papha feb 2016 newsletter.indd

The Road to the Future Begins in the Past
Volume 10, Issue 2
PAPHA Newsletter
February 2016
Fundraiser is March 5
Tickets, Opportunities Still Available
We have amazing, one of a kind, items
in both our live and silent auctions!
Live Auction items include:
• Pygmy Kayak built at FBW
See 'ITEMS' on Page 5
CONTACT US:
Port Aransas Museum
Community Center Complex
Port Aransas Museum
Open: Thursday, Friday and
Saturday, 1 - 5 p.m.
Farley Boat Works
Open: Tuesday - Saturday,
8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Inside this Issue:
Director's Report............................. Page 2
FBW ................................................ Page 2
Winter Lecture ................................. Page 3
Build a Skiff ..................................... Page 3
PAPHA Dinner Auction ................... Page 4
Scow Progress ................................. Page 5
Docent Doings ................................ Page 5
Historical Treasures ........................ Page 6
Please join us for the 2016 Museum Dinner and Auction on
Saturday, March 5, at 6 p.m. It will be
held at the Community Center, 408 N.
Alister St. and Port Aransas Museum
(connected by deck).
Dinner | Live & Silent Auction | Open Bar
Ticket Prices
$2,500
Platinum Table for 8
$1,800
Gold Table for 8
$1,500
Silver Table for 8
Individual Tickets $150 each
For more ticket information contact
Nancy Donley 361.215.3498 or
[email protected]. Download an Invitation
Support the Port Aransas Museum and Farley Boat Works,
and help preserve the history of our Island community.
101 E. Brundrett at Alister St.
[Mailing] P.O. Box 677
Port Aransas, Texas 78373
(361) 749-3800
[email protected]
Follow museum on Facebook
Port Aransas Museum Director
Rick Pratt
(361) 749-3800
(361) 549-6328
[email protected]
Farley Boat Works
Frank Coletta, Manager
716 W Ave C
[Mailing] P.O. Box 677
Port Aransas, Texas 78373
(409) 356-5065
(210) 218-9961
[email protected]
Follow boat works on Facebook
Museum Director’s Report
January was a busy and productive
month for the Port Aransas Museum
and Farley Boat Works.
Downtown Branch
Our website is one of the best anywhere and is getting lots of compliments. Check it out if you haven’t
visited lately; it’s mobile friendly, too.
www.portaransasmuseum.org.
We installed a new exhibit demonstrating how leverage was used to lift
rocks when building the jetties. Mark
Creighton built the tripod and I assembled the blocks and tackles. I also
captured and tied up the rock; that part
proved to be quite a struggle. These
rocks were once upon a time part of the
great inland Texas sea in the Ordovician era, about 400 million years ago,
according to geologist Dr. Bill Behrens.
They were then dug out of a quarry in
Fredericksburg, Texas in the 1880’s and
returned to the sea to be used in the construction of our jetties.
Many of these rocks were then “borrowed” to build the Rock Cottages.
The leftovers from that project were
“borrowed” by
a family in town
to build their
rock
garden.
Many
years
later, I moved
in next door and
“borrowed” the
rocks from that
now abandoned
garden. Then
Beth
Coletta
“borrowed”
one of them yet
again for her
garden. I was
able to protect
the last one
from her and it now lies all tied up in
the leverage exhibit in our museum
We also installed an outside exhibit
on the front porch explaining “Man
Rocks”, using two more of these restless rocks. It has been getting good
comments as well. The two rocks used
Page 2
in it are from the same historical background. Hopefully this will be their last
move for a while, but who knows when
these rocks will finally settle down?
Our lectures have become very popular. The lecture on Jan. 18 was a sellout
with over 120 folks attending. Visitation
was about right for this time of year and
the gift shop did a good business as well.
Antiques Road Show star Bruce Shackelford gave us a reading from his new
book, The Wests of Texas, a fine story of
a south Texas ranching family that initiated the famous Texas cattle drives.
Our museum roof needs some repair.
