03/04 - 03/06 - St. John's River, Florida 2016

Just getting ready to leave and was looking for food sign up list and noticed our name wasn't on "membership" list. Not a big computer guy but swear I signed up months ago. Any problem with that? We're coming anyway!
 
Mary and I will be coming to the Hontoon CBGT, but w/o "Dessert 1st" this time. (So one less slip req'd.)

We will drive from The Villages on Friday afternoon (but we plan to be there for the potluck!).

We don't want to miss the campfire festivities, so we're planning to boondock in the back of the pickup on the mainland near the parking area ..., so we'll be looking to 'bum a ride across the river sometime later that evening.

Do I recall a earlier thread that discussed a marine radio freq for CBGT participants? UPDATE: CH 72.

If anyone has errands they need to do - we'll have the truck, and it's an easy run into Deland.

Best,
Casey&Mary
 
John.....you did post that you were coming on this link so you were down on my list. I do not know what happened on the event sign up. See you at Hontoon! Tom
 
Thanks Schulkes and GREAT JOB! Had a wonderful time meeting new Brat friends and their boats!
 
I finally made it to the 3rd cbgt on the St. John's River .Thanks to the Schulkes for all their organizing skills . we all had small jobs to do it was Great fun. Meeting old friends and new it was one of the better Gatherings I've been to . I didn't count but I think there was over 35 boats .The only boats that weren't there were the 16,19,22 anglers . It was really a nice way to see almost all the boats that C-Dory builds .
 
Wow.....the 3rd Annual CBGT at Hontoon Island was a unbelievable success! Records were broken....the most boats....39 total....the most volunteers....EVERYONE......the most donations to the Park....almost $1300 toward the Bruce Cassal Memorial. We had a donation auction, donated stickers, 50/50 and lots of cash donations. C-Brats are Generous with a capitol G! I talked with Joyce Cassal today and let her know where the money is to be used. First: there will be a new bench on the water at Hontoon by the Marina dedicated to Bruce. Second: A new Large Park Grill will be set by the Marina also dedicated to Bruce. These should be in place by the beginning of April. The old grill will be relocated by the shelter building. As soon as these are in place I will post photos.

A big thanks to everyone! Ken Torres and the rest of the park staff make it well known that we are the nicest group to use the park. I was quite under the weather with a cold during the gathering, but knew that everything would be done and done right. You know who you are and what you did to help at the CBGT....AGAIN THANKS!

Tentative dates for next year are March 7,8,9 2017. Yes....we are going to do a Tuesday to Thursday next year so that more slips will be available.

Any positive comments about Hontoon Island State Park or the staff can be sent to PublicServices@dep.state.fl.us

All for now......Tom
 
Tom, Thanks for everything. Not just the weekend, but the before and after as well. I had a super great time. Rosanne is looking forward to being able to come down with me next year! (Barring no ice storms....you know how that is in the Midwest that time of year... :-( BTW, I lied about the gas. I told you I had 1/3 tank left. Actually when I looked at it closer, I was just barely under 1/2 tank! lol! The only bummer of my entire trip, was getting to Catfish Kitchen (Lake Kentucky Dam State Park area) on my way home, planning on lunch when they opened at 11am. Well, that time is only on Sundays. Saturday, and the other days of the week when they are open, they don't open till 4p! (At least I got to eat there on the way down...)Yeah, it's all about the food during vacation! :mrgreen:
As my post on my facebook page says:
C-Dory vacation was great! But....home sweet home!
Colby
 
Thanks to Tom & Joyce, plus all of the other great C Brats. Thisaway &
Molly Brown are some where on the Econlockhatchee River. Best birding We have ever seen. Now as to getting into the Econ.... That is another story. Ian sworn to secrecy!
!
 
Bob..The Econlockhatchee River sounds like a great place to explore. My last trip south ended just north of the mouth. Next time........I'm sure I can get the information out of James........ Glad you're having a good time. Thanks for doing the Q&A on C-Dorys......we all learned a lot.

Till next time....Tom
 
What fun Jan and Lee from the "Tully-B" had at the 2016 St. Johns River Gathering. When we met Tom and Joyce this past summer on the Mississippi River they invited us to join them on the St Johns. We are so glad that we did, it gave us the opportunity to be re-connected with old friends, some of them we had not seen since our first gathering on the Mississippi some four years ago when we first got the "Tully-B"

We sure enjoyed the seminars that Joyce and Tom set up, Dr. Bob was a fount of information. I was sorry that I missed Cliff's history lesson but I was in town with Tom and some of the other guys getting the chicken for the Saturday evening pot-luck.

