I wish I could have made it to the reunion last summer but work got in the way. Michele Bluit talked to me and it was a pleasure hearing from someone who was a part of some of the favorite times of my past. The pictures of the reunion were well done by all those who contributed. Faces from my years that I remembered were: Michele Bluit, Nancy Horner, Art, and of course Lloyd Williams / where was your toothpick Lloyd!! I worked on deck as a deckhand and then later as an AB Watchman on the Ste. Claire from 1972 thru 1978. Fond memories of my old friend Ken Horner, Nancy Horner, Lou Nelis, Dick Inter, Janet Carmack, Alvie alias Alton Boyd "kuka lera chi el karumba" as he would say after a few toddys and his close friend Joe "bark bark" the wheelman. Steve Lutz, Carlie Boles,AB Fritz Martinusen, Tom Bluit, Oiler Wall Street Willy, Norman the guard and of course Lizzi and her sister Colleen Tighe, Capt.Bill Yonkers and Ralph Browning. If anyone has email addresses from the era of 1972-1978 please forward. I could go on and on trying to remeber the names of others like the Pursor, the Chief Engineer but I could fill a page of names and even write a book of events from this era. Thank You again Michele for getting in contact. I lost my email address book to a PC virus I would like yours Michele, Ken Horner's and Nancy Horner's. How can we get old pictures posted to the website??---------Dave Holt

What a wonderful site--brings back lots of good memories of our days at Bob-Lo. Both of us were born and raised in Michigan, one in Detroit the other in Warren and we love our hometown! Beautiful site.

AS I THINK BACK INTO MY CHILDHOOD , I RECALL MY MOTHER AGNES HILL , TAKING THE RAINBOW GIRLS TO THE ISLAND. I REMEMBER BEING 6 OR 7 WAITING FOR THAT BOAT THE LOUD SOUNDING WOULD SEND SHIVERS UP THE BACK OF YOUR NECK. I HAVE ASKED SEVERAL PEOPLE WHAT EVER HAPPEN TO BOBLO ISLAND AND I WAS TOLD IT CLOSED , IT WAS ONE OF MY BEST CHILDHOOD MEMEORIES, AND WILL ALWAYS BE CLOSE TO MY HEART, MY MOM AND DAD ARE IN BOBLO HEAVEN RIDING THOSES RIDES EVERYDAY, SOMEDAY I'LL RIDE THOSE RIDES AGAIN, WITH ALL OF YOU, PATRICK HILL, FENTON MI

It's been many years now and it's nice to see what's being done for the boats. I only worked on the boats for one year (1973) as Security, but made friends and had a lot of fun that year. Hi to Susan, Christina, Dave and Tex.

I used to work on the Ste. Claire from 2001-2005 and my work details were pretty extensive.lol
I would like the opportunity to share my experience and connections.

regards

John Belko

I never worked on the boat, so don't know anybody on this website, but I did go to Boblo Island on the boat many, many times during my childhood. I remember going to the lower deck to use the bathroom and how loud the engines were. Growing up in Detroit, I had a friend by the name of Lynn Browing who lived one street over from me. Her father was an owner of the Browning Lines and I remember going to his mansion on the Detroit River to celebrate Lynn's birthday. I never knew such a life with maids and butlers existed except on television. It seems I've done a little reminiscing this morning, even visited Belle Isle, another place that played a very significant part in my life. I am now 63, so maybe that is what we do as we get older, look back to our memories and happier times.

I worked on the island from 1987 until it closed. I started in the Island House restaurant, then lemonade stand and from 1988 until closing was the Boblo Bear, Homer Simpson and various other characters. Good times!!! I met my husband who was a security guard on the Island and we have been married 8 years with two kids. I look at the island now and there a million dollar homes there - I could have taken a tour of the island but it's hard to see what it is now based on the great years I had there!

I worked as relief second assistant engineer in 1984, Met my wife of 20 years on the Michcon charter that Aug. I sailed both the Columbia and the Ste. Claire in 1985. From 1986 to 1991 I was an engineer on the Columbia. Many fun summers spent on the river.

Thanks Karen and Howard. You guys did a great job. I had a really great time at the reunion. It brought back alot of memories. It was really nice to see some of the people that I worked with in the 70's.

Thanks again,
Kathy

Today was a very uplifting day. Thank you Karen and Howard for the excellent job you did in organizing the crew reunion and for including the current crew in the festivities. The day was perfect, from the weather, to the cruise, to the tour of the ship...so many smiles, tears and laughter...just what the ship needed to bolster our spirits and raise the excitement for the future of our beloved Ste. Claire. Can't wait to see all the posting of all the photo's taken today.