tahoe maritimes - Tahoe Maritime Museum

Tahoe MariTimes
V o l u m e 1 3 • I s s u e 1 S PRING 2009
Tahoe Maritime Museum
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
1935 Gar Wood
WHISKEY, the oldest surviving Gar Wood utility, will be on
display in the Museum’s first floor exhibition this summer.
The boat is currently in the hands of award winning restorer
Tony Brown in Auburn, Calif. Thirty-three, a little more than
20 percent, of the 142 Gar Wood boats produced in 1935
were the same model as WHISKEY and, at the time, they
sold for $1,195.
Tom Bredt, President
Suzanne Smith, Secretary
Greg Betty
Jeff Peterson
Polly Bredt
Kirk Pumphrey
Roy Dryer
Don Smith
Sarah Fields
Richard Stout
Barry Ludwig Sue Stout
Dave Olson
Jim Williamson
OUR TEAM
Bill Kraus, PhD
Executive Director
Nicole Cheslock
Director, Education & Outreach
Gar Wood’s 20’ utility appealed to families and boaters
seeking more flexibility and space than afforded by the
previous luxury runabouts. 1935 was a profitable year
for the company as sales increased significantly and Gar
Wood rolled out three new models including the utility that will be featured at the Museum this
year, a 26’ cruiser and a 16’ speedster.
WHISKEY was donated to the Museum by Friends George and Clare Schmitt who had previously
co-owned the boat with Friend Nancy Cunningham and her late husband, Bob Cunningham.
Join us on June 24
On June 24, join us for
Heather Leonard
Director of Development
Unveiling Whiskey a lively
David Smith
Schools Program
classic boat historian Brian
Adrian Thompson, CPA
Bookkeeper
Carol Van Etten
Historian
VISIT US
Tahoe Maritime Museum
5205 West Lake Blvd.
P.O. Box 627
Homewood, CA 96141
(530) 525-WAKE (9253)
(530) 525-WAVE (9283) fax
www.tahoemaritime.org
[email protected]
Open: 10 am - 5 pm
Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays
through Memorial Day
Open everyday except
Wednesday Memorial Day
through Labor Day weekend
$5 admission
Free for Members & youth <12
on display this summer
breakfast presentation with
Robinson,
Tony
Brown
of
Western Runabouts and
special guests.
PHOTO: WHISKEY arrives at Western Runabouts, March 13
People Make a Difference
This headline is directly from the second grade
California Standards of Education. When looking
back over your years, you might wonder how you
made a difference or if you had a significant impact
on any place or person. This is a very common
thought that goes through almost everyone’s mind
on some occasion. Usually this happens during a
time when we are a little less active than normal.
I think once you start looking, there will be no doubt
about how much you impact the world around you.
The biggest impacts you make are usually things
that you do when you are least trying to change
the world and just going about living and trying
to make a good life for yourself. Some of us will
be remembered more than others. Some of us
by David “Smitty” Smith
will impact things in a more noticeable way than
others. It is amazing that when you look back you
remember the positive impacts of things you have
done and the people you have met throughout
your life that have influenced you. It is inevitable
that long after we are gone, others will be looking
back on their life and you will emerge in their
conversations and memories. This is definitely the
case for Duane Leroy Bliss.
There are several reminders of the impact that Bliss
has had on Lake Tahoe including D.L. Bliss State
Park located on Rubicon Bay a few miles north of
Emerald Bay, history of the famous boats of Tahoe
and the Tahoe Taverns. Bliss was born in my neck
of the country, not all that far outside of Boston. He
(continued next page)
President’s Message
by Tom Bredt
Navigating in Rough Waters
A
s we head into the second summer
season in our new building, we live
in a different world due to changes
on the economic front. Every day we
hear about organizations struggling to
move forward in these difficult times. The
Maritime Museum has also changed as
we navigate through these rough waters.
Last fall, the Board and staff prepared
our 2009 budget by diligently pruning
expenses without compromising service
levels.
We have maintained our investment in a
talented and hardworking staff, which is
so essential to a high-quality operation.
We have planned a very exciting program
for you this year with enhanced exhibits,
education programs and wonderful
lectures and gatherings to explore Tahoe’s
maritime history together. With your
support, the museum will continue to
serve the community as a cultural anchor
and gathering place for friends and family.
Over the coming
months, the Board
and staff will work
closely together
to make sure that
planned income is
achieved to cover
expenses. We
recognize there are
many demands for
your philanthropic
Tom Bredt
support but hope
you will continue to help us carry out our
mission and benefit the community at
Tahoe and beyond.
Board Transitions: I want to thank
departing board members Doug Elmore
and Jim Heffernan for their many years
of service to the museum. Doug served
in the past as treasurer and for the
last decade has chaired the Collection
Committee as the collection has grown
to include 30 vessels and numerous
maritime artifacts. He has been a
wonderful and steadfast supporter of the
museum with advice, encouragement
and generous donations including
GODFATHER, the oldest surviving
production Chris-Craft. Jim Heffernan
has served most ably as Chief Financial
Officer and board member for the last
three years. Jim has been the “keel” of our
financial programs. Thanks to his advice
and guidance, our financial systems are
in excellent shape. As a key member
of the new building campaign steering
committee, Jim helped solicit donations
and made sure we had procedures to
track all our donations and expenses.
Please join me in welcoming Greg Betty
and Jeff Peterson as new board members.
Greg will be serving as a member of the
Exhibits Committee continuing to assist
with the development of our high-quality
exhibits as he has done for many years.
