Quapaw Canoe Company 25th Anniversary Year

We've survived a quarter century paddling on North America's Biggest River!

Note: Community Canoe on Mississippi River, this Saturday Dec 9th, 12noon - 5pm.  See bottom of mailer for details. Next Community Canoe, Sat Dec 23rd!

Happy 25th Anniversary Year to us!!!
~Quapaw Canoe Company 1998-2023~

Our paddles up and appreciation to everyone who reads this.  You helped make us who we are today -- a small band of river rats building cypress strip voyageur canoes, and opening doorways into the largest floodplain wilderness in the middle of America, the wonderland of the Lower Mississippi River! 

I have been so involved just getting through hip surgery and all of the challenges of these past couple of years (surviving pandemic) that I haven’t paid attention to this significant milestone — for all of us.  I am feeling my utmost appreciation to all of you who go on river adventures with us, or who read this newsletter,  for bringing us to where we are today, and who we are — a legendary outfit — with a stellar track record — and a great mission to uphold — all in behalf of our Queen Mother Mississippi!

Anyway, now that December is here, and it looks like we are really going to survive this year, I am ready to recognize what should be recognized, and celebrate what should be celebrated!  Give credit where credit is due!

So we are looking at 2 celebrations, one on Sat Dec 23rd (2023) in conjunction with our annual solstice Christmas caroling on the Sunflower River with bonfire afterwards behind Quapaw Clarksdale.

And then the second one on Sat, Jan  13, 2024, to set us off on the right foot in the New Year, (and for all of those who couldn’t be with us on Dec 23rd). 

Hope you’re having a good week, and sending endless "whoo-whoops!" in appreciation of all y'all.

~~~Celebration Details~~~

Sat, Dec 23, 2023
Quapaw Canoe Company 25th Anniversary Year
Community Canoe Caroling Roundtrip on Sunflower River ~ 3-6pm
Bonfire Christmas Caroling sing-a-long 6-9pm

Sat, Jan 13, 2024
Quapaw Canoe Company 25th Anniversary Year
Community Canoe Paddle TBA

Note: Heather's Crosse's Heavy Suga & the Sweetones are playing Friday Dec 22nd at Ground Zero Blues Club.  Come a day early and enjoy live soul blues in downtown Clarksdale, MS.  Other Heavy Suga dates are Tuesday Dec 12 (Hambone), Friday Jan 12th & Sat Jan 13th (GZ with Norwegian Vikings).

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Lower Mississippi River Dispatch No. 925
"Voice of the Lower Mississippi River"
25th Anniversary of the Quapaw Canoe Company
Clarksdale, MS ~ Memphis, TN ~ Wilson, AR ~ Vicksburg, MS 

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Community Canoe, Saturday Dec 9th ~ Roundtrip to Island 62 ~ 11am-5pm

Possible rain, high 67. Advance reservations required.  See below for signup.

Island 62 Archipelago encompasses giant beaches, blue holes, other wetlands, willow forests, gravel bars — and is inhabited by fishes, insects, birds, turtles, and other wildlife.  This round trip paddle affords an incredible variety of giant sandbars, wetlands, gravel/fossil bars, deep willow forests, and miles of beaches to explore, clean up, count species, and wade and swim from for cool downs.

On Sat Nov 9th, meet at 11am at our base in downtown Clarksdale, Quapaw Canoe Company, 291 Sunflower Avenue.  Follow us to river in your own vehicle.  Round-trip paddle.  Pack your own snacks and water.  Dress for weather.  Rain in forecast.  No previous experience necessary, all paddle together in our big canoes with guides.  But must be willing to paddle — sometimes hard paddling necessary.  Return to land around 5pm.  

Schedule:

Sat, Dec 9th
Meet: 11am
Quapaw Canoe Company
291 Sunflower Avenue
Clarksdale, MS  38614

Follow us to river
Start: 12noon Quapaw Landing
Paddle back channel of Island 63, cross main channel, and explore the vast sandbars of Island 62
End: 5pm Quapaw Landing

Reservations required!

Cost:
Free for youth under 18.  1/4 price for educators ($25). 1/2 price for adults ($50).  

You can use automatic online signup for making reservation.  (Go to island63.com and click on "book my expedition" and then click on "community canoe" option, and then choose Sept 9th option.)

Or

Paypal 
(add 3% PP fee)
paypal.me/quapawcanoecompany

Or

Venmo
John-Ruskey-1

Community Canoe is made possible by the Lower Mississippi River Foundation.  Dedicated to fostering long-term stewardship of the big river through its youth.

Pack in Daypack or Drybag:
Each person should pack:
-waterbottles
-lunch
-snacks
-rain protection
-sun protection
-bug protection
-shoes that can get muddy and wet (or go barefoot)

Optional:
-cell phone
-camera
-bird book
-binoculars
-swim gear
-towel

Note:
Pack any electronics in dry bag, dry box, or zip lock bags

Wear:
Dress for weather. Perfect fall weather!  Sunny, with a high near 55. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Wear shoes that can get muddy and wet (or go barefoot). 
 
Call me 662-902-7841, or Mark River 662-902-6479, if you’d prefer to talk!  Sincerely yours in service of the big river.

Made possible through a partnership with the Lower Mississippi River Foundation.  Dedicated to fostering long-term stewardship of the big river through its youth.