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SULTANA IS IN CHESTERTOWN |
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HIGH WATER |
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January 25, 2010
This is about as close as we could get to Sultana today. With tides running almost 3 feet above normal, much of the Chestertown waterfront was flooded. The forecast calls for the waters to receed tonight so hopefully we will be back to normal tomorrow. |
| INTRODUCING "CHESAPEAKE ADVENTURES" |
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January 21, 2010
2010 is here, and with it Sultana Projects is very pleased to introduce our new summer program - Chesapeake Adventures. Targeted at children and young adults ages 11-14, the program gives participants the incredible opportunity to spend a week living and learning onboard the 1768 schooner Sultana as she travels the Chesapeake Bay. Chesapeake Adventures will offer five different week-long trips this summer beginning the last week in June and continuing through the end of July. Explore the Chesapeake Adventures portion of this website for trip details and to download an application. There are only 45 spaces available for Chesapeake Adventures trips this summer and we anticipate that they will fill quickly. If you have questions, or would like to receive a program brochure, please don't hesitate to contact the Sultana Projects office at 410-778-5954.
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| IT'S ALMOST 2010 |
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December 28, 2009
Sultana has survived the "great bilzzard" of 2009 and we are eagerly awaiting 2010 and our upcoming sailing season. In the coming weeks we will be posting loads of information about Sultana's plans for 2010, including: - Biographies of our new crew - Sultana's sailing schedule and public sailing opportunities - Dates and details for Downrigging Weekend - Details of Sultana's new summer program "Chesapeake Adventures" - The launch of the Chester & Sassafras Rivers Water Trail . . . and more. Check back here in the first full week of January for additional information! Photo by Chris Cerino |
| AND THE WORK GOES ON . . . |
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December 3, 2009
Though the schooner Sultana's sailing season has now come to a close, don't think for a moment that this means the Sultana team is sitting around and relaxing. Nothing could be further from the truth! Captain Tanya Banks-Christensen and Leona Dalton are hard at work in the Sultana Shipyard servicing Sultana's blocks and rig. Later this month, they will begin preparing for the major job of removing Sultana's transmission so that it can be rebuilt over the winter. In the office, Sultana Vice President Chris Cerino is working hard to juggle the numerous schedule requests we have for Sultana for 2010. Believe it or not, Sultana's 2010 schedule is already 90% booked! Finishing touches are also being put on Sultana's new summer program, "Chesapeake Adventures" that will be launched in January. While we won't be posting here over the winter as much as we do in-season, it's still worth a check back once and a while to see what's going on. |
| SULTANA WINS SEA EDUCATION PROGRAM OF THE YEAR AWARD |
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November 13, 2009 Sultana Projects has been awarded prestigious Sea Education Program of the Year Award for 2009 by the American Sail Training Association (ASTA). Based in Newport, Rhode Island, and serving all of the United States and Canada, The American Sail Training Association is a nonprofit organization focused on youth education, leadership development and the preservation of North America’s maritime heritage. The ASTA Sea Education Program of the Year Award is presented annually to a vessel or program operated by a current ASTA member which significantly contributes to the advancement and credibility of educational programs under sail. Sultana Projects was selected from more than 250 ASTA member vessels and organizations throughout the United States and Canada to receive the 2009 award. Previous recipients include the South Street Seaport Museum in New York, the Sea Education Association in Woods Hole, Massachusetts and the Living Classrooms Foundation in Baltimore, Maryland. Sultana Projects was specifically recognized by ASTA for its educational programs on board the schooner SULTANA, a replica of a 1768 Royal Navy schooner that was used to enforce the hated “Tea Taxes” in the years preceding the American Revolution. Since 2001, Sultana Projects’ under-sail programs on SULTANA have introduced more than 50,000 students in Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware and the District of Columbia to the history and environment of the Chesapeake Bay. “Sultana Projects was selected by an overwhelming majority of the nominating committee,” commented ASTA Director of Operations Lori Aguiar. “Their programs rank among the best in North America and the award is very well deserved.” “We are honored to be recognized in this way by the American Sail Training Association,” said Sultana Projects’ Board Chair Patti Hegland. “For the past 13 years Sultana has committed itself to developing and providing high-quality, hands-on programs in