SPIRIT OF 1608 - Reedville Fishermen's Museum
SPIRIT OF 1608 - Reedville Fishermen's Museum
SPIRIT OF 1608 - Reedville Fishermen's Museum
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
www.rfmuseum.org Spring 2007<br />
Starry Banner<br />
<strong>Reedville</strong> Fishermen’s <strong>Museum</strong> - <strong>Reedville</strong>, Virginia<br />
New Exhibit Celebrates<br />
the 400th Anniversary of<br />
John Smith’s Exploration<br />
of the Chesapeake Bay<br />
<strong>SPIRIT</strong> <strong>OF</strong> <strong>1608</strong><br />
Tom Ryals
Greater <strong>Reedville</strong> Association<br />
and<br />
<strong>Reedville</strong> Fishermen’s <strong>Museum</strong><br />
2007 BOARD <strong>OF</strong> DIRECTORS<br />
President - Martha Tallent<br />
Vice President - Rob Schindler<br />
Treasurer - Willis “Bill” Burton<br />
Secretary - Susan Carter Hughes<br />
DIRECTORS<br />
Clif Ames<br />
Dudley Biddlecomb<br />
Carol Cole<br />
Jane Crowther<br />
Dick Doyle<br />
Kathy Elsden<br />
Margaret Hudnall<br />
Karen Jett<br />
Warner Rice<br />
Bill Rogers<br />
Ben Ward<br />
DIRECTORS EMERITI<br />
George and Katherine Frayne<br />
BOARD COMMITTEES<br />
Financial Management Committee - Paul DeLeo<br />
Long Range Planning Committee - Rob Schindler<br />
Membership Committee - Susan Tipton<br />
Planned Giving Committee - Susan Stubbs<br />
OPERATING COMMITTEES<br />
Boat Donation and Resale Committee - Clif Ames<br />
Boat Shop Committee - Jay Rohmann<br />
Building and Grounds Committee - Bill Rogers<br />
Landscape and Gardening - CBGC Judy Burgess<br />
Claud W. Somers Committee - Harry Towne<br />
Curatorial Committee - Maria Rogers<br />
Docent Committee - Kathy Elsden /Clarice Williams<br />
Education Committee - Audrey Brainard<br />
Elva C. Committee - Spud Parker / George Butler<br />
Exhibits/Interpretation Committee - George Frayne<br />
Gift Shop Committee - Marcia Adams / Karen Chichester<br />
Boat Collection Committee - Dudley Biddlecomb<br />
Marketing Committee - Dick Doyle<br />
Model Shop Committee - John Elsden<br />
Photo Group - Doug Brogden<br />
Publications - Rita Johnson / Tom Ryals<br />
RFM Quilters - Carol Korman<br />
Walker House Committee - Audrey Brainard<br />
Webmaster - Paul Kimball<br />
MUSEUM STAFF<br />
Executive Director - Chuck Backus<br />
Office Manager - Kathi Basye<br />
MISSION STATEMENT<br />
The Greater <strong>Reedville</strong> Association, Inc., supports<br />
educational and recreational activities that improve the<br />
quality of life for area residents and visitors by operating<br />
a museum, supporting historic preservation and providing<br />
a forum for community involvement.<br />
The <strong>Reedville</strong> Fishermen’s <strong>Museum</strong> promotes an understanding<br />
and preservation of the maritime heritage<br />
of the lower Chesapeake Bay with emphasis given to<br />
the commercial fishing industry, its related trades, and<br />
social and cultural history of the area watermen. As<br />
such, we collect, conserve, interpret, provide access to,<br />
and foster an appreciation of this heritage to a diverse<br />
community of 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.<br />
The <strong>Reedville</strong> Fishermen’s <strong>Museum</strong> is the focal point for<br />
visitors wishing to experience a traditional Chesapeake<br />
Bay 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<br />
Creek water trail from which visitors can explore the<br />
beaches, tidal marshes and trails of our natural area<br />
preserves and observe our commercial fishing industry<br />
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.<br />
The Summer 2007 deadline is June 10.<br />
Editors and Publishers:<br />
Rita Johnson pjrj@crosslink.net<br />
Tom Ryals tom@crewone.com<br />
Photographer:<br />
Tom Ryals tom@crewone.com<br />
Distribution:<br />
Clarice Williams<br />
Greater <strong>Reedville</strong> Association Inc./<strong>Reedville</strong><br />
Fishermen’s <strong>Museum</strong> is a non-profit organization.<br />
<strong>Museum</strong> Office: (804) 453-6529<br />
FAX: (804) 453-7159<br />
Email: office@rfmuseum.org<br />
Website: www.rfmuseum.org<br />
<strong>Museum</strong>: 504 Main Street,<br />
<strong>Reedville</strong>, VA<br />
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 306,<br />
<strong>Reedville</strong>, VA 22539<br />
Starry Banner is named for the first menhaden steamer<br />
to operate in <strong>Reedville</strong>. The steamer was purchased by Elijah<br />
Reed in 1880. Captain Reed, founder of <strong>Reedville</strong>, was a pioneer<br />
in the menhaden fishing industry.<br />
Starry Banner Spring 2007
CONTENTS<br />
7<br />
IN EVERY ISSUE<br />
4 From the Pilothouse<br />
Annual Meeting Report<br />
of theExecutive Director<br />
6 President’s Corner<br />
Letter from new<br />
President, Martha Tallent<br />
Introducing Kathy Basye<br />
Praise for Volunteers<br />
10 Calendar of Events<br />
April, May and June<br />
11 Volunteers in Action<br />
Operation Committees -<br />
summaries of activities<br />
12 Models of <strong>Reedville</strong><br />
Bethany UMC<br />
13 Photo Group/Quilt Guild<br />
15 Memorials<br />
Glenda Ames<br />
Fred Hixon<br />
18 Upcoming Events<br />
Visit from the Easter<br />
Bunny<br />
Antique Boat Show<br />
Blessing of the Fleet<br />
16<br />
FEATURES<br />
7 New Exhibit<br />
Celebrates the 400th<br />
Anniversary of John<br />
Smith’s Exploration of<br />
the Chesapeake Bay<br />
8 Visions 20/20<br />
<strong>Museum</strong> Members Meet<br />
Plan for the Future<br />
9 Benefit Auction<br />
Guests Socialize While<br />
Bidding on Treasures<br />
to Benefit the <strong>Museum</strong><br />
14 Financial Report<br />
Presented at the Annual<br />
Meeting<br />
16 Denny Henry’s Visit<br />
Visitor to <strong>Reedville</strong><br />
Photographs Local<br />
Scenes for Senior Thesis<br />
17 Spread the News<br />
Planned Giving<br />
Committee Formed<br />
Teaching Garden in<br />
2nd Year<br />
<strong>Museum</strong> Boats Featured<br />
on Area Publications<br />
ABOUT THE COVER<br />
We have followed the building of<br />
“Spirit of <strong>1608</strong>” in earlier issues<br />
of the Starry Banner and now we<br />
see her as she moves through<br />
the waters of the Chesapeake<br />
Bay (much like John Smith’s<br />
Barge carrying the first European<br />
explorers to our shores). This<br />
photo also includes RFM’s Elva C in<br />
the background as photographers<br />
and story writers from NOVA<br />
film a segment for PBS which<br />
celebrates the 400th anniversary<br />
of Jamestown, Virginia.<br />
Photo by Tom Ryals<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 />
Elva C<br />
www.rfmuseum.org/elvac.html<br />
Spirit of <strong>1608</strong><br />
www.rfmuseum.org/spirit<strong>1608</strong>.<br />
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/<br />
annualevents.html<br />
Photo Galleries<br />
www.rfmuseum.org/photoarch.<br />
Starry Banner Spring 2007
FROM THE PILOTHOUSE<br />
Executive Director’s Annual Meeting Report<br />
Mister President, Directors of the Board, Members of<br />
the <strong>Reedville</strong> <strong>Fishermen's</strong> <strong>Museum</strong>, Honored Guests,<br />
ladies and gentlemen: It is my duty, my honor, and my<br />
distinct privilege to report to you the state of the <strong>Reedville</strong><br />
<strong>Fishermen's</strong> <strong>Museum</strong>.<br />
In the year past, we have embarked upon new endeavors,<br />
expanded our role within existing arenas, and maintained<br />
the legacy entrusted to us. Under the leadership of<br />
President, Wendell Haynie, our board has set its sights<br />
on a distant horizon; yet we have done so under the<br />
framework and in the spirit of the Mission of the <strong>Reedville</strong><br />
Fishermen’s <strong>Museum</strong>. We are a strong museum. You,<br />
the members of the <strong>Reedville</strong> Fishermen’s <strong>Museum</strong>, have<br />
made us so. And my friends, we accomplished great<br />
things in 2006. Did you know that RFM opened eight<br />
temporary exhibits during the 2006 Season? Would<br />
