Gazela
courtesy of Bonnie Halda
Philadelphia Ship Preservation Guild Board
mast on rail car
pix courtesy of 
Guild vounteer Steve Schmid
mast w/ shipwright
Stephen Decatur 
completed mast 
What’s UP?..... DOCKS ……and the Allure of A Tall Ship
HBD 2017 First Navigation
by Cate Murway

The Bristol docks opened for pleasure boaters while excited spectators walked onto the new municipal piers after the ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, June 29th. There are 25 boat slips and room for tall ships, an economic engine for Historic Bristol on the Delaware. 
The NO FEE Day Docks are open 6:00AM-11:00PM, May through October.

Now the local chatter is about the ‘Gazela Primeiro’ docking for the 2017 Historic Bristol Day.
The Tall Ship is coming, the Tall Ship is coming-to Bristol and it is an unequivocal BIG Deal!
MARK THE DATE! The Gazela Primeiro will be coming to 19007 for the 41st Historic Bristol Day, sponsored by the Bristol Cultural & Historical Foundation on Saturday, October 21st, celebrating the “BCHF Half Century Of Service- 1967 to 2017”, bringing an air of history and affording visitors the rare chance to catch a glimpse of a tall ship and step aboard for tours. The waterfront of Historic Bristol on the Delaware, one of its greatest assets, will create the perfect venue.
What is a Tall Ship? It is a large sailing vessel – think Pirates of the Caribbean, or Christopher Columbus’ Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria.
Jeanette A. “Jan” Ruano is the BCHF President and Mary Younglove Gesualdi is chairing the HBD event.
BCHF is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving over 3 centuries of Bristol's history and increasing cultural opportunities for all residents of the community, promoting pride which translates into helping and enhancing the treasure that has been inherited.
The all white barquentine Gazela Primeiro [meaning Gazelle the First in Portuguese] was built in the shipyard of J. M. Mendes in Setúbal, Portugal in 1883 to fish the Grand Banks off Newfoundland, with the ability to stow upwards of 350 tons of salted fish in her holds. Her records, as she now stands, date from 1901 but there is good evidence that many of the timbers used in her construction are from the ship Gazella [spelled with two Ls], a much smaller, two-masted vessel built in Cacilhas in 1883. Originally a sailing ship, and every bit as grand and romantic as its ancestor, Gazela was engine-less until 1938, when a Mannheim-Benz diesel engine was installed, but still now she carries a full suit of canvas.
After a remarkably long commercial career, Gazela 's last grueling voyage to the Grand Banks of Newfoundland as a commercial fishing ship was made in 1969.

The Philadelphia Maritime Museum was searching for an historic sailing vessel, an icon of that adventurous time. Philanthropist/ pilot and First Lieutenant in the United States Army Air Force William Wikoff Smith [1919-1976] personally provided funds to purchase the Gazela for the museum. 
On May 24, 1971, with a crew of Americans [including one former Gazela engineer], the ship left for its new home in Philadelphia, tracing Columbus' route via the Canary Islands and San Juan, Puerto Rico. 
In 1985, Gazela was transferred to the not-for-profit corporation, the Philadelphia Ship Preservation Guild, for the princely sum of $1.00. The Guild’s mission extends beyond historic preservation to community outreach and it now maintains and operates the vessel with the help of donors and volunteers.
Today, the Gazela is the good-will ambassador for the international seaport of Philadelphia, where she serves as a reminder of the city’s three-century heritage as a great international port, homeported at Penn’s Landing. She has been featured in a number of films such as “Interview with the Vampire" and "The Widow of St. Pierre", as well as several documentaries including "The Irish in America". The Gazela also participated in the nautical spectacle, OpSail 2000 [Operation Sail 2000]. "She's been on all the Op-Sails, 1976, 1986, 1992 and 2000," Captain Cointot said.
One’s imagination follows the stately vessel to sea; envisioning sun-drenched decks and star spangled night watches. Sailors love their lore, and every ship has a story to tell.
Stephen “Steve” Schmid, a St. Mary Hospital surgical technologist, is a volunteer at the Philadelphia Ship Preservation Guild that teaches and practices seamanship, traditional restoration, and maritime culture.
“I have always been fascinated with tall ships and I believe in giving back to the community. The crew is looking forward to having the ship in Bristol. We love the adventure of sailing and sharing the history of Gazela with all.” 
Tall ships symbolize an antiquated, romantic notion of the sea and people voyaging, so the allure of tall ships is likely to last into the next millennium. The pure ship-ness of the Gazela is magical! 

