeing our name celebrated<br />
online, in print, on television, and radio. Our<br />
2006 & 2007 financial reports, published in<br />
the Spring 2008 issue of the Starry Banner<br />
reflect our highly visible and exciting growth.<br />
Our visitor log bears witness to guests from<br />
around the globe who marvel at what our<br />
museum has accomplished. Visible success<br />
on such a grand scale is very nice.<br />
But occasionally, our successes are met with<br />
little fanfare and virtually no visibility. Such<br />
has been the case with the new artifact<br />
storage facility under construction in the<br />
Pendleton Building. Thanks to the efforts<br />
of RFM volunteers led by Maria Rogers,<br />
Donald George, George Koman, and Aubrey<br />
Henry, a climate controlled and professionally<br />
organized storage<br />
facility is nearing<br />
completion. Funded in<br />
part by a TEA-21 grant,<br />
the new storage facility<br />
dovetails into the newly<br />
computerized artifact<br />
collection program.<br />
While few visitors to<br />
the museum will ever<br />
see this storage facility<br />
first-hand, the benefits<br />
of a well-organized,<br />
climate-controlled<br />
artifact storage facility<br />
will benefit the museum<br />
for generations to<br />
come. The <strong>Reedville</strong><br />
Fishermen’s <strong>Museum</strong><br />
is indebted to those<br />
individuals who have<br />
volunteered their time<br />
and efforts to this vital<br />
project.<br />
16 Starry Banner Summer 2008
RFM QUILT GUILD<br />
The RFM Quilters and the RFM Needlers are<br />
proud to announce the first Grannies’ Needle<br />
Art Camp to be held August 4 - August 8, 2008.<br />
This will be an opportunity for a new generation<br />
of young needlers to discover the fulfillment and<br />
enjoyment of the needle arts.<br />
Participants will choose their focus from a<br />
variety of needle arts. The greatest challenge<br />
may be selecting which one of the scheduled<br />
programs to enjoy: quilting; beading;<br />
needlepoint; sewing; or knitting.<br />
family and friends in a festive “Show & Tell.”<br />
To register for Grannies’ Needle Art Camp<br />
call the <strong>Reedville</strong> Fishermen’s <strong>Museum</strong> at<br />
804.453.6529, or visit us on the web at www.<br />
rfmuseum.org<br />
Tippie DeLeo<br />
• Quilting: Participants will make a quilted<br />
pillow embellished with beads and sequins<br />
using both hand and machine sewing.<br />
• Beading: Participants will make<br />
necklaces and bracelets using beads<br />
and colors of their choice while learning<br />
specific beading methods.<br />
• Needlepoint: Participants will make<br />
holiday decorations which can double as<br />
refrigerator magnets using basic needlepoint<br />
stitches.<br />
• Knitting I is basic beginner knitting, purl and<br />
knit, leading to making a scarf.<br />
• Knitting II is following pattern<br />
directions to make a Teddy<br />
Bear sweater (sleeveless).<br />
• Sewing: includes making a sundress on the<br />
sewing machine. There will be two patterns<br />
from which to choose. Head<br />
bands will be made from the<br />
scraps.<br />
Grannies’ Needle Art Camp is open<br />
to children ages 10 and above. Registration is<br />
required. Number of participants will be limited<br />
to sixteen to assure personalized attention and<br />
interactive instruction. On the registration form<br />
the registrant can indicate a choice of needle<br />
art activity. Cost of the camp is $35.00, payable<br />
at registration. Payment holds your place and<br />
covers all supplies required to make a special<br />
treasure.<br />
Sessions for the 5-day program are 9:30 am to<br />
1:00 pm. Grannies’ Needle Art Camp concludes<br />
on Friday afternoon with grandparents, parents,<br />
Starry Banner Summer 2008 17
FOGGY RIVER<br />
On a crisp April morning, Dudley and Fred<br />
Biddlecomb, accompanied by Wayne Clark and<br />