history and environmental science in an effort to create a new generation of stewards for the Chesapeake Bay. ASTA’s recognition only reinforces Sultana Projects determination to improve and expand our programs.” “Maryland students are fortunate to have Sultana Projects close at hand,” said Maryland State Superintendent of Schools Nancy S. Grasmick. “Although Sultana receives only a small State Aided Educational Institution grant from Maryland State Department of Education, they serve students from a variety of school systems. Sultana offers unique and engaging experiences for young people by connecting them with the environment as well as with the history of the Chesapeake Bay.” Sultana Projects’ President Drew McMullen received the ASTA Sea Education Program of the Year Award on behalf of Sultana Projects during the American Sail Training Association's 37th Annual Conference on Sail Training and Tall Ships in Cleveland, Ohio on November 5th and 6th. |
| A DOWNRIGGING WEEKEND THANK YOU |
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November 3, 2009 This past weekend, Sultana Projects hosted its ninth Downrigging Weekend festival, an annual event that marks the close of the schooner Sultana’s sailing season. While it wasn’t the sunniest Downrigging Sultana Projects has hosted, it was in many ways the most successful, attracting over 1,250 people to sail on the Chester River and more than 2,000 to participate in a variety of shore-side events. Downrigging Weekend is only possible because of the support we receive from several businesses and organizations in the community. Chief among these are PNC Bank and Delta Management who provided financial support that allowed Sultana Projects to make many of the weekend’s events free for visitors. Both PNC Bank and Delta Management have been longtime supporters of Sultana Projects and the Chestertown/Kent County community. We cannot thank them enough for their support of Downrigging Weekend. You can’t have a “Tall-Ship” festival unless you have someplace to dock the visiting ships. Fortunately, Chestertown has the Chestertown Marina and the Chester River Yacht and Country Club, who graciously provided docking facilities for the entire Downrigging Weekend fleet. We are grateful to owners, staff and membership of the Marina and Country Club who went above and beyond the call of duty to make our guests feel welcome. A handful of other non-profit organizations helped enormously with Downrigging Weekend this year, organizing events and exhibits that greatly enhanced the event. Partner organizations for Downrigging 2009 included Washington College’s C.V. Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience and Center for the Environment and Society, the Maryland Traditions Program, the Stories of the Chesapeake Heritage Area, radio station WYPR in Baltimore, Pintail Yachts, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, the Classic Yacht Restoration Guild, the Independence Seaport Museum in Philadelphia, the Prince Theatre and the Betterton Community Development Corporation. The Town of Chestertown has long been an invaluable supporter of Sultana Projects’ and was so again for this year’s Downrigging Weekend. Specifically, Sultana Projects would like to thank Chestertown’s Town Manager Bill Ingersoll, the Town Roads crew and the Chestertown Police department for their assistance with traffic control for the weekend. As with any event of this size, Downrigging Weekend involves innumerable details and many small, yet important jobs. More than 40 volunteers contributed their time for Downrigging Weekend, helping with a variety of jobs. Sultana is grateful to the many volunteers who regularly contribute their time and make all of our programs possible. Many people have already begun asking about Downrigging Weekend 2010. We have tentatively scheduled the event for the weekend of October 29-31, 2010. Keep an eye on this website over the winter for additional details. Drew McMullen President, Sultana Projects
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| TODAY'S DOWNRIGGING WEEKEND EVENTS |
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Sunday, November 1 At this time we do not expect any cancellations due to weather. IF YOU ARE SAILING MAKE SURE TO WEAR A RAIN COAT! Bateau Building All Day at the Waterfront Saturday will be day three for John Swain, Nick Biles and the Sultana Volunteers as they work to complete a replica of a traditional Chesapeake Bay Bateau at the foot of Cannon Street. Come down and see the work! Public Sails 11:00am - 1:30pm Those interested in sailing on a "tall ship" will have three opportunities during Downrigging Weekend to voyage out onto the waters of the Chester River onboard their choice of the assembled vessels. There will be two public sails on Saturday, October 31, the first from 10:00am to 12:30pm and the second from 2:00pm to 4:30pm. There will be an additional sail on Sunday, November 1, from 11:00am to 1:30pm. Each sail will feature all of the vessels loosening their canvas and proceeding under sail-power alone. Ticket prices range from $15-$55 per person, depending upon the vessel. Children under 5 years of age are not permitted to sail. RESERVATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED BY PHONE AFTER 5:00PM ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30. REMAINING TICKETS WILL BE SOLD AT THE INFORMATION BOOTH AT THE FOOT OF CANNON STREET ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY. Open House on the Ships 2:30-4:30pm Come tour the entire Downrigging Weekend fleet on the Waterfront! FREE! |