“If you want to build a ship, don't drum up people to collect wood and don't assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea.”  Antoine de Saint- Exupéry

Steve recalled the Tall Ship undergoing a two-year renovation in the early 2000’s. The masts that were stored in Camden had been destroyed by carpenter bees. There was a new 85’ foot tree piece ready in Washington State but it needed to be trucked in, costing over $12,000.
Surrounded by plentiful ash and cedar trees in the 1700’s, Philadelphia had been at one time a shipbuilding center to rival New England.
Steve’s sister, Sue [Schmid] Schlipf is a dispatcher for Farruggio’s Express, Inc. in Bristol and he gave her a call. Samuel Joseph Farruggio, Jr. President of Farruggio’s coordinated the efforts to get the new mast delivered. Quite a TALL order! “I was able to get it done and fairly efficiently.”












With his connections’ long car that could accommodate the piece, the Burlington Northern Santa Fe RR [BNSF] delivered the mast from WA to Chicago and then CSX transportation positioned it on their railcar, completing the transport to Philadelphia, and it stopped right on Pier 40 on Delaware Avenue where the ship was being repaired, shipped cross-country for free.
When the new lower mizzen mast for the three-masted Gazela arrived, members of the Philadelphia Guild, prepared to repair, caulk, scrape, paint, and scrub, watched a crane unload the log, an 80-foot Douglas fir, from a railroad flatcar. Weyerhaeuser, a timber company, donated the 8,000-pound log, chalk-marked "GAZELA SPAR" on the end. 
Steve shared, “The Guild hired shipwright Stephen Decatur to fashion it into a mast. Steve is a descendent of U.S. Navy Commodore Stephen Decatur, Jr. one of the nation’s first heroes of the post-Revolutionary generation."











The Preservation Guild plans to honor the Farruggios on Historic Bristol Day on the wharf for the Farruggio Family’s most "sheer generosity”, coordinating the feat. 
Sam Farruggio humbly acknowledged, “I was raised to help others. We do what we can.”

Captain Scott Allen Cointot is first in command of the Gazela. His responsibility includes the navigation and the movement of this incredible ship, boasting quarters for 30 people on board, with its original equipment and galley around the coal stove. “The wood construction is fascinating!” 
This Class A Tall Ship is a 177-foot all square-rigged vessel, 53.94m in Length Overall [LOA]. There are about 100 registered tall ships but the majority of them are class C and B, smaller ships. The Class A is a rare ship!
“Visitors are most amazed with the size of the wood, the towering masts to its loose billowing sails; and its brass bell and the wooden ship wheel and its navigation device with the brass trim. People come to the helm asking, ‘how can you see?’ but the wheel is on the back of the ship where the rudder is.” 
This historic spectacle has stood the test of time thanks to generations of care, bringing the past to the present. It’s been over 20 years since Gazela’s wood, copper clad hull was rebuilt—a testimony to her sturdy construction by Portuguese shipbuilders over a hundred years ago.
Captain Cointot has “many years as a volunteer” and is a self-described, “Hawsepiper”, an informal maritime industry term used to refer to a merchant ship's officer who climbed up the hawsepipe, a nautical metaphor for climbing up the ship's rank structure. His first trip was in 1985 for HBD when he sailed to Bristol. The Gazela revisited 19007 in 1990. 
Captain Cointot is also a tugboat operator. He owns River Services, and his tugs maneuver barges. 

MARK YOUR CALENDAR! October 21,2017.
This FREE 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. festival event is the perfect opportunity to stroll, shop or dine within historic Bristol on the Delaware, the oldest town in Bucks County, incorporated as a borough in 1720. It is the third oldest town in Pennsylvania. Come early and plan to stay for awhile.
An original framed watercolor painting of the Gazela by local renowned artist, Joe Sagolla, will be raffled on Historic Bristol Day. Suggested contribution is $1.00 per ticket or a book of six for $5.00.







