A little over a year ago we started planning the inaugural 2007 version of "That Was Then, This Is Now" Muscatine Boat Show and Racing Boat Exhibitions. After working with all of the Muscatine people who took a chance on this event, I cannot think of any other place I would rather be to hold an event like this. This is a truly a caring community from the police, fire department, search and rescue, sheriff's department, mayor and the city leaders, corporation, businesses, Muscatine Power Boat Club, and to all of my friends who just wanted to be a volunteer and help make the event a success. Since last year I have come to know all of these people by first name and would do anything for any of them just as they have done for this us. We are truly a large community family.

The Whitlow family is a huge part of the team. Bob and his sons, Bret, and Brad, were the 2007 Official Crane Service and Equipment Providers for the 2007 event and have come on board to be the same for the 2008 event. Now, when I mean come on board they have donated their time, expense, cranes for the race boats, and all of the man lifts and equipment you see from year to year at the event. That is what sets them apart. For those of you who were here last year, the Whitlows are some of best crane operators in the country, per many of the drivers who were in attendance have ever worked with.

Here is where it is interesting. At the 2007 show Brad asked my wife if he could swap a Bob's Crane Service Shirt for a Muscatine Boat Show T-Shirt. My wife gladly traded. Then somebody bought the shirt before we were able to place it aside. I never did see the shirt. When I asked them this past week if they would be willing to help out for 2008, I asked Brad if I could buy one of their Bob's Crane Service T-Shirts. He told me all he had left was a 2X and a medium. He then brought one out and here they had went to the expense to have custom 2007 Bob's Crane Service Muscatine Boat Show shirts made. I didn't even know that is what he traded. I thought the shirt he traded was one that just had their logo on the front. They had a graphics artist do a special shirt for last year's event. Is that neat or what! They showed a crane lifting the "Moonshine Baby" hydro with the bridge in the background. Now, it is things like that, which will drive me to make the work for this event all worth while.

I used to go to events and hear the announcer thanking everybody for everything, but never thought much about it. Now, I realize what it is all about! When you come to Muscatine, the people that put on this event are there for YOU, and I swear, they are the best there is. Please thank any of the volunteers you see at this years show. If they ask if they can help you . . . they are glad you're here!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you and your families! I told Bill B. I would show a picture of his boat if he sent it in, even if it wasn't done yet. I better really get busy if Bill's boat needs work! Nice Chris Craft Capri Bill!

I also thought I would share some other pictures of boats under construction I have received as early entries.

	Bob H. and his fine Chris Craft restoration of Renaissance.
	Dave P. and his 1963 Century Resorter from our Clear Lake Boat Club.
	Dave W. has a few project boats in his garage. Does this look familiar?

And last but not least, here is something to get you through the holiday season. Here are the Stones after they were married at the 2007 Muscatine Boat Show getting a ride from the guys at Portage Boat Works after the ceremony. Now, how many of us can say we rode in a wooden boat after our wedding?

In closing start getting your plans made now for the 2008 "That Was Then, This Is Now" event on May 16-18, 2008. If you are new to the show, or if you were here last year, please register on the website, or send me your name and some info on your boat. I will get back to you ASAP to confirm your registration and either have you send digital or hard copy pictures to put on the website. This year we will also have programs that will have pictures of your boats and a little about each one available at the show for something different.

Well the weather outside is frightful and the fire is so delightful . . . . Ahh humbug! Bring on Spring! I enjoy Christmas just like anybody else, but the ice storm the last couple of days is for the birds. So with that let's look to May 2008. The paving in the park at the riverfront is now completed, the concrete columns for the new wrought iron fence are poured, there is new underground conduit for the sound system in place, and we have the 2008 poster (See Below) ready to be made into boat show banners for our next month visits to the regional boat shows we can attend.

As you can see on the poster, 2008 is also the 100th Anniversary of the Muscatine Power Boat Club. For those of you who remember the 2007 event, the Power Boat Club brought you good home cooking with a home style hog roast at their club house on the banks of the Mississippi River. Help us to celebrate their 100th Anniversary Friday evening with their fellowship at the clubhouse. We will again have bus service to all the major motels in Muscatine on Friday evening, to and from the hog roast and celebration. We will also pick up any boat show participants at the riverfront as we did this year.

The City of Muscatine has reserved the park for the event from May 16-18, 2008 along with all the facilities. The permitting has all been sent in and the festivities are being planned. Again get your registrations in now. If you were here last year just go to the "Registration" page of the website and fill out the info. This year again, the event registration is free and located on the website www.muscatineboatshow.com. Don't worry if you think you screwed it up. Just give us your info in the blanks and hit submit. We will get back to you ASAP and ask you for anything extra we need. For those of you who were here in 2007 we welcome you back. Please also register on the website. This is mainly to confirm your e-mail addresses haven't changed. This is also to confirm the boat(s) you are bringing. If you have changed boats let us know what they are and send pictures digital or hard copy and we will return the hard copies.