| TODAY'S DOWNRIGGING WEEKEND EVENTS |
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Saturday, October 31 At this time we do not expect any cancellations due to weather. Bateau Building All Day at the Waterfront Saturday will be day three for John Swain, Nick Biles and the Sultana Volunteers as they work to complete a replica of a traditional Chesapeake Bay Bateau at the foot of Cannon Street. Come down and see the work! Public Sails 10:00am - 12:30pm and 2:00pm-4:30pm Those interested in sailing on a "tall ship" will have three opportunities during Downrigging Weekend to voyage out onto the waters of the Chester River onboard their choice of the assembled vessels. There will be two public sails on Saturday, October 31, the first from 10:00am to 12:30pm and the second from 2:00pm to 4:30pm. There will be an additional sail on Sunday, November 1, from 11:00am to 1:30pm. Each sail will feature all of the vessels loosening their canvas and proceeding under sail-power alone. Ticket prices range from $15-$55 per person, depending upon the vessel. Children under 5 years of age are not permitted to sail. RESERVATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED BY PHONE AFTER 5:00PM ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30. REMAINING TICKETS WILL BE SOLD AT THE INFORMATION BOOTH AT THE FOOT OF CANNON STREET ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.
$150 per person / $125 per person for groups of four or more Reservations Required
Tall Ships Illuminated Chestertown Waterfront / Free |
| TODAYS DOWNRIGGING WEEKEND EVENTS |
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30 Vessel Arrivals We expect the schooner Howard Blackburn to arrive Friday, as well as the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum's Crab Dredger "Old Point" and a fleet of up to six historic buy boats! Bateau Building All Day at the Waterfront Friday will be day two for John Swain, Nick Biles and the Sultana Volunteers as they work to complete a replica of a traditional Chesapeake Bay Bateau at the foot of Cannon Street. Come down and see the work! Educational Sails All Day Most of the Downrigging Fleet will be sailing tomorrow with groups of students from Chestertown Middle School, The Tome School, Kent School and Washington College. The Downrigging Fleet will be out on the water between 9am and 4:30pm. Hedrick Smith and "Poisoned Waters" 5:00pm at the Prince Theatre With the Center for the Environment & Society Free Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, former New York Times correspondent, author of several best-selling books, and host of 20 award-winning PBS prime-time specials and mini-series, Hedrick Smith brings both insight and a highly personal style of storytelling to "Poisoned Waters," a far-reaching investigation into America's great waterways. Gala Cruise on the Lady Pintail, II #1 $150 per person / $125 per person for groups of four or more Reservations Required
Tall Ships Illuminated & Fireworks Featuring the "Them Eastport Oyster Boys" / $15 |
| DOWNRIGGING STARTS TODAY |
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October 28, 2009 Downrigging Weekend officially starts this evening with the showing of the PBS FRONTLINE documentary, "Poisoned Waters." The film will begin at 7:00pm at the Litrenta Lecture Hall at Washington College (Visit the Downrigging Weekend section of this web page for full details and directions). We anticipate Pride of Baltimore, II to arrive this evening with the schooners Virginia and Lady Maryland following tomorrow. |
| DOWNRIGGING WEEKEND FILLING UP |
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October 22, 2009 Don't say we didn't warn you! The remaining spaces to sail on the visitng ships for Downrigging Weekend are going quickly. We are very close to selling out the sails for Saturday afternoon and the sails for Saturday morning and Sunday are going quickly too. If you want to ensure that you have a front row seat for the most beautiful "Tall Ship" event on the Chesapeake, call now (410-778-5954) to make your reservation! |
| OUR WEEK IN CAMBRIDGE |
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October 9, 2009
Amidst the howling winds of the this last week, Sultana was in Cambridge, Maryland, where sailed with most of the fifth grade students in Dorchester County - including students from Sandy Hill Elementary, Maple Elementary, Hurlock Elementary and Choptank Elementary. Because of the winds, our schooner spent a couple of days pinned to the dock - unable to voyage out into the Choptank River. The students were great sports about the weather and everyone had a fantastic time. Today, Sultana is en route to Baltimore in advance of the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race. |
| SULTANA IN ANNAPOLIS |
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September 28, 2009
