Half Moon Crew

Special Guests

William Reynolds: Ship's Captain

Captain William "Chip" Reynolds has been captain of the Half Moon and Director of the New Netherland Museum since 1998. Before coming to the Half Moon, he captained numerous seagoing vessels, both historical and industrial. His background also includes training and work in the environmental sciences. He currently lives with his family in Selkirk, NY, and is looking forward to seeing the new student crew meet the challenges this Voyage of Discovery places before them.

Captain Reynolds sailed the full voyage.

Kipp Van Aken

Kipp van Aken is serving as the Half Moon's chief engineer. Mr. van Aken has a background in history, anthropology, and business, is a graduate of Hope College, and holds an MBA. He is a veteran of the US Navy Submarine Force and is retired from Southern California Edison's San Onofre Nuclear Station. He is a direct descendant of three early Dutch families in New York and is an original shareholder of the ship.

Mr. Van Aken sailed the full voyage.

Brea Barthel

Brea Barthel has been involved with the Half Moon since 2001. Her projects include transcribing Juet's journal and creating quick-reference "palm cards" for docents. Some day she hopes to read the cards! Ms. Barthel teaches communication courses at the University of Albany, and is active with other non-profit groups.

Ms. Barthel boarded at Coeymans and sailed on through Athens.

Keith Cardoza

At age 40, Keith Cardoza has been on, in, or under water since birth! Inspired by his mentor Captain Jack Clarke, he is a licensed captain and diver. This is his third season on board the Half Moon. Mr. Cardoza first came to the Half Moon to earn sea time for his 100 ton master & sail endorsement, as well as his desire to learn old school sail techniques and navigation. During his years in the ship's crew, however, he has learned so much more.

Mr. Cardoza sailed the full voyage, during which he proposed marriage to crew member Vicki Giles.

Pauli Dangerousli

This is Pauli Dangerousli's second year with the Half Moon. He accounts himself a sailor, a musician, a healer, and a philosopher.

Mr. Dangerousli boarded at Staten Island and completed the voyage.

Cathy Davis

Cathy Davis is a resident of Albany. She thinks the Half Moon is a great teaching tool. She has served as a docent for school tours and has worked during maintenance layovers, painting the ship.

Ms. Davis joined us for the return voyage from Albany to Athens.

Wendy DeGiglio

Wendy DeGiglio first got involved with the Half Moon ten years ago when she wrote some stories about the ship for the Journal News. Over the years, she's sailed on numerous occasions, helped with dockside tours, and written numerous pieces for various publications.

Ms. DeGiglio joined us for the return voyage from Albany to Athens.

Randi dell'Acqua

This is Randi dell'Acqua's fourth year on the Half Moon. She is a professional tailor and boating enthusiast who splits her time evenly between New York and Florida.

Ms. Del'Aqua boarded at Newburgh and sailed on through Athens.

Ashlee Giacalone

Ashless Giacalone is a Voyage of Discovery alumna, having originally sailed in the 8th grade in September 2001. She sailed the following Spring as well. She has since graduated valedictorian from Rensselaer High School and is now in her fourth year as an architecture student at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Ms. Giacalone joined us for the return voyage from Albany to Athens.

Vicki Giles

This is Vicki Giles' third year volunteering on the Half Moon. She normally comes on board as the cook but has also been a crew member.  Her job as a computer programmer limits her availability to weekend voyages.  For this voyage, she cooks meals at home and brings them to the crew. Even though Ms. Giles' main role is cooking, her passion is going aloft.  She takes every opportunity to go up in the rigging whenever she is on board.

In addition to her role as shore support, Vicki Giles joined us during our Newburgh layover and boarded again at Catskill. During the voyage, she accepted a proposal of marriage from crew member Keith Cardoza.

Missy Graves

Missy Graves has been sailing since childhood. She met Captain Reynolds while serving as first mate on the Schooner Alexandria. She first boarded the Half Moon for a sail training voyage in Long Island Sound, during which she ran the foremast.

Ms. Graves boarded at Coeymans and completed the voyage.

Ewout van Grondelle

Ewout van Grondelle, serving this year as the Half Moon's bosun and ship manager, first set foot on a sailing boat at age 13. He enjoyed sailing so much that he ended up 24 years later on a replica Dutch ship on the Hudson River. He went from sail instructor at sailing schools to mate and skipper on sailing barges. In the last few years he has been sailing as bosun on the bark Europa (external link) across the Atlantic ocean between Amsterdam and Antarctica.

On shore, Mr. Van Grondelle has a background in hospitality, tourism, and software engineering. He has a house in Nijmegen, the Netherlands, which he sees very little of.

Mr. Van Grondelle sailed the full voyage.

