PASS THE PADDLE:

About the Book

One Man, One Canoe, Nineteen Friends, One Majestic River! Pass the Paddle: Mississippi Dreamin’ Come Hell or High Water is Jerry Schumm’s (aka the Paddlin’ Pastor) memoir of his journey down the Mississippi River. It was an excursion like no other. Jerry never paddled alone. Friends and family members signed up for “legs” of the river. A ceremonial paddle was passed from one canoeist to the next—a giant relay. For fellow adventurers, the book provides a day-by-day documentation of the Mississippi River voyage from the headwaters at Lake Itasca to New Orleans. It also is the story of family, friendship, spirituality, and the goodness of folks met along the way. More importantly, it is the tale of a man who has the qualities needed to actualize a life-long dream: positive attitude, persistence, and patience.

About the Author

Jerry Schumm Rev. Dr. Gerald “Jerry” E. Schumm is a retired United Church of Christ minister and Miami-Dade County Public School social studies teacher. In late 2000, he lived out a life-long dream – canoeing the Mississippi River from the headwaters in Lake Itasca to New Orleans. The “Paddlin’ Pastor” did so with the assistance of nineteen paddling partners. Jerry and his wife Jeanne (now married 50 years) have always had the bug for travel adventures. This has included many trips abroad and setting foot in all 50 states. Jerry is most comfortable in the out of doors, e.g., canoeing, sailing, boating fishing, camping, golfing, or simply working in the yard. John Maybin DeFraites, Jr. Jeanne Shay Schumm Dr. Jeanne Shay Schumm is Professor Emerita from the University of Miami. Jeanne tells her grandchildren she had the best job in the world – as a professor she got paid to learn. Her research and teaching focused on struggling readers. She is the author of multiple textbooks books and research articles. Since retirement she enjoys new travel adventures – particularly on seeing the world through the eyes of their grandchildren, Jack and Sophia. Jeanne also is relishing the time she now has to grow herbs, take piano lessons, golf, tap dance, and book club.