Bob Barnes And Others Steering The Dixie Toward Bright Future
July 26, 2017 at 4:15 p.m.
Editor's note: This story is part of a special section about Saturday's Dixie Day festival. You can find the section inside Wednesday's print edition.
NORTH WEBSTER – Bob Barnes’ smooth voice has carried his career.
He can be heard on many films used by the National Parks Service, he conjures up a variety of accents for video game characters and was even a DJ for WLYV in Fort Wayne back when DJs were crazy and cool.
These days, though, he’s helping keep the 88-year-old Dixie sternwheeler paddle boat afloat and headed in the right direction.
Barnes is known as Cap’n Bob, the Singing Skipper. He serves as marketing director for the boat and lends his singing talents on Saturday night sunset cruises.
Along with an old high school friend, Karilyn Metcalf, the two have teamed up for six years with a marketing plan that seems to have put the not-for-profit organization that runs the boat in a good financial position.
LASTING SATISFACTION
Barnes started out as a DJ, working for radio stations in Marion and Fort Wayne in the ’60s and ’70s. But doing voice-overs became a full-time career. He built a studio specifically for that in Orlando. He’s since sold the studio, but continues to do other work on the side.
While he’s proud of his voice-over work, he admits that commercials come and go and finds more satisfaction in his efforts with the boat.
“Having a hand in something like this that could go on for generation after generation – It’s been a really warm, rewarding experience,” said the 70-year-old Barnes on Saturday afternoon while sitting on a bench in front of where the Dixie docks as the boat celebrated its 88th anniversary.
“It’s part of the family now,” Barnes said.
On Saturday, the town will host its ninth annual Dixie Day Festival and Art Fair.
DIXIE HISTORY
The original Dixie dates back to 1914, but was reinvigorated with a new owner who in 1929 gave it a new name and replaced with the rotting wooden hull with a metal hull.
The Dixie has gone through numerous ownerships and renovations, but has been a mainstay on the lake for decades. It began regularly-scheduled excursions in the 1960s.
By the turn of the century, the boat was struggling financially and a “Save The Dixie” campaign was launched. In 2007, the boat was in need of serious repairs and the owners, brothers Dan and Bo Thystrup, worked to turn it over to a the non-profit, Dixie Sternwheeler Inc., headed up by Metcalf, a longtime local teacher who wanted to ensure the boat would continue to serve the town.
“That boat would literally not be here if it were not for Karilyn,” Barnes said. “It was literally headed for the scrap heap.”
Eventually, enough money was raised to cover repairs and the boat was soon back in action.
SMART MARKETING
At about the same time, the state enacted the time change and organizers realized the recorded narration (provided by Barnes) that was used during the late evening tour didn’t work well anymore because it was too dark to see aspects of the lakeshore that were being mentioned.
In trying to develop a new plan, Metcalf suggested Barnes begin singing songs on some of the late excursions.
Bob had already begun singing old favorites in front of area retirement homes, community parks and other settings. He and Metcalf then started promoting the boat at those events, which helped attract more business to the boat.
Barnes and Metcalf then expanded the reach of his shows, which resulted in even more interest in the boat.
“It’s just exploded. That’s why our ridership is so high. At least that’s part of it,” said Metcalf.
The boat is popular with elderly groups, the Amish, wedding parties and those looking to learn more about the lake.
Barnes said the boat capitalizes on a family atmosphere that prohibits alcohol and smoking. Another selling point: Admission has remained $7 per ticket since DSI took over operations.
FINDING SUCCESS
The Dixie currently schedules 18 tours a week including sunset cruises on Saturday nights.
The boat runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day and offers charters through the summer and into September. This year, they are close to booking more than 100 charters.
In its first year under DSI, the boat attracted 4,200 passengers. In recent years, they’ve surpassed 14,000 customers and Barnes thinks 15,000 is within reach.
Tours of the lake take a little more than an hour as the 65-foot-long craft cruises at 6 mph around the perimeter of lake.
Given its size and design, those who captain the watercraft say wind can play a significant factor in maneuvering. Some describe the vessel as a “sailboat without sails.”
“It’s like dancing with a hippo. You gotta start early and push hard,” said Stu Smith, one of nine captains.
The boat relies on about 25 paid staff and a group of volunteers.
DSI has been solvent for about five years and has been able to generate a reserve fund, Metcalf said.
“When you have an 88-year-old boat, there are so many expenses to keep her going and keep her looking like she did 88 years ago. That money is earmarked to keep her refurbished,” Metcalf said.
She said she believes the boat has a sturdy future.
“As far as I’m concerned, as long as I’m alive, it’s gonna be on that lake,” she said. “Our riders want it there. Our volunteers and our board work hard to keep it going. I wouldn’t see any reason why it wouldn’t.”
