Benefits of Membership

Being part of a dynamic community of maritime professionals dedicated to improving water transportation and our intermodal transportation system is a key benefit to joining the International Propeller Club. Others include:

• Invitations to members-only events that allow you to network with other maritime community members, and to meet and engage with elected officials and government representatives.
• Social events throughout the year to help you build personal and business relationships with others in the maritime community.
• Opportunities to become a leader in your industry.

Events and Messages

A big thank you to our Paducah Propeller Club luncheon speakers this year, who informed, educated and amazed us! We look forward to another great speaker lineup in 2026. 

___________________

Today at the Paducah Propeller Club’s last monthly luncheon on the year, Barkley Regional Airport Executive Director Dennis Rouleau discussed Paducah’s new air terminal and the very thoughtful community process to create it, the new Sky West air service beginning February 24 to Chicago O’Hare and Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (tickets can be booked now on United.com), and the Barkley pledge to support the new initiatives. “A mile of road will take you a mile, but a mile of runway will take you anywhere,” he said.  #FlyBarkley

___________________

Thank you.

___________________

Get your wristbands and Santa hats on for the Propeller Club’s Christmas Cocktail Party 2025!

___________________

Have a BOO-tiful day… from your Paducah Propeller Club.

___________________

Today the Paducah Propeller Club Board toured the new air terminal at Barkley Regional Airport in Paducah.

Be sure to join us for our next Club Monthly Luncheon Meeting on Wednesday, November 12 at noon at Walker Hall to learn more from Barkley Airport Executive Director Dennis Rouleau….    

___________________

The Paducah Propeller Club is seeking those interested in serving on the Board of Directors or as the Club’s Secretary. If you are interested, please contact Club President Caleb King, calebk@thetvib.org, by October 28. Thank you!

___________________

Join us for the Propeller Club’s last monthly luncheon meeting of 2025 with Barkley Regional Airport Executive Director Dennis Rouleau. RSVP to Olivia Petter: opetter@pettersupply.com. See you there and thank you!

___________________

Kenny Boyd, President of Baptist Health Paducah, addressed the Club today, noting a number of the hospital’s successes (growing from five primary care providers to 46), and its future endeavors that will include building three more ORs, adding hospital beds and more robotic capability, expanding its cardiovascular center and more. #BaptistHealthPaducah

___________________

Today’s Paducah Propeller Club’s monthly meeting (Wednesday, October 8) will now be held at the Elks Lodge, 310 N. 4th Street, and NOT at Walker Hall.  Join us to hear from Kenny Boyd, President of Baptist Health Paducah, about our strong hospital system that is so important to the community and to our local maritime industry. See you there!

Please RSVP to opetter@pettersupply.com

Thank you.

__________________

___________________

Today some members of the Board of Directors of the Paducah Propeller Club toured Kentucky Lock, where construction continues on a new 1200-foot lock adjacent to the current 600-foot lock. They received a briefing from the Corps of Engineers and a thorough walking tour of the progress on this mega-project. Tremendous efficiency gains will be achieved upon completion of this project that will benefit shippers, operators, the Kentucky region and the Nation.   

___________________

The Club had the privilege today to tour the Paducah Innovation Hub with Principal Steve Ybarzabal. The Hub provides immersive learning for students across a number of industries, including the inland waterways. Paducah is so fortunate to have this resource, and to reap the benefits of a strong workforce for the future. https://www.paducah.kyschools.us/page/the-innovation-hub

___________________

You have until August 31 to save some pre-holiday cash on wristbands for the Paducah Propeller Club’s annual Christmas Cocktail party on Thursday, December 11. 

Contact Mitzi Mason: propellerclubpaducah@gmail.com for details and to order. Thank you! 

_________________

The Propeller Club Ports of Paducah, KY, and Evansville, IN recently joined forces to support the USS LST 325, a historic World War II amphibious vessel now preserved as a museum ship in Evansville, IN.