it surprise you to learn that that’s as many temporary<br />
exhibits as the Field <strong>Museum</strong> of Natural History in<br />
Chicago?<br />
has selected this quilt to serve as the inspiration for the<br />
graphic identity for the entire folklife festival?<br />
At last year’s annual meeting, I spoke to you of<br />
the importance of securing our future through the<br />
development of our Endowment Fund. I spoke of<br />
preparing for the challenges that will face the children<br />
of our grand-children. I told you that in honor of<br />
Susan Tipton, Angus Murdoch, George Frayne, & Cara<br />
Sutherland, the executive directors who proceeded me,<br />
I would personally take responsibility for overseeing the<br />
development of our endowment fund. I have not done so.<br />
Rather, the Financial Management Committee, under<br />
the leadership of Paul DeLeo, has taken on that task.<br />
Thanks to Paul’s guidance, we stand here today with an<br />
endowment fund that is essentially double what it was less<br />
than one year ago. In one year’s time, the endowment<br />
fund that was established in honor of RFM President Alice<br />
Butler has increased from $87K less than one year ago, to<br />
virtually twice that amount today.<br />
Today, our exhibit team is hard at work preparing an<br />
exhibit that will afford visitors the opportunity to discover<br />
for themselves the world that John Smith encountered<br />
when he arrived in Virginia 400 years ago. As our<br />
nation prepares to celebrate the 400 th anniversary of<br />
the founding of Jamestown, the <strong>Reedville</strong> Fishermen’s<br />
<strong>Museum</strong> stands at the forefront of that celebration.<br />
Do you know the story of the “Hands Across the Sea”<br />
Quilt, the quilt commemorating the colonist’s journey<br />
to the new world? It began with a center square in<br />
<strong>Reedville</strong>, created by the women of the RFM Quilters,<br />
before traveling to England where a group of British<br />
quilters added the next layer. It returned to <strong>Reedville</strong><br />
where our quilters added to that, and so on. Are you<br />
aware that the quilt has been selected to hang this<br />
July at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the Mall in<br />
Washington, D.C.? Are you aware that the Smithsonian<br />
There are those who will say that our endowment fund of<br />
less than $200K is simply not enough to provide for the<br />
future of the <strong>Reedville</strong> Fishermen’s <strong>Museum</strong>. To which<br />
I reply: “That’s exactly right.” We cannot choose this<br />
moment to simply sit back and congratulate ourselves.<br />
•<br />
•<br />
•<br />
This is why our Planned Giving Committee, under the<br />
guidance of Susan Stubbs has provided each one of<br />
us the opportunity to help secure the future of our<br />
organization.<br />
This is why Paul DeLeo, whose committee has<br />
already accomplished so much, councils that we must<br />
accomplish so much more.<br />
This is why we must commit our best efforts to<br />
securing for the museum an endowment of $3 million<br />
within the next 15 years.<br />
Is that going to be easy? Not at all. Do we know today<br />
where every one of those dollars will come from? No.<br />
Starry Banner Spring 2007
Do we know how to reach that ambitious goal of financial<br />
security? You bet we do. It’s at the end of the journey on<br />
which we have bravely chosen to embark. It’s on that far<br />
horizon that is today, a little closer than it was one year<br />
ago.<br />
publications in the country. We will continue in our<br />
efforts to share breaking news and other items of<br />
interest through our website, our popular E-newsletter,<br />
and through the development of an easily accessible<br />
and accurate annual calendar.<br />
If we did nothing beyond those things, it would be an<br />
ambitious schedule. But this is the <strong>Reedville</strong> Fishermen’s<br />
<strong>Museum</strong>. We will do more.<br />
As I pledged to you last year, any action taken in these<br />
regards will have my best professional judgment, the full<br />
measure of my personal commitment and the support of<br />
the board of directors. I humbly thank the board for giving<br />
me their support, thank the membership for affording<br />
me opportunity to pursue a career I love, and thank our<br />
volunteers for each day reminding me of what can be<br />
accomplished when we make adversity and change our<br />
servants, not our masters.<br />
Together we accomplished great things in 2006. Together,<br />
we will continue to accomplish great things in the years to<br />
come. Yet we can only do so if we move forward together.<br />
This is your museum, and we rely on the vital input you<br />
provide. To that end, our strategic planning committee, lead<br />
by Vice-President, Martha Tallent launched the Visions 20/20<br />
event. You spoke at the Visions 20/20 meeting and you have<br />
been heard.<br />
• You called for an emphasis on regional partnerships<br />
with other organizations: In 2007 we will partner<br />
with the Virginia Science <strong>Museum</strong>, Stratford Hall,<br />
Northumberland County Library, Rice’s Hotel/Hughlett’s<br />
Tavern (RH/HT), The Yorktown Watermen’s <strong>Museum</strong>,<br />
Sultanna Projects, the American Association of<br />
<strong>Museum</strong>, Wachovia Securities, PBS, NPR and others.<br />
• You called for a Research Library to preserve and make<br />
accessible the treasures of our archives. Already a<br />
committee, commissioned by our board of Directors,<br />
has begun the challenging task of resolving the<br />
museum’s need for a library/archive. Drawings of<br />
this new structure have been offered for the Board’s<br />
review, we are actively working to secure funding for<br />
this project.<br />
• You have called for us to feature our oral history<br />
videos. Plans are currently underway for a public<br />
program to regularly share these museum treasures.<br />
• You have called for us to better communicate our<br />
plans, our activities, and our successes. Through the<br />
creation of a Marketing Task Force, we have begun<br />
to explore how we can better achieve this exact<br />
goal. Even today, Dick Doyle, Task Force Chair, is<br />
seeking out volunteers who are anxious to lead the<br />
<strong>Museum</strong>’s efforts to share our message. Furthermore,<br />
we will continue to speak to the membership through<br />
the Starry Banner, one of the finest small-museum<br />
• Today we celebrate and sustain the spirit of the<br />
<strong>Reedville</strong> Fishermen’s <strong>Museum</strong>.<br />
•<br />
•<br />
•<br />
Today, we choose and chart a course for our future.<br />
Today, together, we embrace change and command<br />
adversity to bring ourselves ever closer to that far<br />
horizon.<br />
Chuck Backus<br />
Executive Director<br />
Starry Banner Spring 2007
PRESIDENT’S CORNER<br />
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT<br />
As the new president of the board for the <strong>Reedville</strong><br />
Fishermen’s <strong>Museum</strong>, I’m looking forward to an exciting<br />
year! Of course, 2006 was an exciting year! As I<br />
reviewed my copies of the Starry Banner I marveled at<br />
the energy and creativity that jumped from the pages.<br />
This museum is truly an amazing place!<br />
I ask for your good thoughts and help as 2007 unfolds.<br />
Believe me, it is going to take all of us, working in shifts,<br />
to fill the shoes of outgoing president Wendell Haynie.<br />
His depth of knowledge, institutional memory and<br />
devotion to the museum cannot be duplicated. Please<br />
join me in praying for his continued good counsel!<br />
The concern over the Walker House and Conservation<br />
and Collections reflected at our Visions 20/20 meeting<br />
have caused me to consider them a priority item. We<br />
have begun the process for rehousing the collections;<br />
now we are anxious to recruit a few people interested<br />
in helping preserve <strong>Reedville</strong> history to work with our<br />
resident historians, Maria Rogers and Donald George.<br />
