2017: Year In Review

Steamboat
Photo courtesy of Mike Dinndorf
Dear Minnehaha Supporters: Another year of Minnehaha’s distinguished career has already passed. 2017 brought us a number of hardships, but we prevailed and ended the season successfully with a total ridership of 8,800 passengers. Fun times were had and much business was taken care of, and new friends were made while others are remembered. The following is a recap of just some of the past year’s major events. The season started in an unfortunate way. While the sale of the former Bayview property was pending, access to Minnehaha’s home dock and utility lines was limited. This led to the cancelation of cruises during Memorial Day weekend. The issue was thankfully resolved after the new owners completed the purchase, and by early June Minnehaha was able to begin operating as scheduled. The MLM gained several new crewmembers at the beginning of the season. Brett Byriel, who joined the MLM in 2016, was qualified as a Lead Purser by September. We congratulate Brett on his accomplishment and look forward to qualifying more crewmembers next year.
Boat Parade
For the fourth year in a row, the MLM partnered up with the Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Historical Society for three “Tapping History” programs onboard Minnehaha. These included a program by Alan Lizee about the historic sailboat Volante in June and a program by Joni Scheftel about growing up on Big Island in July. Todd Warner returned as host of the third program, the 2nd Annual Lake Minnetonka Antique and Classic Boat Parade, in August. Inspired by a similar event on Lake Muskoka in Canada, approximately fifty boats cruised in tandem with Minnehaha from Excelsior to Wayzata and back. Per usual, Minnehaha participated in all of the community events in Excelsior and Wayzata this year. Due to unforeseen circumstances, cruises during the Wayzata Art Experience were cut short. However, Excelsior Art on the Lake, James J. Hill Days, and Excelsior Apple Day were all successful. Minnehaha also sailed up to Wayzata for four concerts in July with performances by Jeff Dayton and Davina and The Vagabonds, among others. Furthermore, Minnehaha was a part of the Wayzata Historical Society’s thirty-fifth anniversary celebration in August with two boathouse-themed cruises narrated by historian Joanie Holst.
WHS Reunion
Photo courtesy of Jason Jenkins
The season ended with a bang when the MLM welcomed members of the HeritageRail Alliance onboard Minnehaha as part of their annual conference. Members came from across the United States and Canada to ride local heritage rail lines and learn about each respective organization. After riding the Excelsior streetcar line, they boarded Minnehaha – Minnesota’s only “floating streetcar” – and learned a great deal about Lake Minnetonka’s unique transportation history. On land, MLM volunteers were busy with other efforts. Beginning late last year, work began in earnest on establishing a proper archive for the MLM. The Archives Committee hired Rachel Howell as a professional consultant for the project and worked for several months completing many important tasks. Work continues on various small projects, but the MLM is proud to have a proper archive at last.
Leo Meloche
Photo courtesy of the Meloche Family
On a sadder note, the MLM regretfully lost a dear friend this fall. Leo Meloche, who served as Director of the Minnehaha Restoration Project between 1990 and 1996, passed away peacefully on the morning of November 5. Without his tenacity and determination, Minnehaha would have never been restored. Thus, we are eternally grateful for his efforts and are dedicated to carry his legacy on. Rest in peace, Leo. Despite the hardships of 2017, Minnehaha ran a successful season and is now back in her barn, safe and sound, receiving TLC from our winter maintenance crew. As always, we thank all of our members, volunteers, donors, partners, and passengers for their continued generosity and enthusiasm. With their support we point the bow forward, proudly carrying the legacy into 2018. From all of us at the MLM, Happy New Year!
Takeout Minnehaha
Photo courtesy of Jeff Bipes

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