Sultana sailed down the Chester River Saturday, en route to Annapolis where she will be spending the week sailing with students from most of the elementary schools in Annapolis and Eastport. Captain Tanya and the Crew had a great time finishing up Sultana's September trips in Chestertown last week, including trips with Millington Elementary, Garnett Elementary, Rock Hall Elementary, Rockbridge Academy and Church of the Redeemer Christian School. Check out our "FLICKR" page (see link at top right) for photos from these programs. |
| KENT COUNTY SAILS ON SULTANA |
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September 22, 2009
This week Sultana is sailing with every fourth grader in Kent County, Maryland. The sails are part of a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) sponsored program to teach students about the basics of water quality monitoring. Earlier in September these same students participated in a Sultana Classroom Outreach program and following their under-sail program, they will continue their work through interactive, on-line programs on the NOAA website. |
| FIVE HONORED AT ROSALIND HAVEMEYER AWARDS |
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September 15, 2009
More than 70 guests were present at the Sultana Shipyard this past Sunday for Sultana Projects second Rosalind Havemeyer Awards Luncheon. The Luncheon was established in 2005 to recognize individuals and organizations who have made a profound, long-term impact to the mission of Sultana Projects. The awards are named in honor of Rosalind Havemeyer, a longtime friend of Sultana Projects. This years awards were generously sponsored by Chesapeake Bank and Trust. Honored at the luncheon were Donald and Darby Hewes, James and Maria Boria-Berna and Allen Malcolm on behalf of the John Ben Snow Memorial Trust. |
| SOLD OUT SATURDAY |
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September 11, 2009 Public sails on the schooner Sultana are completely sold out for Saturday, September 12. We still have a few spaces left for our sails on September 19 and plenty of space to sail during Downrigging Weekend. Give us a call at 410-778-5954 and we can tell you exactly what's available. |
| SCHOOL TRIPS BEGIN |
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September 10, 2009
Sultana had her first school sails of the fall season yesterday, taking more than 50 students from Worton Elementary out onto the Chester River. By the end of September, every fourth grade student in Kent County and over 200 students from Queen Anne's County will sail on Sultana. Above - A student from Worton Elementary school examines a White Perch caught onboard Sultana. |
| WYPR SIGNS ON AS MEDIA PARTNER FOR DOWNRIGGING |
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September 4, 2009
Sultana Projects is pleased to announce that WYPR, Baltimore's National Public Radio (NPR) station, has signed on as the Media Partner for Downrigging Weekend. In the second half of October, WYPR will begin promoting Downrigging Weekend during its regular newscasts as well as mainstay NPR programs such as "Morning Edition" and "All Things Considered." Sultana Projects is greatful to WYPR for its support! |
| C.V. STARR CENTER & WASHINGTON COLLEGE ON SULTANA |
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August 26, 2009
Sultana helped kick-off the college careers of 15 Washington College freshmen this past week during a four-day live-aboard adventure on the Chester River. The trip was organized in partnership with the C.V. Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience at Washington College and targeted students with a particular interest in history. This was the second year for this trip and thanks to some great weather and the excitement of the students, C.V. Starr staff and Sultana crew, everyone had a fantastic time. |
| TEACHERS ON THE JOHN SMITH TRAIL |
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August 8, 2009
A dozen Maryland Public School teachers spent this week with Sultana Projects learning about the world of the 17th century Chesapeake through a professional development program sponsored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The program made heavy use of Sultana's mobile canoe rig, allowing the teachers to visit and explore many of the same Eastern Shore rivers visited by John Smith in 1608. Guest lecturers for the program included Chester River Riverkeeper, Tom Leigh, Dr. John Seidel of the Center for the Environment and Society at Washington College, noted conservationist and Mayor of Vienna, Russ Brimsfield; as well as scientists and staff from NOAA, the National Park Service, and the Maryland State Department of Education. |
| SUMMER CENTERS COME TO A CLOSE |
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July 29, 2009
After being "at sea" for more than a month, Sultana is currently working her way up the Chester River during her last Gifted and Talented Summer Center program for 2009. Captain Tanya and the crew have had the great fortune of sailing with some truly remarkable students this summer and it will be sad to see the program come to an end for the year. Sultana will rest at the dock in Chestertown this weekend before sailing up to Georgetown Yacht Basin next week for her much needed annual maintenance haul out. After a complete makeover, the schooner will return to Chestertown sometime around August 12. |
