Canal Passages eNews for 06.03.08

LaSalle Canal Boat Awaits Travel Permits – Anticipation for its Arrival Grows

It is so close to arriving, you can almost hear the water lapping against its beautifully painted blue-and-white hull. The LaSalle Canal Boat is finished and loaded onto a semitrailer truck in Albany, NY. And there it waits.

“If you’ve never built and moved a boat before, you find out it’s an interesting and complicated process,” said Ana Koval, president and CEO of Canal Corridor Association, which owns and will operate the boat. “I suppose you could say the waiting just adds to our anticipation.”

She explained that the boat was actually completed a few weeks ago. It then had to await Coast Guard inspection. Having passed with flying colors, it had to await arrival of the truck that would take it to its new home on the I&M Canal in LaSalle. Now it is loaded on the truck and awaits permits from the State of New York. Permits are necessary for each state the boat travels through because of its size.

“This is what you call a super load, because it’s so big, so long, so fat,” said Jim Hay, owner of Hays Marine Transport, which is hauling the boat. “Together the boat and truck measure 110 feet long. It’s almost 14 ½ feet tall. And we’re talking 104,000 pounds for truck, trailer and boat.

“Not only do we have to get permits for each state we’re going through, but the state of New York decided we needed to also get permits for each county, city and town we’re going through, since we can only travel on secondary roads there.

“New York and Pennsylvania have us routed all over the place, which has added an extra 300 miles to the trip.”

He believes the boat will leave Albany today. “A few days into the trip, we’ll have a better idea of when it will arrive,” he said.

Back in LaSalle, there is plenty of other activity. The boat dock is nearing completion. And workers hustle to ready the Lock 16 Visitor Center, where boat tickets will be sold and guests will enjoy a café, gift shop and more.

“Things are really shaping up, and people are just so excited,” said Ms. Koval. “I was talking to a woman who was in tears the other day. She was so happy that after all the talk, all the delays, it will only be a matter of days before the LaSalle Canal Boat comes home to LaSalle.”

June 12, 2008 (Thursday) - 100 years of the LaSalle County Historical Society

The western terminus of the I & M Canal is located in historic and picturesque LaSalle County. Its past and future are irrevocably connected to the waterways of the National Heritage Corridor. For the past century, the people of LaSalle have entrusted their rich and colorful heritage to the LaSalle County Historical Society. The public is invited to join Edmund B. Thornton as he takes a retrospective journey into the Society’s past while providing insight into its future along the I & M Canal.

June guests choose an entrée selection of either Tilapia with pineapple butter served with wild rice and vegetables; or Stuffed Pepper served with mashed potatoes and vegetables. Dessert will be Peach Cobbler.

The educational series is held monthly at the Gaylord Building (200 W. 8^th St., Lockport, IL) and catered by the Public Landing Restaurant. Festivities begin at 6:00 pm with a cash-bar reception followed by dinner at 6:30 pm, and the lecture at 7:30 pm.

Each program fee, which includes dinner, is $31 for members of the Canal Corridor Association and National Trust for Historic Preservation or $37 for non-members. Reservations are required for all sessions. The deadlines are the day prior to each program. Please call 815.588.1100 to register and for additional information.