For more information:
Bristol Cultural & Historical Foundation
P.O. Box 215
Bristol Borough, PA 19007
215.781.9895

Historic Bristol Day 2017 is the first navigation introducing the 41st Annual Historic Bristol Day to be held on October 21, 2017.
Recommend a “Spotlight”. E-mail vjmrun@yahoo.com

created by Jean-Marc Dubus
click on thumbnails to enlarge 
mast on rail car
w/ Sue [Schmid] Schlipf
Bristol ROCKS for ALL Ages!
HBD 2017 TWO ~ Second Navigation 
by Cate Murway

Sometimes no one is really hunting for rocks at all. One may just come upon some artfully transformed painted river rocks like a little piece of serendipity. A few of the cheerful nuggets are positioned in plain sight or tucked in random places to bring a whimsical smile to passers-by.
Seems this art activity has seen resurgence in popularity further than just a stone's throw away.
This crafty creation of hide-and-seek is ROCKING for the young …..and the young at heart, making outdoor activities even more fun.
MARK THE DATE! The 41st Historic Bristol Day, sponsored by the Bristol Cultural & Historical Foundation on Saturday, October 21st, celebrates the “BCHF Half Century Of Service- 1967 to 2017”.
Leave no stone unturned on Historic Bristol Day, October 21, 2017!

Joyce “Joy” Borsavage, BHS class of 1992 is working through some severe health issues, doing affordable art for PAINt therapy. Her talented cousin, Denise Tomasura, who paints with water colors and oils and creates distinctive wood burning crafts, suggested that she start painting. 
Joy’s reply, “I don’t even know how to draw!”
She started with oil paint and canvas in July 2014 and never looked back.
Her first exhibition spot was secured at the Centre for the Arts on Mill Street. Her “Bristol Under the Sea” painting won First Place in the “Under the Sea” contest and it sold before it was even finished.









Bucks County Dept. of Health Nurse’s aide Emily Josephine Mancini purchased it. Emily was born in Thomas, West Virginia and was named for both of her grandmothers. She lives on Radcliffe Street now and is so very happy to live there.
“Yes, I did buy Joy's "Bristol Under the Sea". I have many of Joy's beautiful paintings including a Wharf picture and one of the Clock Tower. She is so talented, and so sweet. This girl never had a lesson and she’s this good? I love this girl. I love her talent.”
Joy also hand painted a field mouse rock and one with a 3-D butterfly for Emily.

She especially enjoys painting Bristol landmarks on the rocks. “The kids will hide them around the wharf.” She collects well weathered rocks along the river since they have tumbled and are rounded by the Delaware water source. She uses acrylic paints and tops them with 3 coats of Rust-Oleum matte finish enamel sealer, the most effective sealer that will ensure the art pieces last a lifetime.









Far from the tech-based world, hoping to inspire newbie rock-painting “Family Friendly Street Art” enthusiasts, there will be a ROCK table at the Children’s Corner in the Margaret R. Grundy Memorial Library for the kids who are welcome to select and paint their choice and then hide their gem at the wharf, leaving the landmark etched in stone to ROCK out Bristol. Joy has offered her assistance at HBD.
There are so many designs from which to choose, swirls of bright colors, or elaborate works of art, gorgeous scenes that look like they belong on canvas in a gallery, or perhaps a cartoon character or even a word of encouragement or inspiration. 

Be creative. Paint anything on your rock or be inspired by the shape. Transform one with a splash of color and then place one. This way each one can do one thing every day to make someone else smile with no strings attached. 
Spread some kindness one rock at a time. ROCK on! Rock painting is very addictive.

A few weeks ago, Art teacher, Mariel Lavinia DeLuca, BHS ’14/Millersville U. ‘18 had each of her students paint a river rock and play “hide & seek” with them along the Bristol Spurline Park Trail during the 21st Century Community Learning Centers’ [CCLC] Summer STREAM Camp. Any finds yet?










Art crosses all borders to connect, so continue to color your world! Let yourself be DRAWN in.
Local artist/designer Jean-Marc Dubus has rendered and detailed a unique 8.5" x 5.5" black and white, 12 page coloring book illustrated with the town’s iconic historic attractions, depicting the visually arresting imagery of Bristol Borough. It must have been difficult narrowing down which picks to include! 