PEOPLE MATTER (continued)
wanted to see places and did whatever it
took to do it. Working as a cabin boy for two
years at the age of thirteen, he had the
opportunity to travel to South America. A
few years later, after his mother’s death,
he decided to use all of his savings to buy
passage on a ship going to Panama where
he would work his way across Panama,
catch a ride on a steamer to California and
try to strike it rich finding gold. He became
deathly sick in Panama and could have
died had it not been for Diston, a friend he
had made earlier on the trip. It took him six
months to recover, but once he did, he and
Diston finally made their way to California.
Diston even helped Bliss get established
by arranging a team of mules and a small
mining claim for him. While a lot of people
may not remember Diston, Bliss will always
be remembered as a person who made a
significant impact on the area and Tahoe’s
maritime history.
As Bliss worked his way up from one job to
the next, he also moved up the “corporate
ladder” and ended up as a bank manager
2 3 Tahoe MariTimes Spring 2009
PHOTO: Steam Ship Tahoe at the Tahoe Taverns Pier in Tahoe City. circa early 1900s
in Virginia City, Nevada. Still on the rise, he
made his way to Tahoe looking for timber
to shore up the silver mines and in doing
so, set the standards for lumbering as
he developed Glenbrook into the biggest
lumber town in the state. In order to get
timber to the mills, Bliss began acquiring
and importing steamers to tow the logs from
around the lake to Glenbrook. At least two
of the ships that Bliss was responsible for
bringing to the lake were among the most
famous boats ever to sail on Tahoe. One of
these was the METEOR. Built on the east
coast, she was the first iron hulled boat on
Jeff is joining the Finance Committee
and the Development Committee. The
Development Committee works with
staff to help grow existing income as
we search for new income sources.
Jeff has been working with Director
of Development Heather Leonard to
generate income from special events that
use the museum as a venue.
I want to thank Rich Stout for agreeing
to serve as Chair of our new, board-level
Finance Committee. Along with Jeff
Peterson, Rich will work closely with me
and our Executive Director Bill Kraus
to assure the museum continues to be
an outstanding example of financial
stewardship.
As the saying goes, “It has been a long
winter!” The storms of February and
March give the prospect of more water in
the Lake. Tahoe folks are a hardy crew
and we have weathered harsh winters
and financial storms in earlier decades.
I am sure that by working together, we
will continue to prosper. I look forward to
seeing you at the museum as we enter
the spring and summer seasons.
the entire Pacific Coast and was the fastest
steamer on the continent. The METEOR
went on to tow more logs than any other
steamer on Tahoe.
As logging subsided, Bliss envisioned
Tahoe as a popular tourist destination and
shifted gears. He transferred the railway
used to haul logs on the east shore into
a passenger carrier that dropped visitors
just a few feet from his most famous ship,
the SS TAHOE. At slightly more than 169
feet, the SS TAHOE was by far the largest
vessel to cruise the lake. With the addition
of the railway and the largest ship on the
lake, Bliss also saw the need for a hotel
that was every bit as luxurious as the ship’s
staterooms, so he built the Tahoe Taverns
right at the end of the pier. The Tahoe
Taverns became a central location for the
famous Lake Tahoe power boat regatta
races.
The three most famous Tahoe steamers the METEOR, NEVADA and the SS TAHOE
- all belonging to Bliss, now rest with so
many other Tahoe boats, at the bottom of
Board Transitions
Join us in thanking outgoing Board Members Doug Elmore and Jim Heffernan and
welcoming Jeff Peterson and Greg Betty.
Jeffrey P. Peterson, CLU, ChFC
Jeff has more than 20 years experience in Executive
Benefits Consulting for private and public entities as
well as individual executives. His practice has spanned
a variety of industries and emphasizes all areas of
executive benefits planning including design, funding,
and succession planning. He is a Founding Principal and
Managing Director for CCi, a compensation consulting
company and EBS, a bank consulting company. Jeff is a
past President of the National Association of Insurance
and Financial Advisors and the Society of Financial
Service Professionals in San Francisco and a Legislative
Circle Member of the Association for Advanced Life Underwriting. Jeff is a life
member of the Million Dollar Round Table, a ‘Top of the Table’ participant and
among the Top 50 in career production with Northwestern Mutual. Jeff is an avid
snow and water skier and loves fast cars. He is a past President of the Antique
& Classic Boat Society of Northern California and a passionate collector and
historian of classic wood boats. Jeff resides in San Rafael with his wife Linda
and their two children Taylor, age 16, and Brittain, age 14. He is the owner of
EMMA II and STEINWAY.
Greg Betty
Greg has 30 years of corporate and private business
management experience including 15 years with Waste
Management, Inc., two years with a building materials
company in Roseville, and the remaining years with
Studio Blue where he is the company’s General
Manager. Studio Blue is a digital color graphics and
display company and one of the oldest reprographics
companies in the San Francisco Bay Area. All of the
graphic panels at the Tahoe Maritime Museum were
produced by Studio Blue. Greg is on the Board of
Directors for the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, serves
on several committees for various charities in the Bay Area, and was the past
President and Board member for the Western Reprographics Association. Greg
is an avid golfer and resides in Danville, CA with wife Wendy and two children
David, age 18, and Michael, age 16. The Betty family can be seen on the lake in
their Century SINKABLE MOLLY.
the lake. The original Tahoe Taverns was
reduced by fire long ago. So how are the
significant contributions of D.L. Bliss and
others like him not forgotten over time?
