American Star Race - New York City

Dear Rats,

The cold breezes are upon us which only means that in another month or so it will be chill enough for the American Star Race in New York City. We will begin practices for the race next week a week from this Sunday (11/5) at 1pm.

If you have never gotten up at the crack of dawn to take a train to the coldest spot in New York City for the privilage of rowing your lungs out through freezing spray then you owe it to yourself to find out what you've been missing. We have been traveling to this event in December each year except for the year of the big snowstorm when we couldn't get out of our driveways. Please let me know if this interests you. I would also like to know for each practice if you think you can make it. I'll send a reminder next week.

D

River Rat Event Sunday 9/24/06

Dear Rats,

We have an event next Sunday 9/24. The Greenway is hosting a triathlon; running, biking, and kayaking. We have been asked to be the buoy for the kayak portion. The 40 to 75 participants will be paddling from Dockside to Bannermans. We would anchor off Bannerman's in the Storm King, an ideal way to watch the race. We will meet Sunday morning at the Boat Club at 9:30. If you want to be in the crew you should let me know as soon as possible. This will have to be first come first served.

--DH

River Rat Events for August

Hi Guys,

After a week of vacation I thought it might be fun to get together at community rowing which will take place next Saturday (8/11). I'll be away from my email until Friday night but please let me know if you are planning to come. The rowing will take place at 9:00 AM at Foundry Dock park across from the train station.

The following weekend we will be at the Garrison Art Fair and I really need some of you guys to help out. We will be talking up the program and taking out an 18 foot shad boat built by Fishries trust. The Beacon Sloop club will be giving rides on the Woodie. We will making knots and talking up the program. The Fair is both Saturday and Sunday. Again, let me know if you can come.

RRRRRRRR,
D

4th of July Community Rowing Event

Dear Ratz,

Next up is a 4th of July Community Rowing event at Garrison's Landing (12-4). This will be fun. We will have food, music and rowing. There will be two gigs in attendance so everyone will have a chance to get out on the water. For you guys it will be a time to practice your skills and to boss adults around. We need you to help take people out. We are asking for a donation of $15 per person or $30 per family to cover the food. I am hoping that everyone who is in town can make it. Below and attached is a copy of the poster/postcard with details.

We will need volunteers for various event type jobs, like grill or take money for an hour or so, so if your parents are willing please have them contact me. As for you, along with the event itself we will need help rowing the boats down and back from Cold Spring to Garrison. That will happen in the morning and evening of the fourth. Let me know if you can help out. Also, I am planning to go down during the week before the fourth of july weekend to get our borrowed boat out of storage in Croton. She is very clean. We will have the new BBBB Chevy Suburban (also clean) for the ride down and back so if you think you are interested in going to the park to get a boat to trailer back please let me know. I'll see who wants to go, arrange a day and get back to you.

By the way, we are going to auction off a dinghy. She is a nicely shaped fiberglas boat that can take oars or a small motor. I'll have her up at the farmers market (don't ask) on July 1 if you want to take a look. Might be a way to get a good deal.

--Shippy

Dear River Rats,

March is right around the corner and as the weather warms up there will be more and more River Rat events that will take place. What follows are some of them. If you are interested in a certain event let me know and I will put your name on the list for that event and you will get first crack at it as we finalize the list of participants.

July 16-20 is the Great Hudson River Paddle. Those of you who have contacted me are on the list already. The details are still in flux. There will be at least one boat going from Saugerties to Croton. We are hoping for another boat to go for a couple of days. I'll get back to you when the details are solidified.

There are three weeks of the Summer River Workshop. I have attached a flyer with the dates. As in the past, the first week will be the most introductory of the three and the last week will be the serial river trip during which we travel a bit. A number of kids will be back for the first week to help new rowers learn the ropes. You can register for the summer program by calling Philipstown Rec (845) 424-4662. I'd love to know who is coming so email me if you are registering for the summer workshop.

June 17, 18 is the Clearwater Revival, a very popular event. We camp out at the Revival and during the day we ferry the public to the Woody Guthrie anchored in the cove. Rats take turns with duties so that everyone
gets a chance to partake of the festival.

May 21 is the Riverkeeper Shad Festival. We usually help the little kids that attend build model Riverkeeper boats. The festival is at Boscobel again this year. It is a lot of work but the food is good, you get time out and there are usually a couple of guys from West Point who parachute onto the lawn. Both the Clearwater Revival and the Riverkeeper Shad Festival are limited in terms of the number of people we can bring.

We will also do the Great Hudson River Sweep April 22. Pizza and soft drinks and whatever free stuff Scenic Hudson comes up with. We usually clean up the foundry, including the boatshop.

BBBB is planning a fundraiser for the July 4 weekend. It will involve barbeque and boat races. We could use planning help for this one so any parents or rats who want to get involved would be more than welcome. We are determined to make this a really fun day.

-DH