Bristolians are passionate about preserving and celebrating their landmarks.
These Limited Edition coloring books, a keepsake just begging to be colored, are printed by PDQ Printing & Graphics on Mill Street and each includes a pack of assorted colored pencils. They can be purchased inside at the Children’s Corner and outside on Radcliffe Street at the BCHF “Ways and Means” table on Historic Bristol Day. 
Children can learn while they color their way through 19007.

Next, go watch the students ‘Live Out Loud’ during the HBD Wax Museum Day!









Lori Ann [Carosi] Helkowski, the Gifted/ Enrichment teacher for the first through sixth grade students at Warren P. Snyder-John Girotti Elementary School inculcates Bristol history and Bristol Pride into her students’ core curriculum. Her 4th, 5th and 6th graders will portray influential “game changers”, role models, Bristol historical figures as well as present day Borough characters who have been successful in their goals and dreams; those who represent the “best” of people and the world.
What an awesome, dynamic, FUNdamental way to integrate social studies and reading and writing and spotlight the children’s creativity and engagement and it is a most effective way to tell a story.
“There are a lot of creative, talented children in Bristol!”

Both Lori and her husband, HST Special Education teacher in the Bristol Township School District, Thomas Joseph Helkowski are educators. Her mother, Regina Mary worked at St. Ann’s School and Snyder-Girotti. Her late father, Gasper Lawrence “Larry” Carosi, a BHS graduate worked for Charles Deon Beverages.
“I always had good teachers as role models,” she explained.
 Mary [Younglove] Gesualdi, the Title 1 federal program coordinator who is chairing the HBD event, was her 3rd grade teacher and as her student aide, Lori helped her in the classroom.

Lori confirms, “I am just the facilitator of the ‘Wax Museum Biographies’, as the students will conduct their own research to identify significant contributions of their selected prominent figure and do all of the work, a perfect lead-in to later research projects and papers.
This project will combine research skills, writing, art, and public speaking, testing their problem solving,
critical thinking and spotlighting just how creative they can be. This will challenge each student to develop his or her full capabilities and capitalize on his or her strengths.
Instead of just reading and writing about the selected individual, the students will mentally leave their current small Historic Bristol Borough, dress as that selected person and become that person and talk in character internalizing the information, teaching and entertaining in the process. The students will be poised and ready to share. Here, imagination is perhaps even more important than knowledge!

The Snyder- Girotti faculty and administration are dedicated to providing a structured, challenging, friendly, and supportive environment for learning and expect all students to be productive and dedicated members of the student body. This strong foundation in education provides students with the groundwork necessary for achievement in their future endeavors.
On Historic Bristol Day, they combine education with a lot of fun!

Their current creative project on which they are embarking is the Snyder-Girotti mini-Shoe Drive fundraising effort through Funds2Orgs. The goal is to collect 100 bags of gently worn, used and new shoes [25 pairs per bag] in the drop off box in the school lobby continuing through the month of September. The footwear provides an incredible economic boost by supporting micro-enterprises in developing nations like Haiti, Colombia, India, and Tanzania and then also the shoes and sneakers from the drive do not end up decomposing in landfills where they may take decades to disintegrate. The S-G students can raise money uniquely and creatively to subsidize school educational field trips. 
Innovation determines the difference between a leader and a follower.

Brian Adams and Cynthia Adams, the proprietors of Trainpops Attic, LLC located at 400 Mill Street generously donated a $320.00 Lionel Peanuts Halloween Ready-to-Run Train set for the HBD raffle.
It’s the perfect decoration for your home this Halloween so get on the fast track and get your ticket.
Raffle tickets will be available on First Friday, September 1st as well as on Historic Bristol Day.

MARK THE DATE! The 41st Historic Bristol Day, sponsored by the Bristol Cultural & Historical Foundation on Saturday, October 21st, celebrates the “BCHF Half Century Of Service- 1967 to 2017”.

For more information:
Bristol Cultural & Historical Foundation
P.O. Box 215
Bristol Borough, PA 19007
215.781.9895

Historic Bristol Day 2017 TWO is the second navigation introducing the 41st Annual Historic Bristol Day to be held on October 21, 2017.

