Words of Wisdom: Thanks to Lin Pardey

Last winter at a new event I worked on called NW Maritime Spring Boating Symposium, Lin Pardey gave a talk called The Compelling Life of Adventure. Boom! Little did I know how it would ring in my ears six months later when I turned 50.

First, you should know that I've worked with Lin through at least 4 other events connected to Wooden Boat Festivals. I've been a fan of her writing and their adventures for more than a decade using their advice while sailing around the world. I'd also been fortunate to get an early copy of her book Bull Canyon while spending a month writing in my own arid canyon, so I thought I was pretty "caught up" on their advice.

Second, being the director of this and other first-time events, I knew I wouldn't get to enjoy the Symposium. At best, I'd get snippets

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Queen City YC Presentation: May 17, 2012

May 17, 2012: When a Cowgirl Goes to Sea presentation and dinner with Seattle Power & Sail Squadron at Queen City Yacht Club. Social starts at 6, presentation at 7. Call Anne Brickner, 206-300-2200.

CHARLOTTE, a wooden boat story & movie

Flash! October 7, Movie Trailer released. Charlotte: a wooden boat story is due for release on DVD December 1st. This beautifully filmed documentary, shot over 6 years on Martha's Vineyard by award winning cinematographer Brian Dowley and directed/produced by Jeffrey Kusama-Hite (most recently honored for producing The Kids Are Alright) features the story of the legendary traditional boatyard, Gannon & Benjamin with a special focus on Nat Benjamin building a schooner for himself and his family. Premiere showing for the West Coast was at the 2011 Wooden Boat Festival in Port Townsend and we packed the house! It was also featured at PT FilmFest. I'm helping spread the word to communities throughout the west coast of US and Canada whose history, culture and livelihood is echoed in this film through every tap of the mallet, every splash of a wave on a bow and every chuckle. A must see for wooden boat lovers and those who love them!

Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival 2011

48 North is the favorite "free" sailing rag for sail cruising folks in the Pac NW. Editor Rich Hazelton and his hard-working, humorous, devoted or arguably crazy staff have saved me countless times over the past decade by taking a press release at the 11th hour, calling me in foreign countries to tell me they're missing our ad, and provided at-a-girls and "here, let us help" salvation through our most difficult times. When I sent the article summing up the 35th Wooden Boat Festival, I had no idea it was going to be my last at the helm. As it turns out, it was and I'm grateful to Karen for bugging me to send it and to Rich for allowing it to take up so much real estate when we weren't even advertising, again:) If I could add a postscript, it would be to publicly thank 48 North staff and readers for your amazing loyalty through the decade. I'm sure you do this for everyone and it's part of why 48 North remains a fav. Here's my final article (pages 14-15), wrapping up the decade on a high note!

Cronkhite caps wood boat festival career

Cronkhite caps wood boat festival career

NWMC wants full-time events director


By Scott Wilson of the Leader

In the immediate wake of what many are saying was the largest and most successful Wooden Boat Festival ever, festival organizer Kaci Cronkhite is sailing on to other adventures.

Cronkhite has skippered the festival since 2002. She also held the interim role of director of the Wooden Boat Foundation in 2004, during a difficult transition as that organization was merged with the Northwest Maritime Center (NWMC).

Cronkhite’s work at the most recent festival resulted in a 6 percent increase in gate receipts, brought in almost 600 local volunteers, filled the Point Hudson Marina with all sizes of wood en boats, and kept nine classrooms or stages busy with educational presentations and music for the three-day festival.

Those achievements mark her final festival.

New position created

Cronkhite’s change of course was prompted by the decision of Jake Beattie, NWMC director, to create a new fulltime events director position.

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