| SILENT MAID ADDED TO DOWNRIGGING |
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July 22, 2009
We are thrilled to report that it looks like "Silent Maid" will be making an appearance at Downrigging Weekend 2009. This newly launched replica of a 1924 Barnegat Bay Catboat was built at the Independence Seaport Museum in Philadelphia. The original "Silent Maid" has become part of the collection at the Museum, and this replica was commissioned so that the tradition of sailing and racing catboats on Barnegat Bay could continue. photo by Andy Slavinskas |
| THE PASSING OF WALTER CRONKITE |
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July 20, 2009
Sultana Projects twice had the honor of receiving the National Maritime Historical Society's Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Maritime Education. In 2004, we had the truly unique experience of having Mr. Cronkite record an extended video presentation, personally recognizing Sultana Projects accomplishments. Mr. Cronkite will be sorely missed both for his achievements as a journalist and as a great friend and supporter of all who work to preserve America's maritime heritage. |
| SUMMER CENTERS IN FULL SWING |
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July 14, 2009
Sultana's Gifted and Talented Summer Center Programs are now in full swing. Last week the schooner and her student crew sailed from Chestertown to St. Michaels and this week's crew is currently en route to Cambridge. It's been a beautiful, cool summer so far, with plenty of great wind. As you can see from the photo above, the students spend a great deal of time on shore and in the water, exploring different ecosystems in the Chesapeake Bay. They might also have fun from time to time! |
| HORIZONS ON THE JOHN SMITH TRAIL |
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July 9, 2009
For the past few days we've been taking students from the Horizons Summer Enrichment program at Kent School out onto the Sassafras River portion of the John Smith Trail. It's been beautiful weather and the students have had a great opportunity to see the Bay and the Sassafras at their best. If you are interested in joining us for a paddle we still have limited space in our July 11 public paddle on the Chester River and our July 18 paddle on the Nanticoke. Call the Sultana office at 410-778-5954 for more information. |
| OUT ON THE BAY |
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July 6, 2009 This Monday, Sultana set out on her first of four week-long trips as part of Sultana Projects' Gifted and Talented Summer Center Program. More than 150 promising students from around the state of Maryland applied for only 36 spaces in the program. This week Sultana and her student crew will be sailing from Chestertown to St. Michaels. Subsequent trips will see the schooner visit Oxford, Cambridge and Annapolis before returning to Chestertown in early August. |
| SOLD OUT SATURDAY |
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June 26, 2009
All of Sultana Projects public activities for Saturday, June 27 are sold out. This includes both public sails on the schooner Sultana as well as the John Smith Trail Expeditions public paddle from Crumpton. We still have availablity for our July 11 and 18 public paddles and our August 15 and 22 public sails on Sultana. For more information, or to make reservations, contact the Sultana office at 410-778-5954 (M-F). |
| SUMMER IS HERE |
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June 25, 2009 Sultana has returned from her June trip to Washington, DC and Virginia. Captain Tanya and the crew are geting some much deserved rest today before gearing up for Sultana's Summer programs which begin next Monday. |
| ALMOST HOME |
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June 22. 2009
This past weekend, Sultana had a great time at the Maryland 375th anniversary celebration in St. Mary's City. Sultana will remain in St. Mary's today awaiting calmer seas tomorrow and her return trip to Chestertown. It has been a breezy couple of weeks and Sultana has seen some rougher seas than she is generally accustomed to on the Northern Bay. A crew member captured this great image from Sultana's quarter gallery as the schooner made her way from Deltaville, Virginia to St. Mary's last Thursday in steady 25-30 knot winds. |
| THANK YOU VIRGINIA |
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June 18, 2009 Sultana received a very warm welcome during her short stay in Virginia at the Fishing Bay Yacht Club in Deltaville yesterday. More than 150 people came onboard for a short open house yesterday afternoon, and the crew enjoyed a fantastic dinner at the club later in the evening. We look forward to many return trips! |
| DELTAVILLE, HERE WE COME! |
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June 15, 2009 Sultana is making her way down the Potomac River today, en route to Deltaville, Virginia, and the Fishing Bay Yacht Club. Captain Tanya and the crew are exploring portions of the lower Chesapeake this week, scouting docking locations for use in a new educational program Sultana will be launching next year (more about that later). Sultana will be hosting a free open house at the Fishing Bay Yacht Club in Deltaville from 2-4pm on Wednesday, June 17 - all are welcome!
