TBT (a day late!)

"Throwback Thursday"

COLUMBUS DAY SPECIAL

The Great 1979 Voyage of Exploration.

The Waterville Garden Club in collaboration with the Waterville Historical Society organized a fleet of fourteen canoes, launched from "the orange bridge" in Hubbardsville,  to make a memorably entertaining and educational exploration of Nine Mile Swamp on the Sangerfield River.

 Shirley and Jim Hart, left, help ready the crafts and passengers for the launch.

Some of the canoes, manned by experienced paddlers, carried VIP guests: long-time residents who had never before been "in the Swamp."

Carol and Norm Tower's passenger was Mrs. Elizabeth Tyler  who, 'though nearly blind, declared it "the most enjoyable  afternoon ever."

Thelma McNamara went along for the ride.

Hilda Barton rode with Carol Sambora in the Falks' canoe.

The Woodmans (Dick and Billie) travelled with Sue and Bill Getman.

Tim and Paula Morgan Burback's passenger was Paula's father.

Historians Syd Erickson and "Pete" Peterson kept up a good pace.

Lois Battles and Kay Schachtler, pulled over for a lunch break ......

.... joining the Falk and Woodman-Getman parties beneath trees which did nothing at all to protect them from the rain that had begun falling.

I know that there were more canoes.  The Hazeldens brought theirs and Alfred and Louise Reichenberger did, as well.

Special guests included naturalist Gene Huggins, who pointed out all sorts of flora and fauna seen along the river banks, and Liz Walrath, a reporter from the Utica Observer-Dispatch who rode with Dick and me and then assembled a two-page photo-filled spread about the Adventure.

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Many of those who remember the experience and  others who have heard about the adventure have all said, "Can we do it again?"

Comments:

"I love it!!! Thank you for putting this on the blog!! 

It was such fun! Great memories."

Paula Morgan Burback.


"just wanted you to know how much I enjoyed the pictures of the canoes through the swamp.  Everyone was so young (and some still alive).  Looked like a wonderful time was had by all."
Sandy Martin.

"I was on that trip with my mother, Thelma. I too would love to do it again!" 

Lurena McNamara

"Thanks for sharing your fun memories!"
Barb McNamara