Christmas Boat Parade 2007
TMCA takes First place Sponsored
Sailboat over 40 feet.
The Principals met at Hooters in Seabrook to decide what to do... It was November 18 and the Parade was just a few weeks away. No Time for a new design... It was recycle time. The Soldier
would come out from under the Blue Tarp where he had rested among the Olleanders.
He would be moved to Steve O'Brien's Garage, the place of his birth in 1991, where he would be prepared for his Final Mission.
It's Hard to Believe that after three years it was still in tact. We tried some lights But many did not work.
The Torso Had a Big Area that Had to be replaced. Bill Jenko donated plywood and we scrounged up some 1x2 Bracing straps.
A team of Supervisors were ready to watch.
This is our team of Strippers... so named for the task of stripping off the lights.
The Grand Erection happened on November 30 a full week before the parade.
The Boat is at South Shore Awaiting the Start
Our Captain Dick Gement with his crew
John Patterson, Andy Upchurch, Vickie, Richard & Joanne Collins, Ed Herndon, Philip Kropf , Cindy Porterfield, Gina Short
Captain Dick Gement
Here's the Story
The Principals met at Hooters in Seabrook to decide what to do... It was November 18 and the Parade was just a few weeks away. No Time for a new design... It was recycle time. The Soldier
would come out from under the Blue Tarp where he had rested among the Olleanders.
He would be moved to Steve O'Brien's Garage, the place of his birth in 1991, where he would be prepared for his Final Mission.
It's Hard to Believe that after three years it was still in tact. We tried some lights But many did not work.
The Torso Had a Big Area that Had to be replaced. Bill Jenko donated plywood and we scrounged up some 1x2 Bracing straps.
A team of Supervisors were ready to watch.
This is our team of Strippers... so named for the task of stripping off the lights.
The Grand Erection happened on November 30 a full week before the parade.
Parade Day
The Boat is at South Shore Awaiting the Start
Our Captain Dick Gement with his crew
John Patterson, Andy Upchurch, Vickie, Richard & Joanne Collins, Ed Herndon, Philip Kropf , Cindy Porterfield, Gina Short
Captain Dick Gement
After the Parade
Awards Presentation
Andy Upchurch (old salt), Vicki
Richards, John Patterson, Dick Gement (trophy), Joanne&Richard
Collins, Philip Kropf
Ed Herndon (front)
The Night before the Commodores Ball at Lakewood Yacht Club
Alas, he did not make it to the party
Next Morning He Broke in a High wind.
.
Laid Out on the dock He looks Peaceful
Andy prepares a Memorial Body trace before the Soldier is committed to the Dumpster.
The soldier was Outstanding Boat In 1991, 1992, and 2004
Most Beautiful in 1996
and First in Class 2007
May he rest in Peace.
Ed Herndon (front)
The Night before the Commodores Ball at Lakewood Yacht Club
Alas, he did not make it to the party
Next Morning He Broke in a High wind.
.
Laid Out on the dock He looks Peaceful
Andy prepares a Memorial Body trace before the Soldier is committed to the Dumpster.
The soldier was Outstanding Boat In 1991, 1992, and 2004
Most Beautiful in 1996
and First in Class 2007
May he rest in Peace.
By Andy Upchurch
The CHRISTMAS BOAT PARADE was
large, beautiful, showy, and VERY
Christmas-sy. The unusually warm weather brought out more spectator
boats than we’ve ever seen! I was the organizer for a 44’ sailboat
which was sponsored by the Mighty and Majestic Texas Mariners Cruising
Association; the largest boating club on the Texas Riviera. Our boat
featured a large Wooden Bugle Boy as our centerpiece. The whole display
contained about six thousand lights by our best reckoning and required
two generators to run. We netted a Very Respectable FIRST PLACE award
in the Large Sailboat class, and I was Proud Exceeding! You can see the
boat at WWW.TMCA.NU.
The Bugle Boy, a veteran of
glorious boat parade campaigns of yore, was
showing his age. He managed to hold together through the end of the
parade, to my astonishment. I try to think of ways to retire him, with
glory, honor, and dignity. I’ve got it: We will have a First EVER San
Leon BURNING MAN! You know, like the Big One they have in the Desert
every year . . . At the Next Oleander Party on May 18, 2008!! Can’t you
just see it!!!. . .
But ALAS, before we could take it
down in an orderly fashion, an ILL
Wind blowing No Good sprang down upon us out of the North, and the
Bugle Boy collapsed in a giant colorful heap. Merde Alors! No Burning
Man for us now! Crime Scene Investigation tape would have been good
here (and chalk to mark the precise outline) but there was none to be
found. He was removed to the grounds of the Tony Lakewood Yacht Club
where he lay in state (while I made a pattern) and, after a brief
ceremony was committed to the dumpster. He had fallen in the line of
duty. I suppose I will have to write the obituary.