Together, the chapters combined funds to purchase and deliver custom bridge window shades, critical to safe navigation by reducing glare and improving visibility both inside and outside the vessel.

Special thanks to Riverview Boat Store, whose team coordinated measurements, ordering, and delivery of the shades from St. Louis to Evansville. This donation ensures that the LST 325 continues to safely operate during public sailings while honoring the legacy of those who served aboard her.

Pictured: Members of the Propeller Club Port of Paducah and Riverview Boat Store delivering the equipment aboard the vessel.

Learn more about the ship’s incredible history, museum tours, and sailing schedule at: 👉 https://lstmemorial.org/

___________________

Save the Date for the Propeller Club of Paducah’s September 10 meeting at the Paducah Innovation Hub. Come for the tour and stay for lunch.

___________________

Cassandra Caldwell, American Cruise Lines’ Government Affairs Manager, Mississippi River and Tributaries, addressed the Paducah Propeller Club today, discussing American’s small ship cruises, its many itineraries and its love of Paducah.

___________________

Hope to see you at the next luncheon meeting on August 13 at noon to hear more about the cruise ships that stop in Paducah and what the company has planned for the future. 

___________________

To purchase wristbands via credit card, please call 270/217-0971 or stop by Paducah Rigging, 4150 Cairo Road.

Mail checks to Paducah Rigging, Attn: Mitzi Mason, 4150 Cairo Road, Paducah, KY 42001

_________________

At the Paducah Chiefs game held on July 22, Paducah Chiefs General Manager Greg McKeel (center) presented plaques to the Paducah Propeller Club for being the corporate sponsor of the night and to the U.S. Coast Guard to thank them for their service.

___________________

The Paducah Propeller Club is seeking a Treasurer, beginning January 1, 2026.   

A volunteer position, key tasks include processing payments using the Square app,  making check/debit card payments for invoices, maintaining simple spreadsheets/records, attending Club Board meetings and reporting on payments received/made, and regularly attending monthly membership meetings.  Must be a member of the Propeller Club, have a finance/accounting background (or clear understanding of same), and be reliable. 

If you are interested, please contact Club President Caleb King, calebk@thetvib.org.  Thank you!

__________________

___________________

Chiefs baseball night rescheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, July 22. See you there!

___________________

Due to inclement weather, tonight’s (July 18) Chiefs baseball game is cancelled.

___________________

Save the date for next month’s luncheon speaker, Cassandra Caldwell with American Cruise Lines (which stops in Paducah), to hear about the exciting things this company has planned for the future.   Please RSVP to Olivia Petter: opetter@pettersupply.com

___________________

Good stuff happening in our community!

___________________

A maritime nation celebrates its independence!

___________________

PLAY BALL! See you at the Paducah Propeller Club Chiefs Game Friday, July 18. Please RSVP to opetter@pettersupply.com by July 16.

___________________

Dave Phillips, retired U.S. Coast Guard Warrant Officer who now works as a National Technical Advisor for the Coast Guard’s Towing Vessel National Center of Expertise in Paducah, will throw out the first pitch at the Paducah Chiefs baseball game on Friday, July 18.

Join the Paducah Propeller Club there for our July social!

Please RSVP by July 16 (by 4 p.m.) to Olivia Petter, opetter@pettersupply.com. PLAY BALL!

___________________

Today, Tish Mavigliano, RD, LD, Health & Wellness Director for Hines Furlong Line, spoke to the Club about lifestyle changes that can improve health and nutrition. Small changes can make a big difference, she noted.

__________________

Save the Date: Friday, July 18, Propeller Club Paducah Chiefs Baseball Night.  See you there! 

___________________

Lori Wasbutsky with the Propeller Club Board stands with 2025 Scholarship Recipient Levi Brown of Paducah Tilghman High School, who was awarded $1,500 for his academic and extracurricular achievements. Congratulations!

___________________

Be well! See you Wednesday, June 11 for the Paducah Propeller Club’s next monthly luncheon.