On the Lodging page on the website the rates have been updated for the 2008 show rates for the event. I would suggest you get your reservations early this year. When the Muscatine Motels are filled there are still plenty of motels just up the road in Davenport, about 22miles away. There are also smaller motels in Wilton and Walcott. There is also the Riverside Casino and Resort by Iowa City that is brand new. Again, book early.

I also had an e-mail registration today from Bill B. stating his boat is not finished so he would not be able to send finished pictures. I told Bill right now I am doing a 68' Century Resorter and we enjoy pictures of boats no matter what stage of completion. Therefore Bill, here is my latest project, send me a picture of yours and it will be in the next news update. Again, this event is a boater's show. Those of us that know what CPES stands for, can name the various sandpaper grits within 15 seconds, and know that 5200 is not a model of a car appreciate pictures. If anyone else has pictures of project boats they plan on bringing to the event, send them to us to post, It is fun to see progress!

We will keep updates also posted on the website on the "News" page, so stay tuned. Also if you are going to any of the boat shows in January or February in the Quad Cities, Iowa City, Cedar Falls, or Des Moines maybe we will see you there. If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me at moritzdavid@stanleygroup.com

2008 "That Was Then, This Is Now" Boat Show and Racing Boat Exhibition "Can We Have the Lights Please!"

Wow What a summer! My wife and I have just arrived back home from the Quincy boat show. We had a great time and I also took a ride with Kenny Kitson in Miss Diablo III, the World Champion Switzercraft Double Mercury Outboard Flying Wing. What a kick in the pants when he hits the throttle on both of those Mercs! As Kenny says, "The ride was free, but $10 for the shower!"

My wife and I would like to thank Rob Ebbing, Todd Young and all of the Quincy group and Kenny Kitson for their hospitality. Madison, WI. also had their show this weekend, but we can't be 400 miles apart at the same time. I hope that the Madison show was also a big success and we wish we could have also been there. Next year we will be Madison bound. Well people have been asking at various shows we have been to this summer, " What is Muscatine up to for next year?" so here is an update.

Also keep checking out the website www.muscatineboatshow.com

The first annual event is in the books, questionnaires have been returned, and plans are underway for the 2008 event. So what was learned from the last event?

1. Need to run the event more then one day.
2. Better PA system for all locations
3. One common registration location.
4. More trash receptacles
5. River time for the show boats.

So here are the answers

1. Event will be May 16-18, 2007. For those of you that have the small business cards for next years event dated 17th-19th, I didn't realize it was a leap year. May 16th-18th is the correct date.
2. The park will be repaved this fall and the city is planning on placing conduit under the new paving from pole to pole for horn style pa speakers.
3. We have both the Pearl City Station where we had the race boat registration, and the Riverview Center, where 2008 will have all registrations take place. Pearl City Station will be used for the race boat meetings, and motorcycle displays, etc.
4. There will be more trash receptacles.
5. Ok, here is the preliminary schedule at this time.

1. Friday, May 16th, 2008
   1. Early bird boats at businesses.
   2. 5:00pm - 9:00pm Hog Roast on riverfront at Power Boat Club, shuttle service will be provided again to the local motels. We will be celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Muscatine Power Boat Club and the 100th. Anniversary of the 1st Power Boat races held on the Mississippi River right here in Muscatine. iii. Boat racers Meeting at Hog Roast.
2. Saturday, May 17th,
   1. Ok, the best water per Billy Noonan for the race boat testing is early morning and evening. Therefore we are planning at this time to have race boats on the water from 8:00 - 12:00 and then again from 6:00pm - 11:00pm. Show boats will have the water from 12:00 - 5:00 pm to include a boat parade around 2:00 pm where those who register for the parade will be acknowledged over the PA system. Other then that from 12:00 - 5:00 the river is open to play for the show boats.
   2. There will also be more heats of the cardboard boat regatta during the show boats time on the water.
3. Sunday, May 18th,
   1. Race boats on the river, TBA
   2. Final closing of event approx. 3:00 so people can start back for their homes. Fill out questionnaires to help refine the event for 2009.
   3. Along with the above items we will have the car show, antique motorcycles, boat racing displays, nitro dragster and nostalgia race car display, vendors, and swap meet area for those interested.
   6. "Can We Have The Lights Please?" So what is this running into the dark all about? Well Billy Noonan said it would set history for the APBA to run them at night and the water is nice and smooth. After he said that at this year's event I thought . . . .well Musco is just a mile down river right here in Muscatine! So 2 weeks ago I met with Joe Crookham, the President of Musco Lighting, and Jim Berns one of Musco's lighting designers I have worked with on past projects. Joe is very community oriented and thought this event should grow into something Muscatine can be proud of. Joe has committed to help us in anyway possible to help the event to grow from year to year and stay as a family event. Long story short, Musco will be wheeling their portable semi lighting units into the park and lighting the river just like they have used their lighting to light Daytona, Charlotte, and many other motor sport venues. Is that impressive or what! Now to work through the APBA to make sure everything will be in line with their requirements. After having organized the event this year I have come to realize that it takes everyone to make this thing fly and I am just one of many. Without corporate sponsors, you the boaters, and the army of Muscatine volunteers I have been blessed with, this event would never happen! Musco is just another example of the great community support this event has, which makes our work at organizing the event worthwhile.