Bob Hansen

Ship's mate Bob Hansen started sailing on the Hudson on the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater; later, on two engineless sloops. Since the 1990s, he has served as a volunteer and mate on the schooners Spirit of Massachuesetts and Ernestina, as well as other vessels.

Having recently retired from a career as a self-styled "bureaucrat" with the New York State government, Mr. Hansen has now turned his attention to serving as second-in-command on board the Half Moon.

Mr. Hansen sailed the full voyage.

Rick Vanden Heuvel

Rick Vanden Heuvel became interested in the Half Moon to learn about sailing square rigged vessels and also the history surrounding it. Since he's been in the Hudson Valley for the last ten years, he's become fascinated with the history and the ecology of the region. He sees the Half Moon as a way to help make history come alive. The hands-on experience is what makes it much more interesting.

Mr. Vanden Heuvel has two boys, who have been aboard the Half Moon. They really enjoy this kind of experience. When he's not sailing, he runs his own landscaping business and substitute teaches for public schools in New Paltz and Roundout Valley. (He also does outdoor adventure ropes courses, programs, and other outdoor education programs on occasion.) He lives in Rosendale, NY.

Mr. Vanden Heuvel boarded at Piermont and disembarked at Kingston.

David Howell

David Howell  spent 20 Years in the US Navy as an Electronics Technician onboard 4 Nuclear Fast Attack Submarines.  He was responsible for the ships’ electronic systems, including the Inertial Navigation System, Radar, GPS, Periscopes, antennas and communications systems . He was stationed aboard the USS City of Corpus Christi and USS Pittsburgh homeported in Groton, CT and aboard the USS Louisville and USS Pasadena homeported in San Diego, CA. He was also stationed at Deep Submergence Unit (formerly named Submarine Rescue Unit) in Diego, CA where he was the Information Systems Manager.

He was born in Homestead, FL Dec 20, 1966 and grew up in Auburn, AL. After retiring from the navy, he relocated to East Greenbush, NY. He is married to Renee Dussault Howell of East Greenbush and has  four children.

He is currently the Network Systems Engineer for Rensselaer City School District of Rensselaer, NY, which has had a long standing relationship with the Half Moon. Students from Rensselaer Middle School participate in the Voyage of Discovery each fall.

Mr. Howell boarded at Athens and disembarked at Piermont.

Brody Karn

Brody Karn is a sophomore Musical Theatre Major at Penn State University. He is from Poughkeepsie and recently started volunteering aboard the Half Moon.

Mr. Karn boarded at Athens and disembarked at Kingston.

Rachel Laufer

Rachel Laufer first became a crew member of the Half Moon as a student on the April 2000 Voyage of Discovery and has continued to work on the ship ever since. Now that she has graduated from the University of Delaware with a degree in American History and therefore has a free summer, she is thrilled to again have the chance to work on the ship for the 400th anniversary schedule.

Ms. Laufer sailed the full voyage.

Laura Lee Linder

Laura Lee Linder, AKA Mrs. Clarence H. Linder, Jr., is a former teacher, retailer, and museum curator who helped build the Replica Ship Half Moon in 1989. A Skidmore College graduate, she is a Registered Historian with the Association of Public Historians of New York State. She is the Town of Charlton (Saratoga County) Historian. She is also chair of the Archives & Historical Concerns, First Reformed Church of Schenectady.

Mrs. Linder is a longtime member of Friends of New Netherland; Schenectady/Niekirk Council; NY State Archaeology Association, Historical Societies & Museums; and the NY State Archives Partnership Trust, and is a Cooperative Extension 4H leader.

Mrs. Linder crewed on the Day Zero sail from Athens and rejoined us in Newburgh to sail on through Athens.

Doug Lyke

Doug Lyke was reading through the Half Moon's web site when he saw the "click here" button to volunteer. He has the week of June 7-13 off, so he volunteered. Sailing is intriguing to everyone and he wanted to learn more, especially square rigging. He read more about the Half Moon's purpose and decided that this is something he could do as a long-term volunteer.

Mr. Lyke boarded at Piermont and sailed on through Athens.

Stephen van der Merwe

Stephen van der Merwe's Dutch ancestors were from Dordrecht and his last name comes from the river which runs past that city. His ancestor Willem Schalkzoon van der Merwe arrived in Cape Town in 1661 after working on board the VOC ship Dordrect as a "haaksbusskutter" (arquebusier) -- trained in the use of an early matchlock.

Mr. Van der Merwe works in the IT industry as a messaging specialist and also sails on another Dutch-inspired boat called the Woody Guthrie out of Beacon, NY. The Woody Guthrie, which is is also participating in River Day, is a Hudson River gaff rigged sloop which works with the Clearwater to protect the river and keep it clean.