You will be trained by our Executive Director in the<br />
areas of cataloging, evaluation and conservation with a<br />
two-part session planned for April. If this piques your<br />
curiosity, please call Kathi Basye in the office (453-6529).<br />
We will contact you and have posted on the website the<br />
training dates and time.<br />
Regarding the Walker House, the Interpretive Committee<br />
would welcome more hands to help with painting and<br />
decorating. The Buildings and Grounds Committee,<br />
responsible for the outside of the house, also needs a<br />
few good hands for sanding and painting and anything<br />
that needs carpentry skills. Plumbers needn’t apply for<br />
this project! The roof work will be done by professionals.<br />
Just as with Conservation and Collections, please call<br />
Kathi in the office to offer your help. She will make sure<br />
your name and contact information get to the proper<br />
person!<br />
This year is one of great opportunity for the museum.<br />
It is 2007, the 400 th anniversary of the founding of<br />
Jamestown and the beginning of exploration of the<br />
Chesapeake Bay by John Smith in a barge almost as<br />
wonderful as our own “Spirit of <strong>1608</strong>”! The “Spirit”<br />
and her handlers will be visiting festivals all year long<br />
spreading the word about the <strong>Reedville</strong> Fishermen’s<br />
<strong>Museum</strong>. Let’s be ready!<br />
Martha Tallent<br />
Board President<br />
AMAZING VOLUNTEERS<br />
PERFORM MAGIC AGAIN<br />
As the 2007 season approached, we took a look at<br />
the past year and gazed in awe. We, volunteers<br />
all, backbone and most precious commodity of the<br />
<strong>Reedville</strong> Fishermen’s <strong>Museum</strong>, built boats, taught<br />
children, gave lectures, roasted oysters, guided<br />
tours, sold tickets, manned stations, stood docent<br />
duty, served food, cleaned up trash, maintained a<br />
web page, published newsletters, mounted exhibits,<br />
organized events, identified and catalogued historical<br />
collections, painted, scrubbed, brainstormed, quilted,<br />
photographed and helped define the growing<br />
reputation of our museum.<br />
Even more astounding is the level of expertise and<br />
wealth of experience proffered. At every turn,<br />
someone stepped forward with a cheerful “I’ll do that”<br />
or “I know how” or “I’ll find out”. It is interesting<br />
to note that it took 374 of us to pull off last year’s<br />
activities and events with the class and finesse for<br />
which the museum is known. Not too bad for a bunch<br />
made up almost entirely of retirees!<br />
As with any gift given from the heart with such<br />
generosity of spirit, time and money, to each volunteer<br />
we say thank you, thank you, thank you.<br />
Martha Tallent<br />
Introducing Kathi Basye<br />
There is a new face in the office of<br />
RFM. Kathi Basye has jumped in with<br />
all systems on “GO”. Chuck started her<br />
off reading back issues of the Starry<br />
Banner to help her get oriented to<br />
the many activities of RFM. The good<br />
news is that she is still working after<br />
that introduction.<br />
“I absolutely love the Northern Neck and have since I was<br />
a kid. Tony (husband Tony Innocenti) and I are so happy<br />
to be here,” remarks Kathi. She grew up in Wheaton,<br />
Maryland and spent many summers fishing, crabbing, etc,<br />
at a great aunts house near Lewisetta. Her father grew up<br />
splitting time between Callao, Lottsburg and Washington,<br />
D.C. The Basye name can be traced back to the mid<br />
1600’s in Northumberland County…does that make her a<br />
“native” or a “come here”?<br />
Kathi and Tony moved to the area from Olney, MD in<br />
September of 2004. She enjoys fishing, gardening, birding<br />
(a bald eagle nests ½ mile from their home), snow skiing,<br />
and playing with her 2 “four-legged children”. Tony is an<br />
avid golfer, so she is trying to learn the game. Stop in and<br />
introduce yourself to our new Office Manager when you are<br />
in <strong>Reedville</strong> and welcome her to the RFM family. Welcome<br />
aboard, Kathi!<br />
Starry Banner Spring 2007
NEW EXHIBIT TO OPEN IN MAY - Celebrating the<br />
400th anniversary of John Smith’s Exploration of the Chesapeake Bay<br />
From the time we started researching the up-coming<br />
2007-8 exhibition in September of '06 the project has<br />
gone through a number of additions, subtractions and<br />
what-ifs. As with any of these efforts, we start out with<br />
some rather ambitious ideas.<br />
The reality sets in when we<br />
start to do research, gather<br />
material and run into dead<br />
ends, impossibilities and<br />
"you want it when?' or "we<br />
haven't seen any of those in<br />
30 years". However with a few<br />
compromises and adjustments<br />
we seem to get back on track.<br />
This exhibition is probably one of the more diverse<br />
projects we have ever undertaken. In celebrating<br />
John Smith's 400 years past expedition around the<br />
Chesapeake Bay we have chosen to explore many<br />
facets of life and world events of<br />
the 1607-<strong>1608</strong> period - to give<br />
the exhibition more perspective.<br />
We have ranged from the<br />
formation of the Bay itself which<br />
prompted Smith to suggest that<br />
no finer place could be formed<br />
for man's habitation- to the<br />
environment he found in sailing<br />
into what would eventually be<br />
called Cockrell's Creek.<br />
To publicize the great effort our boat-building<br />
group has made in constructing a replica of the<br />
barge Smith used to explore the bay, we could<br />
have added a segment to the exhibition that<br />
portrays the work done on the construction and<br />
the operation of this fine vessel. This has led us to planning<br />
a live-action video production that is suffering delays as<br />
a result of an uncooperative weather pattern. We also<br />
thought that an on-camera demonstration of the Native<br />
American way of doing things would be of interest in the<br />
exhibit and this too has been held up by that same ill-timed<br />
atmospheric condition.<br />
Since graphics, as always, play such a big role in our<br />
exhibitions, we have been in need of a few extra talented<br />
pens and brushes to illustrate much of the subject matter.<br />
Fortunately, two very accomplished graphic artists, Ron<br />
Pugh and Les Morgan, have joined our group of volunteers<br />
to help create visual pieces, which will greatly enhance the<br />
whole show.<br />
The breadth of the talent involved in accomplishing projects<br />
like this is apparent when just mentioning some of<br />
the people who are contributing to the effort; Larry<br />
McMurray has been hard at work landscaping our<br />
major diorama; George Koman has been working<br />
out the electrical circuits for the displays; Dan Boley<br />
and John Elsden have done major construction work<br />
for the whole exhibit area; Grayson and Suzanne<br />
Mattingly have been working continuously on the<br />
audio visual productions; Rob and<br />
Paula Ransone have been doing<br />
research and computer graphics for<br />
much of the historical background;<br />
Carol Cole and Page Dillon have<br />
been researching and mounting<br />
the native American diorama; John<br />
Elsden and Will Garvey have been<br />
building models of ships of the<br />
period while Bill Wright has been modeling all the<br />
boats needed for the major diorama; Paul Kimball<br />
has been providing typesetting for copy blocks; John<br />
Elsden and Will Garvey have been building models<br />
of ships of the period while Bill Wright has been<br />
modeling all the boats needed for the major diorama;<br />
Wanda Boley, Maria Rogers and Donald<br />
George have been researching and<br />
tracking down artifacts; Cal Boyd has<br />
not only helped out with various chores<br />
needed while putting the show together<br />
but arranged and shepherded us to<br />
our meetings at VIMS for technical<br />
assistance and a video interview with<br />
geologist Dr. “Woody” Hobbs.<br />
