POTOMAC CURRENTS Oakland, California 2008 Volume 5 Number 1

Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “Floating White House”

OUR MISSION IN ACTIONTo preserve and protect the Presidential Yacht Potomac for use as a classroom and museum dedicated to im-

parting to present and future generations the continuing impact of the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Era.

Docent Richard introduces the Potomac Welcome aboard and meet the crew

Docent Carol shows the “secret” elevator

Sitting where President Roosevelt once sat

Learning about “driving the ship” from the Captain

Hey, we’re moving!In the Presidential Saloon; heads of state dined here

Photos by Lee Ditlefsen

STUDENTCRUISES

The Potomac Association’s DVD con-tains the well-known quote “ . . . the only thing we have to fear is fear itself . . .” from the first inaugural address on March 4, 1933. What is less known is the full sen-tence containing these famous words:

The full quote puts the words about “fear itself” into context and gives meaning to the phrase. John Kennedy later expressed a similar thought when he referred to the old Chinese proverb that it is better to light a single candle than curse the darkness. I personally take both these sentiments as

Four years ago, Angie Papastefan called me at the office and asked me to lunch. She said she had an idea for a newsletter for the association and would like to discuss getting it started. Little did I know at the time, how much pleasure and learning would come from that meeting.

For those of you who read “our rag,” POTOMAC CURRENTS, on a regular basis you know whereof I speak. Each issue has contained some new and informative articles on a range of topics from education, GPS units, dry docking, people profiles, histories of the Potomac and Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt. All of us on the editorial board have contributed to the newsletter, but Angie was truly the “brain” of the operation. Angie made absolutely certain that the articles were relevant, well written and interesting. She has been exactly the right person to launch the POTOMAC CURRENTS and to set the standard we are proud to maintain.

Angie’s expertise comes from a career of attention to details and the independent spirit she demonstrat-ed throughout that career. Angie, a maverick who quit her administrative job in the 1970’s to travel to Greece and Egypt with a Byzantine singing group, knew early on that she needed to be self-employed.

It was an era when few women dared to start their own businesses, and the doors of the business community weren’t exactly flying open to them. Yet, Angie was determined. If ever there was a city that supported people finding their own unique way, San Francisco was it. Angie took the plunge and hung out her shingle as a private bookkeeper. The first years took a lot of very hard work and long hours. She joined a new organization called Women Entrepreneurs and the American Society of Women Accountants, which provided the kind of connections she needed to get the business off the ground. Angie also took inspiration from the prediction of a former land-lady, “the more you become the person you want to be, the more you will draw those people [like you] to you.” Angie now enjoys a flourishing client base and a successful business.

Even though Angie is stepping down, she leaves behind a well-trained crew, and Rich Knowles, who has consented to take on the position of editor, is an excellent choice for our new leader. Rich has had a year’s worth of experience on our editorial board, and is scrupulous in both grammar and content with a terrific eye for the mix of articles we publish. So warmest aloha and thanks to Angie Papastefan, and welcome aboard to Rich Knowles, Editor, the Potomac Currents.

Marti’s Musings ...... Our “Maverick” Editor is stepping down

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So, first of all, let me assert my firm be-lief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself – nameless, unreasoning un-justified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.

THOUGHTS ON FDR’S FIRST INAUGURAL ADDRESSAn Essay by Edward I. Bloom

meaning that action, any action, is prefer-able to cowering in fear.

Another aspect of FDR’s first inaugural address is his use of military imagery with the words “retreat” and “advance.” This becomes significant when FDR later said that if the Congress failed to take requested action to meet the national crisis, then he would ask it to grant him “ . . . broad Ex-ecutive powers to wage a war against the emergency . . .” These words were care-fully chosen to inspire confidence in strong and decisive leadership, without specifying what particular actions he intended to take.

Volunteer Ed Bloom, a retired attorney, greets guests, shows the introductory DVD and performs any other tasks required, at least twice each week in the Potomac of-fice.