The Tahoe Maritime Museum’s Schools
Program teaches students about Bliss, the
famous ships of yesteryear, and local history
during in-class presentations and fieldtrips.
Students are connected to people, places
and stories of the past through interactive
games, slide shows, lessons and activities
that complement teachers curriculum and
specific grade levels and subjects based
on California’s Education Standards. For
instance, second grade classes learn about
local families and fourth grade students use
compasses during their Museum fieldtrip to
reinforce science standards.
Decades from now, as visitors walk through
the Museum, some will recognize the great
artifacts and tell others of how they once
met the owner of a particular boat or knew
of the family that donated a motor. So,
there is something behind state education
standards. People make a difference.
Without your support, this Museum would
still be just a dream.
David “Smitty” Smith designed and runs the
Museum’s K - 12 Schools Program which is
aligned to state standards of education and he
provides engaging tours for visitors of all ages.
Tahoe MariTimes Spring 2009 3
2
Development Notes
by Heather Leonard
D
id you know that admission
revenue and membership dues
account for less than half of the annual
budget needed to sustain the
Tahoe Maritime Museum? The
remaining funds come from individual
and corporate
donors,
members and
grants like
those you see
recognized in
this newsletter.
Each year
the Museum
Heather Leonard
must raise
the necessary
funds to continue its mission of
preserving maritime history at Lake
Tahoe. All types of financial support
are vital in supporting the Museum’s
objectives to present displays and
exhibits, care for and preserve its
collection of boats and maritime
artifacts and offer engaging educational
programs at the Museum and in
classrooms throughout the Tahoe basin.
We invite you to explore the many ways
YOU can support the Museum.
Annual Fund
The Museum’s Annual Fund provides
important support that enables the
Museum to present exhibits and
programs of the highest quality to the
Lake Tahoe community, our visitors and
member families. By making your gift to
the 2009 Annual Fund, you help
ensure that the Museum will continue
to offer educational programs for local
students and teachers. Annual support
from members and Friends is critical to
the general operations. Annual Fund
gifts can be made anytime throughout
the year.
Annual Fund
The Museum has celebrated many incredible achievements in 2008 with the
generous support of our members and donors. To date, the Museum has received
$20,220 in donations to the Annual Fund.
•
Please help us continue our success by contributing to the 2009 Annual Fund.
September 30 ~ March 15
Tom and Polly Bredt
Lisa Dobey
Hugh and Muriel Harris
Greg and Micki Joseph
Jack and Jerry Kahler
Keith Rogers
Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation
Brent and Alison Thiry
Ralph and Bonnie Wallen
4 5 Tahoe MariTimes Spring 2009
Memorial and In Honor Gifts
Memorial and In Honor Gifts can be
made in memory of a loved one, in
honor of a close friend or business
associate, and to celebrate an important
milestone such as an anniversary or
retirement. The honored individual(s) or
family will receive an acknowledgement
from the Museum that a gift has been
made in their name as well as
recognition in the next newsletter.
Matching Gifts
Does your employer or company
offer a matching gift? Each year,
people double their contribution to the
Museum through corporate matching
gift programs. Contact your company
and ask about their corporate matching
gift program and double your gift this
year. Both you and your company will
be recognized for making donations.
Gifts of Stock
Donating stock offers you a two-fold tax
savings. First, you avoid paying
capital gains on the increase in the
value of your stock. Second, you
receive a tax deduction for the full fair
market value of the stock on the date of
the gift. For details on transferring your
securities, please contact your financial
advisor.
Heather has been the Museum’s
Director of Development since she
moved to Tahoe with her husband in
July 2008. Heather can be reached at
(530) 525-9253 ext. 103 and Heather@
TahoeMaritime.org.
Sponsorship
Opportunities
~ 2009 ~
A variety of meaningful and interesting
opportunities exist for individuals, local
businesses, foundations and corporations
to support Museum education programs,
collection maintenance, operations and
community involvement.
New Building Capital Campaign Donors
Unique benefits include exposure to the
Museum community through
acknowledgement and recognition within
our publications.
• Collections and Restoration
• Exhibit Development
• Hands on learning at the Museum
• K - 12 Schools Program
• Lecture Series
• Living History Day and special annual
events
• Stewardship Initiatives
September 30 ~ March 15
Cynthia B. Ballantyne
Marion Robotti
Chevron
Gwyneth Sheldon
Duane Hines
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
The Jevarian and Whooley Family
Donor advised funds
Dave and Annette Jorgensen
The Sloss Family
Gordon and Jeanie MacAulay
Don and Suzanne Smith
Robert, William and Laurie Marks
Randall Smith
Roger and Joan McGee
Vodafone of Americas Foundation
Please contact Heather Leonard to discuss
your interests and learn more about current
sponsorship opportunities.
Dick and Nileta Morton
Gifts
September 30 ~ March 15
The donors below are gratefully acknowledged for their recent support of the Tahoe Maritime Museum.
Memorial Gifts
Cynthia B. Ballantyne
in Memory of Philip Booth Ballantyne
Robert, William and Laurie Marks
in Loving Memory of Catherine H.
