Santa on the Bay

Yummy breakfast, messy craft, lots of kids, Christmas music and Santa = a GREAT morning!! Santa (well known local volunteer Al Boehley) listened to all the kids' Christmas wishes, distributed candy and gifts, and had about a zillion photos taken. He even offered to let the kids pull his beard! We just hope the kids had as much fun as the Lantern Queen staff!

Photos are available at: http://www.fotki.com/BeckyFitz/santa

Candlelight Tour of Havre de Grace

Several folks reported that the Lantern Queen was the most welcoming place in town! Owner, Carroll Fitzgerald, along with Marquis Downs Caterers Tom & Kathy Eikenberg, and Captains Fred & Dave, made sure that everyone had a hot beverage and cookies.

Mitch Mitchell brought the "mini-Lantern Queen" down to the pier, dressed to match the "big-Lantern Queen." Christmas music poured from both boats, and candlelit luminaries lit the sidewalk and pier.

It was a wonderful night to meet friends and neighbors, new and old.

Post Thanksgiving Luncheon Cruise

What a great time we had - a boat full of folks just relaxing while someone else did the holiday cooking as we sailed down the river. It was cold and brisk, but cozy inside. But most folks ventured up on the upper deck to take in the views and watch the paddlewheel.

St. John's Church - Fun & Fellowship

What a great time we had Saturday night! Among our guests was a group from St. John's Church. Between 3 ordained ministers with this group and a couple of our Captains who are also ordained ministers, we probably set some ecclesiastical record. We certainly enjoyed our guests as much as they enjoyed the cruise.

Whooo Hoo! Liquor License!!!

We just had a mini-celebration to hang framed Lantern Queen LIQUOR LICENSE! Yippee! Hoorah! We will be featuring local wines, and your favorite beers, etc.

Let me take a moment to say that we have been so pleasantly surprised by how helpful and kind all of the folks at the varioius Harford County and State of Maryland agencies have been. While there was a lot of work needed to get the galley up to Harford County Health Department standards, the inspectors were reasonable and personable. We really enjoyed their visits. Likewise the Maryland State Board of Liquor Control inspectors were generous with their helpful tips and advice.

And it's also high time to thank Mayor Wayne Dougherty and Havre de Grace City Administrator Carol Mathis for their help in bringing the Lantern Queen back home to Havre de Grace. Truly we couldn't have done it without these folks.

Here's Lookin' at Ya

What an absolutely fabulous gift!

Mitch Mitchell, noted craftsman and all around good guy, helped hang a one-of-a-kind, hand made and hand etched mirror behind the bar of the Lantern Queen today. Yes, I said hand etched...as in free hand! It is truly a most treasured gift from a very generous family. (Thank you Kit, for your patience and support of Mitch's "projects.")

And of course Mitch has a wonderful gift of craftsmanship. At one time I would have said he was a "woodworker" but I would have been wrong. I'm not sure there's any material Mitch can't master.

Thank you Mitch! Words simply cannot express how appreciative we are.

Boo! Cruise

A great time was had by all! Food was great! People were fun! Stories were spooky! And when the submarine dive klaxon started it's "ah-oog-ah-ing" several folks jumped out of their seats! Thank you, Jeff Miller for a wonderful original tale that kept us feeling creepy for the rest of the cruise. And thank you Tom & Kathy Eikenberg for yet another marvelous meal - I particularly liked the "mummy fingers" (nut encrusted chicken tenderloins)....yum!