   Well enough blabbing, but that brings you up to speed for Muscatine 2008 at this time. I would recommend getting your motel rooms early and the contact info is on the website. If you read this on the website and you would like to have e-mail updates when they start later this year send me an e-mail at moritzdavid@stanleygroup.com

   Dave

As stated in a prior News Update, event shirts were provided to the 80th, 90th, and 100th registrations The winners were Tim Settles, Michael Bruns, and Andy McCormick!

Just a couple things and a glimpse of what our 2008 event will bring!

This year was a learning year and we learned many things. First is the boats and owners that came to support our first event are 1st Class individuals. We can never thank you enough because it takes each and everyone of you otherwise the park is pretty empty. To those like Benny Krebs who brought his fleet to help make the show a success, my hat's off to you! Benny had 5 boats at the event and was one of the show boat directors placing boats. To those who pulled over the miles to be here, I know gas is expensive, but I hope you had a great time to make it worth while and will make 2008 the same weekend Muscatine bound.

Second, mixing of classic show boats and racing boats works! No matter what type of boat you like, this event did work and if it is alright with you we are going to fine tune and come back at you bigger and better for 2008!

How will we do that? At the beginning when we started to plan this event we stated one thing . . . This is to be the boaters show and not political. We had a volunteers lunch Tuesday to discuss what went wrong and what went right. Here are some issues that we will address for next year to hopefully please everybody's comments and concerns. If you have some other ideas bring them on. That is how we can give you what you want!

1. More trash containers
2. One location for registration with clear listing of names at each desk for those pre-registered.
3. Racing Boat testing from say 7:00 am to 11:00 am in case the wind decides to come out in the afternoon. Then the
   woodies and classic glass and aluminum can have the river to come out and play including a boat parade to announce all
   the boats who want to be a part of the parade. A Cardboard Boat Regatta with more then one heat. Also radio controlled
   boats can have the water for a period of time. Then around 4:00 pm bring the racing boats back out for an evening round
   of testing. Maybe even a major surprise for the evening session if things in the works right now can shake the right
   direction?
4. Larger buoys for the corners.
5. Gated pits for crowd control.
6. More food vendors and diversity
7. Signage for Friday
8. . . . . Park wide PA system
9. There are other small items, but those were the top of the list.

Does that stir your interest? We realize that there was a first year learning curve and we have challenged ourselves to come back and erase those concerns that you had in our questionnaires. The City of Muscatine and our volunteer network again thank you. Next year the park will be resurfaced in all areas ( except the green space of the park) and we will have the Riverview Center and the Pearl City Station both along with paved area for show boat parking where this year we had the wedding party. Who seen the Portage Boat Works guys from St Louis take the newly married couple in their triple woody for a ride at 5:00. Again, great boaters with humane stories!

I apologize for not being able to escape and meet each one of you personally, but next year that will happen. This year I made the mistake of trying to keep a finger on all areas of the event development. Next year there will be area supervisors with radios all during the event so we can coordinate loose ends easily and quickly and then I can visit with you and personally thank you. This will also make volunteers visible in each area during the whole event.

In closing, there were photographers all over the event and as I receive their DVD's full of pictures I will post to the website boat gallery. This may take a couple of weeks but they are slowly being posted now. Channel 4, CBS News from the Quad Cities, also was there and we will post their videos and others at the website www,muscatineboatshow.com. Keep watching your favorite magazines as Classic Boating, Propeller, Heartland Boating, Iowa Magazine, Midwest Outdoors, and others will be having articles and pics soon.

Your the best!

Dave and Crew!

The Chief Blackhawk Chapter of Antique Motorcycles every year on Labor Day weekend has the largest gathering of antique motorcycles in the nation. There are antique flat track races on Friday evening and Show and Swap Meet Friday and Saturday at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds in Davenport, Ia. This is just 20 miles from Muscatine so we go every year along with thousands of people from all over the world. See the boat gallery for some pictures of motorcycles that will also be on display at our event to help promote their event.

<< Click for Flyer

The Countdown is On !