There is still much to be done. Hopefully, warm, clear<br />
weather will arrive in time to enable us to complete the<br />
video productions and we will complete the assembly of<br />
artifacts and artwork without any more glitches. Once<br />
again, at the risk of being repetitious, we are so fortunate<br />
to have so many talented volunteers who over all these<br />
years, have enabled us to produce so many fine exhibitions<br />
that have attracted so many frequently surprised and<br />
pleased visitors, young, old and in between.<br />
George Frayne<br />
Starry Banner Spring 2007
VISIONS 20/20<br />
What a revealing meeting it was! Thank you all for taking time to share your Sunday to help the museum go<br />
forward. Our charge was to suggest ideas to keep the museum fresh, exciting, stimulating. I promised at the meeting<br />
to share the results with you. The headings below represent the sections of our Strategic Plan with the ideas put forth.<br />
As you look at the list, I hope it stimulates your creative glands and acts as a springboard for other ideas. Of course, a<br />
vision for how to “pull it off” would be extremely helpful, too! Call me, Martha Tallent, at 453-6832 and let’s talk!<br />
CONSERVATION<br />
FUNDRAISING<br />
FACILITIES<br />
Exhibits on loan<br />
Children’s area<br />
Crab pots<br />
Long-range planning for exhibits<br />
Documentation of exhibit locations<br />
Heritage arts & crafts<br />
VOLUNTEERS<br />
Internship program<br />
Increased staff support of volunteers<br />
Master plan of volunteer RFM<br />
Communications activities<br />
RESEARCH & INTERPRETATION<br />
Research committee<br />
Make collections available to educators<br />
Monthly activities<br />
Committee to learn about how to<br />
catalogue items and move them into<br />
collection<br />
Cookbook<br />
Corporate sponsors<br />
Concert/dance<br />
Fish-scale jewelry (Marl)<br />
Decoy carving show<br />
Watermen’s festival<br />
Silent auction<br />
Heritage arts & crafts show<br />
Book of Main St. homes<br />
EDUCATION<br />
Library<br />
Hispanic focus<br />
Children’s boat/water safety prog.<br />
Native clay workshop<br />
Feature oral history videos<br />
Lectures on sport fishing<br />
Classes on sport fishing<br />
Children’s programs<br />
Adult/child workshops<br />
P.R. & MARKETING<br />
Membership drive<br />
RFM “visitor” center<br />
Weekly e-mail/mail<br />
Family/group plans<br />
Consortium with Christ Church,<br />
Stratford Hall, other museums<br />
Logo clothing/items<br />
<strong>Museum</strong> video<br />
Rosenburg School<br />
Dockmaster<br />
Pilothouse maintenance<br />
Floating theatre<br />
Grounds clean-up<br />
More parking<br />
Labels on boats<br />
Buy Sea Products<br />
Research library<br />
Aquarium with local fish petting<br />
pool<br />
MISCELLANEOUS<br />
Improve communication between<br />
Exec. Director, Operations<br />
Committees and Board of Directors<br />
Catalogue Christmas lighting on<br />
Main Street.<br />
Book club<br />
Cruise club<br />
Wine tastings<br />
SOCIAL<br />
I owe a huge debt of thanks to my wonderful Visions 20/20 committee: Jane Crowther, Kathy Elsden, Karen Jett, Paul<br />
DeLeo, Warren Haynie and Ben Ward, all of whom worked for the meeting’s success because they believe in the mission<br />
of the museum (as do we all!). My personal vision was that you all would get another chance to see the moving clip of<br />
Alice Butler. It was her vision and inspired leadership that led to the formation of the <strong>Reedville</strong> Fishermen’s <strong>Museum</strong>.<br />
It was her dream “Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a museum here in <strong>Reedville</strong> where people could learn about the<br />
menhaden industry and the <strong>Reedville</strong> way of life” and her charge, “Never give up; we owe this to our children and our<br />
children’s children”, that was the inspiration for Visions 20/20. Capturing the essence of Alice’s message so beautifully<br />
was the work of Dennis Dalpino. Special thanks to him! And to Chuck Backus, who kept the faith, came to every<br />
meeting and helped at every level, thanks!<br />
Martha Tallent<br />
Starry Banner Spring 2007
BENEFIT AUCTION<br />
The Benefit Auction, under the event<br />
chairperson, Margaret Hudnall, raised<br />
$27,000 for the <strong>Museum</strong>.<br />
The Auction plus a matching grant by<br />
the Pendleton Trust raised $7,000 for<br />
the renovation of “Foggy River”.<br />
Starry Banner Spring 2007
3 9:00 am Boat Shop<br />
4:30 pm Operations Committee<br />
5 9:00 am Boat Shop<br />
9:00 am Teaching Garden Work<br />
10:00 am Model Group<br />
6 9:30 am RFM Needlers<br />
1:00 pm RFM Quilters<br />
5:00 pm Cocktails on the Creek<br />
7 10:00 am Easter Bunny - Elva C<br />
10 9:00 am Boat Shop<br />
7:00 pm RFM Board Meets<br />
12 9:00 am Boat Shop<br />
1 9:00 am Boat Shop<br />
10:30 am RFM Open Daily - Oct. 31<br />
4:30 pm Operations Committee<br />
9:00 am Boat Shop<br />
10:00 am Model Group<br />
4 9:30 am RFM Needlers<br />
1:00 pm RFM Quilters<br />
5 9:00 am Teaching Garden Work<br />
6 3:30 pm Blessing of the Fleet<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 Group<br />
2:00 pm Photo Group<br />
11 5:00 pm Elva C Cruise<br />
5:00 pm Cocktails on the Creek<br />
1 9:30 am RFM Needlers<br />
1:00 pm RFM Quilters<br />
5:00 pm Cocktails on the Creek<br />
2 10:00 am Claud W Somers Cruise<br />
5 9:00 am Boat Shop<br />
9:00 am Teaching Garden Work<br />
4:30 pm Operations Committee<br />
7 9:00 am Boat Shop<br />
10:00 am Model Group<br />
8 5:00 pm Elva C Cruise<br />
5:00 pm Cocktails on the Creek<br />
12 9:00 am Boat Shop<br />
7:00 pm RFM Board Meets<br />
14 9:00 am Boat Shop<br />
10:00 am Model Group<br />
15 5:00 pm Cocktails on the Creek<br />
<strong>Reedville</strong> Fishermen’s <strong>Museum</strong><br />
Phone: (804) 453-6529<br />
Fax: (804) 453-7159<br />
Email: office@rfmuseum.org<br />
CALENDAR <strong>OF</strong> EVENTS<br />
April 2007<br />
May 2007<br />
June 2007<br />
10:00 am Model Group<br />
16 9:00 am Teaching Garden Work<br />
17 9:00 am Boat Shop<br />
18 10:00 am Docent Coffee<br />
19 9:00 am Boat Shop<br />
10:00 am Model Group<br />
2:00 pm Photo Group<br />
24 9:00 am Boat Shop<br />
26 9:00 am Boat Shop<br />
10:00 am Model Group<br />
27 5:00 pm Cocktails on the Creek<br />
15 9:00 am Boat Shop<br />
16 10:00 am Docent Coffee<br />
17 9:00 am Boat Shop<br />
17 10:00 am Model Group<br />
17 2:00 pm Photo Group<br />
19 5:00 pm Elva C Cruise<br />
21 9:00 am Teaching Garden Work<br />
22 9:00 am Boat Shop<br />
24 9:00 am Boat Shop<br />
10:00 am Model Group<br />
25 5:00 pm Elva C Cruise<br />
5:00 pm Cocktails on the Creek<br />
26 10:00 am Claud W Somers Cruise<br />
29 9:00 am Boat Shop<br />
31 9:00 am Boat Shop<br />
10:00 am Model Group<br />
16 10:00 am Claud W Somers Cruise<br />
5:00 pm Elva C Cruise<br />
18 9:00 am Teaching Garden Work<br />
19 9:00 am Boat Shop<br />
20 10:00 am Docent Coffee<br />
21 9:00 am Boat Shop<br />
10:00 am Model Group<br />
2:00 pm Photo Group<br />
22 5:00 pm Elva C Cruise<br />
5:00 pm Cocktails on the Creek<br />
23 10:00 am Claud W Somers Cruise<br />
26 9:00 am Boat Shop<br />
28 9:00 am Boat Shop<br />
10:00 am Model Group<br />
29 5:00 pm Cocktails on the Creek<br />
Director: director@rfmuseum<br />
Website: www.rfmuseum.org<br />
Location: 504 Main Street<br />
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 306<br />
<strong>Reedville</strong>, VA 22539<br />
Please contact the <strong>Reedville</strong> Fishermen’s <strong>Museum</strong> for additional information. All meetings & events listed<br />
are subject to change. You are strongly encouraged to call ahead to confirm an event, date & time before<br />
traveling a significant distance.<br />
10 Starry Banner Spring 2007
Education Committee – Audrey Brainard<br />
VOLUNTEERS IN ACTION<br />
Elva C. – Spud Parker<br />
The Education Committee oversees the education programs<br />
for The RFM through three sub-groups:<br />
•<br />
•<br />
•<br />
School programs for children on and off<br />
the RFM Campus<br />
Adult tours, classes and workshops.<br />
The Lecture Series.<br />