___________________

Congratulations to our golfers, winners and hole sponsors, and thanks for your support of the First Annual Bob Day Classic!

__________________

#nationalsafeboatingweek

___________________

Congratulations to the Propeller Club’s 2025 Scholarship recipients Levi Brown (Paducah Tilghman High School) and Audrey Haley (McCracken County High School). Mr. Brown could not attend the Maritime Day ceremony due to graduation but Ms. Haley happily accepted the award from Lori Wasbutsky, a member of the Club’s Board.

___________________

A great day to celebrate Darin Adrian as the 2025 Maritime Person of the Year, Shelley Byrne as the 2025 Port Person of the Year, our scholarship winner Audrey Haley (McCracken County High School), and the nation’s brave mariners and critically important maritime industry.

___________________

Scenes from today’s Bob Day Annual Golf Outing. Thank you for joining us!

___________________

Paducah Mayor The Honorable George Bray presents a proclamation to Paducah Propeller Club Board Member Julie Harris for Maritime Day in Paducah. The Propeller Club of Paducah will celebrate Maritime Day on Saturday, May 17 beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Seamen’s Church Institute, 129 S. Water Street. #NationalMaritimeDay2025

__________________

In 1933, Congress declared National Maritime Day to commemorate the American steamship Savannah’s voyage from the United States to England, marking the first successful crossing of the Atlantic Ocean with steam propulsion. During World War II more than 250,000 members of the American Merchant Marine served their country, with more than 6,700 giving their lives, hundreds being detained as prisoners of war and more than 800 U.S. merchant ships being sunk or damaged.

Maritime Day is a time-honored tradition that recognizes one of our country’s most important industries. Each year, ceremonies and celebrations throughout the country recognize Maritime Day and the people our maritime nation depends on.

Join the Propeller Club of Paducah on Saturday, May 17 to honor our nation’s mariners and our local award winners!

___________________

Congrats to the Propeller Club of Paducah’s 2025 scholarship recipients!

___________________

Just 3 slots left for the Bob Day Golf Tourney on Friday, May 16! Register today by contacting Mitzi Mason, propellerclubpaducah@gmail.com

___________________

Paducah is known as the epicenter of the inland waterways but….

__________________

Just 6 afternoon slots are left for the Bob Day Annual Golf Outing May 16! Please contact Mitzi Mason, propellerclubpaducah@gmail.com, for details and to register. Thank you.

___________________

___________________

Paducah Mayor George Bray addressed the Propeller Club on April 9 to a packed house, noting the great importance of the maritime industry here, the ways Paducah is offering assistance during recent flooding, some of the exciting potential business sectors that could locate here, and much more.

_________________

The nation’s inland waterways earn a C- on ASCE’s Infrastructure  Report Card for 2025.

Inland Waterways

Register today–only a few 8 a.m. slots are available and a few p.m. slots as well. 

If you missed last week’s webinar on the National Waterways Foundation- commissioned Eno Center for Transportation study, “Benefits and Beneficiaries of the Nation’s Inland Waterways,” watch it here: https://enotrans.org/events/benefits-and-beneficiaries-of-the-nations-inland-waterways/?fbclid=IwY2xjawIz6JlleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHT2KjQWfl77qnsx4ysN-bPdBWNvOyC09jpuTVejcj6pJ2bz5KSl8XYWfpw_aem_Hiucefuh_6ltDO5vu8KpBw

April 11 is the deadline to apply for the Propeller Club of Paducah’s 2025 Scholarship Program.

John “Caleb” Skinner, Supervisory Navigation Facility Specialist for Kentucky and Barkley Locks with the Corps of Engineers’ Nashville District (left), and Jeremiah Manning, Corps’ Resident Engineer for Kentucky Lock, spoke February 12 at the Paducah Propeller Club’s monthly luncheon about the status of Kentucky Lock addition and the efficiency gains for shippers and operators to come. Once completed, the new longer lock will allow lockages to be reduced from 4+ hours currently to around 45 minutes.