Next WBA Monthly Meeting July 16th. Don't Miss It!

Our next meeting will be Thursday, July 16th, 2015 at 7 p.m. at Two Guys from Italy at 11637 Webb Chapel Road, just south of Forest Road. WBA Treasurer and benefactor John Parish will be giving away one of his many boating and woodworking related books as a door prize.

Dawn and Terry Gudgel will be on hand to talk boat upholstery. Dawn and Terry have done work for a number of WBA restorations, and will provide important information for your restoration's all-important finishing touch!

As always, we'll have generous helpings of fellowship and Italian food.

Join us for a light meal and moderate libation at 5:30 p.m. at Two Guys from Italy prior to the meeting. We encourage you to join us for dinner, so we'll always have the required minimum number of diners to avoid a room charge.

Shop Talk and Musings

There is a small shop bay available in the 3-bay complex in Lucas traditionally occupied by Robin McGeorge and Troy Marshall. The middle space of the three, currently housing Mark Webster's Chris-Craft Continental, will be available late next week. Let Mark Webster or David Kanally know if you're interested. Rent is paid through the end of July.

Just a few lines this month about the high water in our lakes. For the past five years, we have suffered drought conditions in most of the state of Texas. We've had to cancel shows, forego outings and worry whether we'll have to endure water restrictions. With a recent wave of her hand, Mother Nature reversed that situation in a matter of weeks, and now we have so much water in our lakes that we can't launch our boats because the ramps are closed. The fact is, our lakes were built first to provide potable water, then flood control, then recreation, if conditions permit. As the population of our state grew over time, more and more reservoirs were created to accommodate growth. All lakes in Texas, save Caddo Lake, are man-made. Except for a handful of constant-level lakes, (ahoy Captains Reichardt and Frechette), the water levels vary greatly to keep us from drowning and allow us to survive in this often arid region. So within the past year, we've "looked at life from both sides now". Before long, the water will recede and we will resume our normal boating lives. If you can't launch your boat this week, you can clean it, polish it, upgrade some part, or do something else you've been putting off. The lakes will be accessible again before long. Good things come to skippers who wait.

And finally, please take a look in the shed or garage for leftover parts or other salable items you can donate to the club. Bring them to any WBA meeting, or contact David Kanally at david@historywithheart.com for pickup.