Last week's Dedication Ceremony for CRI's Harry Parker Boathouse drew a crowd of more than 400 CRI members, supporters, friends and family.  Special guests attending the event included Harry Parker's family,  Kathy Keeler and Abigail Parker, David Parker and Janet Tiampo and their children; CRI Co-Founders and Olympic athletes, Kurt Somerville and Tiff Wood; Commissioner of the DCR, Richard Sullivan; State Senator Steven Tolman; Representative Michael Moran of Brighton; CRI Member #001 Howie Schmuck; Former CRI Executive Director, Alyson Magian and Tom Keady, VP of Government & Community Relations at Boston College and Jody Mooradian, Senior Associate Athletic Director at Boston College.

 

The Dedication Ceremony was kicked off by Jane Morse, CRI Board President, who acknowledged the many individuals who contributed countless hours, professional services and their financial resources to make CRI's new boathouse a success. DCR Commissioner Rick Sullivan stated the importance of the project and keeping the Charles River open to the public. State Senator Steven Tolman highlighted the importance of CRI's community outreach programs such as CRI's partnership with the Perkins School for the Blind, Boston Center for Youth and Families as well as CRI's G-ROW Boston Program.

 

CRI Co-Founder and three time Olympic rower, Tiff Wood shared stories of CRI's humble beginnings bringing many a laugh from the audience, especially upon hearing how Howie Schmuck, had to stand on Anderson Bridge to recruit rowers to fill an eight during CRI's first year. Kurt Somerville, CRI Co-Founder, Chairman of the Steering Committee and member of the 1980 US Mens Olympic Team, acknowledged campaign lead donors Dick and Lisa Cashin, who made their incredibly generous gift in honor of Harry Parker.

 

Harry Parker concluded the event by offering  a brief history of rowing, explaining in the 1840s and 1850s, rowing was an everyman's sport, as it was community based with small local clubs throughout the East. Mr. Parker went on to share his belief that Community Rowing and its new boathouse was evidence of the sport coming full circle. Before guests were invited to celebrate  the opening of CRI's Harry Parker Boathouse with delicious homemade food and live music from the Brian Dunne Band, Howie Schmuck led the guests in the famous C-R-I cheer!

 

CRI Staff and Board Members would like to extend a  HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who helped make the Dedication Ceremony and CRI's first couple of weeks in the new boathouse a success.

 

We are so grateful  to all the members who contributed food and helped setup and breakdown the Dedication Ceremony. We would also like to thank all our volunteers who gave excellent tours of the new boathouse last week and during the HOCR.  CRI would like to offer an extra special thanks to Maura and Joe Glandorf and Gail and Peter Silberstein for spearheading the food component and clean up for the event. CRI is  also grateful to Barbara Herrmann and Tom Gonsiorowski, Phil Wong, Steve Hamilton, Nancy Armstrong and the many other parents who helped throughout the day. CRI would like to extend its thanks to AJ Rouke for providing excellent photographs, as well as a big thank you to CRI member, Russell Schneider for providing all the audio and visual equipment needed during the week! 

 

We could not have pulled this off without the help from our CRI community-- Thank you again for all your hard work.

 

Click here to view photos from the Boathouse Dedication Ceremony. 

 

CRI's Harry Parker Boathouse in the news last week-- See links below.