His wife Clara Goldberg recently used Juet's log as the inspiration in the titles of her paintings. His eldest daughter has already been on the Half Moon and his youngest daughter can't wait to sail with her.

Mr. Van der Merwe boarded at Athens and disembarked at Poughkeepsie.

Jeff Morton

Jeff Morton is a computer programmer with an interest in history. He is a member of the Society for Creative Anachronism (external link) with particular interest in historial sailing vessels. He has a history of sailing in the Sea Explorers, but this is his first voyage on a tall ship.

Mr. Morton boarded at Piermont and disembarked at Poughkeepsie.

Donna Nestler

Donna Nestler first came to the Half Moon through friends, such as Bob Hansen. She has also sailed on the Clearwater, Woody Guthrie, Mystic Whaler, Voyager, Argia, and Sojourner Truth. She and her husband Rich Nestler also have their own 30 ft. sailboat and love to sail!

As a 7th grade Social Studies teacher, Ms. Nestler makes the Half Moon part of her curriculum.

Ms. Nestler boarded at Newburgh and disembarked at Poughkeepsie.

Carolyn Niehaus

Carolyn Niehaus has been an active member of the Half Moon since 1999 when she started giving tours as a docent through her social studies class. Ms. Niehaus is an alumna of the Fall 2000 Voyage of Discovery, as well as other voyages, and together with fellow crew member Rachel Laufer makes up half of the so-called "Gang of Four," a group of Voyage of Discovery alumnae who have remained active with the ship ever since their first voyages a decade ago. Ms. Niehaus has just graduated with an English degree from the University of Rochester.

Ms. Niehaus boarded at Coeymans and sailed on through Athens.

Rita Ormsby

Rita Ormsby lives in Brooklyn, where she is a librarian at Baruch College and part of the City University of New York. She learned of the Half Moon from Leo Meerman, who lives in Potterdam, the Netherlands. He is quite a sailor and had taken her to see the replica of the Batavia being built. As a teenager, she spent the summer as an exchange student living with the Meerman family and has remained in touch. This is her first time sailing since her summer with them, though last year she led tours of the Half Moon while it was in Albany. She plans to volunteer more this year.

Ms. Ormsby boarded at Piermont and disembarked at Newburgh.

Alex Padalka

Alex Padalka is a Brooklyn-based writer. His father was a sailor. His father's father was a sailor. It's only natural that Mr. Padalka would want to be a sailor... he's trying.

Mr. Padalka boarded at Piermont and disembarked at Coeymans.

Russell Polo

Russell Polo has been sailing the Hudson River for 30 years, but this is his first time jaunt on the Half Moon. He is one of several Chelsea Yacht Club members on the crew. When he isn't sailing he works as a web developer whose duties include being webmaster of the Half Moon Theatre (external link).

Mr. Polo boarded at Newburgh and sailed on through Athens.

Roberta Read

Roberta Read is a longtime Half Moon volunteer and is also the mother of Sarah Read, a Voyage of Discovery alumna who joined us as a member of the senior crew throughout the Half Moon's 2008 summer season.

Ms. Read boarded at Coeymans and completed the voyage.

Evi Robinson

Evi Robinson is a student at the Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, NY, and a Voyage of Discovery alumna. This is her fourth trip on board the Half Moon, and she can't wait to see what happens.

Ms. Robinson boarded at Catskill and sailed on through Athens.

Howland Robinson

Howland Robinson's daughter introduced him to the Half Moon. History, a beautiful ship and river, and a great crew have brought him back for a third voyage.

Mr. Robinson boarded at Catskill and sailed on through Athens.

Chuck Thomas

Chuck Thomas was born and raised in the West and has been living in New York for the past 40 years. A member of Chelsea Yacht Club, Mr. Thomas works at the Newburgh Free Library. His children are grown and his wife Alice has let him go to sea.

Mr. Thomas boarded at Newburgh and disembarked at Kingston.

Louise Niehe & Ambassador Eric Niehe

Ambassador Eric & Mrs. Louise Niehe

Eric Niehe is the offical Dutch Ambassador to the New York Quadricentennial and former Dutch Ambassador to India.

He and his wife Louise boarded the Half Moon at Croton Point to join us for the sail up to the West Point 15-gun salute.

David Oestreicher, Paul Oestreicher, Ella Pace & Mike Pace

Mike & Ella Pace

Mike Pace is a former Deputy Chief of the Elders of the Lenape tribe, representing the original inhabitants of the Hudson River Valley. He and his wife Ella came from Oklahoma to join the voyage from Croton Point to Newburgh.