New members and ideas are always welcome. Call to<br />
offer help in your area of interest or expertise or join us<br />
for a meeting, usually the second Tuesday at 9:30 am at<br />
the <strong>Museum</strong>. Please contact Audrey Brainard for more<br />
information and the exact time for upcoming meeting<br />
Model Shop - John Elsden<br />
The 2006/2007 Northern Neck Railroad season ended<br />
January 14 and was an overwhelming success thanks to<br />
many Model Shop/<strong>Museum</strong> volunteers. Those honorary<br />
conductors/engineers who ran the trains, informed our<br />
guests, and fielded questions include Cal Boyd, Jack Christie,<br />
Bob Dillon, John Elsden, George Frayne, Will Garvey, Donald<br />
George, Wendell Haynie, George Koman, Linda Larue, Larry<br />
McMurray, Claire Michie, Ron Pugh, Dennis Spillane, Chuck<br />
Strachan, Joel Stubbs, and Larry Wagner.<br />
Currently, our Model Shop volunteers are supporting the<br />
Exhibit Committee’s Exploration 2007 project. Over 300 hours<br />
have been spent constructing walls, displays and dioramas;<br />
creating a scale Northern Neck landscape; fabricating a scale<br />
wigwam; building two period correct ship models; and matting/<br />
hanging numerous drawings, pictures, maps and storyboards.<br />
Participants include Bob Dillon, John Elsden, Will Garvey,<br />
George Koman, Larry McMurray, Linda Larue, Ron Pugh and<br />
Dennis Spillane. Special thanks to Dan Boley who has put in<br />
considerable time on the carpentry and woodworking. The<br />
Model Shop and Exhibit Committee could not progress without<br />
his efforts.<br />
The Elva C has come through the winter nicely with little<br />
or no ice in the creek to bother her. Sometime in March<br />
she will be hauled out of the water at the <strong>Reedville</strong> Marine<br />
Railway and volunteers will paint the bottom and the<br />
sides. If time and circumstance permit, we will replace the<br />
forward hatch, which is in bad shape. We will help out with<br />
both jobs.<br />
Last Fall Ernesto wiped out most of the pound nets in the<br />
Bay and many of the fishermen felt that they had lost so<br />
much that they could no longer make a go of fishing. This<br />
would have brought an end to our popular pound net trips<br />
on the Elva C. The good news, however, is that several of<br />
those fishermen simply could not give up a vocation that<br />
means so much to them and they are putting out nets with<br />
the materials they were able to salvage. Thanks to them<br />
and their dedication to a fast-disappearing way of life, we<br />
will be scheduling trips when the weather permits.<br />
Docent Opportunities – Kathy Elsden<br />
Docent: a knowledgeable guide, especially one who<br />
conducts visitors through a museum. That’s by definition. At<br />
RFM the docent corps is the heart beat of the museum and<br />
represents a fabulous volunteer opportunity. Our docents<br />
meet and greet all visitors to the <strong>Museum</strong>, conduct tours,<br />
man the gift shop, share stories and direct folks where to<br />
have lunch!<br />
If you are enthusiastic, personable and looking to meet<br />
new people this is the chance of a lifetime. Perhaps the<br />
most rewarding position in which to serve, being a docent<br />
requires a commitment of only 3 hours per month and you<br />
may pick the days and shifts. Call the <strong>Museum</strong> at (804) 453-<br />
6529 or Kathy Elsden (804) 453-4999.<br />
As always, new members are invited and most welcome;<br />
please telephone or e-mail the RFM Office if you are interested.<br />
The group meets Thursdays from 10 AM to 12 PM, and ad hoc,<br />
as projects come about.<br />
Web Site – Paul Kimball<br />
Don't forget to check our web site for all the latest info:<br />
www.rfmuseum.org. The site now has our full annual<br />
calendar as well as weekly and monthly activities. In<br />
addition, there is a web page outlining all the ways<br />
volunteers can help the RFM. Check it out.<br />
Claud W. Somers – Harry Towne<br />
Claud W. Somers is a veteran two-sail bateau or skipjack<br />
that was used for oyster dredging in Virginia and Maryland<br />
waters. It is one of fewer than 30 skipjacks remaining in<br />
restorable condition on Chesapeake Bay. RFM has restored<br />
this boat and it's now certified as a charter boat enabling<br />
us to take passengers for short three-hour cruises. So,<br />
if you're interested in learning more about the boat and<br />
the crewing opportunities, contact us. There are no prerequisite<br />
skills nor experience necessary. We'll teach you<br />
what you need to know.<br />
Relay for Life – Kathy Elsden<br />
In cooperation with the Lancaster/Northumberland American<br />
Cancer Society Relay for Life, RFM is organizing a team to<br />
participate in the 24-hour event to be held on June 1 st and<br />
2 nd . “Relay” celebrates survivorship and raises money to help<br />
the American Cancer Society in its mission to save lives. As<br />
the Starry Banner goes to press we are in our very early<br />
planning stages and do not have a lot of info to share. If you<br />
are interested in participating or pledging please call Kathy<br />
Elsden at (804) 453-4999.<br />
Starry Banner Spring 2007 11
MODELS <strong>OF</strong> REEDVILLE<br />
454 Main Street<br />
The Jamestown Celebration is the backdrop for<br />
the <strong>Museum</strong>’s upcoming Exploration 2007 Exhibit<br />
and affords an exciting itinerary for the <strong>Museum</strong>’s<br />
rendition of Captain John Smith’s barge Discovery,<br />
the “Spirit of <strong>1608</strong>.” Fittingly, this period of<br />
commemoration of the story of his explorations and<br />
America’s 400 th anniversary is an opportunity to<br />
recognize a good neighbor and cement the proverbial<br />
“ties that bind.”<br />
sweep the pews and help her grandmother clean<br />
the glass chimneys of the coal oil chandelier that<br />
her grandfather would light and extinguish before<br />
and after each service. He was the first caretaker<br />
of the church until his health failed in 1910, and she<br />
never did figure out how he lit those lamps. In 1897,<br />
today’s church parking lot was the site of <strong>Reedville</strong>’s<br />
Town Hall, that later became the first and only movie<br />
theatre ever in <strong>Reedville</strong>.<br />
Bethany United Methodist Church, its parking lot, and<br />
its newer congregation/community hall and kitchen<br />
have and continue to support many RFM meetings<br />
and events. Whether it’s a meeting, Halloween fun,<br />
breakfast with Santa, learning the intricacies of oyster<br />
growing, or saying goodbye to friends and loved ones<br />
that have left us, Bethany provides sanctuary and<br />
remains a symbol of the strength of our community.<br />
Its bell tower chimes mark the passing of time with<br />
calming resonance and assurance.<br />
Constructed by George Frayne, a model of Bethany<br />
Methodist Church stands as a placeholder marking<br />
the beginning of our “Main Street in Miniature” on the<br />
Northern Neck Exhibit and Railroad, located in the<br />
Pendleton Building.<br />
Accordingly, this latest “Main Street in Miniature”<br />
article is focused on 454 Main Street, the Bethany<br />
United Methodist Church. Originally called Bethany<br />
Methodist, the “unification” moniker coming later, the<br />
church building was completed in 1901. Prominent<br />
early <strong>Reedville</strong> resident Captain James C. Fisher<br />
brought the bricks used to construct the building<br />
from New Jersey in the hold of one of his schooners,<br />
no doubt as ample ballast to smooth out the coastal<br />
journey. A year later, he repeated this effort in<br />
preparing to construct his own residence, “The<br />
Gables.” In 1921, under Capt. Fisher’s watchful eye,<br />
the bell tower was added to replace its original and<br />
deteriorated wooden tower.<br />
Within the cross-shaped exterior of the Church’s<br />
original building footprint exists an intricate and<br />
ornate interior with soaring arches of natural woods<br />
fabricated and installed by European craftsmen.<br />
