Past Commodores
1954
1955
1956
1957
1958
1959
1960 - E.C. Freeman
1961 - Archie Ferrara
1962 - Steve Parks
1963
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970 - Fran Cheety
1971 - Bunt Ignatius
1972 - Frank Pettolina
1973 - William Plotts, Sr.
1974
1975
1976
1977 - George Zee
1978 - Jack Dale
1979 - Walt Wasiluk
1980 - Charles Viereck
1981
National Park Boat Club History
·1954-1995·
The National Park Boat Club was started in 1954 with seven members meeting at the Columbia Café and the home of various members. The original charter members were: Bill "Widge" Banks, Steven Parks, Sr., Bill Plotts, Sr., Abe Simon, Charlie Mootz, Walt "Mushrat" Wasiluk, and Ben Tait. On June 25, 1957 the club became incorporated.
In 1960 the foundation was begun for the permanent home of the club. The building was complete in 1962. The property the building sits on was sold to the club for $40 by Jules Heiser. Bill Plotts, Sr., found the first porch in the dump and brought it to the clubhouse.
Much club history from the 1960's and 1970's has been almost nonexistent due to the passing of many of the original members and much of the old records being discarded. In 1982 Fred Gattuso was elected commodore. The club property was going up for Sheriff's Sale due to back taxes in the amount of $300. Mr. Gattuso ran a fifty-fifty and raised the necessary monies to save the club. It was Mr. Gattuso who spearheaded the rebuilding of the club's interior and exterior and it's parking lot. He also obtained a liquor license, applied for non-profit tax exemption status and above all, increased the membership to approximately one hundred. His hard and dedicated work during his time as commodore from 1982 to 1984 is the basis of the club, as we know it today.
In 1982 Mr. Gattuso got the club reinstated onto the D.R.Y.L. after many years of absence. In 1983 Barbara Hassell was selected as the first club princess. In the 1983 D.R.Y.L. Queen's Pageant Ms. Hassell was selected as second runner up and the club won best decorated boat and best decorated club. The club won best decorated club again in 1984.
Many events were started during this time such as the Crab Feast and the Tube Float, started by Ray Nuneviller, Sr. Both of these events have become very large and rewarding events for the club and charity. Another event added during this time was the annual Installation of Officers Dinner.
In 1993 the back deck was concreted and picnic tables were made. There were numerous members involved in pouring the concrete under the guidance of Joe Clouser. The picnic tables were made under the direction of Tom Norwood, Sr. Rich Rathof built the canopy on the back deck. In 1993 Dick Stager started the annual catfish tournament. With the passing of James MacDonald, a friend of the club, husband of member Helen MacDonald, and father of member Jim MacDonald, the tournament was renamed in his honor.
In 1993 the Club held a carnival for the benefit of Bob "Peg Leg" Frable, to help cover the costs of his artificial leg. In 1994 the event was continued under the name "Founders Day" marking the fortieth anniversary of the club. Cheryl Stager served as chairperson and there was a wonderful turnout.
In July 1994 the first female member, Cheryl Stager, was voted into membership and the second female, Princess Chris Caslin, became a member in October 1994.
In 1994 we were informed that the lease for the Hamilton property was not going to be renewed for docks. This left the club with only eighty feet of dock space. In October of 1994 the membership voted to approach Mary Lynch about purchasing her three lots. Mary accepted the proposal of $40 thousand. The loan was finalized and the property purchased. This allowed for an additional 80-110 ft. of docks.
During the loan process we were informed that the club in prior years had failed to maintain their incorporation status. Bill Banks obtained the necessary forms and Cheryl Stager completed and mailed the forms to Trenton. On May 4, 1995, National Park Boat Club was once again a non-profit corporation.
In 1995 a new event was added through the suggestion of Mike Murray and George Plotts. The Pig Roast, held in April, was a roaring success. Mike and George worked extremely hard to sell the 125 tickets, selling all of them before the day of the roast. The Pig Roast has become our annual Opening Day and occurs annually.
The 1994-1995 dart season was very successful for the club. The American Dart "B" Team won the championship and our "A" team finished in third place. The club's English Dart Team also won their dart championship.
In 1995 the club started a Wednesday night horseshoe team. This was a great addition to the Tuesday night pool league with the Garrison. The teams bring revenue to the club and provide entertainment when the dart team is in the off season.
