What I Like Most about HCC - Buffalo Bayou Regatta Volunteers
by Donna Grimes
Just before the start...
Click on image to enlarge.
Photo by Sherri B
Ahh! Retirement!! Time to enjoy the golden years, to lay back, relax and just "smell the roses".....so....why am I so tired and so busy? Let me explain. A few years ago I retired - less money but more time to do the things I've always wanted to do. I wanted to travel, read, be with grandkids, and volunteer for worthwhile organizations.
Such an opportunity came when the Buffalo Bayou Partnership asked me to serve as the Regatta Race Director. Then the job duties started pouring in! My land! What have I gotten myself into? I can't do all this!

Then I didn't have to because of great people in Houston Canoe Club. They came to my rescue! Actually, HCC has been saving the regatta for years by serving as boat launchers, timers, sweep boats, safety boats, etc. This year, when John Bartos was not going to be able to serve as the regatta time keeper, it put the partnership in a panic. John had done it for so many years and done it well, that no one else knew how to do it!
Houston Canoe Club came through with lots of helpers to make this a much safer event. I was amazed when I'd get a call and hear, "OK, Donna, when I'm finished with that duty, what else can I do?"
At the start, it was chaos...
Click on image to enlarge.
Photo by Sherri B
Here are the vol-
unteers who helped:
Pre-Race Run
Anne Olden
Sherri Blifford
Donna Grimes
Marilyn Peery

Setting up Signage:
Bob Arthur
Marilyn Peery
Cliff Peery

Volunteer Table
Mary Carter

Sweep Boats
Fraser Baker
Janice Frels
Chet Tigard
Lillian Tigard
Mark Andrus
Jenny Quattlebaum

Volunteers at the finish line spot boats arriving.
Click on image to enlarge.
Photo by Sherri

Launch Help:
Bob Arthur
Don Wilson
Marilyn Peery
Fraser Baker
Janice Frels
Sherri Blifford
Gordon Gray
Chet & Lillian Tigard
Cathy Valderrama

Timers and Spotters Bill Grimes ( Head Timer)
Mary Carter
Ann Derby
Sherri Blifford

Anything That Floats
Donna and Bill Grimes
Jenny Quattlebaum and JoAnn Johnson
Chet and Lillian Tigard

Safety Boats
Anne and John Olden, who rescued a boat, when the paddlers abandoned the bayou, leaving Anne and John with an extra boat and no paddlers!
Lynn and Stefan Ketcham, who had a close encounter with an alligator and who paddled the whole race!

Yes, the Houston Canoe Club made a good showing at the regatta again this year. Thanks for the help....and as soon as I recover, I'm off again - this time to Italy!