	Well it is 1 week before the show and final preparations are taking place. The pictures below were taken earlier this week of the park area. The trees have leaves and the interactive water feature is in operation. The city is putting the racing boat docks in this week and we will be ready to welcome you on Thursday or Friday, whenever you arrive. The weather has been beautiful and the long range forecast looks great!
	The picture to the left is from the Green Tea Room in the Pearl City Plaza. If you arrive in town early check out some of the unique shops in the downtown area. There are some nice walking trails along the river right through the park area where the event will be held.
	Also make sure to stop and visit the Button Museum on 2nd Street to see the "Muscatine Boat Racing History Exhibit" which is located on the 2nd Floor. There are Chap and Ethel Hanley trophies, along with pictures from Muscatine's past river history. The video has racing footage from past Muscatine Boat Races and wooden boat building here in Muscatine!

Well we are exactly 1 week until the big event. ( See above for pictures ) City crews are cleaning the park, the water fountains have been turned on, the City of Muscatine is getting ready to welcome you the boaters to our fine city.

Things to remember before leaving for Muscatine!

1. Your lawn chairs for movie in the park
2. Maps from website, we do have signage all over town but just in case you need your
   personal map.
3. Binoculars
4. Cameras
5. Appetite
6. Tools, bumpers for your boats, spare trailer tire, life jackets
7. Keys for boat and lock for trailer hitch ( just went to pick up last boat and forgot key to
   padlock on hitch)
8. Money
9. Scrapbooks of restorations
10. Desire to have a great time!

If all else fails MasterCard covers most of the items above!

The hog roast will start at 4:00 pm, Friday afternoon and serve until 8:00 pm. If you want to drive all you need to do is cross the Mississippi bridge and make a right as soon as you cross the bridge. There will be a sign at the turn. Then just follow your nose. Again, the cost is $7/couple and $5 for singles. Beer and Pop are donation only with cans around. The trolley will start at the motels at 4:00 pm. It will probably be on the hour by the time it stops and makes a stop at the motels and does the loop.

We will also have early registration available Friday afternoon for those who arrive early and come to the riverfront. Just follow the signs to the riverfront. For those wanting to do in water displays the harbor has a locked gate entrance, but we will have a key to open it Friday. There will also be people around Friday afternoon to help you unload your boats if you need help.

Saturday we will be starting to put boats in the water at 6:00 am with help for you every step of the way. There will be volunteers at the both entrances to the park, ( show boats us the Cedar Street entrance, race boats use the Iowa Ave entrance, signs will e in place along the route) registration tables, docks, or pits, and the entrance to harbor in inflatable's if you have any problems, etc etc. If you have any questions you can ask anybody in a white event polo shirt and they will guide you.

There will also be safety boats in the water as you enter the water with photographers taking pictures of your boats for magazines, and even a movie. They will have banners on the sides marking them as Safety Boat #1 - #6 so if they ask you for pictures and you want to have your picture taken please work with them. They can't get everybody, so don't get peeved if they can't, or don't take your boat picture. There will also be pictures taken in the slips and all of the static displays. We will have you covered. If your boat has spring tuning blues, and has a problem, just wave one of them down and they will all have 75' tow ropes to get you back in. When you are unloading your boats please do it as quickly as possible to keep the flow of boats into the water moving right along. If you are a water display and by yourself, one of our volunteers will move your vehicle and trailer. Then just come back after finding a slip for your keys. Static boat displays will be placed in the green space of the park right above the harbor and there will also be volunteers there to help you place your boats. Tow vehicles will not be allowed to be parked along the curb entering the boat ramp area. Only vehicles allowed to remain in park will be tow vehicles with trailers in area designated or as instructed by volunteers.

The swap meet items will be placed in the space shown on the Maps/Lodging page of the website and you will take the Cedar Street entrance. There will not be any volunteers selling items for others. We do not want to take the responsibility if someone changes markings of your goods etc. There is a large swap meet area, but it is your responsibility to man your own area. Make sure that you also have your own change for dealing or selling. When goods are sold they must be removed from the swap meet area by 6:00 pm unless it is a boat on a movable trailer. Loose parts will not be allowed in the park outside of the swap meet area at anytime or they will be removed by the city sanitation department. Once loose items are purchased they must be moved to you vehicles by 6:00 pm.

In closing, if you have any questions feel free to give me a call at 563-260-1970.

See you Friday!

Dave and the Muscatine Boat Show Committee

Two Weeks To Go!

Everything below may effect you. Make a copy of this e-mail and use as a checklist and make sure you get the most you can out of this event!

1. Deadlines Are Here ! ! ! ! !

* We need your response back now for the Hog Roast on Friday evening, May 18th, and Cookout for Saturday evening, May 19th. If you haven't replied please reply to this e-mail ASAP so we have a better feel for the number planning on attending. Please reply tonight or tomorrow. We don't want anybody to go hungry but we also don't want to cook to much.

Remember that their will be the trolley doing a hotel loop run beginning at 4:00 pm with it's first run.and 9:00 pm for it's last run back. Saturday morning will come early.