Recommend a “Spotlight”. E-mail vjmrun@yahoo.com

Sixth Annual HBD Car Show & HBD House Tours
HBD 2017 THREE ~Third Navigation
by Cate Murway

So, you REALLY love cars…... 
That doesn't mean that you’re a good driver necessarily, that you could talk to anyone about the state of the automotive industry, or that you could do anything to help fix actually anything in any sort of car or any other marvel of engineering in any meaningful fashion…… but you love the darn things nonetheless. 
That’s the only requirement and the best reason ever that you really AUTO save this date for the Sixth Annual HBD Car Show at the 41st Historic Bristol Day, sponsored by the Bristol Cultural & Historical Foundation on Saturday, October 21st. 
Come see some of what historic Bristol on the Delaware has to offer on HBD; view the many cars, see old friends and make new ones at the 6th Annual HBD Car Show.
Just what is the big deal about car shows and what is so very great about them? The answer is cars, cars and more cars. Car shows bring home a unique love affair with wheels and 19007 is GEARING up!

Even though car shows are not actually considered a sport, there are many contests that go on at them. The vehicles are judged for every detail, right down to the finish and correctness of bolts, washers and even air stem caps [whatever THEY are… but you can ask the experts, credible petrolheads who are obsessed with everything motoring while you’re there!] 
Browse and reminisce with them about the memorable times when cars were more like pieces of art!

The HBD Car Show will be held at 450 Beaver Street at the Snyder-Girotti School on the school asphalt parking lot from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM [with car registration at the door beginning at 9:00 AM]. 
The show includes all American and foreign antiques and classics, cars spanning multiple decades and multiple generations, like newer Corvettes, Camaros, Firebirds, Mustangs, Challengers, T-birds, and exotics and luxury models, cars that definitely aren’t mainstream are in the repertoire. 
This experience will truly put you in the FAST LANE.











The car enthusiast cousins, Mark Louis Gesualdi and his co-chair, Christopher John Gesualdi are fervently PUTTING THE PEDAL TO THE METAL, preparing for this event. Both of them are dedicated Corvette guys, members of the NCRS [National Corvette Restorer Society]. 










The NCRS's mission is to recognize and promote original examples of Corvettes and to set standards for meticulous and retentive attention to detail in the restoration of Corvettes to the precise way they exited the factory years ago. Judging at these NCRS events is serious business and quite intense. 
Mark and Chris deviate from this a tad, making the HBD Car Show inclusive of all makes and having trophies for the most part determined by show attendees and only the Best of Show trophy is judged.  
The “Best of Show” and “People's choice” trophies are generously provided by the Radcliffe Cafe. Attendees have the opportunity to vote on their choice of two favorite cars, one vote for an antique or classic [1900 – 1987], and one vote for their newer car [1988 – 2018] winning selection.  
It’s fun and unique! Come and vote for your favorite.

So whatcha got? Register YOUR vehicle. bristoldaycarshow.com for pre-registration.
The $15.00 registration fee includes a FREE 5 X 7 photo of your car and a chance to win one of eight $25.00 gift certificates donated by the Historic King George II Inn. Photos will be professionally taken by local photographer/ artist Jean-Marc Dubus, a panoramic/ automotive photographer.
Indoor restrooms and indoor food [there’s gotta be food!] and seating are provided. NO RAIN DATE.
All proceeds accrued from food sales go to the ‘Relay for Life’ for breast cancer research. Bristol High School teacher Michelle Hager provides the food at the show with volunteer assistance from her students. Morning coffee and donuts, muffins and bagels are served. Lunch selections include hotdogs, homemade sausage and peppers sandwiches, soft pretzels, fresh fruit, candy, water, soda and ice tea. 
A free shuttle bus, running every 15 minutes, will stop at the HBD Car Show and make the rounds to the other HBD activities.

This bustling riverside community incorporates its past seamlessly into the fabric of its present.
Walking the streets, you will be treading the same ground as generals and soldiers, nobility, statesmen, industrialists, merchants, tradespeople, and laborers who all helped to shape America in the past three hundred years.