Charley Gillmer, picked up the Foggy River at<br />
the <strong>Museum</strong> to take her to the <strong>Reedville</strong> Marine<br />
Railway, stopping enroute to remove the fuel<br />
tank at the Biddlecomb’s waterfront. She was<br />
then delivered to the railway and was hauled<br />
out a few days later, on April 18, 2008. George<br />
Butler began immediately to remove the stem,<br />
and everyone was relieved that George found<br />
no significant rot behind it. A new stem was<br />
cut, shaped, and put on. Several rotten planks<br />
on the port side were replaced by George, and<br />
wide seams were reamed out and caulked with<br />
oakum and seam compound. The bilge was<br />
cleaned out and the keel cooler removed and<br />
kept for possible future use.<br />
throughout the summer. Thanks to everyone<br />
for their able contributions so far, including:<br />
George Butler, Dudley and Fred Biddlecomb,<br />
Dick Doyle, Wayne Clark, Walt Jachimski, Tom<br />
Miller, Bob Healy, Bill Otley, Gary Madsen, Jay<br />
Roman, Glenn (Herkie) Warner, Jim Adams,<br />
Chase Melton, Harry Towne, Spud Parker,<br />
Gordon Burgess and Peale Rogers. If you want<br />
to get involved in this worthy project, please let<br />
us know!<br />
Charley Gillmer<br />
Oops, there was a hole in the hull! It was<br />
filled and sealed. The hull was sanded and 2<br />
coats of paint applied. The bottom was powerwashed,<br />
scraped and painted. By the end<br />
of April, the Foggy River was put back in the<br />
water and delivered to the museum, sporting<br />
bright coats of paint on the bottom and hull!<br />
Dunnage work was to begin. The first order of<br />
business was to lay down dunnage (floorboards<br />
of the cockpit) to protect the inside of the bilge<br />
from the sun. The dunnage was cut, fitted,<br />
treated and painted, and completed on June<br />
3rd. The first coat of paint has been put on the<br />
cabin/pilot house to protect the bare wood.<br />
On June 9, 2008, steering committee members<br />
Charley Gillmer, George Butler, Dudley<br />
Biddlecomb, Spud Parker, and Peale Rogers met<br />
to discuss the Foggy River’s progress and next<br />
steps for renovation. Priorities include:<br />
• replace waterway planks on the deck and<br />
hull plank on the port stern area<br />
• scrape and paint the deck of the boat<br />
• pay up (fill) plug holes<br />
• remove all electronics, steering system,<br />
and loose debris from the cabin<br />
• paint decks and all bare wood<br />
• paint the name “ Foggy River” in block<br />
letters on the bow and stern (if anyone<br />
out there has this talent and will<br />
volunteers, please let us know!)<br />
I anticipate that this work will keep us busy<br />
Photos by Maureen Gillmer<br />
18 Starry Banner Summer 2008
<strong>Reedville</strong> Fishermen’s <strong>Museum</strong><br />
Triumphs in Annapolis<br />
History was truly in action as three boats, each a unique<br />
modern interpretation of the vessel Captain John Smith used<br />
to explore the Chesapeake Bay 400 years ago, raced around<br />
Annapolis Harbor on Saturday, May 3 at high noon. The <strong>Reedville</strong><br />
Fishermen’s <strong>Museum</strong>’s Spirit of 1608, competed against boats<br />
from the Deltaville Maritime <strong>Museum</strong>, and Sultana Projects in<br />
Chestertown, Maryland. Spirit of 1608 added another jewel to her<br />
crown as she won the competition handily.<br />
Hosted by the National Sailing Hall of Fame, the Annapolis<br />
Maritime <strong>Museum</strong>, and the Friends of the John Smith Chesapeake<br />
Trail, the race was a feature of the Maryland Maritime Heritage<br />
Festival and celebrates Bay sailing history and the creation of the<br />
new Capt. John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail. The race<br />
was sponsored by Cummins Power Systems.<br />
Editor’s Note: Following the Maryland Maritime Heritage Festival,<br />