Send eNews to a Friend Help us build our mailing list and increase the number of people who receive Canal Passages eNews. If you have a friend who would enjoy receiving Canal Passages eNews, please send them this issue. If you received this message from a friend and like what you see, subscribe today! Are You a Member? Are you a member of Canal Corridor Association? If not, consider joining today. Memberships begin at just $35 per year, with discounts for multi-year memberships. Your gift will both provide both CCA member benefits AND help build an exciting future for a region that brings to life a rich and vibrant past. Membership forms are available online. If you are a member, thank you. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to improve the membership experience. Send Us Your News! If you have an event activity or brief news item you would like to see in eNews, please email us at enews@canalcor.org. If you wish to unsubscribe from eNews, please use the unsubscribe link at the bottom of this message or send an email to enews@canalcor.org. Canal Corridor Association is a membership organization that preserves history, protects nature and open space, and creates destinations where people can learn and have fun in the I&M Canal National Heritage Corridor, from Lake Michigan in Chicago to the Illinois River in LaSalle/Peru. It enhances, raises awareness of and expands the parks, trails, landscape and historic sites that make the I&M Canal region a special place. CCA manages the Gaylord Building, a National Trust Historic Site, in Lockport, Illinois. One of the oldest industrial buildings in the I&M Canal National Heritage Corridor, the Gaylord Building is a model of adaptive reuse, featuring the Public Landing restaurant, canal exhibits and more.
	LaSalle Canal Boat Awaits Travel Permits – Anticipation for its Arrival Grows It is so close to arriving, you can almost hear the water lapping against its beautifully painted blue-and-white hull. The LaSalle Canal Boat is finished and loaded onto a semitrailer truck in Albany, NY. And there it waits. “If you’ve never built and moved a boat before, you find out it’s an interesting and complicated process,” said Ana Koval, president and CEO of Canal Corridor Association, which owns and will operate the boat. “I suppose you could say the waiting just adds to our anticipation.” She explained that the boat was actually completed a few weeks ago. It then had to await Coast Guard inspection. Having passed with flying colors, it had to await arrival of the truck that would take it to its new home on the I&M Canal in LaSalle. Now it is loaded on the truck and awaits permits from the State of New York. Permits are necessary for each state the boat travels through because of its size. “This is what you call a super load, because it’s so big, so long, so fat,” said Jim Hay, owner of Hays Marine Transport, which is hauling the boat. “Together the boat and truck measure 110 feet long. It’s almost 14 ½ feet tall. And we’re talking 104,000 pounds for truck, trailer and boat. “Not only do we have to get permits for each state we’re going through, but the state of New York decided we needed to also get permits for each county, city and town we’re going through, since we can only travel on secondary roads there. “New York and Pennsylvania have us routed all over the place, which has added an extra 300 miles to the trip.” He believes the boat will leave Albany today. “A few days into the trip, we’ll have a better idea of when it will arrive,” he said. Back in LaSalle, there is plenty of other activity. The boat dock is nearing completion. And workers hustle to ready the Lock 16 Visitor Center, where boat tickets will be sold and guests will enjoy a café, gift shop and more. “Things are really shaping up, and people are just so excited,” said Ms. Koval. “I was talking to a woman who was in tears the other day. She was so happy that after all the talk, all the delays, it will only be a matter of days before the LaSalle Canal Boat comes home to LaSalle.” SPRING 2008 DINNER & A LECTURE June 12, 2008 (Thursday) - *100 years of the LaSalle County Historical Society* The western terminus of the I & M Canal is located in historic and picturesque LaSalle County. Its past and future are irrevocably connected to the waterways of the National Heritage Corridor. For the past century, the people of LaSalle have entrusted their rich and colorful heritage to the LaSalle County Historical Society. The public is invited to join Edmund B. Thornton as he takes a retrospective journey into the Society’s past while providing insight into its future along the I & M Canal. June guests choose an entrée selection of either Tilapia with pineapple butter served with wild rice and vegetables; or Stuffed Pepper served with mashed potatoes and vegetables. Dessert will be Peach Cobbler. The educational series is held monthly at the Gaylord Building (200 W. 8^th St., Lockport, IL) and catered by the Public Landing Restaurant. Festivities begin at 6:00 pm with a cash-bar reception followed by dinner at 6:30 pm, and the lecture at 7:30 pm. Each program fee, which includes dinner, is $31 for members of the Canal Corridor Association and National Trust for Historic Preservation or $37 for non-members. Reservations are required for all sessions. The deadlines are the day prior to each program. Please call 815.588.1100 to register and for additional information.