If you want to drive to the Boat Club take the Hwy 92 bridge across the river, as soon as you across the river take the first right turn (there will be a sign) Watch for attack deer, bald eagles etc etc.! Drive down the lane past the house on the left and watch on the right for the clubhouse. About 1/2 mile off of Hwy 92.

* Our last merchandise order will be placed this Tuesday, May 8th. This is for plaques, shirts, etc. Everyone will also be receiving a small metal dash plaque in your registration bag. These are not the nice wood ones but only the small ones you see for street rods or those who have the large boards to place them on. Everything may be viewed and ordered on line at www.muscatineboatshow.com on the "Merchandise" page. Again, you receive them at cost to help promote the show for years to come, and they are pretty cool! We will only have about 100 extra shirts, 20-M, 20-L, 20-XL, 20-2XL White Short Sleeve T-Shirts at the event. They will also be available to the public so first come first serve. They are going fast so order yours by Tuesday to keep from getting shut out. If we have over 25 people that want them after the event the price will be increased by $4 for shipping.

* Last call for racing fuel is Tuesday, May 8th for you racers. I have ordered Methanol for a couple of the vintage hydros.

2. General Information

* Tomorrow the Button Museum will have the Chap Hanley and Past Muscatine Boat Racing display completed, up and running. The museum is located one block north of the event site and is shown on the website aerial view on the "Maps/Lodging" page of the website www.muscatineboatshow.com The display will be open for the month of May and is located on the second floor of the museum when you come to town. The Art Museum will also have some of Chap Hanley's trophies and pictures on display and is located on Mulberry Ave straight north of the site about 10 blocks. There are also Art Center signs for that display. The Art Center is very nice for those interested.

* Hy-Vee wins corporate spring promotion sales decorating contest. This is the annual spring company wide sales promotion contest and they are thrilled! Come to Hy-Vee when your in town and check it out!

* Speedliner Fans - Steve and Joan Schomberg, son of Cliff Schomberg the Father of Speedliner boats, will be in attendance. Steve and Joan have built more then their fair share of Speedliners with Cliff and will be here with all of the Speedliner records, books of history pictures of Speedliner and Speedliner decals etc. Don Dando will also be in attendance who owns the last Speedliner hydro that Cliff and Don built together. If you have a Speedliner make plans now to attend! Just a part of the "Who's Who" of boating that will be in attendance.

* Nostalgia Top Fueler to be on display and will be fired up a couple of times during the day!

* The Unknown Boat Test has been identified and the mfg was Inland Boat Company from Monona, WI. Dave Wilson and Dave Moehrke will both receive an event T-Shirt for helping Bob Schmit with his loss of identity. They have already lined up to talk Inland boats at the event! Thanks guys for helping out a fellow boater.

* We are starting to print out the Registration Cards and laminate them since we are around 116 boats at this time. Please register early at the website to make things flow well.

* The harbor will be open to placing boats on Friday afternoon if you would like to have your boat as a water display and are here early Friday. We have 95 runabout slips and over 35 large boat slips. There will be people in the park from the volunteer group so please call at 563-260-1970 before unloading and we will help you to make your way into the harbor safely and with a helping hand. We want to make sure we are controlling the harbor flow of boats and give you gate access since it is a locked gate from the public except on Saturday during the show. I do have a key for Friday afternoon. The police are also on board for the event and will be making extra rounds and foot patrol of the park Friday evening. Let me know if you are interested in Friday afternoon docking. We do recommend a cover if left overnight. The large boat slips will have a few current houseboat residents that will also be our night patrol so we should be in good hands for the event. The large slips are accessible from the shore, just the runabout gates are locked.

* Again, those in town early and may want your boat at a business as a display let me know. Friday afternoon we have businesses that are interested in you boats. I have some already committed but we can always place more.

If you are camping feel free to come to one of the hotel parking lots Friday evening and take the trolley to the hog roast. I would recommend either the Holiday Inn parking lot or Super 8 parking area. Fairport is a really nice campground so have a good time. The Chart House about 1/2 mile upstream is a great place to eat or have a couple of beverages and watch the river go by! If you decide to put your boat in at Fairport make sure you know the river and your have run a copy of the navigational map off of the website Maps/Lodging page. There is a wing dam just upstream of that boat landing that will probably be far enough below the water but if the water is to low it doesn't like boats. We put in there all the time with our woodies no matter what time of year but again make a copy of the COE navigational map. Also remember that tugs with their barges can't slow down very well so stay out of their way. Don't mean to scare anybody since we boat the river all year long and are spoiled. Just common sense items!

For those of you who are racers and do not need hook-ups for your motor homes you can park in the pits Friday afternoon with your boats and we will give you an event pass for your windshield. You must have a holding tank and dumping into the Mississippi is punishable by law. WE will give you directions to the City Waste Water Treatment Plant if you need. Again, some of us will be in the park all day Friday and are more then happy to stage anybody early if they want. Just give us a call when you hit town at 563-260-1970. That will help Saturday morning to flow even better and you will have your favorite spot to call your own. The parking passes will be available Friday after 9:00 am.

