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The 2012 Virginia Canals & Navigations Society Annual Meeting and Conference was a success. The batteau “Mary Marshall” made it to Covington in time due to much combined teamwork of their crew. Outstanding Achievement! Now the expedition as gone down the Greenbriar and on to the New River.
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Minutes by Betsy Healy below:
35th Annual VC&NS Membership Meeting May 5, 2012 - Covington, VA
Following a delicious banquet, a warm welcome was given by President Roger Nelson who first recognized Rich Davis who is an original, loyal member of VC&NS.
- Membership to VC&NS by all batteau members is of great importance. - Nancy Trout’s loss was memorialized with a moment of silence.
- Phil deVos was recognized and thanked for his hard work and dedication to make this Conference such a success.
- The ‘Mary Marshall Crew’ was recognized by name: Captain Andrew Shaw, Isaac and Dylan Schumacher, Ford Prior, Kevin Ferrel, and Wesley Andrews. They have accomplished an amazing journey thus far and the membership is so proud of each of them. .
- Phil deVos: He mentioned his promise many months ago that the ‘Mary Marshall’ would be at the Conference, but he expressed amazement that they have accomplished this incredible journey. Phil said he will step down from doing and planning Conferences for the future. He recognized and again thanked Jon Averill for his fine presentation on Friday concerning John Marshall’s Expedition of 1812. Howard Hammond put together the amazing dioramas in the C&O building in Covington on Friday night and great refreshments were provided by Ellen Neal and the volunteers of the Covington Historical Society. Horace Dowdy was recognized for a Lock renovation.
-Roger recognized Alan Hale a new VC&NS member who is also a Board Member in Nelson County and is involved with other organizations.
-Roger asked for approval of the Minutes from 2011 Annual Membership Meeting and Mike Neal made a motion to approve the Minutes and Gail T. seconded the motion.
-Membership Report: Linda Roberts reported that currently we have 268 members and 47 of those are new memberships.
-Treasurers Report: No report was available.
-District Report: George Ramsey, Sr. reported on Southside VA activities.
Great Bridge: In October the ‘Rose of Nelson’ under direction of Captain Mike Neal and associated crew, were well received by the curious public and created a great learning experience for the crowd. They brought a good light on the goals and missions of VC&NS and the Batteau Festival.
George also recognized Gail Timberlake for bringing and displaying her book and helping out with the crew of the ‘Rose’ as they navigated through the famous Great Bridge Lock into the A & C Canal.
George reminded the group of an invitation for bateaux captains to come to the Great Bridge again this October 13 & 14 this year?
Dismal Swamp: The canal is open and viable. Funding by the Army Corps of Engineers is promised through October of 2012 but after that it is???
Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal: This Canal is open and viable. It continues to carry the bulk of the larger deep draft traffic. There have been no publicized problems.
Superintendent’s House: It is still standing but frequent vandalism has led the ACE to board it up and fence it for protection. Our VC&NS $1000.00 fund is still waiting to be contributed to any firm attempt toward preservation.
-President Roger then introduced Gail Timberlake, the author, and Dot Samuels, the illustrator of the children’s books. Gail shared some information about her new book which focuses on the deed of a Boy Scout during the Festival many years ago. Her third book is in the works and will be a story of Dewey Wood and the Lady’s Slipper. Margaret Gerdts suggested that Gail’s information go into the VC&NS tri-fold brochure.
-Brian Coffield: Our Vice President Brian highlighted the many events and achievements of the VC&NS for last year:
The great success of the Conference in Buchanan organized by Phil de Vos last year.
Planning for the current Conference and the great success in Covington/Clifton Forge.
Two options for next years Conference; Rivanna River and Monticello, and the Lower Maury River, Buena Vista site. He urged volunteers to step forward?
- Discovery & Preservation: Gwynn Lock and Dam cleanup.
Applied for Grant to conserve the Maury River, Echols/Walker water craft find. The Grant was accepted but not adequate for the preservation at this time.