a superintendent in the National Park Service called to inform<br />
us that the <strong>Reedville</strong> Fishermen’s <strong>Museum</strong> has “the greatest<br />
volunteers in the country.”<br />
SPIRIT OF 1608 Voyage<br />
Mirrors History<br />
SPIRIT OF 1608<br />
“…we discovered the wind and waters so<br />
much increased with thunder, lightning,<br />
and rain that our fore-mast and sail blew<br />
overboard, and such mighty waves overraked<br />
us in that small barge that with great labor<br />
we kept her from sinking by freeing out the<br />
water. Two days we were<br />
enforced to inhabit these<br />
uninhabited isles, which<br />
for the extremity of gusts,<br />
thunder, rain, storms,<br />
and ill weather we called<br />
“Limbo.” Repairing our<br />
fore-sail with our shirts, we<br />
set sail…”<br />
--John Smith, The General<br />
History<br />
a scheduled 18-day trip to Maryland and<br />
celebrations in St. Mary’s City, Solomons,<br />
Annapolis, Gibson Island, Hancock’s<br />
Resolution, Fort Smallwood, and highlighted<br />
by a 5-day stay at Baltimore’s famed Inner<br />
Harbor, before concluding the journey with a<br />
stay at Patapsco Park.<br />
The barge and crew had made their first<br />
port of call in St. Mary’s City<br />
when rough weather struck.<br />
Two nights of storms, including,<br />
lightning, high seas, and 70 mph<br />
winds, provided wet, sleepless<br />
nights for the crew, and sprung<br />
at least one of the barge’s oak<br />
planks as she lay anchored<br />
at historic St. Mary’s City.<br />
Needing major repairs, the crew<br />
reluctantly returned to <strong>Reedville</strong><br />
to regroup.<br />
History can have an<br />
unpleasant way of repeating itself. Almost<br />
400 years to-the-day after Captain John<br />
Smith and company experienced their own<br />
residency in Limbo, the Spirit of 1608 and<br />
her crew of RFM volunteers faced a nearly<br />
identical storm, at nearly identical latitude,<br />
with eerily similar results.<br />
On June 13, 2008, Spirit of 1608 set sail<br />
from her home port of <strong>Reedville</strong> to begin<br />
As this issue of the Starry Banner<br />
goes to press, the future of this journey is<br />
in question. In an effort that would make<br />
Captain John Smith himself proud, RFM<br />
volunteers are actively working to repair the<br />
damaged barge and preserve some portion of<br />
the 400th Anniversary trip to Maryland.<br />
As a member of the <strong>Reedville</strong> Fishermen’s<br />
<strong>Museum</strong>, you would be proud of the<br />
extraordinary efforts that our volunteers are<br />
making in this endeavor.<br />
Starry Banner Summer 2008 19
COCKTAILS ON THE CREEK...<br />
GOES UNDER THE PAVILION FOR DANCING!<br />
GIFT SHOP<br />
Several new and beautiful fun items have<br />
arrived at the gift shop. You can buy a <strong>Reedville</strong><br />
<strong>Museum</strong> grocery tote and leave the plastic bag<br />
in the store. One less plastic article to be thrown<br />
in the trash. New books are arriving almost<br />
weekly with a great choice of children's reading.<br />
Of course the shop has the hats, sun visors and<br />
tee shirts you are looking for.<br />
Save gas and buy your greeting cards and gifts<br />
at the RFM gift shop. Some new beautiful, hand<br />
made and designed jewelry has been added<br />
to the jewelry case and we have fun watches<br />
and fan pulls. Lots to look at and buy for those<br />
special friends or family<br />
50% discount on items on the sale table.<br />
20 Starry Banner Spring 2008
Starry Banner Summer 2008 21
<strong>Reedville</strong> Fishermen’s <strong>Museum</strong><br />
P.O. Box 306<br />
<strong>Reedville</strong>, VA 22539<br />
Presorted<br />
Standard U.S.<br />
Postage<br />
Paid Permit No. 6<br />
<strong>Reedville</strong>, VA<br />
Starry Banner SUMMER 2008<br />
Printed by Lottsburg Printing Company