A Moment to Express our Appreciation to the Laenen Family of the Michigan Chapter
By Ann Guldemond, Michigan Chapter
If you attended the “Boat the Blue” International Show in September, you saw Rick Lanenen and his family at the docks. Rick and Diane, his wife, spent many hours preparing for, and executing a docking system that worked for all boaters and kept everyone safe.
The preparation that goes into docking for any show is phenomenal. Diane can tell you it is weeks of emails, text messages, phone calls to and from entrants, and to other people organizing the show. She has plenty of practice as she has been our docking assistant at Algonac’s , “Where it All Began”, show for years. Little details, concerns, and big problems are all her job to iron out as they are presented to her. She calmly responds to each request or issue as it arises, and then moves onto the next problem. Rick and Diane spent many evenings setting up the docking for all the attendees. This is after a day of work for Rick and a day of working on docking problems for Diane. Then it’s showtime.
Rick and son Ricky took the whole week off work, arrived at the marina early each morning, with smiles and doughnuts. They could be seen riding a golf cart or walking down the sidewalk all day long. They were the “go to” guys for all questions. I would like to thank Ricky for being the “I need your help” guy all these years in Algonac as well as Port Huron this year. As the show got closer, and more boats arrived Thursday, the grandchildren started arriving to help with docking lines, holding boats, and assisting participants off their boast as they arrived at their docks. Maddie got time off school, Elizabeth had time off too, and Alyssa came home from college to help. Kelli also took a couple days off work, and helped dock with her daughter, Maddie. Andrew took time off work to assist and be the go-to guy for all the workers as needed. He’s been doing docking for so many years with his grandpa; it comes natural to him.
Diane and all the girls have helped run the children’s tent in Algonac for many years. Alyssa and Maddie have spent the last couple years assisting with the free boat rides in Algonac, doing a wonderful job. The participants commented several times on how helpful and happy they were as they got into or disembarked their boat. They are a true asset to our show.
I have just touched the surface of this truly amazing family. Thank you, Laenen family for all your years of hard work and dedication to the shows. All your hours of unseen and visible work are appreciated.