Thank You for your support

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Acknowledgements of Contributions

The USS Potomac Association acknowledges the following individuals and organizations for their generous donations between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2007

Note: if you have any questions or comments about the above listing, please e-mail: gseligson@usspotomac.org or write to Friends of the Potomac, Attn: Gordon Seligson, P.O.Box 2064, Oakland CA 94604

SUSTAINING PATRON Port of Oakland

CORPORATE/PATRONJames Andrasick – Matson Navigaton Co

Joe Brennan and Jan TiuraBuzz Gibb

Stanley Jacobsen and Emmy WernerRobert Sappio – American President Lines

COMMANDER IN CHIEFAnonymous

Rick AndersonCarla Betts

James BolenCA Field Iron Workers Admin. Trust

Ronald CasassaWillis DemingVirginia Furth

Jean and Barbara GaskillArthur HaskellKurt Lauridsen

Denny and Ruth McLeodTom and Carol Morehouse

ADMIRALJames McCloudKirk RowlandsRichard Zampa

ELEANORDale Hansen

Douglas HigginsBill and Mollie Kinney

Eleanor MooreRon Paredes – Teamsters Local 78

Larry and Christine WestlandDavid Lee Woods and Phyllis D Chambers

CAPTAINBruce and Gail Adair

Ruth AdarMay Bergan

Miriam and Leon BloombergJohnson Bogart

Ronald and Lillian CapeCharles and Jacqueline Del Monte

Olaf ElanderGeorge Fraser

Vicki GreggAlbert GrohLinda Huber

Carol JohnstonJames McCloud

David and Myrna McGrawEleanor Moore

Angie PapastefanMichael and Deborah Roosevelt

Gordon SeligsonKen and Sally Smyth

John and Clem UnderhillBeverly Voelker

FIRST MATECarol Anderson

Ron and Judy ArrantsBruce Baur

Jill BournauanWindy and Jerry ButlerVern and Alice CarrierMargot and Val Chmel

Bob CowenFred Cunningham

John and Patricia DervinArt and Ardeth DreshfieldLester and Elaine Dropkin

Peter HazewindusRobert Eakin and Avis Hendley

Bill and Maria EwingDorothy and Julie FiliceBonnie and Earl Hamlin

Raymond and Robin HuntWalter Jaffee

Marvin JensenTom and Lori Jeramiasen

Nancy KickertzRich Knowles and Merlyn Uhlenberg

Neal and Nancy LamblyDaniel LameyJack Lapidos

Sandra LundgrenPat MacLeanBob McMillanJim O’Connor

Art and Carrell RankinBill and Carol Seawell

Jon and Fran SilerJerry and Lovene Silsdorf

Wanda Vivano

Cynthia WeissPatrick Welch

John and Marilyn WellandMary WhiteheadBrian WithiamRuth Ann Yager

FALADonald Andrews

Sally Beck and David BrossardDonald BonneyJohn Bradley

Roland BrandelTed Brown

Rachel BuckleyTed and Lynda Chenoweth

Steven ColmanLeRoy Crisman

Gus DoroughJoseph Echelberry

Georgia EdlundElizabeth Hannon

Leroy and Marlene HintzmanEsther Jennings

Lucy JohnFrank McConville

Modern Express CourierDawn MullerDan Nunez

Ann PapastefanJohn Papastefan and Family

William PeetersHerbert Ploch

Anthony PrecieMary Rudser

Warren and Helen TryonRobert Woodruff

STUDENT/TEACHERSandra Aguilar

ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTIONSA&B Foundation

City National BankJames and Mary Gotelli,

in honor of David and Myrna McGrawDavid and Myrna McGraw

Mary Scott KentNeel Foundation

Joseph and Bonnie Reid

To sustain Our Potomac Mission

Board of Governors and StaffMichael Roosevelt, Chairman

Carla Betts, PresidentTom Morehouse, 1st Vice PresidentCurtis Davies, 2nd Vice President