It does not leak, but there are a few
shingles missing. Finding a craftsman
who can See 'DIRECTOR' on Page 5
From the FBW ...
At the beginning of the month
we started work on a Pygmy Kayak
kit test build, the first for the Farley
shop. Once our kayak is approved by
Pygmy Kit Company, they will market
a September kayak building class at
the Boat Works. Students buy the kits
from Pygmy and pay an additional fee
to us for the seven day class. We will
also be making affordable lodging
available for students through the
generosity of Richard Schroer at the
Beach Club.
Harry Martinez’s Tango Skiff left
the shop and is in the primer and paint
stage.
The Schooner construction is
moving ahead rapidly. The centerboard
(450 pounds) and pivot assembly are
complete and await installation (by
PAPHA President Greg Smith) in the
newly built and installed centerboard
trunk. The king plank, carlins and
Samson posts are built and will be
installed as soon as the centerboard is
in place. Next step will be making and
installing the framing for the passenger
area, the cabin, and the aft cockpit.
Then we will start installing the deck.
The Farley Boat Works Advisory
group met on January 29th. On the
agenda was developing a marketing
plan for the Boat Works, the conversion
of boat barns into an exhibit hall, and
our 2016 class schedule.
We are now booking classes online
from the website. Our deposit policy
has been revised and deposits will
PAPHA Newsletter
now be directly deposited into our
bank account.
The Wood Carving class taught by
Jim Johnson began January 19 with
ten students.
Our Spring Break Family Boat
Building class, March 14-16 at the
Boat Works, has sold out. We will
build four 13-foot outboard skiffs.
We will begin making the kits for
these boats in February.
Our first Port Aransas “Quick
Skiff” building class on April 19-30 is
now available for registration online.
Students will build a basic 16x4 skiff
in two weeks. Parts for the skiff will
be precut to allow for student to take
home a skiff ready for painting.
We had a soup cook-off at our
January Second Saturday party.
Folks brought twenty-one soups and
we all had a great time tasting many
varieties. Folks deposited a nickel
a vote for their favorite soups and it
promoted interaction by the attendees.
The February Second Saturday party
will be February 13 when we will
have spaghetti with a salad and desert
contest. Attendees will again vote
with money and the proceeds more
than cover our costs for the meal
supplies.
Volunteers donated 370 hours and
148 visitors toured the Boat Works in
January.
Frank Coletta
Boat Works Manager
February 2016
Remaining PAPHA Winter Lecture
The last lecture on Monday, Feb. 29
is free to the public and will begin at
the Port Aransas Museum. Doors open
at 6:30 p.m. for a cheese and wine reception in museum. The public is encouraged to browse the Museum and
shop in the Gift Shop while enjoying
the refreshments and socializing. At 7
p.m. everyone moves across the walkway to the Port Aransas Community
Center at 408 N. Alister St.
Mysteries of the Deep: the 19thCentury Monterrey Shipwrecks of
the Gulf of Mexico
For 200 years three mysterious shipwrecks have lain hidden deep in the Gulf
of Mexico, undiscovered until recent oil
exploration work in 2011. Originally
identified as unknown targets, multiple
archeological investigations since 2012
ultimately discovered three shipwrecks.
These are believed be of the same period, located within four miles of one
another more than 170 miles offshore of
Galveston. These intriguing archeological sites include an armed sailing vessel,
a hide cargo merchantman, and a third
large ship of unknown purpose. All are
presumed to have been lost in the same
event, such as a storm or hurricane. A
collaborative team of federal and state
archeologists recovered artifacts from
one of the three vessels to help unlock
the mystery of their purpose and demise.
Project team member and Texas Historical Commission State Marine Archeologist Amy Borgens presents the current
research findings and what has been
learned since the initial discoveries.
Presenter biography:
Build a Port A Skiff
Build a Port Aransas outboard skiff in
just two weeks (10 working days). Cost
of class, including materials, is $3995.
This intense class allows you, the
builder, to complete a 16′ long x 5′
beam, tiller operated, flat bottom boat
with a forward deck and two cross seats.
