|
|
2003 Annual Meeting Second International Boat Show
By
Heather Phalen
We’re grateful to
Manotick Chapter’s President, Heather Phalen, for giving us her view of the
Annual Show action from Club Level
It’s hard to believe
that it has been over two years since Jeff Stebbins and John Harvey approached
the Manotick Classic Boat Club and asked if we would consider acting as the host
chapter for the 2003 Annual General Meeting of the ACBS. We were thrilled and
honoured to be able to accommodate them. This was our third annual meeting that
we had been privileged to host for ACBS but the first in weather conditions that
would allow us to showcase the splendor of our beautiful capital city of Ottawa.
As ideas began to flow
we moved from the conceptual stage of events to the concrete. We knew the “Rideau
Romp” under the guidance of David Burns and Joanne Warren would dazzle our
visitors, as they traveled along the Rideau Canal enroute to Dow’s Lake.
Originally constructed following the War of 1812 to keep our American neighbours
south of the 49th parallel, this aquatic masterpiece was the perfect venue to
bring people towards our nation’s capital. From 1826 until its completion in
1832 Colonel John By, the Royal Engineers, and some 2000 labourers transformed
the Rideau River into a fully navigable canal. They added 50 dams and 47 locks
with a total combined lift three times the height of Niagara Falls, making
theirs one of the greatest engineering feats of
the
19th century. It is now a National Historic Site, administered and staffed by
Parks Canada. We are delighted that over 130 AGM participants got to view this
beautiful part of our province from such a magnificent perspective.
Knowing that not all the Boat Show participants would be able to take advantage
of this pre-meeting romp we selected Dow’s Lake as our site for the Second
Annual International Boat Show that accompanied the Annual Meeting. Located in
the heart of downtown Ottawa this was a perfect destination point for those
participating in the Rideau Romp as well as those boaters who had to transport
their craft overland to the city. This site is a ten minute car ride or a thirty
minute boat ride from the Chateau Laurier, our hosting site for the Annual
Meeting. It is also significant to the Manotick Club since this is the site
where we hosted our very first Ottawa Boat show.
The Chateau Laurier,
which sits in the shadow of the Canadian parliament buildings, our federal seat
of government, was the base operation point for the Annual Meeting. This
majestic limestone edifice with its turrets and masonry is reminiscent of a
luxurious French chateau. From this site, AGM participants could wander down the
canal, visit the local farmers’ market, take a trip into the beautiful Gatineau
Hills to view the changing colors of the leaves or visit an array of galleries
and museums.
Thursday evening gave many
AGM participants their first real glimpse of the majesty of our national capital
region. A wonderful buffet dinner was hosted by The Museum of Civilization, an
architectural masterpiece. This building is the headquarters of the Canadian
Museum of Civilization Corporation whose mission is to preserve and promote the
heritage of Canada and all its peoples, to be the repository of the collective
memory of Canadians and to play a role in affirming the Canadian identity. A
more fitting site could not have been found for old friends and new
acquaintances to share stories about these beautiful old boats that we care for
and love so passionately.
Friday morning saw
participants traveling in all directions. Some were off to Dow’s Lake to check
on their boats, others were off to the Chapters’ Roundtable and the Annual
General Meeting, while still others fulfilled the role of sightseer and explored
the various venues in and about the city. I elected to attend the Roundtable and
General Meeting. As the business at hand unfolded I was so very impressed with
the commitment and collective dedication of the men and women who have
volunteered their time energy and expertise to ensuring that the mission of The
Antique and Classic Boat Society was fulfilled to the best of their abilities.
Attending
these meetings was a very significant point in the weekend for me. I heard
Chapters sharing best practices with one another, offering support and
validation to ensure that we all continued to move forward in the pursuit of our
common goals in as effective manner as possible. I saw an overwhelming
commitment to bring our youth forward to a meaningful place of involvement in
this hobby we so highly cherish. And I witnessed people stepping beyond our
immediate circle of concern and reach out to a greater audience through the use
of our sport and provide generous monetary support and help to individuals,
groups and organizations. It was at this point that I was most proud to be
associated with this organization.
Friday evening, The
Manotick Classic Boat Club along with ACBS hosted a cocktail river cruise from
the Chateau Laurier to the Dow’s Lake Pavilion. Here for the first time this
weekend the participants collectively received an early bird’s view of the
fantastic boats that had been brought to compete and grace the Canadian waters
for this Second Annual ACBS International Show. There was no doubt that the
caliber of boats being displayed was going to challenge the most experienced of
ACBS judges.
The evening was topped
off with a rambunctious but silent auction, whose proceeds were directed back to
the work of the international organization. Participants and their chapters
donated a wonderful collection of nautical artifacts, clothing, books and boat
show posters. My lips will remain forever sealed about the two or three bidders
I witnessed recording their final bids after the P.A. announced the closing of
bidding.
Saturday
morning brought the all-too-familiar early morning hustle and bustle of heading
out to the boats to give them that final wipe down to dazzle the eyes of the
judges and the viewing public. A warm Gulf Stream breeze, a bonus at this time
of year here in God’s country, kept the temperatures comfortable even though the
skies were threatening. Mid-afternoon, a number of boats left their moorings and
wowed the public with demonstrations of their sleek stature and poise while
under power. The majesty of these boats along with the elaborate documentation
that their owners so proudly displayed allowed each of us, at least momentarily,
to re-live a period of history. Once again we were reminded about what we found
so enticing and exciting about this hobby.
The culmination of the
Annual Meeting on Saturday evening was appropriately hosted in the elaborate
ballroom of the Chateau Laurier. If the walls of this room could talk they would
tell of fine dinners with heads of state from many nations for over a century.
It was so fitting that this should be the place where we were able to
acknowledge and thank those members who not only worked diligently on the
weekend’s festivities but also worked tirelessly on our behalf both as an
international organization and at the chapter level. It was with pride and
undying gratitude that we got to say thanks.
With the formal part
of the evening gracefully tucked away many members lost their jackets, loosened
their ties and put on their dancing shoes and enjoyed the music of one of
Ottawa’s home-grown bands to the very wee hours of the morning.
Sunday morning the
weather gods were not quite so kind. The streets of Ottawa and the boat show
site were both given a good Canadian watering. Relenting to the elements,
adjustments were made on the original day’s plans and with Ship’s Stores working
endlessly in the background the Boat Show Awards were announced at mid-day.
Despite the damp closure on the weekend a wonderful assortment of new memories
were created and friendships formed.
As the hosting chapter we were privileged and proud to have been able to serve our fellow antique and classic boaters. It was an honour to have you visit and we look forward to continuing with you our love affair with these wonderful old boats.