Over a century later, it remains a truly majestic<br />
woodworking masterpiece. Just as a house is a home<br />
for its inhabitants, Bethany is a home for its clergy<br />
and congregation who, past and present, embody<br />
many <strong>Museum</strong> members and <strong>Reedville</strong> residents.<br />
Our beloved Miriam Haynie recalled in her “<strong>Reedville</strong><br />
1874 – 1974” book how, as a child, she would<br />
Last but not least, the author was humbled when<br />
reminded that two prior articles failed to recognize<br />
those Model Shop members who spent countless<br />
hours building our museum quality Main Street<br />
building replicas. Summarizing to date, Bob Butler<br />
crafted the Sears House (Kilduf Oil) at 691 Main<br />
Street and the <strong>Reedville</strong> House and Hotel at 729<br />
Main Street. Larry Wagner constructed the Blundon<br />
and Hinton Store (Tommy’s) also at 729 Main Street.<br />
And speaking of the ties that bind, sincere thanks to<br />
George Frayne for noting this oversight.<br />
John Elsden<br />
12 Starry Banner Spring 2007
RFM PHOTO GROUP<br />
The Photo Group is a small gathering of people who love<br />
photography and Sun Chips. The impetus for our meeting<br />
is to discuss photographic equipment and picture taking.<br />
We have undertaken a few projects including an annual<br />
calendar and a computer screensaver.<br />
When we are not working on a project, one of our members<br />
will speak on some photographic subject of interest.<br />
We have a number of accomplished photographers and<br />
with the small group the talks are often more on the order<br />
of discussions.<br />
Several of the members have had their work accepted in<br />
local publications such as the Starry Banner, Northumberland<br />
Echo, and Richmond Times.<br />
Almost everyone uses digital cameras, and is well versed in<br />
the computer programs which manipulate digital images.<br />
At least one member still uses film and several learned<br />
their trade with film.<br />
We welcome people with any ability as long as they like<br />
Sun Chips. We meet the Third Thursday of the month from<br />
two to four o’clock at the museum.<br />
RFM QUILTERS<br />
The quilters of the <strong>Reedville</strong> Fishermen’s <strong>Museum</strong> (RFM)<br />
are on a roll! The Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival XVIII exhibited<br />
two RFM quilts in their juried and judged competition this<br />
year.<br />
This Festival, in its 18 th year, is a competition of quilting,<br />
fiber arts, and wearable art. It took place at the Hampton<br />
Roads Convention Center from February 22 to February 25.<br />
The purpose of the Festival is to explore an American art<br />
that has developed and grown with the nation.<br />
The Renoir, a quilt after The Boating Party by Renoir and<br />
referred to by the RFM Quilters as “The Renoir”, was<br />
exhibited in the Quilt Festival along with the “Hands Across<br />
the Sea” quilt, made for the Jamestown Celebration. To<br />
all the RFM Quilters’ delight, The Renoir won a blue ribbon<br />
for Best in Show in the Wall Quilt category. The Renoir<br />
is gaining quite a resume`. It went from The Houston<br />
Show, where it hung next to the best quilts in the world,<br />
to Hampton where it won a blue ribbon. A quilt from<br />
<strong>Reedville</strong> makes good!<br />
To the Fishermen’s <strong>Museum</strong>,<br />
Thank you so much for taking<br />
us on a tour of the museum.<br />
The boys learned a lot and so<br />
did the adults. It was a very<br />
interesting afternoon spent at<br />
your museum.<br />
Of course the trains were<br />
a huge hit with the boys!<br />
Many of them had never seen<br />
anything like it before. It<br />
was a real treat! Thank<br />
you so much for a wonderful<br />
afternoon and for your<br />
kindness.<br />
Cub Scouts Pack 242,<br />
Kilmarnock<br />
“Hands Across the Sea” is currently on loan to the Virginia<br />
Quilt <strong>Museum</strong> in Harrisonburg, Virginia, to participate in the<br />
Jamestown Challenge Exhibit there, which continues until<br />
May 28 th . From Harrisonburg “Hands Across the Sea” will<br />
go to the Smithsonian to participate in the Annual Folklife<br />
Festival on the Mall in Washington D.C.<br />
The RFM Quilters are indeed on a roll! We are a quilt guild<br />
and take seriously our responsibility to teach others the<br />
ancient art of quilting. Once again, we brought the Quilts of<br />
Houston to the Northern Neck. A slide show with pictures<br />
of all the best Houston had to offer in 2006 was shown at<br />
the Northumberland County Library in Heathsville on March<br />
2 nd . The show was open to the public. The quilts, dolls,<br />
and wearable art were beautiful, exquisite, dazzling and<br />
enjoyed by all.<br />
New members are welcome. All levels of quilting<br />
techniques are welcome. Guests are welcome. Call the<br />
<strong>Reedville</strong> Fishermen’s <strong>Museum</strong> for informatio (804) 453-<br />
6529.<br />
Tippie DeLeo<br />
Starry Banner Spring 2007 13
ANNUAL MEETING FINANCIAL REPORT<br />
Statements of Activities<br />
December 31, 2006 & 2005 - <strong>Reedville</strong> Fishermen’s <strong>Museum</strong><br />
REVENUES AND SUPPORT<br />
Contributed<br />
Corporate and Individual Contributions $<br />
2006<br />
76,509 $<br />
2005<br />
16,659<br />
Memberships 44,193 43,879<br />
Admission Fees 14,168 15,705<br />
Boat Donations/Resale 15,800 14,680<br />
Donor designated restricted gifts 817 259<br />
Restricted grants 0 34,100<br />
Unrestricted grants 200,000 0<br />
Total Contributed Income $ 351,487 $ 125,282<br />
Program and Service<br />
Fund-raising Events $ 88,63 $ 76,305<br />
Public Programs/Workshops 15,722 11,557<br />
Community Events 7,370 7,465<br />
<strong>Museum</strong> Shop Revenue 32,411 33,706<br />
Claud Somers passenger income 2,094 2,305<br />
Miscellaneous Income 9,320 1,926<br />
Total Program & Service Revenue $ 155,550 $ 133,264<br />
Total Revenues and Support $ 507,037 $ 258,546<br />
Program EXPENSES<br />
Collections Management and Exhibits $ 4,688 $ 27,473<br />
Restricted Grants 10,711 35,373<br />
Fund-raising Events 27,855 24,909<br />
Public Programs/Workshops 11,320 9,784<br />
Community Events 6,571 6,261<br />
Boat & Model Shop Programs 2,951 6,288<br />
Boat Collection 5,791 13,575<br />
Boat Donations/Resale 222 1,636<br />
Total Program & Service Expenses $ 70,109 $ 125,299<br />
Supporting<br />
General Administration $ 135,086 $ 94,203<br />
Buildings & Grounds 23,649 22,427<br />
Membership Communications 13,034 6,298<br />
ASSETS<br />
Cash and cash equivalents $ 218,707 $ 69,244<br />
Marketable Securities 0 0<br />
Wachovia Fundsource Account 163,160 126,577<br />
Certificate 178,310 89,393<br />
Inventories (Gift Shop) 17,828 19,431<br />
Property, buildings & equipment 946,486 911,552<br />
Total Assets $ 1,524,491 $ 1,216,197<br />
LIABILITIES<br />
Current $ 4,979 $ 3,474<br />
Mortgage 0 0<br />
Total Liabilities $ 4,979 $ 3,474<br />
NET ASSETS<br />
Unrestricted $ 1,291,609 $ 1,067648<br />
Donor designated temporarily restricted 54,522 53,155<br />
Permanently restricted endowment 178,460 95,394<br />
Total Net Assets $ 1,524,491 $ 1,216,197<br />
Total Liabilities and Net Assets $ 1,519,512 $ 1,212,723<br />
14 Starry Banner Spring 2007
IN MEMORIAL<br />
The <strong>Reedville</strong> Fishermen’s <strong>Museum</strong> offers<br />
deepest sympathy to the families and<br />
friends of these members and supporters.<br />
In Memory of Glenda Ames<br />
W. Spencer and Nancy Baker<br />
Richard and Marcia Feliciano<br />
Jay and Karen Keller<br />
In Memory of Harold Cockrell<br />
James and Ruth Ash<br />
In Memory of Charles Covington<br />
Edwin Rice<br />
In Memory of Miriam Haynie<br />
Mrs. John Curtis Kelly<br />
In Memory of Fulton Lewis<br />
George and Molly Taylor<br />
In Memory of Dorothy Williams<br />
Linwood and Milly Robertson<br />
Remembering<br />
Glenda Ames<br />
Glenda joined the museum staff in early 2003 as<br />
Office Manager. Her exuberance, buoyant nature,<br />
and passion for the museum were a source of<br />