We loved the silent auction that Pat and Hank put on that helped to raise over $400.00 for the park. They also guided a number of C-Dorys on the Friday cruise around the island that was most enjoyable.

Fun, fun, fun was had by all and we sure that we get to join you all next year. We also look forward to seeing some of you this coming September on the Mississippi. Lee and Jan
 
Thanks to everyone at the St. Johns c-dory gathering of 2016 that so generously gave a memorial to my dear parted husband Bruce Cassal. We had so hoped to make the gathering but he passed much sooner than we ever thought he would. I am so touched by what Tom and Joyce told me that there will be a bench, plaque and a grill installed in Bruce's memory. I hope to be at the gathering next year.

Love to you all.

Joyce Cassal
 
Joyce......

In a first so far as anyone knows, 4 C-Dory's explored the waters of the Econlockhatchee River. Bruce was "toasted", and for me personally, I half expected to see the Carpy coming downstream. I wouldn't be surprised to find out you and Bruce had already been there before but I've no doubt he'd have been in his element. He will be missed.

Tom and the "other" Joyce......

You can sure be proud of your efforts for this years gathering. I can tell you that every single Brat I encountered thoroughly enjoyed the gathering. I'm also very proud of the memorial monies you and your team raised to leave a fitting tribute to one of our own. I will post my pics soon.
 
I put a few photos from the gathering, and some further exploration of the St. Johns. I'll get captions and more on the Econlockhatchee river trip.
 
Monday, March 22, 2016
St Johns River Hontoon Island Gathering 3/4/2016 3/6/2016

Thirty five (35) C-Dory boats must be a record for any GATHERING. You bet the Arkansas Cotton Choppers had a great time, thank to Tom and Joyce for their expertise in planning..

After the gathering we cruised the Atlantic ICW to Savannah, GA. for a two day tourist type visit. The ICW presented challenges, eight foot tides, poor anchorages, swift currents, and grounding however the many islands offered a beautiful unexpected six hundred and ninety mile surprise, a twelve day round trip.

NOW, our age may limit our boating to area lakes and our Red River.

Bill and Brenda Russell 2 Lafayette 24, Stamps, AR. 71860 870-533-2663
 
Monday, March 22, 2016
St Johns River Hontoon Island Gathering 3/4/2016 3/6/2016

Thirty five (35) C-Dory boats must be a record for any GATHERING. You bet the Arkansas Cotton Choppers had a great time, thank to Tom and Joyce for their expertise in planning..

After the gathering we cruised the Atlantic ICW to Savannah, GA. for a two day tourist type visit. The ICW presented challenges, eight foot tides, poor anchorages, swift currents, and grounding however the many islands offered a beautiful unexpected six hundred and ninety mile surprise, a twelve day round trip.

NOW, our age may limit our boating to area lakes and our Red River.

Bill and Brenda Russell 2 Lafayette 24, Stamps, AR. 71860 870-533-2663
 
Bill and Brenda....It was good to see you again. I believe you've made all three gatherings to date. I just added my pics to the gathering album. There are a couple of you and your boat, Falcon. May the future bring you fair winds and calm seas, or lakes, or rivers. Best to you both!

James
 
Hi Hontoon Island C-Brats
Just wanted to let you know how Bruce's memorial is coming along. We visited the park yesterday and took a couple photos of the new grill for the marina . Ken the park manager in the photo is thrilled to have it for the park. They are short handed now but will soon have it in place and move the old one to a different location. The bench is also waiting to be installed. We also presented the balance of the funds left over to the park for memorial plaques. Planning on a dedication at the CBGT in Match.

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While Bruce will be missed by the group his memory will live on because of all your generous donations and hard work. We trust that his wife Joyce will be able to join us for the dedication next year. The dates for next years gathering will be Tuesday March 7th through Thursday March 9th.
 
Very nice! Looking forward to next year, and Rosanne plans to come with me this time! :-) Colby
 
Just received this from Ken Tories at Hontoon Island State Park. They used the aerial photo taken during the Third Annual CBGT at Hontoon Island on their website and brochure. Almost all the boats are ours! The park is already planning for our return on Tuesday March 7th.

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Colby......We are glad that Rosanne will be able to make it this time. Joyce and I will not be taking the C-Otter north this year so we will miss the Apostle Islands. Just cant do everything but wish we could. Have a great time...Tom
 
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