We do have event parking passes for everyone to place on your dash so when you pull up the volunteers can identify you as a participant. You will receive them at the hog roast or first thing Saturday morning when your arrive.

It is up to you to run off your own maps from the website and I believe we have given you directions to everything you will need will aerial maps etc. Also print off a copy of the Dining Guide from the website that is the locals favorite places to dine and have a beverage or two.

Bring your lawn chairs for the movie in the park after the cook-out. The grass gets damp and you hate to look like you have a continence problem!

Is there any questions we may have missed or your concerns? Let me know.

Please visit the EVENTS page for the schedule.

Wow! What a week. So how much is the City of Muscatine looking forward to this event? Today the Edward Jones rep in town seen me walking down the street and said, " Hey . . . Where are my posters to put up? You give me a couple and I will put them where everybody can see them!"

I go to the Mississipi Brew ( That's how they spell it) and Dave and Mary have secured the Tailfins 50s' and 60s' Band for their outdoor stage area directly across from the river front for Saturday night for the people who want to enjoy some music from the past after the movie in the park.

Have you been to a boat event where there was a couple married at the event? Well you will be if you come to Muscatine! The couple had scheduled to have their wedding at the Riverview Center and will be surrounding by the boat event. We wanted to make sure their day is special so we are going to give them a ride in one of the classics with their photographer and do all we can to make their day special following the boat exhibitions on the water.

Cardboard boat regatta entries are coming in, and the city can't stop talking about it. I have been expressing to the community what I would like to see for treatment of the boaters coming to the event.

We need your input back if you have not responded as far as if you plan on being in attendance at the hog roast Friday evening and how many to plan for. The boat club keeps feeding the hog as you are responding to the feed on Friday evening. Also today we secured the Muscatine Trolley shown below for Friday evening thanks to Frank Kelly and Dan Clark. The Trolley will be making hotel loops Friday afternoon beginning at 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm to pick up the boat show and racing boat participants only to shuttle them to the hog roast from the hotel parking lots of the Fairfield lnn, Super 8, Holiday Inn, AmericInn, Comfort Inn, and Econolodge. This trolley is really a nice feature as Dan is a great host, and we thank Dan and the foundation for their support.

	Thursday evening, John and Troy at Sign Pro had a sign making party for the event with a little help from some of our show volunteers. Sign Pro is donating all of the signage to make sure you have no question as to where you are, and want to be. After a little pizza break, we kicked out signs for anywhere and everywhere, including aerial maps that will be at the event site with colored dots to show you where everything is. Be watching the signs into Muscatine and you will be there in no time.

	We are also starting to place boats around town to help promote the event. Hy-Vee, featured last week, which is currently "Boat Race Central" and now below is a 1927 Chris Craft Gentlemen s Racer with a 502 Chevy with double superchargers that we placed in Krieger Chevy Showroom until the event. They even placed checkered flags to help show off the boat (as if it needed anything) We would like to thank Robert Kent for lending us the Chris for promotion purposes.
	In closing get your registrations in now as we are 3 weeks from the event. Order you shirts and plaques ASAP. We are over 110 boats right now between the show boats and race boats. If you have any questions feel free to give me a call at 563-264-6619 (W) or 563-732-3923 (H), 563-260-1970 (C).
	Register at www.muscatineboatshow.com or just give me a call and we will get you taken care of. Registration cost is free for those that are showing their boats. Due to APBA requirements any race boats making a full powered run as part of the race boat exhibition between the hrs of 9:00 - 5:00 will either have to be an APBA member or may purchase a one day membership at the event due to insurance reasons. I was unaware of this requirement until this past week, but we have to do things per the APBA during the hrs of the event. Recreational boating by boat show participants is encouraged when the race boats are not on the water. An informal show boat parade could take place during the Cardboard Boat Regatta since the Cardboard Boats will be right by the shore.

There will also be photographers in boats during the early morning taking pictures of boats going from the boat ramp into the harbor. Please cooperate with everybody that will be on the river to make the event go smoothly. Be watching your favorite boating magazine to see if your boat may be featured.

Stay tuned for next week's "News Update" that will feature pictures of the "Chap Hanley Museum Display" that will be set-up this week at the Greater Muscatine Button Museum that you will have to make sure you visit when you come to town . . . . .

**A little late, sorry all!!!

Wow! What a week. We are 2 weeks from the event and things are coming together really well. See attachment for this week's "News Update".

If you haven't registered yet contact us ASAP. We know this is a free registration, and will handle some the day of the event, but with over 110 boats at this time, we want to make things move smoothly. The more we can pre-register, the quicker we will get you, and your boat where you need to be. We have the manpower to make things move quickly, and we will do all we can to make sure your weekend is enjoyable.

