Floating Homes Association 50th Anniversary
Annual Meeting and Celebration
Thursday, April 26th was a landmark gathering of houseboaters and friends at the Queen City Yacht Club to celebrate the FHA's 50th anniversary with catered appetizers, liquid refreshments, and fabulous views of Portage Bay. A special slide show mixing early years of houseboat history with present day photos of houses and people accompanied by appropriate music played continuously on the big screen. Copies of the DVD were sold at the Houseboatique table. A silent auction got everyone bidding on an array of donations from businesses and individuals in the community. During the meeting a number of houseboatique items were raffled off. At one point in the evening, emcee Tricia Rendina asked the crowd, "who has been on the lake the longest?" There were two people present who had been there 50 years or more, Dan Ranney and Jim Smith.
A short business meeting was held. President Marty Greer gave a quick summary of our 50 years and ended with news that we are still waiting for the revised Shorelines Master Program to come out. Melissa Ahlers asked for community involvement in the upcoming September 9th FHA Tour. Erin Feeney mentioned the houseboat book she has written will be available in July. Iaan Hughes from MOHAI talked about transformation of the armory into the museum and the houseboat exhibit that will occur next spring. Bob Bowman conducted elections and the past two presidents, Bill Keasler and Marty Greer joined newly elected, Sheri Greaves to cut a celebratory cake decorated with the new FHA logo. For the rest of the evening The Five Buck Band played one oldie after another as people of all ages got up and danced.
Many thanks to committee Chair, Joyce Black, and her plethora of planners: Laura Lowery, Sheri Greaves, Libby Kutcipal, Tricia Rendina, and Jann McFarland and others who helped that night. Special thanks to QCYC member, Jo Vos who sponsored the event so we could use their lovely facility.