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| SULTANA IN THE NATION'S CAPITAL |
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June 8, 2009
Sultana is in Washington, DC this week, sailing with public and charter schools from the nation's capital. Sultana is being hosted by the Gangplank Marina on DC's Southwest waterfront. Captain Tanya and the crew will depart D.C. this coming Monday en route to St. Clements Island and Deltaville, Virginia. |
| MAY 2009 - OUR BUSIEST MONTH EVER |
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June 2, 2009 In May 2009, the schooner Sultana sailed with more students than during any previous month since her launch - a total of 1,016! This was despite some terrible weather that necessitated the cancellation of seven sails in May alone. Great credit is due to Captain Tanya Banks-Christensen and her crew for a job well done. |
| ON THE TRAIL OF JOHN SMITH |
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May 29, 2009
We had a great time last week with the eighth grade from Kent School here in Chestertown - taking them for a two-day canoe exploration of the Sassafras River as part of Sultana's John Smith Trail Expeditions program. Launched last year, by the close of 2009 we expect to have taken almost 1,000 students out onto the Bay on the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail. |
| IT'S TEA PARTY TIME! |
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May 19, 2009
This weekend is the Chestertown Tea Party. Check out the full slate of activities at www.chestertownteaparty.org. We have several Sultana specific events planned for the weekend, including public sails on Sultana and our Saturday evening shipyard square dance. Call us at 410-778-5954 if you would like further information or to make reservations. |
| SULTANA'S HOME |
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May 18, 2009 Sultana sailed into port this past Sunday after a very successful (if wet) two week trip to Annapolis and St. Michaels. We have school sails later this week before the big Tea Party Festival this weekend. |
| CATCH OF THE DAY |
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May 13, 2009
Usually we catch fish with our net on Sultana, but every once and a while we get something a little different - in this case a tire! Actually, this turned into a great "teaching moment" as the tire was teeming wtih benthic life that we rarely catch in the course of our normal trawls. Captain Tanya is shown here clearly enjoying this rare catch! |
| JOHN SMITH SHALLOP SAILS THE PATUXENT |
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May 11, 2009
Through October 2009, Sultana's John Smith Shallop will be on exhibit at the Calvert Marine Museum in Solomons, Maryland. As part of this exhibit, the museum has organized a volunteer crew that will occasionally provide demonstrations to musuem visitors. This past Saturday the volunteer crew enjoyed one of its first sails on the shallop, taking her out into the mouth of the Patuxent River for a five mile sail. Kent Mountford, marine scientist and co-author of the recently published book, "John Smith's Voyages on the Chesapeake, 1607-1609," was appropriately at the shallop's helm. |
| SULTANA IN ANNAPOLIS |
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May 7, 2009
Sultana is currently at the Sailing Hall of Fame in Annapolis and will head to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels this Saturday. It's been a wet week (not to mention month!) but Captain Tanya and the crew are hanging in there and doing great work. En route to St. Michaels this Saturday, Sultana will be joined by a film crew from BBC Scotland who will be taping for a portion of the upcomming documentary, "A History of Scotland." |
| APRIL COMES TO A CLOSE |
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April 30, 2009
April was a little colder and wetter than we might have liked, but it didn't stop Sultana and her crew from having a very busy month. Here are a few numbers to give you an idea of what we accomplished in the past thirty days . . . Sultana Trips in April - 44 Students Sailing on Sultana in April - 1,100 Schools Sailing on Sultana in April - 19 Photo - Education Director Leona Dalton shows a Rockfish caught in Sultana's net to students from Kennard Elementary School in Queen Anne's County. |
| EARTH DAY AT SULTANA |
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April 27, 2009
Sultana Projects had a very busy Earth Day weekend that included a well attended cleanup/paddle of Radcliffe Creek (shown above) and a beautiful, summer-like public sail on Sultana. The schooner Sultana will be in Chestertown through Saturday, when she departs for Annapolis. |
| KRATOVIL VISITS SULTANA |
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April 20, 2009
This past Saturday, we had the honor of giving Congressman Kratovil a tour of Sultana and talking to him a little bit about our work with Maryland's public schools. It was a beautiful day and we only wish we could have taken him sailing! |
