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Greetings of the Season - cont'd. 4. steam seIf-unloader TARANTAU, and she will be broken up there when the McGIFFIN is all gone. Presumably the old GRIFFITH hull also will go there next spring. It gives us extreme pleasure to extend our sincere thanks to all who have supported the efforts of the Toronto Marine Historical Society during the 1999 season - the members of the Executive Committee who have attended to the operation of the Society and who have chaired our entertainment meet­ ings; to members who are our regular correspondents and contributors to "Scanner" and without whose help we could not produce the newsletter at all; those who answered our request for lay-up listings; those who helped to deliver "Scanner" in their local areas and thus kept your membership fees down by assisting us in containing mailing costs; those who contributed his­ torical materials of all sorts for the silent auction or for general sale for the benefit of the Society, and those who purchased them; those who presented entertainment programmes for our enjoyment, and those who attended them, and all the many who supported us with their continued membership in the Society. And now, in concluding these remarks, it is time to pass along to you the very same words which we say every year at this time. Repetitive they well may be, and they even may seem a bit unimaginative, but they truly are sin­ cere in that they come right from the heart and because they mean so very much. We can think of no better way to speak of the coming of Christmas, and of our inevitable passage into a new year and a new millennium. We are sad­ dened that many of our old friends are no longer here with us to make that passage, but we know that they are in a better place and await us there. Many of our members are closely associated with the lake shipping industry, and it is our hope that the 1999 navigation season was for them as pleasant, safe and profitable as possible under the circumstances. We wish for all of our sailors and vessel operators the very best for the year 2000. Indeed, we hope that the coming year will be a very good one for all of our members and, of course, for the Toronto Marine Historical Society itself, and for "Scanner". But now, as our memories of a long, hot and dreamy summertime and the beau­ ties of a superb autumn fade away; as the skies and waters of our Great Lakes take on the familiar grey pallor of winter and we work to secure the storm windows that we hope will keep the nasty weather on the outside; as the winds rage and the blowing snows obscure the horizons, and as the haze rises from the cold waters, the lake ships scurry to collect and deliver their last cargoes of the year before they seek the calm and safety of win­ ter quarters in snug ports. We wish them all safe passage. And to all of the many members of our large chosen family, the Toronto Ma­ rine Historical Society, we take this opportunity to extend to all of you our very best wishes for a Happy Holiday Season, for a Very Merry Christmas, and for all possible Happiness in the New Year. Take care, dear friends, and may 2000 bring to us all an overflowing measure of love, warmth, good health and success in all of our endeavours. LAY-UP LISTINGS Before long, our lake and river ports will be filled with ships wintering there. We will be running our usual Lay-Up Listings in the February issue, so please remember to send us your lists of the ships wintering at ports near you as soon as possible. We need to have your submissions by January 25th, at the very latest. You may write, phone (416) 921-8436 (evenings only please) or fax (with my name clearly showing) to (416) 368-7054. Thank you for supporting this annual record. * * * * *