Marks
The Sloss Family
in Memory of Fred and Elsa Ganz
The Jevarian and Whooley Family
in Memory of Robert Jevarian
Collections
& Exhibits
Education
& Events
Bill and Tish Kartozian
for the upkeep and preservation of
Miss Lakeside
Antique Classic Boat Society
Northern CA/Lake Tahoe Chapter
$500 grant for
Schools Program
George and Clare Schmitt
for the upkeep and restoration of
Whiskey
Town of Truckee
$750 grant for marketing
Open Houses
Kanwetz Family Trust
for Movies at the Museum
Tahoe MariTimes Spring 2009 5
4
renewing and new
FRIENDS
OF THE MUSEUM
** Upgraded Friends Membership
Sustaining Friends - $2,500
Tom and Polly Bredt
Phil and Sandy Chapman
Doug and Pam Elmore
Virginia Furth
Barry and Jenny Ludwig
Dave and Lynn Olson
Bruce and Mari Scott **
Rich and Sue Stout
family
members
Memb e rs
Friends - $1,000
Bruce and Gail Adair
Jim and Virginia Balsdon
Tom and Dottie Batchelor
Bill and Fritzi Briner
Barbara Brown **
Bob and Arlene Bush
John Couch
John and Cheryl Cox
Reid Dennis
Charles and Sandy
Eldridge
Rich Fisher
Fred and Annette Gellert
Joan Gibb
George and Betty Hall
Herb and Barbara Hall
Jim and Sandy Heffernan
Will and Sonoma Clark **
Steven, Tina and T.J. Cornwell
Eli Covell *
* New Membership
Charles and Louise Crosby
** Upgraded Membership
Stefan and Mimi Cummings
$500
Bill Danforth
Fred and Robin Kesich
Bob and Carlotta Dathe **
John and Renee McAmis *
Steve and Marilyn Disbrow
Steve Merrill
Bob and Barbara Dolton
Bob and Carol Peters
John and Marilyn Dougery **
Bill and Nancy Thompson
Malcolm and Mary Ann Dunlap
Phil and Marji Dunn
$300
Chet and Ingrid Eccles
Tom and Chris Banks *
Paul and Elizabeth Eisenhardt
Ed and Kathleen Boissiere **
Jeb Elmore
Joe and Leslie Bronzini
Dave Ferrari
Lois Brown **
Don Fouts
Steve and Cheryl Caplan **
George and Melodee French
Chic and Terry Gast
$200
Fred and Diana Gillaspy *
Ross and Marilyn Bewley
Ronald and Sally Grassi *
John Campodonico **
Jack Green
Lew and Debra Dobbins
Tim and Judi Hachman
Ned and Binnie Gates
Louise and Frank Hagerty
Pete and Sierra George **
Jim and Judie Hagin
Ray and Kathy Holstead
Clarburn “Ying” and Dougal Jones Michael Halajian
Homer and Wendy Hayward
Jack and Jerry Kahler
Jared Hein **
Richard and Lynn Kelson **
Steve and Jeanette Humphreys
Ellen Killebrew **
Melanie Jackson *
Dave and Janice Lawrence
Brian and Alyce Johnson
Covert and Beth Murphy **
Dean Johnson
Richard Pedersen **
Alex Kanwetz
John and Christine Sells **
Ron and Denise Kirby
Nick and Teresa Kromydas
$100
Kliff Kuehl *
Philip and Tucker Adams
Phil Ames and Sherry Levi-Ames James and Marie Lawson
Reg and Laurie Lormon
Wes and Patti Ball
Mike and Stephanie Magruder
Gordon Barrett **
Jim and Mary Margolis **
James Bell *
Nancy Mathews
Cy and Jessica Bersi
Barbara McConnell
The Breuner Family
Tony Brown and Sabina Pellissier Roland and Bonnie Medel **
Arthur and Karen Mennick **
Joe and Bobbie Carcione, Jr.
Buff and Cindy Miller
Arthur and Jean Carmichael **
Robert and Saralee Millslagle
Rod and Barb Carpenter
Ken and Terry Moberly *
Franc and Adrienne Casey
Dick and Nileta Morton, Jr.