Editor's note: This story is part of a special section about Saturday's Dixie Day festival. You can find the section inside Wednesday's print edition.
NORTH WEBSTER – Bob Barnes’ smooth voice has carried his career.
He can be heard on many films used by the National Parks Service, he conjures up a variety of accents for video game characters and was even a DJ for WLYV in Fort Wayne back when DJs were crazy and cool.
These days, though, he’s helping keep the 88-year-old Dixie sternwheeler paddle boat afloat and headed in the right direction.
Barnes is known as Cap’n Bob, the Singing Skipper. He serves as marketing director for the boat and lends his singing talents on Saturday night sunset cruises.
Along with an old high school friend, Karilyn Metcalf, the two have teamed up for six years with a marketing plan that seems to have put the not-for-profit organization that runs the boat in a good financial position.
LASTING SATISFACTION
Barnes started out as a DJ, working for radio stations in Marion and Fort Wayne in the ’60s and ’70s. But doing voice-overs became a full-time career. He built a studio specifically for that in Orlando. He’s since sold the studio, but continues to do other work on the side.
While he’s proud of his voice-over work, he admits that commercials come and go and finds more satisfaction in his efforts with the boat.
“Having a hand in something like this that could go on for generation after generation – It’s been a really warm, rewarding experience,” said the 70-year-old Barnes on Saturday afternoon while sitting on a bench in front of where the Dixie docks as the boat celebrated its 88th anniversary.
“It’s part of the family now,” Barnes said.
On Saturday, the town will host its ninth annual Dixie Day Festival and Art Fair.
DIXIE HISTORY
The original Dixie dates back to 1914, but was reinvigorated with a new owner who in 1929 gave it a new name and replaced with the rotting wooden hull with a metal hull.
The Dixie has gone through numerous ownerships and renovations, but has been a mainstay on the lake for decades. It began regularly-scheduled excursions in the 1960s.
By the turn of the century, the boat was struggling financially and a “Save The Dixie” campaign was launched. In 2007, the boat was in need of serious repairs and the owners, brothers Dan and Bo Thystrup, worked to turn it over to a the non-profit, Dixie Sternwheeler Inc., headed up by Metcalf, a longtime local teacher who wanted to ensure the boat would continue to serve the town.
“That boat would literally not be here if it were not for Karilyn,” Barnes said. “It was literally headed for the scrap heap.”
Eventually, enough money was raised to cover repairs and the boat was soon back in action.
SMART MARKETING
At about the same time, the state enacted the time change and organizers realized the recorded narration (provided by Barnes) that was used during the late evening tour didn’t work well anymore because it was too dark to see aspects of the lakeshore that were being mentioned.
In trying to develop a new plan, Metcalf suggested Barnes begin singing songs on some of the late excursions.
Bob had already begun singing old favorites in front of area retirement homes, community parks and other settings. He and Metcalf then started promoting the boat at those events, which helped attract more business to the boat.
Barnes and Metcalf then expanded the reach of his shows, which resulted in even more interest in the boat.
“It’s just exploded. That’s why our ridership is so high. At least that’s part of it,” said Metcalf.
The boat is popular with elderly groups, the Amish, wedding parties and those looking to learn more about the lake.
Barnes said the boat capitalizes on a family atmosphere that prohibits alcohol and smoking. Another selling point: Admission has remained $7 per ticket since DSI took over operations.
FINDING SUCCESS
The Dixie currently schedules 18 tours a week including sunset cruises on Saturday nights.
The boat runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day and offers charters through the summer and into September. This year, they are close to booking more than 100 charters.
In its first year under DSI, the boat attracted 4,200 passengers. In recent years, they’ve surpassed 14,000 customers and Barnes thinks 15,000 is within reach.
Tours of the lake take a little more than an hour as the 65-foot-long craft cruises at 6 mph around the perimeter of lake.
Given its size and design, those who captain the watercraft say wind can play a significant factor in maneuvering. Some describe the vessel as a “sailboat without sails.”
“It’s like dancing with a hippo. You gotta start early and push hard,” said Stu Smith, one of nine captains.
The boat relies on about 25 paid staff and a group of volunteers.
DSI has been solvent for about five years and has been able to generate a reserve fund, Metcalf said.
“When you have an 88-year-old boat, there are so many expenses to keep her going and keep her looking like she did 88 years ago. That money is earmarked to keep her refurbished,” Metcalf said.
She said she believes the boat has a sturdy future.
“As far as I’m concerned, as long as I’m alive, it’s gonna be on that lake,” she said. “Our riders want it there. Our volunteers and our board work hard to keep it going. I wouldn’t see any reason why it wouldn’t.”