Things to do

1. Register if you haven't already done so.
2. Order your wearable's or plaques etc from the website. www.muscatineboatshow.com
3. Are you planning on attending the Friday evening Hog Roast? Please reply to this e-mail
   if your have not already responded with how many. Cost Friday night is only $7 per couple,
   $5 singles. This is an informal gathering serving food from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
   Trolley shuttle from hotels 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm.
4. Saturday evening we are having a cookout for all boat event participants, volunteers, and
   sponsors, followed by the Drive-In movie in the park. This is free of charge but donations will be
   used to go toward next years event. Again, this is informal but we want to make sure we have
   enough food so please reply to this e-mail if you have not already responded with how many.
5. I do have the above info from some of you. If you already replied your in and see you in May!
6. For curbside racing fuel, contact me ASAP. I need to know by May 9th at the latest or
   you will need to bring your own.
7. Show boats, get your boats buffed up and send me your pictures so we can get the website
   updated!

If you have questions feel free to give me a call or e-mail!

Next week, Krieger's Chevy Dealership will have a 1927 Chris Craft Gentleman's Racer in their show room until the event. The boat is owned by Robert and Kay Kent from Bettendorf and is a real show piece. It is featured on the event posters that are starting to appear around Muscatine. The boat has won numerous show awards and has a highly modified 502 cu. in. Chevy engine with twin superchargers.

On May 18th, the day before the event there will be numerous boats located at different businesses throughout Muscatine. The boaters are excited about coming to Muscatine and love to display their boats. Depending on the size and type of boat and the amount of restoration required, some boats can take years to build or renovate. There will be some boats coming to the event that are being pulled by Street Rods, Corvettes, and custom race tow vehicles. If you are interested in having a boat to be on display in front of your business on Friday afternoon contact Dave Moritz at 264-6619.

For more information on the event visit www.muscatineboatshow.com.

Well as of this past Wed. we are at 102 boats that have pre-registered for the event and we are thrilled. If you still need to register please send them today. The registration is FREE! Go to the registration page. Fill in the info shown, hit submit, and you will then receive a response that ask for digital pictures of your boats and a little history to post on the website boat gallery. That is all there is to it!

Event update:

1. Motel rooms are starting to be reserved and if you haven’t made your reservations get your rooms now.
2. Check out the website in the ” Maps and Lodging” Page. We have maps available of all of the areas of town along with a personal “Dining Guide” to help you find your way around.
3. We are working to have a trolley bus to make loops to pick people up from the motels on Friday evening for the hog roast at the boat club. That way you can enjoy yourself with others and not have to worry about finding the powerboat clubhouse etc.
4. If you are coming into town early on Friday I have had some businesses who have requested possible boat displays for Friday afternoon. If you are interested let me know! I will take them per what the business request. If you are not called on don't take it personally. It is only that we want to get them what they may request.
5. Order your Merchandise as soon as possible from the website. Orders received after May 11th will not be available at the event. They will be shipped and the shipping charges will be added. There are polo shirts, T-Shirts, and Plaques available. We do not want to have extra inventory of dated event T-shirts left over to help keep cost down. The shirts designs came out really nice so order now and don’t be shut out.
6. You can still register the day of the event, but we want the event to flow well and we would rather have you pre-register so we can have your goodie bag and pre-laminated show card completed. This will help everybody.
7. We have 55 volunteers throughout every area of the park in white event polo shirts. If you need anything just ask! There will be people helping with unloading boats at the docks, the race boat area, directing traffic, registration, etc etc. We are here to serve you the boater. If there is anything you need please let us know.
8. For the racers the layout of the course will be posted to the website this weekend. It is a 1.25 mile oval with 187' lane width, with 3,300' straights from the center inside corner pins. The total width of the course is approx 600'. The inside buoys will be yellow, inside corner entry, center, and exit buoys will be orange, outside course buoys are red. There will also be a white entrance buoys to the course. The location of the white entrance buoys will be determined for course entrance by Billy Noonan the event referee.
9. PEPSI has come on board as a primary event sponsor to be the soft drink of the event for the next 3 years. This shows our commitment to making this show grow. We welcome PEPSI on board to help us with the corporate influence to give you an event right here in the Midwest to start your boating show and racing season.
10. The City of Muscatine is really behind this effort. They have been watching the event grow from a dream. As part of their commitment they are going to place all new blacktop this summer for next year's event in the area of the park that has not been replaced with new concrete.

In closing check out the boat gallery on the website . . . . We have some really nice boats coming and we can't thank you enough! This event has been exciting to organize and we have met great people with interesting stories and some true craftsman! It will be a "Who's Who" at the event in both the show and racing world. Register now and also invite your friends.