Jim and Tracy Caviola **
Merle Neel *
Lee and Sandy Chase
Larry and Kathy Nelson **
Phil and Maria Christian *
6 7 Tahoe MariTimes Spring 2009
September 30 ~ March 15
Tom and Martha Hughes
John and Jacque Jarve
Ted and Iren Jenny
Bryte and Brenda Johnson
Dave and Annette
Jorgensen **
Bill and Tish Kartozian
Bill and Olga Keever
Marshall and Nancy Kraus
Richard Lashbrook and
Pattie Watters
Steve Lind
Gordon and Jeanie
MacAulay
Don and Brenda MacLean
John and Polly MacLean
Kevin and Debbie McGuire
Richard Niello
Stefanie Olivieri
Hal and Nancy Orchard
Paul and Sandy Otellini
Iris Pera **
Chuck and Mardell Pheil
Bruce and Sheri Pohle
Trent and Karen Pridemore **
Dorothy Prowell
Nancy and Joe Ragey
Jim and Chris Reed
Pierre Robert *
Marc Roberts **
Marion Robotti
Duane and Theresa Rustad
Gwyneth Sheldon
Robert and Kristi Spence
Skip and Lin Stahmer
Bill and Jill Straub
Jim and Sally Subject
Reuel Sutton **
Bob and Bonnie Symon
Brent and Alison Thiry
Don and Donna Torburn
Brian Van Camp
Jim Wangard
Rob Weston
B.C. Wheeler
David and Mary Lou Widdifield
$40
Bernie and Angelo Alioto
Edward and Lois Anderson
Forrest and Alice Anderson
David and Joyce Armitage
Erik Arnold *
Bernie and Carol Atkinson
Eddy Bacci
Ron Barraclough
Glory Beall
Ed Beauchamp
Jack and Linda Bingham
Bill Bittner
Lee Blakemore
Bill Bliss
Nancy Borino *
Charles and Maria Bogue
John Bradley *
Jenny Bredt **
Douglas and Carolyn Brown
Steven and Michele Brown *
Tom and Marie O’Rourke
Jeff and Linda Peterson
John Phillips and June
Dunbar
Kirk and Julie Pumphrey
Dan Putman and Kathy
Williams
Jon and Ann Reynolds
Bill and Pamela Sagan
Ron and Lila Schmidt
Louis and Linda Schooler
Bill and Mary Jo Shepherd
Martin Smith
Ned and Carol Spieker
Bill and Judy Timken
Dick and Lana Vento
Richard and Donna Wallrich
Pat Butler **
Peter and Catrine Charron
Harve and Sandy Citrin
Bob and Joan Clark *
Dorothy Clarkson
Armand and Judith Clavere **
Nancy Collins and Greg States*
Paul and Carol Cunha **
John V. De Rosa
John and Andrea Deane
Don and Lydia Edwards
Bud Eisberg
Stephen and Suzanne Elliot
Norval and Mary Fairman
Marty Feletto
Allan and Yjordis Frostrom
Mickey and Sue Gawlowski
John and Nydia Gletne
Ken Gralla
Elizabeth Hale **
Jerry and Lois Hanson
Eric Havian and Jean Jarvis
Robert and Elizabeth Heinz *
Robert Hennessy
JC and Jessica Hickingbotham
Loren and Lynne Hill
Joseph Himes, Jr. *
Kathleen Hutchinson *
Grant Inman
Greg and Micki Joseph
Judy Karau
Sara Karloff
John Keagy *
Bill and Nancy Kehoe
Steve and Marilyn Kennedy
Norm and Kathy Kitching
Tom and Colleen Knopf
Herm and Carole Kramer
J.C. and Joyce Krise **
Bill Landry and Marianne
Ericsson *
Steven Lang
Andy Lapkin
Judith Laverty *
Don and Sylvia Leutz
Dave and Jeri Lobb
Jim and Ruth Loughridge
Dave and Tammi Lyon
William and Joyce Mann
William and MaryEllen McClure
George and Sherry McConnell**
Roger and Joan McGee
Marcus Morgan and Alice
Murakami *
Jay and Louise Murphy
Bob Neher
Herbert and Madeline Newkirk
Ray and Marty O’Brien
Chuck and Wendy Oleson
Paul Palk
Allan Ramsey and Jane Murdock
Lou Parrague *
Gerard and Joyce Raney
Harry and Dee Richardson
Sky and Joane Richardson *
Kevin and Melissa Riches
Ned and Evelyn Richmond
Keith Rogers
Eva Rosenauer
Eric Rustad *
Alan Schinnerer
Michelle and John Schmitter
Mac Scott **
Michael and Kathy Scroggie
Tom and Carolyn Shea
Ken and Bette Shutt **
J.W. and Barbara Silveira
Harold and Bonnie Jean Smith
Randall Smith
Tommy Smith and Becky Niven
Alan and Gail Still
Gordon and Kristine Strachan
Frank and Gloria Taft
Doug and Sharyn Tayler
Roland and Leslie Tognazzini*
Dave and Shauna Triano
John and Margaret Twomey
Lewis and Vicki Van Blois
Carol Van Etten
Peter and Charlotte Van Etten
Don Veihmeyer
Warren and Karen Wagner *
Tiffany Walker and Jeff Pogue
Ralph and Bonnie Wallen
Larry Walter
Jeff and Karen Williams
Julian and Colleen Willke
Terry and Diana Witzel
Executive Director’s Note
by Bill Kraus
My father was born in the summer of
1929. As a baby boomer growing up in
suburban New Jersey in the 1960s and
70s, I remember the stories he often told
me (usually as part of an admonishment
for my teenage excesses) of his own youth
during the Great Depression – the scarcity,
the poverty, and a reliance on the simple
pleasures of life that defined much of his
subsequent way of thinking about the
world. Yet as much as I might
. . . our Museum
try, I was - and continue to be provides a venue
limited in truly appreciating the
hardships and challenges he and
to come together
my grandparents faced in those
and reflect on
difficult times.
the values we all
Even now, as we find ourselves
hold most dear
in the midst of a global economic
recession, I would never be so presumptuous to think that our
current situation is anywhere near what it must have been like
during the early 1930s. Sure, like many others, my 401K has
tanked, but I wasn’t planning on retiring anytime soon anyway,
and I am so thankful to be part of an incredible organization with
a noble mission and very supportive and dedicated members. Yet
I often can’t help but look at my kids with a great deal of anxiety,
pondering what the future holds for them, ultimately finding solace
in the stories from my father – lessons from our own personal
family history of survival and triumph. And that is why the mission
of any museum - preserving and showcasing evidence of our
collective human experience through good times and bad - is so
important.
It is therefore fitting that our Museum, through its world-class
collection of wooden boats, implicitly pays homage to both the
innovation and ingenuity that preceeded and followed the Great
Depression. It was the abundance and excess of the 1920s along with advances in technology - that spurred the development
of the racing yacht, fueled by a surplus of World War I aircraft
engines and friendly competition among the ‘gentleman’ class.