Art Haskell, CFOJean Gaskill, Secretary

Rick Anderson, Mary Bergan,Joe Brennan, David Connolly,

Virginia Furth, Judy Goff, Al Groh Doug Higgins, Hal Marsh, James McCloud

Denny McLeod, Ron Paredes, Kirk Rowlands, Richard Zampa

Marti Burchell, Executive DirectorCraig Newton, Shipkeeper

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POTOMAC SCHEDULE SPECIAL EVENTS 2008

• Angel Island Cruise / Tours June 25 July 23 August 27 September 24 October 29 • Opening Day on the Bay April 27 • Mother’s Day May 11 • Father’s Day June 15 • Fourth of July July 4 • Fleet Week October 11 and 12 • Veteran’s Day (2 Cruises) November 11 Other Special Event Cruises may be added throughout the year.

For departure times, reservations and pricing, call or check our web site: www.usspotomac.org

DOCKSIDE TOURSThe Potomac is open for docent-led dockside tours from mid-January to mid-December. Tours

are approximately 45 minutes and include a 15 minute video shown in the Visitor Center.Wednesdays & Fridays: 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM

Sundays: December - March 12 Noon to 3:30 PM April - November 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Dockside Ticket Pricing:$7/Adult • $5/Seniors • 12 and under/Free

2008 HISTORY CRUISES (Schedule available in Visitors Center}Enjoy a two-hour narrated History Cruise with our knowledgeable docents and crew. Complimen-tary soda, coffee, tea and water are available. Tickets may be purchased by contacting TicketWeb at www.ticketweb.com or by calling 866-468-3399, or by calling the Potomac at 510-627-1215. Reservations are highly recommended. Groups of 20 or more must make reservations by calling the Potomac Association.

History Cruises Depart Jack London Square at 11amHistory Cruise Ticket Pricing:

Adults $40.00 / Seniors (over 60) $35.00Youth 6-12 $20.00 / Under 6 Free

Groups of 20 or more $30.00

The Potomac Association540 Water Street

P.O. Box 2064 Oakland, CA 94604 Telephone: 510-627-1215

www.usspotomac.org The Potomac Currents is published

by the Association for the Preservation of the Presidential Yacht, Potomac, Inc.

Printed courtesy of the Port of Oakland’sREPROGRAPHIC DEPARTMENT

Editor: Angie PapastefanLayout and Design: David McGraw

Editorial Board: Marti Burchell, Rich Knowles, Les Marks and David McGraw:

No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission by the publisher.

Now Hear This... If I were campaigning for something, the buzzword (currently, at least) would be change. In this case, however, that is exactly what will happen with the next issue of POTOMAC CUR-RENTS. A new editor will be reporting to you. Being editor these past few years has been a great experience. One of the many things I learned is to be more forgiving of the little glitches that creep up in the printed version of publications, including ours. That old adage ‘tis many a slip twixt cup and lip is true. On the plus side, I’ve learned more about the history of the Potomac Association and the vessel itself, as well as developing a greater interest in the history of the era represented.

A great big plus is that I have had the privilege of getting to know members of the Potomac family I might not have met otherwise. Many thanks to the editorial board members; Ron Arrants, who “hired” me; Marti Burchell, who came on board as executive director at just the right time; and the many members who contributed ideas and articles for publication.

I am pleased that Rich Knowles has accepted the position of editor. At this writing we are seeking “job applicants” for positions on the editorial board. Some editorial expertise is desirable; attendance at editorial board meetings (three or four each quarter) is required. Please make yourself known to Executive Director, Marti Burchell, if you are a possible candidate and are eager to participate in this adventure.

PS. This is not a goodbye, however, as I will continue in my other roles as Sunday docent and occasional speaker.

Angie Papastefan, Editorangiepapas@aol.com