| SAIL ON SULTANA THIS SATURDAY FOR $20 |
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April 15, 2009 Not to jinx anything, but the forecast for this Saturday calls for a high of 70-degrees with moderate West winds - perfect weather for sailing on Sultana. Even better - if you become a Sultana SHIPMATES member right now (or already are one) you and and as many friends and family as you want can sail on Sultana this Saturday (April 18) for $20 each. That's a 33% discount from our normal price! We have a morning sail from 11am-1pm and an afternoon sail from 2pm-4pm. On top of this discount, you will also receive a 10% discount coupon valid at more than a dozen stores in downtown Chestertown. To make a reservation for this Saturday's public sails simply call 410-778-5954 by this Friday. If you like, we can handle your membership over the phone when you call. |
| COLD MORNINGS |
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April 9, 2009
So far April has been a month with a lot of cold mornings! Above is a great shot by Dave Roberts that gives a sense of what it's like for the Sultana crew as they get ready for work. Use your imagination to add the 20+ mph winds! |
| SAILING WITH CHESTNUT HILL |
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April 8, 2009
The crew had a great windy day with students from Chestnut Hill Academy. Check out our flickr page (link at the top right of this page) for more photos. |
| UPRIGGING RECAP |
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April 8, 2009
More than 400 people came down to the Chestertown waterfront for our first ever "Uprigging Weekend," this past weekend. We had about 150 people participate in the "Meet the Crew" reception on Friday evening and a similar number attend the Children's Open House on Saturday morning. The weekend also featured the Sultana volunteers working hard to prepare the John Smith Shallop for its year long exhibit at the Calvert Marine Museum (see photo above). The shallop departs for the exhibit tomorrow. |
| SULTANA'S FIRST DAY FOR 2009 |
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March 31, 2009
Today was Sultana's first day under sail with students in 2009. Twenty-eight students and teachers from the Radcliffe Creek School in Chestertown had wonderful weather to enjoy a morning out on the Chester River. By the end of this week, more than 200 students will have sailed on Sultana in 2009. |
| JOIN US FOR UPRIGGING WEEKEND / APRIL 3 & 4 |
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March 26, 2009
For the past eight years Sultana has marked the close of its sailing season by hosting our annual Downrigging Weekend "Tall Ships" festival over the first weekend in November. This year we will begin a new tradition with our first ever "Uprigging Weekend," scheduled for April 3 & 4, 2009. Uprigging Weekend will celebrate the first weekend of Sultana's new sailing season and is a great chance to meet our new Captain and crew for 2009.
Uprigging Weekend will feature events for all ages and all of them are ABSOLUTELY FREE! Here is what you can look forward to:
Friday, April 3 / 5:00-7:30pm Onboard Sultana at the foot of Cannon Street
Friday, April 3 / 5:00-7:30pm The Sultana Center - 107 South Cross Street
Friday & Saturday, April 3 & 4 The Foot of Cannon Street - Chestertown
Saturday, April 4 / 9:00am - 12:00pm Onboard Sultana at the Foot of Cannon Street
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| HERE WE GO! |
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March 6, 2009
First Mate, Beth Borchers, helps raise the fore-topmast on Sultana. The process of uprigging Sultana for the season began yesterday and will continue over the next couple of weeks. If you have a chance, stop by the Cannon Street Pier in Chestertown to see some of the action. |
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Great Read for a Snowy Day |
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March 2, 2009
 If you are snowbound like many of us, take a few minutes to read this fun article about Sultana’s new captain Tanya Banks Christensen that appeared in the Sunday, March 1 edition of the Baltimore Sun. Along with the article is a great video interview of Tanya taken onboard Sultana last week. Click on the image above to access the article and video. |
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Baltimore Sun on Sultana |
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February 24, 2009
 Captain Tanya Banks-Christensen and Mate Beth Borchers hosted a reporter and photographer from the Baltimore Sun yesterday afternoon as they worked painting below decks on Sultana. The results are expected to appear in the print and online versions of the Sun in the coming days. We will be sure to give you the link when it becomes available.
UPDATE>>> It’s confirmed – look for a profile of Sultana and Captain Tanya Banks Christensen in this Sunday’s (March 1) issue of the Baltimore Sun!