David & Paul Oestreicher

David Oestreicher is a Lenape scholar and friend of the Paces. His brother Paul is an artist who has helped David to mount historical exhibits on Long Island. Together with the Paces, they joined us for the West Point 15-gun salute.

Joel Goss

Joel Goss is a filmmaker here with his film crew to collect material on the Half Moon and the Quadricentennial celebration. As the Half Moon returned the West Point salute, Mr. Goss and his crew captured the event from numerous angles -- and even in 3-D! We'll let you know where and when the footage can be seen.

Raj Sirohi & Dawn Hopper

Dawn Hopper

Dawn Hopper is a South Carolina native who now lives in Kingston. As Dutchess County Tour & Travel Marketing Manager, she is part of the top-notch team who organized the Half Moon's recent visit to Poughkeepsie.

Raj Sirohi

Raj Sirohi is a video journalist working for Time Warner Cable, Cable 6. He traveled with us to collect material for a Hudson Valley TV news feature show, Hudson Valley News.

Both Ms. Hopper and Mr. Sirohi boarded at Piermont, spent the night, and disembarked at Newburgh.

Mimi Prime & Grant Prime

Grant & Mimi Prime

Grant Prime is a 5th grade teacher at Taconic Hills Middle School with a deep love for history. A crew member on the Half Moon since 1998, he has participated in numerous Voyages of Discovery and many other programs. With his wife Mimi, he joined us for the Hudson Highlands leg of the voyage to assume the position of master gunner.

Mimi Prime is a respiratory therapist at Vassar and is also a qualified Half Moon crew member.

Nanne Kalma & Ankie van der Meer

Ankie van der Meer & Nanne Kalma

Dutch performers Ankie van der Meer and Nanne Kalma joined us at the Newburgh, Poughkeepsie, and Kingston docks to entertain the adoring crowds.

Ankie van der Meer was born in 1959. Music was in her soul, if not practiced in her family, and at 14 she took up the guitar in order to accompany herself in song. In her late teens she was invited to join a Frisian folk group led by Nanne Kalma. That was the beginning of a life long career in music as well as a life long partnership with Nanne.

Nanne Kalma, born in 1949, grew up in Leeuwarden, the capital of the province of Friesland. After playing rock and roll for several years in the 1960s, his musical interests veered more toward a gentler, acoustic sound and the early 1970s found him performing folk music. He began setting lyrics of Frisian poets to music, expanding the repertoire of Dutch folk song. Ankie joined the group he had formed -- Irolt -- in the mid '70s and, as Irolt parted ways 11 years later, they formed Kat yn 't Seil with Marita Kruijswijk and Marian Nesse.

Click here to visit their Dutch website (external link).

Barry Keegan

Barry Keegan is a Westchester, NY, native, who grew up collecting Indian artifacts and rocks along the Hudson River shore. His childhood forays developed into a passion for learning about and practicing the technology of Eastern Woodland Indians. He combines scholarly research with practical work, and is a talented practioner of flint knapping, dugout canoe construction, tool use, and tanning.

Mr. Keegan joined us dockside to help run presentations at Newburgh, Poughkeepsie, and Kingston.

Barbara Fratianni

Barbara Fratianni is the Quadricentennial Commission Deputy Director. She joined us for the trip from Kingston to Catskill. While on board, she was placed in the duty roster and earned an official orange crew shirt!

Pixie Brown & Gale Brownlee

Gale Brownlee & Pixie Brown

Gale Brownlee was Miss Henry Hudson 1959, and joined us with her daughter Pixie Brown for the trip from Kingston to Catskill. Ms. Brownlee insisted on pulling her own weight as a full crew member, inspiring all of the other special guests on board to follow her lead. Ms. Brownlee and Ms. Brown were both placed on the duty roster and earned their official orange crew shirts!

Bert Berat

Bert Berat is the one-man production team of Bert Berat Images (external link) of Pomona, NY, tackling the tasks of photographer, videographer, editor, and special effects. He is shooting a documentary on the River Day Flotilla for Launch 5.

Mr. Berat boarded the Half Moon at Kingston, but spent his entire first day on board filming from the main top. When he returned the next day to sail with us from Catskill to Coeymans, he was placed in the duty roster and earned an official orange crew shirt!

Britt Godshalk

Britt Godshalk has been reporting for Capital News 9 since 2007. She started her career down the Hudson at New York 1, Capital News 9's sister station. A native of the Massachusetts coast, Ms. Godshalk loves sailing with her dad on his Hinckley 42 ft. spinnaker, but she can't wait to brag about her time aboard the beautiful Half Moon.

The Capital News 9 team boarded at Catskill, spent the night, and sailed with us to Coeymans. While on board, Ms. Godshalk was placed on the duty roster, earning an official orange crew shirt!