And it was the subsequent collapse of the stock market and the
resulting economic upheaval as well as breakthroughs in mass
production that turned this passion among a few into a real
business, stimulating the development of affordable production
line models that helped expand the popularity and reach of the
wooden runabouts and boating in general.
We recognize that in these trying economic times, there are many
worthy demands on your time and resources. We endeavor to
continue to expand our exhibits and programming in order to
maintain the confidence you have placed in us. We look forward
to seeing you this summer in Homewood, and truly hope that our
Museum provides a venue to come together and reflect on the
values we all hold most dear within the context of our connection
with our past, as well as our hopes for the future.
Tahoe Maritime Museum
receives
Non Profit Organization
of the Year Award
from the
North Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce
and
Best Rebuild in the Basin
from Tahoe Regional Planning Agency
PHOTO: Six year old Bjorn Kraus helps during
the Snowfest parade in the Tahoe City, February
2009, Heather Leonard
Tahoe MariTimes Spring 2009 7
6
What’s New
in the
Collection?
compiled by Nicole Cheslock
Recent Donations to the Museum
Historic black and white images of Tahoe, boating documents, classic boat parts, shipping containers, outboard motors and
more than a handful of noteworthy vessels were generously donated to the Tahoe Maritime Museum in 2008. On your next
visit to the Museum, you will see the addition of a green crescent band saw from the early 1900s as part of the restoration
exhibition thanks to Franc Casey. In the coming months, you’ll have a chance to learn more about as well as see the boats
that have been added to the collection last year. Here is a snapshot – a glimpse – of the boats that now comprise the
Museum’s growing world-class collection celebrating Tahoe’s maritime heritage.
TEASER
, 1924 39.92’ Sweep-Stakes Runabout
Designed by George F. Crouch and
built by Henry B. Nevins, TEASER
was completed in 1924 and earned
her name by winning the celebrated
time trial against the Twentieth
Century Limited from New York City
to Albany in 1925. There are reports
that she beat the train’s record by
more than an hour and the Twentieth
Century Limited was the fastest train
on the rails at that time! Donated
by Board Members Tom and Polly
Bredt, TEASER and her trailer mark
an historic time that generations can
learn about and connect with for
decades to come. Save the date July
31 for a close look at TEASER when
she is on display in the Museum
parking area.
HIGH HOPES
, 1937 21’ Hacker Craft Triple Cockpit
John Ludwig Hacker began the Hacker Boat Company in Detroit, MI
in the early 1900s, his second business after designing the famous
Kitty Hawk hydroplane that some report was the first boat in the United
States to reach 50 mph. He learned about engineering and boat design
through correspondence classes while working as a bookkeeper for
his father’s ice and coal business. Hacker crafted high speed custom
mahogany designs that laid the foundation for the company’s survival
through the Great Depression. In addition, the company began
producing and marketing a more affordable utility to the public in the
thirties in order to remain afloat. Hacker Boat Company did, however
go out of business in the 1950s, decades after Hacker had left the
company, and reemerged when restorer Morgan Marine purchased
the Hacker Craft name for his business in upstate New York. Hacker
Crafts have long been valued for their sleek V-bottom design allowing
greater speed at lower horsepower. HIGH HOPES, the Museum’s only
Hacker Craft is a significant addition to preserving the history of Lake
Tahoe which today is home to both restored and newly built Hacker
Crafts. HIGH HOPES was donated by Tahoe resident David Kelley
and previously owned by Museum Founders including Steve Lapkin.
8 9 Tahoe MariTimes Spring 2009
See ADDITIONS to the Museum’s Collection in Truckee this Summer
This summer’s open houses offer more than a behind the scenes glimpse into the past.
Connect with the boats, stories and families that have contributed to Tahoe’s rich maritime history at the
Truckee Annex Open Houses. The Truckee Annex is located off of West River Street in Truckee, CA.
Sunday, June 21 - Parts Sale and Open House
Treat your Father to the wide selection of hard to find boat and engine parts that are on sale today and
view more than twenty boats and other items in the Tahoe Maritime Museum’s collection at today’s Open
House. All sales support Museum operations.
Sunday, July 12 - Open House
Saturday, August 15 - Open House
Buehler Turbocraft
If you frequented Lake Tahoe in the sixties or seventies,
you were likely captivated by the propulsion of jet
runabouts. Bill Craven’s mother certainly was and after
her ride in the first jet boat on the Lake she purchased an
early 1960s 16’ Buehler Turbocraft and it stayed in Bill’s
family until last year when he donated it to the Museum.
Great for waterskiing and fishing, this early model jet boat
spent countless summer days on Lake Tahoe. In a recent
conversation with Bill, he described the smooth bottom
and practical as well as recreational uses of jet runabouts.
They are especially useful in rescue operations because
they do not have a propeller. They can travel 60 miles
per hour in shallow water making them extremely popular
locally in the Delta and places where they are still widely
used in New Zealand, Cambodia and Vietnam.
Join us in thanking Bill for the generous donation made in
honor of Fritzi Craven.
KENNEBEC CANOE
A 17’ canoe with painted blue hull manufactured by
Kennebec Boat & Canoe Co. of Waterville, Maine and
fore and aft wicker seats were donated by John Russell.
VITE VITE, a 1961 Besotes Runabout
Originally delivered to Stanley Good in Homewood and
owned by his family for about ten years before she was
sold to the Clauss Family, this boat was named UNCLE
FUD by the Clauss Family and was raced in the “Bang
and Go Back” which started in Homewood, went to the
middle of the lake and back to shore.