inspiration for all of us. Her weekly RFM E-News<br />
was just one of her efforts to voice her genuine<br />
excitement for the museum and its many events.<br />
She coordinated, organized,<br />
indexed and updated more<br />
museum related business than<br />
one could possibly imagine.<br />
She is probably remembered<br />
most for being a genuine<br />
friend to those who knew and<br />
loved her best. She was never<br />
too busy to lend and ear nor<br />
to give sympathy and advise<br />
when it was needed. Glenda<br />
was always ready to make<br />
a success of any endeavor...<br />
Cocktails on the Creek, New<br />
Year’s Eve Celebration and Benefit Auction to<br />
name just a few. To those who carry on now in<br />
her absence she is remembered and missed... and<br />
who could forget her friendly face?<br />
Remembering Fred Hixon<br />
Fred Hixon was a quiet guy, never seemed to<br />
talk just for the sake of talking. His physical<br />
appearance gave one the impression that he<br />
might have been a pro football tight end or<br />
maybe a seasoned ocean-going sailor. The latter<br />
impression certainly proved to be true. Fred was a<br />
top-notch sailor who skippered his 42-foot sailboat<br />
to a first place finish in the 1984 Annapolis to<br />
Bermuda Ocean Race and a first-in-class finish in<br />
1986 in that same event.<br />
I used to go to Alice's to confer with her about<br />
the progress we were making in setting up the<br />
recently completed<br />
Covington Building and<br />
invariably Fred would<br />
come by with her mail<br />
and inquire if she needed<br />
anything.<br />
In the early years of<br />
the <strong>Museum</strong>'s existence<br />
Fred Hixon was an active<br />
volunteer for many<br />
different projects in which<br />
his woodworking skill was<br />
a welcome asset. He did<br />
a lot of woodworking in the Walker House when<br />
it was being made into a display area and did a<br />
number of projects for the Covington Building<br />
once it was completed including making the<br />
counter/cabinet that has served for so long in the<br />
gift shop.<br />
As a result of a stroke he suffered several years<br />
ago he became less and less able to participate<br />
in museum activities. His cheerful willingness to<br />
undertake all sorts of project for the museum<br />
was missed very much. He, like so many others<br />
we have honored, typified and exemplified the<br />
wonderful volunteer spirit that has continued to<br />
make <strong>Reedville</strong> <strong>Fishermen's</strong> <strong>Museum</strong> such an<br />
outstanding museum and an attribute to this<br />
community.<br />
In addition to his museum work he also devoted<br />
a great deal of time to community efforts. Not<br />
only was he a very active member of the Bethany<br />
Church in <strong>Reedville</strong> but he also co-chaired the Red<br />
Cross Blood Services program for Northumberland<br />
County.<br />
George Frayne
<strong>Reedville</strong>...Through the Eyes of a Visitor<br />
As a photojournalism student<br />
at the Corcoran College of Art<br />
and Design, my senior year is<br />
almost entirely devoted to completing<br />
a photographic thesis<br />
project. The thesis project was<br />
to last several months, in which<br />
we explore a topic or issue of<br />
personal interest.<br />
Before starting my project I had<br />
never heard of <strong>Reedville</strong>, nor<br />
had I even been to that area of<br />
Virginia. I came across <strong>Reedville</strong><br />
by way of a few economic<br />
and social studies while researching<br />
commercial fishing.<br />
My ideas of<br />
my thesis and<br />
<strong>Reedville</strong> both<br />
changed significantly<br />
between<br />
my original introduction<br />
to it, and<br />
the completion<br />
of my project. I<br />
was originally<br />
attracted to the<br />
town because<br />
of its small<br />
size, and large<br />
percentage of<br />
people who<br />
work on the<br />
water, or are<br />
otherwise involved<br />
in commercial<br />
fishing.<br />
My project<br />
started in October<br />
with a trip to<br />
<strong>Reedville</strong>, specifically to the Fisherman’s <strong>Museum</strong>. I didn’t<br />
take many pictures that day, but I certainly learned a lot<br />
about the history of the town and the industries that have<br />
helped it survive.<br />
After my first trip, I started to make the trip from Washington,<br />
DC to <strong>Reedville</strong> almost every week. Before starting<br />
my project I was worried that I would have a hard time<br />
finding people and things to photograph in a town I had<br />
never been to, and knew no one in. To my surprise and<br />
relief during some of my earliest trips I was able to meet<br />
people who were happy to let me make pictures<br />
of them, and share the way they see <strong>Reedville</strong><br />
with me.<br />
The photographs I made early on both helped<br />
with my final product, but also helped me learn<br />
about the town, its people, and its history.<br />
Every time I would work in town I would meet<br />
new people, making each trip more interesting<br />
than the trip before. I certainly would not have<br />
had the success I had with my project without<br />
the help of the people of <strong>Reedville</strong>. Whenever<br />
it seemed as if my project wasn’t going well, or<br />
I wouldn’t be able to finish what I needed to,<br />
someone I would meet<br />
in the town would<br />
point me in the right<br />
direction, or introduce<br />
me to the right<br />
people. If I had<br />
worked on a project<br />
similar to this in any<br />
other town, I’m not<br />
sure I would have<br />
been able to finish it<br />
on time.<br />
In the end, the project<br />
that I had initially set<br />
out to complete had<br />
changed significantly.<br />
My original ideas of<br />
documenting the<br />
fishing industry in a<br />
small town grew into<br />
a documentary of a<br />
slowly changing town steeped in tradition, presenting<br />
a way of life not often seen in America today. I was<br />
lucky enough to speak with a great variety of people<br />
throughout the town, and my respect and appreciation<br />
for the town grew with each visit I made.<br />
Although the formal portion of my project is completed, I<br />
look forward to future visits to <strong>Reedville</strong> to make pictures<br />
and meet more of the residents.<br />
Denny Henry<br />
(More of Denny’s photos of <strong>Reedville</strong> may be viewed on his<br />
website at:<br />
www. dennyhenry.com/Thesis/thesiswalledit/index.htm)<br />
16 Starry Banner Spring 2007
SPREAD THE NEWS<br />
<strong>Reedville</strong> Teaching Garden<br />
2 Years Old This Spring<br />
The <strong>Reedville</strong> Living Shoreline Teaching Garden behind<br />
the museum and Bethany United Methodist Church is<br />
2 years old this spring. Funded in part by the Virginia<br />
Division of Soil and Water Conservation, the garden<br />
was designed to remove contaminants from stormwater<br />
runoff, re-establish native wetland plants and present an<br />
environmentally sensitive and attractive landscape.<br />
Thanks to the hard work of volunteers from Bethany<br />
UMC, the museum, VIMS, the Chesapeake Bay Garden<br />
Club, the Northern Neck Chapters of Audubon, the<br />
Virginia Native Plant Society, NAPS and the Master<br />
Gardeners, an overgrown and eroding section of shoreline<br />
is being transformed.<br />
The garden is now managed by the Northern Neck<br />
Master Gardeners as a demonstration project to educate<br />
homeowners and other interest groups about the<br />
functions and values of tidal wetlands and the native<br />
plants adapted to these habitats.<br />
We are all learning lessons along the way. Weeds have<br />
been a huge problem, and we’re going to work harder on<br />
that this year. More weeding and more plants to infill the<br />
bare areas will help.<br />
Tropical Storm Ernesto’s high water line was right down<br />
the path separating our “wet” and “dry” garden areas<br />
reinforcing our initial garden design. We will be planting<br />
additional marsh grasses and herbaceous perennials that<br />
