Sometimes, there can be nothing better than proving the naysayers that they're wrong. You know, the people who say that it can't be done and it'll never get done. I heard a lot of these types of responses when I first posted on Captain Pierre Wallinder's dream of launching a floating classroom on the city's waterfront. For years Pierre has been searching for an opportunity to turn up. In the meantime he's looked under every stone and talked to anybody associated with the waterfront that would listen. Remember his dream?
Instead of listening to everyone as to why he couldn't build a floating classroom, he persisted in presenting his vision to people. What he didn't know, was that there were a couple of sailors down south who were also looking for a similar opportunity of their own... and they had a ship. One of the sailors, Captain Rich Hilliman, was from Buffalo and decided that, upon meeting Pierre, there could be an incredible opportunity to do something for his hometown. Along with his girlfriend, Captain Kate Mini, it was decided that the schooner would soon leave Baltimore's Inner Harbor and set sale for Buffalo under the new name, Spirit of Buffalo (formerly Jolly Rover out of South Carolina). Sound like a fairytale? Too good to be true? It's not.
The Spirit of Buffalo will be arriving this spring. According the ship's captain, Kate Mini, "We were all introduced through a mutual friend. Shortly afterwards we asked Pierre to be on the board of the BUOE Foundation (see below). I'm a total transplant - I love Buffalo and feel that this is the perfect city to do this in. A lot of cities are running these types of programs very successfully and Buffalo deserves it.
"I've been working on traditional sailing vessels all over the country, for many years, in a sail training environment. Rich has also been working on these vessels in similar capacities for over six years. Up until now we've been responsible for other people's programming. This will give us a chance to do our own in the form of a Buffalo Urban Outdoor Education Foundation. We have a formal relationship with New Directions Youth and Family Services. They already have a Wilderness Therapy component, so this will be another arm to their offerings - these are young people who are at risk. We have found a home in the Buffalo Harbor for the schooner. We're ready to go... we are in the process of raising money for the basics. At this pint in time, we're looking for corporate sponsorships and scholarships. The classes still need to be funded. We are also accepting donations on our website."
According the website, the floating classroom will "engage students in hands-on learning with standards-based Urban Runoff and Watershed Education Program." Summer camps, scientific exploration, rules of the sea... those are just a few of the educational components that young people will have access to. To think that this project has already come this far is inspiring. It just goes to show you that sometimes a little persistence pays off. Now Buffalo will have a functional, as well as beautiful, sailing vessel anchored in the Inner Harbor. Way to go Pierre, Kate and Rich!
Photo: Kate and Rich take the show on the road during one of the McCarthy's Boat Nights in order to promote the endeavor.
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Instead of listening to everyone as to why he couldn't build a floating classroom, he persisted in presenting his vision to people. What he didn't know, was that there were a couple of sailors down south who were also looking for a similar opportunity of their own... and they had a ship. One of the sailors, Captain Rich Hilliman, was from Buffalo and decided that, upon meeting Pierre, there could be an incredible opportunity to do something for his hometown. Along with his girlfriend, Captain Kate Mini, it was decided that the schooner would soon leave Baltimore's Inner Harbor and set sale for Buffalo under the new name, Spirit of Buffalo (formerly Jolly Rover out of South Carolina). Sound like a fairytale? Too good to be true? It's not.
The Spirit of Buffalo will be arriving this spring. According the ship's captain, Kate Mini, "We were all introduced through a mutual friend. Shortly afterwards we asked Pierre to be on the board of the BUOE Foundation (see below). I'm a total transplant - I love Buffalo and feel that this is the perfect city to do this in. A lot of cities are running these types of programs very successfully and Buffalo deserves it.
"I've been working on traditional sailing vessels all over the country, for many years, in a sail training environment. Rich has also been working on these vessels in similar capacities for over six years. Up until now we've been responsible for other people's programming. This will give us a chance to do our own in the form of a Buffalo Urban Outdoor Education Foundation. We have a formal relationship with New Directions Youth and Family Services. They already have a Wilderness Therapy component, so this will be another arm to their offerings - these are young people who are at risk. We have found a home in the Buffalo Harbor for the schooner. We're ready to go... we are in the process of raising money for the basics. At this pint in time, we're looking for corporate sponsorships and scholarships. The classes still need to be funded. We are also accepting donations on our website."
According the website, the floating classroom will "engage students in hands-on learning with standards-based Urban Runoff and Watershed Education Program." Summer camps, scientific exploration, rules of the sea... those are just a few of the educational components that young people will have access to. To think that this project has already come this far is inspiring. It just goes to show you that sometimes a little persistence pays off. Now Buffalo will have a functional, as well as beautiful, sailing vessel anchored in the Inner Harbor. Way to go Pierre, Kate and Rich!
Photo: Kate and Rich take the show on the road during one of the McCarthy's Boat Nights in order to promote the endeavor.
very cool