This versatile little skiff is capable of
planing with 15-hp engine.
Boats are constructed out of marine
plywood, epoxy, fiberglass and stainless
steel fasteners. Fee covers all materials
except primer and paint.
Students should be prepared to work
on their feet eight hours each day, with
Sunday and Monday off. Builders are
encouraged to bring family and friends
to help all or part of the time. At the
end of class the student builder will
take home a completed hull ready for
sanding and painting.
The builder will need to provide a
trailer to take the boat home at the end
of the class.
Page 3
- Dates: April 19-30, 2016
- Time: 8 a.m. to
5 p.m., Tuesdays
through Saturdays
- Instructor: Frank Coletta
and Farley Boat Works crew
- Class size: Space
limited to 2 boats
- Class Fee: $3995
- Deadline for registration:
March 19, 2016
- Deposit: $1000 upon
registration with balance
($2995) due on or before
first day of class
- Click here to register and
make deposit payment
- Refund Policy: Full
deposit is refundable if
cancelled 30 days prior
to start of class; $750
PAPHA Newsletter
Amy Borgens was appointed State
Marine Archaeologist at the Texas Historical Commission in June 2010. As
the State Marine Archaeologist, Amy
is responsible for the preservation,
protection, and investigation of shipwrecks in all state-owned waters. She
earned a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts
from Purdue University and received
her master’s degree from the Nautical
Archaeology Program at Texas A&M
University. She has worked in the field
of Texas and Gulf of Mexico maritime
archaeology since 1997 and has been
associated with notable shipwreck
projects in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Canada, and Turkey, including La
Belle (1684), HMS Princess Charlotte
(1814), Heroine (1838) and USS Westfield (1863). In addition, she participated in the remotely operated vehicle
investigations of four early 19th-century shipwrecks in the Gulf of Mexico
known as the Mardi Gras Shipwreck
and Monterrey Shipwrecks.
refunded if cancelled
within 30 days of class
- Class location: Farley
Boat Works, 716 West
Avenue C, Port Aransas, TX
- For more information
call Frank Coletta at
(210) 218-9961
- Refund Policy: Full deposit
is refundable if cancelled 30
days prior to start of class;
$750 refunded if cancelled
within 30 days of class
- Class location: Farley
Boat Works, 716 West
Avenue C, Port Aransas, TX
February 2016
Sell, Sell, Sell...SOLD!
Port Aransas Historical Associa�on Dinner Auc�on
Live and Silent Auc�ons will give opportuni�es to grab goodies while helping PAPHA raise money
Bid on and win amazing one-of-a-kind
items in both live and silent auctions.
Auction items include:
• Awesome piece of furniture by
Denny Larkin (FBW)
• Beautiful jewelry
• History tour by air
• Rare books
• Photo collections from the Museum's archives
• Cheesy Jane's Food Truck Party
for 50 in San Antonio
• Original Art
• San Antonio Spurs tickets
• And a whole lot more...
1) Private tour of Avery Island, La:
Tour for four people (2 couples or 1
couple and 3 children). The trip in-
in a lifetime opportunity you don’t want
to lose!
cludes dinner and overnight stay with
breakfast at the home of Edmund &
Pam McIllhenny. You will tour the
“island” with the McIlhennys and get
both a cultural and ecological history
of this unique environment, as well as
a tour of the world famous McIlhenny
Tabasco Sauce Factory. This is a once
Page 4
2) This original watercolor study for
“Chapel on the Hill” has been in a portfolio all this time and is now available
during our Live Auction. It is the first and
only piece See 'AUCTION' on Page 6
PAPHA Newsletter
February 2016
Scow Schooner Progress
The Schooner Team successfully
installed the centerboard in the
centerboard trunk. PAPHA President
Greg Smith deftly operated the backhoe
as the rest of the team guided the
massive board into the narrow slot.
Mike Oldani and Dan
Pecore monitor progress.