tolerate seasonal inundation.<br />
We had our first spring garden workday on March 1 st ,<br />
and the garden is looking pretty good. We also installed<br />
plant markers and more will be set out as the plants<br />
emerge this spring. Additional signs and a brochure will<br />
be completed this year.<br />
If you’d like to be a part of this educational project,<br />
REEDVILLE FISHERMEN’S MUSEUM<br />
PLANNED GIVING PROGRAM<br />
You will be receiving information on the new Planned<br />
Giving program very soon. The goal of Planned Giving<br />
for the <strong>Museum</strong> is to ensure the long-term success<br />
and wellbeing of the <strong>Museum</strong>. Studies show that<br />
beginning in the late 1970s and the 1980s people<br />
began to have different giving patterns. We now live<br />
longer; our children are grown, and often have more<br />
money than we do. Because of this freedom from<br />
family responsibility, many of us find new volunteer<br />
careers such that we feel a vested interest. Having put<br />
considerable time and money into these endeavors, we<br />
want to make sure they survive and continue to grow.<br />
The <strong>Museum</strong> is the ideal candidate for such support.<br />
It represents the Chesapeake Bay, the fishing on the<br />
Bay and all that goes with this wonderful life style.<br />
This is why many of us have chosen this area for our<br />
retirement homes. It is quite logical that we want to<br />
support the belief that the <strong>Museum</strong> will continue after<br />
we are gone.<br />
Susan Stubbs<br />
DID YOU KNOW...<br />
that our museum boats grace the<br />
covers of two publications this year...<br />
Claud W. Somers on the cover of the<br />
new 2007 phone book and Spirit of<br />
<strong>1608</strong> on the cover of the official 2007<br />
Northern Neck Visitor's Guide?<br />
BOATS FOR SALE<br />
we always need more volunteers. We have scheduled<br />
workdays for the first Thursday and third Monday of each<br />
month from 9-noon. As the season warms up we’ll start<br />
earlier. Just come by on the appointed days, and master<br />
gardeners will be on hand each time to guide the work.<br />
If you would like more information, please call or email<br />
Susan Tipton, 453-3915 or tipton@kabellero.com<br />
• 1972 Larson 17’ fiberglass OB with trailer.<br />
Asking… $500<br />
• 40’ deadrise, “Catherine T” Asking…$12,000<br />
• 1970 Thunderbird 23’ fiberglass boat with<br />
Mercury I/O 225 HP…Asking $2500.<br />
• 1982 Fiberskiff 19’ fiberglass boat with<br />
OMC I/O, with EZ Loader trailer. Very good<br />
condition…Asking $4000.<br />
• Pre 1972 Deltaville 14’ flat bottom skiff. Needs<br />
work…Asking $150.<br />
WE ARE LOOKING FOR DONATIONS<br />
If you have a boat with clear title that you wish to<br />
donate to the museum please contact Clif Ames at<br />
(804) 453-3506 or the museum at (804) 453-6529.<br />
Starry Banner Spring 2007 17
MUSEUM AND GIFT SHOP REOPENED<br />
MARCH 17 (week-ends) MAY 1 (daily)<br />
A new year and new items have been added to<br />
the shelves at the museum gift shop. No need to<br />
drive any further than <strong>Reedville</strong> for those beautiful<br />
Leanin’ Tree all occasion cards. They are now<br />
available in the gift shop. While shopping for that<br />
birthday gift you can now buy the birthday cards<br />
and the candles for the cake.<br />
New beautiful serving pieces with our very own<br />
Chesapeake Bay blue crab are available. Two different<br />
size oyster plates are on the shelves along<br />
with oyster knives for all those oyster roasts you<br />
attend. Of course the bins are filled with new shirts<br />
and hats celebrating the Spirit of <strong>1608</strong> and the<br />
<strong>Reedville</strong> Fishermen’s <strong>Museum</strong>.<br />
Come in and shop for that special gift or that special<br />
item for your home. We have spring and summer<br />
mailbox covers, <strong>Reedville</strong> Coffee Mugs, <strong>Reedville</strong><br />
votives, NNK window stickers and a new item<br />
– static cling <strong>Reedville</strong> <strong>Museum</strong> window stickers.<br />
UPCOMING EVENTS<br />
FIFTH ANNUAL<br />
ANTIQUE AND CLASSIC<br />
BOAT SHOW<br />
AND<br />
NAUTICAL FLEA MARKET<br />
The Tidewater Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat<br />
Society is joining with the museum in sponsoring another<br />
Cockrell’s Creek gathering September 7 th through 9 th , 2006.<br />
This is primarily an “in the water” show. Register early.<br />
Docks and land display space are limited. The main events<br />
including Nautical Flea Market and an Antique Boat Parade<br />
are planned for Saturday, the 8th. We will be asking dock<br />
owners on Main Street to host boats for the weekend. Kayaks<br />
and other small craft are invited to launch at the museum<br />
to view the show boats from the creek. Smith Point Sea<br />
Rescue has offered to operate a water taxi on Saturday. The<br />
event promises to be another great visual display. Contact<br />
Joan Parker for flea market sales space at (804) 453-5950<br />
or email spudparker@highstream.net. Please contact Clif<br />
Ames at (804) 453-3506 or email macames@keyisp.<br />
com for registration or questions on the boat gathering.<br />
18 Starry Banner Spring 2007
ANNUAL EASTER EGG HUNT<br />
APRIL 11 TH AT 10:00 A.M.<br />
UPCOMING EVENTS<br />
The Elva C will once again transport our favorite “HARE”<br />
up Cockrell’s Creek to the dock of the <strong>Museum</strong>. Don’t miss<br />
the Easter bunny’s annual “hop down the dock,” or the<br />
three simultaneous Easter egg hunts (for ages 0-3, 4-7,<br />
and 8-10). Bring the kids and grandkids to this event, and<br />
don’t forget your camera, as the Easter bunny will be posing<br />
for pictures.<br />
We’re looking for donations of candy<br />
(wrapped) filled plastic eggs for the Easter<br />
egg hunt... if you are able to donate some<br />
candy filled plastic eggs we (and the kids)<br />
would be most appreciative. The <strong>Museum</strong><br />
office is the drop off point and the due date<br />
is April 9th.<br />
Bethany Church is also looking for adult<br />
volunteers to help guard the hidden eggs<br />
until the official start of the egg hunt - 30<br />
minutes will do it. Call the <strong>Museum</strong> office to<br />
volunteer.<br />
Blessing of the Fleet Signals Start of 2007 Fishing<br />
Season<br />
The community is invited to participate in the annual Blessing of the Fleet<br />
on Sunday May 6 in <strong>Reedville</strong>. An ancient tradition celebrated each spring<br />
all over the world, this ceremony marks the opening of the fishing season<br />
on Chesapeake Bay and asks God’s blessing on the fishermen and their<br />
boats, and for a fruitful season. At 3:30 a parade of boats will progress up<br />
Cockrell’s Creek to the old Morris-Fisher factory tall stack property where<br />
the ceremony will begin at 4 p.m.<br />
Up for a Little<br />
Adventure?<br />
In early July, RFM volunteers will<br />
row and sail the Spirit of <strong>1608</strong><br />
from <strong>Reedville</strong> to the Smithsonian<br />
Folklife Festival in Washington<br />
D.C. The trip is slated to take<br />
several days and will include<br />
camping at select spots along<br />
the way. We’re looking for RFM<br />
members who would like to<br />
join us in this journey. Sound<br />
interesting? Contact the museum<br />
office at (804) 453-6529 for more<br />
information.<br />
Starry Banner Spring 2007 19
COCKTAILS ON THE CREEK<br />
ALTERNATE FRIDAYS<br />
BEGINNING June 1 EVERY FRIDAY<br />
5:00 - 7:00 P.M.<br />
One of the best ways to enjoy Friday evenings is to join friends for Cocktails on the Creek at the<br />
<strong>Museum</strong>. Remember to bring your “beverage” of choice - the museum provides ice, sodas and light<br />
snacks...and by all means bring a snack to share if you care to, it is always much appreciated. Bring<br />
guests or a neighbor along to enjoy the evening. Check the Calendar (page 10) for dates.<br />
<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 SPRING 2007<br />
Printed by Lottsburg Printing Company