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Spring is Coming |
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February 4, 2009
 Regardless of what the weather might be doing outside, we are thinking Spring here at Sultana. All but one of our 2009 crew have been hired and the first of them will arrive Monday to help Captain Banks-Christensen begin the process of uprigging the schooner. Sultana’s 2009 sailing schedule is almost complete and we plan to announce our full 2009 port itinerary and offering of public sails by the end of next week. Once the public sailing schedule has been announced, we will immediately begin to take reservations. If you want to guarantee yourself a space on some of our most popular sails, like those during Chestertown Tea Party weekend, make sure you are signed up for our email newsletter so we can notify you as soon as the schedule is released. Click here to sign up for Sultana’s email newsletter. |
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Sultana TV – Breaking Up Ice Around Sultana |
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January 20, 2009
This pretty much speaks for itself! |
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Downrigging Weekend 2009 Dates Announced |
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January 13, 2009
 Mark your calendar now! Sultana’s Downrigging Weekend has been scheduled for the weekend of October 29 – November 1, 2009. While we can’t release all of the details quite yet, we can confirm that many of the ships and schooners from previous years will be returning in 2009, including the Kalmar Nyckel, Pride of Baltimore, II and schooner Virginia. We are working on incorporating some exciting new wrinkles into this year’s festival and expect to post the full fleet listing and event schedule for the weekend here in late February or early March. Above: Lady Maryland, Virginia, Pride of Baltimore, II and Sultana dock at the Chestertown Marina during Downrigging 2009. Photo by Chris Cerino. |
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Key Crew Members Announced |
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January 3, 2009
 How is this for good New-Year’s news . . . Sultana Projects is pleased to report that the 2009 leadership of the schooner Sultana will include three veteran crew from 2008. In addition to Tanya Banks-Christensen, who was recently announced as the new Captain of Sultana, the 2009 crew will also welcome back Leona Dalton as Education Director and Beth Borchers as Chief Mate. Click here to learn more about Leona and Beth. Captain Banks-Christensen and Sultana Vice President Chris Cerino are currently interviewing additional candidates to fill out the remainder of the Sultana crew for 2009 and we expect to announce the entire crew by early February. It’s not too late to apply to be a part of Sultana’s 2009 crew – click here to learn how. Above: Beth Borchers, Leona Dalton and Captain Tanya Banks Christensen. |
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Get Your Last-Minute Stocking Stuffers at the Sultana Center |
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December 12, 2008
 Still short a few Christmas/Holiday presents? Why not stop by the Sultana Center in Chestertown to pick up a few last minute stocking stuffers. We have great gifts for as little as $5, including t-shirts, sweat-shirts, outerwear, books, note cards, and more. We also have plenty of sizes for children as young as two years old. The Sultana Center (107 South Cross Street) will be open the following days during the holidays: Saturday, December 13 BETWEEN NOW AND CHRISTMAS, MEMBERS RECEIVE AN |
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A New Era Begins – Captain Tanya Banks-Christensen |
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December 8, 2008
 Press Release - December 8, 2008 Sultana Projects Announces Tanya Banks-Christensen As New Captain for the Schooner SULTANA Chestertown, Maryland: Sultana Projects announced today that Tanya Banks-Christensen will assume the position of Captain for the schooner SULTANA as of January 1, 2009. Banks-Christensen takes over the helm of SULTANA from Captain Robert Brittain who has served as SULTANA’s Captain since 2004. Launched in 2001, SULTANA is a replica of a 1768 Royal Navy schooner that is used to provide educational programs in history and environmental science for students from around the Chesapeake Bay. A native of Philadelphia and a cum-laude graduate of Alfred University, Tanya has an impressive sailing resume that includes previous service as the Executive Captain of the schooner QUINNIPIACK out of New Haven, Connecticut. Tanya has also served as Mate on several traditional sailing vessels including the schooners PROVIDENCE, A.J. MEERWALD, WESTWARD and SPIRIT OF MASSACHUSETTS. In 2004, Banks-Christensen served as First Mate on SULTANA, and since June of this year she has been SULTANA’s First Mate/Alternate Captain. Tanya holds a United States Coast Guard 200 Ton Near Coastal Master’s License. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to promote someone who is already so invested in our mission and programs,” commented Sultana Projects’ President Drew McMullen. “Having spent two seasons on SULTANA, Tanya is well acquainted with the schooner and with our organizational philosophy. She is the perfect fit for building upon the success that SULTANA has enjoyed under Captain Brittain.” One of Banks-Christensen’s first responsibilities as Captain will be to interview and hire the crew for SULTANA’s 2009 sailing season. Tanya will also be working with Captain Brittain through January to complete several major maintenance projects, including the rotation of SULTANA’s internal ballast. |
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