GONDOLA BLOG: 2009 Vogalonga Video - Mestrina in Cannaregio

video by Elisa Mohr

After crossing the lagoon from the GSVVM to Venice, the quattordesona "Mestrina" and her crew took a short breather before heading to the starting area.

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International Group of Gondoliers Successfully Rowed the Hudson River from Albany to Ground Zero to Pay Tribute to FDNY and the Fallen Heroes of 9-11

Newport Beach, CA October 10, 2007 – Gondola Adventures™, Inc., in conjunction with the Gondola Society of America, the International Columbia Association, New York City Fire Department (FDNY), and Vittorio Orio, a Venetian gondolier who has undertaken many noteworthy rowing expeditions on behalf of charity (the English Channel, the Straits of Messina, and many rivers in Europe), has successfully undertaken a rowing event to pay tribute to FDNY and the fallen heroes of 9-11. The event began in Albany on October 1st; the gondoliers rowed 150 miles in six days, ending at Ground Zero, and then participated in the Columbus Day Parade down 5th Avenue in Manhattan.

The team included: Vittorio Orio, Enzo Liszka, Bepi Suste, all from Venice, and Greg Mohr from Newport Beach, California, Chris Harrison from Irving, Texas, and John Kerschbaum from Stillwater, Minnesota (Gondola Romantica). The Venice-built gondola was resident to the California operation, was transported to New York for the event, and is now en route back to California.

The expedition began on the Hudson in Albany, NY and ended a week later at Ground Zero. The gondola stopped daily along the way in Athens, Kingston, Marlboro, Peekskill, and Yonkers. Upon passing under the George Washington Bridge on October 6th, the FDNY fireboat welcomed the expedition with a grand water display, and the New York City Police Department (NYPD) provided a police escort.

Upon arrival in New York City, each of the gondoliers was presented with a certificate from City Councilman Tony Avella. The ensuing ceremony included speakers such as Buddy Santangelo from the Columbia Association FDNY, Daniel Nigro (past Chief of FDNY), and Alfo Russo representing the Italian Consul General of New York office.

The International Columbia Association, headed by Ambassador Vincent Tummino, provided support for the team upon arrival into New York and arranged and coordinated all of the ceremonial activities for the team. The culmination of the event was participation in the Columbus Day Parade on October 8th, with the gondola in tow as a float / display in the parade.

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Monday, June 29, 2009

2009 Vogalonga Video - Mestrina in Cannaregio

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