Centerboard team: Harold Yoesel, Charlie Ferguson, Mark
Schroeder, Dan Pecore, Rick Pratt, Greg Smith, Mike Oldani
'DIRECTOR'
Cont. from Page 1
•Original painting for Dune Chapel
by John Cobb
•Original
painting
depicting
Old Town Port Aransas by Wade
Koniakowsky
•Awesome piece of furniture by
Denny Larkin (FBW)
• Hand-built wooden baby boat
cradle by Bruce Lehman (FBW)
• Guided tour and overnight stay to
Avery Island, La – home of Tabasco
Sauce
• Wooden sailboat
•Hand-built wooden porch swing
(FBW)
Page 5
most as tough a job. Repainting and re-arranging
the upstairs is now long overdue and
hopefully can be addressed late this
winter.
Keep up with both the Museum and
Boat Works by visiting our FaceBook
pages as well as the website.
Cont. from Page 4
do this kind of work has proven very
difficult. Getting the shingles is al-
'ITEMS'
Dan Pecore
Rick Pratt
(February 2015)
In the hole; Harold Yoesel,
Dan Pecore, Mark Schroeder
Docent Doings
The Docents have been busy greeting
guests and giving information about
our Island’s history this month. We’ve
had some record setting days for guest
attendance lately.
Many new docents are volunteering
along side some of our great long-standing
volunteers like Dr. Bill Behrens, Leila
Northrop, Karen Murry, and Sandra
Maynard just to name a few! As always we
are hoping to fill our volunteer calendar
PAPHA Newsletter
by Beth Coletta
with at least two docents per day to
accommodate all of our guests. All docents
are encouraged to stop by the museum and
add their name to the calendar.
A Docent Appreciation Dinner is
being planned in order to recognize the
superior work and time commitment all
of our Docents. We could not keep the
doors open with out our volunteer crew!
Time and place for the dinner will be
announced when finalized.
February 2016
'AUCTION'
Cont. from Page 4
from the Chapel series that artist John
Cobb has released for sale to the public.
This work is one of five original stained
glass designs from John Cobb and
the only design depicting the chapel.
The artwork is 11.5” x 19”. Estimated
framed size is 22” x 30”. This October,
a solo exhibit discussing the origins of
the Port Aransas chapel and the second
chapel, a studio version, will be installed at Felder Gallery with planned
artist talks and tours to “Chapel on the
Hill”.
Historical Treasures
PAPHA recently received some
great photos and memories of life in
Port Aransas from Mike Thompson.
Mike is a historian and
preservationist and “believes all
should be preserved and passed on to
future generations”.
He moved to Port A in the early 70s
and rented a house from Mrs. Pete.
Above, Port Aransas Waterfront 1930s. Below in photo at
left is Thompson's cousin Eddie Thompson. The envelope
is W.R. Roberts, Aransas Pass Ship Chandlers, 1886
“I had heard that it was Eddie
Thompson that took President Roosevelt
tarpon fishing but suspect Eddie only
worked for Barney Farley as a fishing
guide at this time and may have assisted
somehow with the presidents fishing
trip. Eddie Thompson and Barney
Farley went to Love Field together at
the start of WWII and trained as aircraft
mechanics in the Army Air Corps," said
Thompson.
Visit our website to see more
of what Mike sent us. http://www.
p o r t a r a n s a s m u s e u m . o rg / s h a r e d memories-of-port-a/
3) This original oil pain�ng,
“What I Like About Port A” by
Wade Koniakowsky, will be the fea-
tured image on the 2016 Port Aransas
Old Town Festival. The painting depicts one of the remaining cottages in
Old Town that once was the standard
for tourist accommodations on the island. Next to the cottage is an old Port
Aransas skiff built by the late Smokey
Gaines.
Page 6
During his time here Mike helped
build the Coral Cay condos and an Ice
Box convenience store.
His grandparents, Wm. T. and Belle
Thompson, moved to Port Aransas
around 1910. They are buried in the
Twin Palms cemetery. In addition, he’s
related to the local Dryers, Bujans and
Mathews.
PAPHA Newsletter
February 2016