Shown is Bob Dailey captaining the Dixie Sternwheeler. Photo provided by Bob Dailey.

By Blair Baumgartner
InkFreeNews

NORTH WEBSTER — Bob Dailey and his wife Leila vacationed in North Webster for many years. Leila used to attend church camp at Epworth Forest.

Dailey started his career as a high school math and physics teacher. He decided to attend theological seminary midlife and became an ordained minister.

He was a minister at churches in Kentucky, Illinois and Indiana. He retired in 2012 after serving as a minister for 16 years at First Christian Church in Bedford. He has also been heavily involved with Habitat for Humanity.

Dailey and Leila always wanted to own a home in North Webster, but were not sure if they could afford it. In 2010, they were able to purchase a home across the street from the Dixie Sternwheeler. They moved to North Webster full time in 2012.

After a year of retirement, Dailey was tired of sitting around. He got back into ministry and is the associate pastor at North Webster United Methodist Church. He has also been heavily involved with the Dixie Sternwheeler.

Dailey started off as a Dixie crew member and then became a captain. He is going into his eighth year as captain.

Former Dixie Sternwheeler president Karilyn Metcalf told Dailey she needed to retire. Dailey told her he would become the new president of the Dixie if they would have him. He recently stepped into that role in February.

Dailey said, “We still continue the many things that have been done with the Dixie over the years. It’s a symbol of North Webster and means a lot to the residents and businesses here. We had a new shaft put on the paddlewheel. We have changed the location where we will be selling tickets. We will be selling tickets at the cove about a half block from the Dixie.”

The Dixie keeps track how many people ride each year. Before the COVID pandemic, the Dixie would average around 13,000-14,000 patrons per year. The past two years, the average attendance was 12,000 people. Tickets are still $7 per person.

Dailey said, “Part of what Karilyn was doing was the scheduling of charters. Leila is doing that now. We schedule charters at the times we don’t have public cruises. We have public cruises seven nights a week during the summer and all afternoon and evening on Sunday. People can schedule a private trip with the boat at other times.”

The minimum cost for a private charter is $175 for up to 25 people. The charter reservation operates on a sliding pay scale.

“The public cruises begin May 26, during the Friday of Memorial Day weekend. The last public cruises are on Labor Day, which is Sept. 4. We still do private charters until the end of September,” said Dailey.

For Dailey, the most enjoyable part of the Dixie is meeting people and hearing their stories.

“I enjoy meeting all kinds of people and hearing their stories of times they rode the Dixie when they were children and are now bringing their children back to ride the boat. People really enjoy the presence of the boat coming around the lake every day,” he said.

The Dixie Sternwheeler truly offers affordable, wholesome, family fun throughout the summer.

Dailey said, “We really pride ourselves on being a good family experience. We’re the oldest sternwheeler in the state from what I understand. Dixie Day is when we celebrate the birthday. Dixie Day is July 29. This year will be the 94th birthday of the Dixie. For Dixie Day, we will have two additional public cruises at 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.”

For more information, visit ridethedixie.com or email [email protected].

For charters, please call (574) 551-7717.