Private homes will be ‘Open House’ for must-see tours from 10:00AM to 4:00PM on Oct. 21st. Ticket price is $12 in advance and $15 on the day of the event. The BCHF has rounded up 5 of the most iconic Borough homes that continue to influence our town’s design sensibilities.
Generations of delighted visitors have discovered the spark of inspiration and appreciated the contemplative refuge in these distinct special places.
Come experience all the beauty, history, and unique stories contained within each striking architectural statement, as well as the complementing, exquisitely designed gardens and stunning natural landscapes. 
Whether you are an architecture aficionado or simply curious, you will find the perfect house to explore.
Be transported back 100 years to a bucolic world of majestic homes and elegant gardens, all the amenities of gracious, turn-of-the-century living.
Robert J. Wynne, BHS '65 designed a 'signature historic borough buildings’ collage postcard and it is available.











*Step back in time with James and Deborah Fine’s exquisite home on 120 Walnut Street, built in 1848. 
Mr. Fine’s reflection exhibit on “100th Anniversary of World War I and How It Impacted Bristol Borough” will be on display. In 1917, railroad heir W. Averell Harriman, anticipating the entry of the US into World War I, established the Merchant Shipbuilding Corporation [MSC] to build merchant ships for the war effort. On September 7, 1917, five months after the USA declared war on Germany, his MSC signed a contract with the USA Shipping Board Emergency Fleet Corporation to build 40 cargo carriers.
The first keels were laid at the yard in September 1917 and the first launching took place in August 1918. 
The intersection of Radcliffe and Walnut Streets had been the edge of town when the original street grid was laid out in the late 1600s.

*Keep going. Just beyond awaits the picturesque, impressive riverfront home with its wealth of fantastic design innovations, owned by Mycle Gorman and Ron McGuckin, who have preserved the genteel traditions of this 324 Radcliffe Street property, built in 1901. It sets a new standard of chic!

*Visit another phenomenal riverfront home, owned by Mark and Regina Swift. Their historic Georgian-style home on 336 Radcliffe Street was built in 1750. This distinctive home was the former residence of Dr. George T. Fox, the founder of Harriman Hospital, later called Bristol General Hospital. An exhibit of antique dolls, children’s tea sets and accessories, and children’s antique shoes will be featured.
This Georgian-style home is storied to have been rented by the first Spanish Ambassador to the United States, Don Francisco Sarmiento during the period that Philadelphia served as the nation’s capital city.

*There will still be time to step into the exclusive Colonial Revival riverfront estate of Louis & Cissi Quattrocchi with its beautifully designed land holdings on 800 Radcliffe Street, built in 1822.
This house was constructed for Thomas Cooper, a famous Shakespearean actor from England, who had the house erected to accommodate his children and their governess. Mr. Cooper himself lived with his wife Mary in a house that once stood next door. It has been said that he won that house in a game of cards in Paris, France, and took possession of it in 1819.  

*Experience the lavish grandeur of Ronald & Veronica Walker’s elegant riverfront 922 Radcliffe Street home, with its undulating lawn running down to the Delaware, built in 1999.  
The acclaimed Historic Bristol Day Tea will be held on their property from 11:00AM to 3:00PM with music provided by renowned harpist Martina Miller from 12:30PM to 2:30PM.  

Free shuttle service will be available between the Bristol Riverside Theatre at 120 Radcliffe Street, the SEPTA train and LENOX parking lots, and many of the HBD attractions.

MARK THE DATE! The 41st Historic Bristol Day on Saturday, October 21st, celebrates the “BCHF Half Century Of Service- 1967 to 2017”.
Data alone cannot tell a full story, so come spend the day enveloped by a town that inspires both creativity and activity. This FREE 10:00AM - 4:00PM festival event is the perfect opportunity to stroll, shop and dine within historic Bristol on the Delaware, the oldest town in Bucks County, incorporated as a borough in 1720. It is the third oldest town in Pennsylvania. Come early and plan to stay for awhile.

For more information:
Bristol Cultural & Historical Foundation
P.O. Box 215
Bristol Borough, PA 19007
215.781.9895

Historic Bristol Day 2017 THREE is the third navigation introducing the 41st Annual Historic Bristol Day to be held on October 21, 2017.

Recommend a “Spotlight”. E-mail vjmrun@yahoo.com



car pix courtesy of photographer Jean-Marc Dubus
*click on thumbnails to enlage*
HBD 1987