Truckee Annex Open Houses
10am - 5pm
10434 River Park Place
$5 admission. FREE for Members.
In the summer of 1983, Roland Tognazzini purchased
the Besotes, one of the only surviving 49 boats from
the original 214 made between 1950 – 1973, and the
Tognazzini family spent a lot of time waterskiing behind
her.
When he donated the boat, Roland said, “To my
knowledge, it has never in its history left Lake Tahoe
since the original delivery in 1961. The boat has been
used extensively on the lake and was used to teach all of
my children and their friends to water ski.”
Built in Stockton by two of the three Besotes Brothers,
the boats were popular sites on Lake Tahoe and you’ll
still spot the remaining classics around the Delta and
on the Lake. VITE VITE is one of the few “Tahoe
16s” constructed with a wood frame, plywood hull with
fiberglass overlay on the bottom and wood top decking.
MS CHIEF, 1968 Century Coronado
MS CHIEF is an original Tahoe boat. She was named by
Friends Deborah and Ed Scott. Ed told us, “Indian names
for boats at Tahoe have been a tradition in the Scott
family for years (early 1900s). We used her as a family
boat to go to the Nevada side for picnics with the children.
The sliding top allowed for some relief from the sun. It is
a great family boat. We have had, and now own, a number
of boats but this is a very comfortable boat that can be used for
skiing, family outings and also just an elegant ride on Tahoe.”
Century Coronados were brought to Tahoe by Sierra Boat
Company and Dick Clarke.
Tahoe MariTimes Spring 2009 9
8
FRIENDS OF THE MUSEUM
Get Together on “Gold Coast”
CREDIT: Roy Dryer III
You’ll definitely want to be on the invitation list for this summer’s annual
gathering of Friends of the Museum on Tahoe’s beautiful Gold Coast.
The setting for the June 27, 2009 dinner is the spectacular lakeside
home of Ned and Carol Spieker that dates back to the late 1920s. Hosted
cocktails and dinner with a “good ol’ summertime” surprise ending catered
by Melanie Jackson are not tto be missed.
Invitations will be mailed in the middle of May. To join in this fun summer
evening and the fellowship of Friends, contact Heather at (530) 525-9253
ext. 103 or [email protected].
Informed Boaters
Based on the proximity of Quagga and zebra mussels to Lake
Tahoe and the significant economic and environmental costs that
the invasive aquatic species have had on other communities, the
Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) has passed new regulation
regarding boat inspections for vessels entering the lake. TRPA’s
Board is considering amending the regulation to make inspections /
boat washes subject to a fee.
Quagga and zebra mussels came to the United States from Asia
in the late 1980s and are as close to Lake Tahoe as San Justo
Reservoir in San Benito County and Lake Mead in Nevada.
Young
Homewood
members and
visitors enjoy
A Night at the
Museum
festivities,
October 2008.
In a letter to the boating community, TRPA wrote, “Clean, Drain and
Dry are the three words to remember to prevent the introduction of
aquatic invaders. Clean - Wash your vessel before coming to the boat
ramp to remove any attached invaders. Plant parts found on boats
and trailers should be removed and disposed of away from the water.
Drain and Dry- Before leaving a water body, drain live wells, cooling
water, bilge water, ballast and transom wells – that’s where these
aquatic hitchhikers can stow away for your next boating day. Bait
buckets also should be emptied on land, away from the water, and
waders should be cleaned of mud and thoroughly dried.” For details,
visit www.trpa.org.
Nicole Cheslock
Director - Education & Outreach
Tahoe Maritime Museum Membership Benefits
Membership
Level
Free
Admission
Subscription to
Tahoe
MariTimes
newsletter
Lake Tour
on Museum’s
Ride Boat
(20 minutes)
Discount on
Museum
Store
Purchases
Tahoe
Memories
DVD
(on your next visit
to the Museum)
Invitations
to special
Friends of the
Museum
Events
Numbered
and Framed
Friends
Memento
$40
✔
✔
$100
✔
✔
2 people
$200
✔
✔
4 people
10%
$300
✔
✔
6 people
15%
$500
✔
✔
6 people
20%
✔
$1,000
✔
✔
6 people
20%
✔
✔
✔
$2,500
✔
✔
6 people
20%
✔
✔
✔
Friend
Sustaining Friend
10 11 Tahoe MariTimes Spring 2009
Personal
Breakfast
with
Executive
Director
✔
Calendar of Events
April 22
Visit the Museum’s Table at the Kids for
Conservation Festival, 948 Incline Way,
3 - 6pm, Free
April 23
Lecture Series Kicks Off, 5 - 7pm
April 25
Family Night Out
Extended hours, crafts, movie and
refreshments, 5 - 7pm, $5. Free < 12
May 7
Lecture, 5 - 7pm
May 23
First Year Celebration for Members &
Donors, 5 – 8pm, $65 pp.
May 24
First year in New Building Celebration
2pm Guided Tour, Commemorative item
while supplies last, Store discounts, 10-5
May 30
Family Night Out, 5 - 7pm, $5. Free < 12
June 6
New Docent Orientation, 9am
Returning volunteers reunion, 10 – 11
June 11
Lecture, 5 - 7pm
June 19 - 21
Concours d’Elegance, Carnelian Bay
June 21
Celebrate Father’s Day at the Classic Parts
Sale and Truckee Annex Open House
10434 River Park Place, Truckee
10am – 5pm, $5. Free for members
June 24
Lecture & Breakfast, 9 - 11am
June 27
Friends of Museum Dinner by invitation
June 30
Inaugural Sunset Cruise with Sailing
Charters. Departs Tahoe City 5:30pm,
Limited space, $60 pp.
