In Loving Memory – Barbara L. Rush

Our hearts are heavy as we must share with you the news of the passing of our Director, Barbara Rush. She will be missed by everyone who had the chance to meet her.

Obituary and Service Information

Hannibal Locks and Dam Visitors Center Reopening

Grand National Hydroplanes To Attend Regattafest

Grand National Hydroplanes (GNH) will participate in the 2016 Regattafest, September 24-25, 2016. In a recently completed agreement between RegattaFest Race Committee representatives and officials of the American Power Boat Association, these large twenty-foot boats will be racing both Saturday and Sunday (24-25) vying for purse and trophies.

Powered by up to 511 cubic inch automotive engines packing 750+ horsepower, these boats can reach 150 mph and throw a 70 foot roostertail. Race fans in Upper Ohio Valley area remember these boats as 7 Litre hydroplanes; the racecraft were the feature event during past Inboard regattas. New Martinsville’s stretch of the Ohio River claims the existing straightaway record for the class at 151.271 mph set by Buddy Byers of Columbus, Ohio.

The September 23-25, 2016 edition of RegattaFest will include powerboat races, powerboat record runs, live entertainment, activities just for kids, concessions and much more.

Hannibal Dam Visitor Center Upgrades

From wtov9.com:

A first-of-its-kind signing held at the Hannibal Locks and Dam cements a partnership between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District and 13 local riverfront communities.

Pen to paper inked the deal to preserve history in Monroe County after more than a dozen communities came together, wrote a proposal and applied for a $25,000 grant from the corps headquarters.

Read More…

From timesleaderonline.com:

More than a dozen Monroe County community and government organizations have come together with the Army Corps of Engineers in the spirit of volunteerism to revitalize and beautify the Public Visitor’s Center at the Hannibal Lock and Dam.

Read More…

Delta Queen Dinner 2016

The 2016 Delta Queen Dinner will be held aboard the VALLEY GEM sternwheeler, boarding in Marietta Ohio, on June 25th from 4:00 to 6:00 PM.

Tickets are available for $40 per person, and include a 2-hour dinner cruise on the Ohio River, pre-cruise social hour and tour at the Ohio River Museum and the W.P. Snyder, Jr steam towboat beginning at 2:30 PM.

For tickets, contact Museum Director Barbara Rush at 740-391-2786.

Gale V Appearance

The Gale V, one of the most prominent Unlimited Hydroplanes from the fifties will make a return to New Martinsville during the NEW MARTINSVILLE RECORDS & REGATTA CHALLENGE on September 24 & 25, 2016.

This boat, meticulously recreated by Bill Black, won the Imperial Gold Cup in New Martinsville in 1954 with Lee Schoenith at the wheel barely nosing out the Gale IV driven by “Wild Bill” Cantrell. Others in that race included the My Sweetie, My Sweetie Dora, Wha Happen II and Miss Cadilac.

This should be quite an occasion as the sound of an Allison engine has not been heard on the Ohio River here for 54 years. Please spread this information to all your Regatta and River loving friends.

Check out NEW MARTINSVILLE RECORDS CHALLENGE & REGATTA on Facebook!

The Pilot; Volume 2, Issue 1

Volume 2, Issue 1 of our newsletter, The Pilot, has arrived. In this issue:

• My Ohio River Connection
• Board News
• Event Photos
• Much More

Read The Pilot Volume 2, Issue 1

Members/Volunteer Picnic Canceled

The Members/Volunteer Picnic scheduled for July 25th has been canceled.

The Pilot, Volume I, Issue 3

The third issue of our newsletter, The Pilot, is here! Included in this issue:

• River Boat Portrait on Loan from MCHS
• Photos from special events
• Planning and grant news
• And more!

Read The Pilot, Volume I, Issue 3