In 1995, club Princess, Tara Schweigart, was selected as D.R.Y.L Queen. Her father and club commodore, John Schweigart, escorted her in the pageant. Tara had the support of many members who attended the pageant. The main D.R.Y.L function attended by the club was the Von Neida Picnic, held at Pennsylvania Yacht Club. The club won the volleyball competition. The team consisted of Tom DeCampli, Tom Norwood, Jr., Bill E. Plotts, Tom McCaffrey, and Bud Eberwein.
Compliled By Cheryl Stager 1995
1982
1983 - Fred Gattuso
1984 - Fred Gattuso
1985 - Bob Ritchie
1986 - Bob Ritchie
1987 - Bob Ritchie
1988 - Bob Ritchie
1989 - Bob Ritchie
1990 - Bill Flannigan
1991 - Bill Banks
1992 - Bill Banks
1993 - Fran Williams/Bob Jewiss
1994 - Fran Williams
1995 - John Schweigart
1996 - Fran Williams
1997 - Ed White, Sr.
1998 - Ed White, Sr.
1999 - Bill S. Plotts, Jr.
2000 - John Friars
2001 - John Friars
2002 - Bob Greatrex, Sr.
2003 - Bob Greatrex, Sr.
2004 -Michelle Thompson (1st Female)
2005 - George Plotts, Sr.
2006 - John Friars
2007 - George Plotts, Sr.
Past Princesses
1983 - Barbara Hassell
1984 - Shannon Devlin
1985 - Barbara Hassell
1986 - Jacqueline Kruger
1987 - Laura Houston
1988 - Laura Houston
1989 - Knoell Adams
1990 - Joyce Ann Romanowski
1991 - Chris Caslin
1992 - Colleen Banks
1993 - Karen Poupard
1994 - Chris Caslin
1995 - Tara Schweigart (DRYL Queen)
1996 - Donna Rachuba
1997 - Gail Anusky
1998 - None
1999 -Angela Cheety
2000 -Angela Cheety
2001 -Angela Cheety
2002 -Angela Cheety
2003 - Chrissy Keenan.
2004 -Melissa Keenan
2005 - Melissa Keenan
2006 - Anna Friars
2007 - Anna Friars
1954 Charter Members
Bill "Widge" Banks
Charlie Mootz
Steve Parks, Sr.
Bill Plotts, Sr.
Ben Taitt
Abe Simon
Walt "Mushrat" Wasiluk
Life Members
Tom Norwood, Sr.
Jack Hanna
John Brasdis
Dennis Weiss
Earl Kaighn
Steve Parks, Jr.
Richie Rathof
Hall of Fame
Chairperson: Bud DeVine Chairperson: Marianne Park
Committee: Steve Parks, Jr., Tom Norwood, Sr., Earl Kaighn, Bob Adams, Ricky Taitt, Sue Knight
Members: Bill "Widge" Banks, Charlie Mootz, Steve Parks, Sr., Bill Plotts, Sr., Ben Taitt, Abe Simon, Walt Wasiluk, fred Gattuso, Earl Kaighn, Paul Hentschke, John Brasdis, Steve Parks, Jr., Tom Norwood, Sr., Frank Murphy, Bill Flanigan, George Zee, Bob Frable, John Schweigart, Bill S. Plotts, Cheryl Stager, John Friars, Bob Greatrex, Sr., Bud DeVine, Bob Adams, Bud Eberwine, Tom Ferrell, Bill Banks, Tom Norwood, Jr., Bob Greatrex, Jr., Pat Knight
Members Never Forgotten
Ben Freeman, Julius Heiser, Steve Parks, Bill Flanagan, Buck Jones, Archie Farrara, Bill Plotts, Sr., Harry Habitch, Sr., Ben Taitt, George McGee, George Zee, Larry Parks, Franny Cheety, Sam Foutain, Frank Beebe, Leon Ignatius, Pete Pashantis, Ephrain Slugg, Howard Starr, Hugh Gilliam, Bill Coughlin, Sam Blair, John Hartman, Ray Hamburg, Lou Gunther, Bill Hingecliff, Harry Hull, Jim Briody, Charles Seibert, Al Kostig, Widge Banks, Norman "Abe" Simon, Fred Gattuso, Bill Ham, Ray Nuneviller, Frank Murphy, Charles Mootz, Harrold "Peg Leg" Frable, Edward Homcik, John Schweigart, Walt Wasiluk, John "Pop" Plotts, Bill S. Plotts, Mary Ann Petroski, Patty Hastings DeCampli, Ken Lee, Sr., Paul Hentschke
.JPG)
© 2008 National Park Boat Club. · Maintained By: JMaC WebDesign