Well, today we are in sunny Minnesota? going to our daughter's regional swim meet at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center. The lakes must have been half empty and needed refilling for as much rain as we have received since we arrived! On the way up yesterday morning, we stopped by the race shop of Bill Pearson Jr. I felt like we were in a race shop by Knoxville, Iowa when the first thing I seen was the sprinter below.

Bill is good friends of Phil Mitchell who owns the "Flying Tiger" Vintage Hydroplane that you see in the boat gallery on the www.muscatineboatshow.com website. Bill likes toys that go fast, look good, and he can have fun with. He also has a soft spot for vintage hydros and that is where the Flying Tiger and Phil's current project the "Bull of the Woods" is under construction. Phil states, "Bill's been very gracious to let me work on The Bull in his shop and calls me the Head Woodpecker! So, some days, I go by Woody". Fred Shrearer, who owns the Avenger Vintage Hydro that is also on the website, wasn't at the shop yesterday, but is also part of the Bull's reconstruction.

When we arrived Phil and the boys were trying to find a couple of small leaks in the roof of the shop and then figuring out who was going to put on the rain suit to go up and fix them. I want to tell you that the guys that gather on Saturday's up in Bill's shop are some of the nicest guys you could meet. As you look through the pictures, here are there names and what they do:

Phil Mitchell - In the apron and cap, is helping me to organize the APBA part of the event. Shown here unloading the Tiger from the trailer for repair, Ken Rush - taller guy, Bill's office manager and all time best friend. He's crew chief on Bill's sprinter, ASA car, modified,and "The Bull of the Woods." Ken is one of the best and nicest people I know.

Mark - Shorter guy on the left back of the Tiger. He was helping unload the boat. He also works on Bill's sprint car, likes cars, and I think we can convince him that old race boats are pretty cool, too. Bob Leckner - Guy on the right, green sweatshirt, back of the Tiger. He's known Bill for 40 years. He's Phil's buddy. He has helped with all the boats and he and I have built engines, boats and just about anything that can be built. Bob was crew-chief on K109 - Miss Downtown, Fred's 7ltr hydro and had built engines for Bill back in the 60's and 70's. Phil has been friends with Bob since the early 70's. He has lots of history in his head.

Jim Johnson - An all around good guy, Professional Famowood filler person and sander. He is shown here applying wood filler to the screw holes on the "Bull of the Woods". He helps out and will do whatever we ask. He is also a purchasing agent at 3M. So, he gets us stuff like abrasives (and we need lots of that) from the company store. He likes NHRA and our race boats.

Didn't want to tell them that there are faster tow vehicles then a John Deere! Must be a Minnesota thing? Anyway, the boys were working on the Bull and unloading the Flying Tiger for some sponsoon repair, so thought I would include some pictures for your viewing pleasure and also say thanks again to the Minnesota boys for their hospitality.

So how is "That Was Then, This Is Now" show coming along? The time is getting closer. Only about 7 weeks and the park in Muscatine will be filled with some fine boats on display and racing exhibitions in the water!

Here are the things we need you to do if you have or haven't registered at this time. Reply to moritzdavid@stanleygroup.com

1. Register if you haven't so we can get the show registrations done ahead of time and laminated.
2. Get your pictures in to us for the website boat gallery as soon as you can.
3. Are you planning on coming to the Boat Clubs hog roast they are doing for the boat show participants? How many? $7 per couple donation, $5 single. They would like to fatten the hog based on how many reply.
4. Are you planning on coming to Saturday night's cookout and movie in the park? How many? 2 wristbands provided per participant, additional wristbands are $7. We would like to have a rough estimate so we have enough table and chairs in the tent and . . . . food! A "Guy and His Grill" who does a great job needs to have a feel for a count.
5. Check out the website www.muscatineboatshow.com on the map page. We have it updated with some maps that Muscatine Power and Water did for us of the city, lodging areas with key stores, and the downtown area with aerial view and landmarks.
6. Order your Merchandise on line at the website "Merchandise" page. State if you want to pick it up at the event or have it shipped. If you order more then one shirt, we will get back to you with actual shipping cost. Again, we aren't making money off of the shirts or anything else, but just want to have you wear them as our advertising. The rug offering is by a lady in Lake Geneva if you are interested, but is separate from our event goods.
7. Dining Guide - We have added a dining guide to the website since it is hard to come into a town you're not familiar with and know where to go. The dining guide lists some of our personal favorites, that is, restaurants my wife, or the guys at work, and myself frequent. We do not mean to exclude any dining establishments, but this is just where we go the most.

Update on the Yellow Jacket project boat. Steve has bought another Yellow Jacket as a parts boat in Peoria, IL. He has stripped the inside and things are coming along. The boat will be at the show as a project boat.

Get your registrations in now and we will talk to you in a couple of weeks!

Dave

If you have any questions make sure you call 563-260-1970 or e-mail moritzdavid@stanleygroup.com