July 9 Lecture, 5 - 7pm
Museum Lecture Series
July 12
Truckee Annex Open House
July 17-18
ACBS South Lake Tahoe Boat Show for
Charity, Tahoe Keys Marina
July 25
Living History Day!
July 31
Visit TEASER at the Museum!
July 31
Special event for Friends of the Museum
and Friends of Friends. TEASER
Roundtable moderated by classic boat
historian Brian Robinson. $15
August 1
Gathering of Gar Woods
August 9
Marine Swap - One of a kind opportunity
to sell and trade maritime memorabilia,
parts and boats. $40 - 100 event registration fees, 8am, Homewood
August 13 Lecture, 5 - 7pm
August 15
Truckee Annex Open House
August 29
Family Night Out
5 - 7pm, $5 and Free for youth < 12
September 7 Appreciation Brunch
By invitation to volunteers and docents
October 10
Annual Members Meeting and Lunch
Membership
I/we would like to join the Tahoe Maritime Museum and share
in the Lake’s rich maritime history.
Upcoming Events
A Celebration of Boating, History and Tahoe Lore
April 23, 5 - 7pm
Lecture Series kicks off with a
presentation by the Lake Tahoe Coast
Guard
$10, $8 for members
May 7, 5 - 7pm
Scott Cassell of Undersea Voyager
Project presents Submarine
Exploration in Tahoe
$10, $8 for members
June 11, 5 - 7pm
New Millennium Dive Expeditions
Explores the Iron and Stell Hulled
Shipwecks of Tahoe by Martin
McClellan $10, $8 for members
June 24, 9 - 11am
Unveiling Whiskey with classic boat
historian Brian Robinson, restorer
Tony Brown, former owner Nancy
Cunningham and special guests
$15, $12 for members
July 9, 5 - 7pm
“The World isn’t Ready….” Monsters,
Mobsters, and Urban Legends
of Tahoe’s Deep with Museum’s
Executive Director Bill Kraus, PhD
$10, $8 for members
August 13, 5 - 7pm
Thunderbird – Making of a Model
with Earl Burton, $10, $8 for members
Tahoe Maritime Museum
P.O. Box 627, Homewood. CA 96141 • PHONE (530) 525-9253 • FAX (530) 525-9283
www.tahoemaritime.org
Date ________________
Member Name(s) __________________________________________________________
PLEASE CHECK:
£ New Membership
£ Renewing Membership
£ Gift Membership
FAMILY: £ $40 £ $100 £ $200 £ $300 £ $500
FRIEND OF THE MUSEUM: £ $1,000 £ $2,500
I/we would like to further help the Museum’s mission by making
the following additional donation: $_____________.
Thank You!
Tahoe Maritime Museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
All contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
Membership
Mailing Address ___________________________________________________________
City _______________________________ State ________ Zip ___________
Phone (_________) ___________________ E-mail _______________________________
Purchaser Name (if different) __________________________________________________
Billing Address ____________________________________________________________
City _______________________________ State ________ Zip ___________
Phone (_________) ___________________ E-mail _______________________________
£ My check for a total of $ ________ is enclosed (Payable to Tahoe Maritime Museum)
£ Please charge a total of $ ________ to my £ VISA £ Mastercard
Name on Card: ___________________________________________
Card # ______________________________________ Exp _______ / _______
Signature ________________________________________________________
Tahoe Maritime Museum
Tahoe MariTimes Spring 2009 10
11
Tahoe Maritime Museum
NON PROFIT ORG
U.S. POSTAGE
P. O. Box 627
Homewood, CA 96141
PAID
PERMIT 26
TRUCKEE, CA
Return Address Service Requested
Tahoe MariTimes Has Gone Electronic
If you received a hard copy of this
newsletter and would like to receive it
via email in the future, please let us
know! Contact us at (530) 525–9253
ext. 0 or [email protected].
Events for Members
ON THE COVER
May 23
First Birthday in the New Building!
Celebration includes tasty hors d’oeuvres, wine
and unique auction items. 5–8pm. $65 per person.
WHISKEY
on display this summer!
People Matter
June 27
Friends of the Museum Dinner at spectacular lakeside
estate. By invitation.
June 30
Inaugural Sunset Cruise with Sailing Charters.
Sailboat departs Tahoe City at 5:30. Appetizers,
wine and beer included. Reserve your ticket today
(limited space). $60 per person.
July 31
TEASER ROUNDTABLE for Friends of the Museum
and Friends of Friends. 5:30 - 7:30pm, $15
October 10
2nd Annual State of the Museum Meeting and
Lunch, 10am - 1pm
For an up-to-date schedule of events, visit
www.TahoeMaritime.org or call us at (530) 525-9253.
D.L. Bliss by David Smith
Restoration on WHISKEY begins, March 2009
INSIDE
Navigating in Rough Waters…2
reports Board President Tom Bredt
Giving in 2009…5
Ideas from Director of Development Heather Leonard
Connecting to the Past…7
By Executive Director Bill Kraus
Additions to the Collection…8
By Director of Education & Outreach Nicole Cheslock
Museum Calendar…11
About Us • Collections • News & Events • Membership • Special Tours…it’s all at www.TahoeMaritime.org