- Education & Living History Outreach:
John Marshall 200th Anniversary of Midland Trail exploration brochure was created and distributed.
Harpers Ferry National Park- Living history presentation with bateaux ‘Rosalee’ Byrne Nelson, Captain and the ‘Rose’ captained by Mike Neal, in May.
Spring Jubilee, Rassawek Vineyard: Batteaux display and rides. VC&NS display in May.
James River Batteau Festival: VC&NS display and JRBF sales in June.
Monticello Harvest Festival: Batteau camp and VC&NS display, Sept.
Rippon Lodge Harvest Festival: VC&NS display and Atlas sales in Sept.
Waterways Heritage Festival: VC&NS display and batteau at Great Bridge in September.
Upper Roanoke River Guided Walk and Fundraiser for the Staunton River Atlas in October.
Roanoke River Watershed Conference Ferrum College: Atlas and VC&NS display.
-Partnership and Advocacy:
James River Assoc.: Info from Atlas’s on JRA interactive river website.
James River National Scenic River Designation Project: Goochland to Powhatan, letter of support.
- Honor: 2011 JRBF Lifetime Achievement Award to Bill and Nancy Trout.
JRBF: Celebrated their 26th year from Lynchburg to Powhatan.
VC&NS allocated $1000 for a full color program guide that was prepared by Elizabeth Davis and Nancy Marion and well received by all.
Applied to BAMA Works and received a grant to enhance the 2012 Festival and the direct connection to VC&NS.
-Archives & Artifacts:
Catalogued donations from the Howletts, Bonnie Herndon, Ashley Egan and Holt Messerly plus notebooks from Bill Trout and Mike Neal.
Responded to research inquires and cataloged location of Bill Trout’s scale model gundalow.
-Active Fund Raisers:
Gail Timberlake has traveled the state to sell her children’s books.
Barbara Duerk organized a guided walk on the Staunton river to raise fund to print the Roanoke/Staunton River Atlas.
Administrative-Management/Marketing/Public Relations:
-New Officers positions filled.
Continued to improve productivity of board meetings and their volunteer involvement.
A PO Box was re-established in Covesville.
The completion of an official name change which started over 25 years ago to add an “s” to Navigation through the VA State Corp Commission has been accomplished.
SCORE continued to be utilized for Strategic Planning Counseling at no cost to the VC&NS.
Membership: Linda Roberts has been so successful with records and enhanced software system.
Finance: Primary operating funding came from Atlas sales, membership and corporate donations. Editors Note: The VC&NS Online Store contributed most of the atlas sales while on-site(s) sales did nicely as well.
Atlas sales will continue at the JRBF and we heartily thank Brian Coffield for his incredible efforts and great success this year.
Both Dr. Trout and Linda Roberts volunteered to help Brian.
Roger Nelson reminisced about his early affiliation with the party aspect of the Festival and how it took some years for him to get interested in the aspects of the history and the mission and higher purpose that Bill Trout has for the VC&NS. Roger hopes to take this organization in a direction to further unite the organizations. Roger expressed thanks to all the folks that have come forward to help run the society and he especially recognized Ellen Neal and her many contributions.
Election: Mike Neal read the slate:
President: Roger Nelson
Vice President: Brian Coffield
Historian: Dianne Easley
Trustee: (2012-2017) Philip deVos
Trustee: Rich Davis
Roger made a motion to approve the candidates and Linda Roberts approved the motion with a second by Ellen Neal.
New Business: Roger brought up concern for The Tiller publications. He has met with Nancy Marion and he commented on the fine first issue and then a more budget wise second issue. He does not know why it is not moving forward but asked the membership present to help figure how to get this publication staying on track for the future. Ellen mentioned the three volunteers that are doing the project and the fine work they can do, but it seems that just a third of the project needs help?
Roger asked for a motion to adjourn and Rich Davis made the motion which was seconded by Linda Roberts.
Respectfully Submitted: Betsy Healey, Sec.





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