stem2stern - Great Lakes Boat Building School

STEM2STERN
Summer 2014 – Vol. 9 No. 2
GLBBS Mission Statement
Joyce and Hank Vander Werp with
instructor Andy James at the wheel.
The Great Lakes Boat Building School teaches and
inspires students in the art and craft of traditional and
contemporary wooden boat building, which prepares them
for productive and rewarding careers in the marine trades.
We strive to contribute to the growth of each student as a
person and as a craftsman to impart an appreciation of the
maritime heritage of the Great Lakes and North America.
Quiet Time…a remarkable testimonial to our students,
their instructors, and those who believe in GLBBS.
Sometime in the summer of 2013, local summer
resident Hank Vander Werp showed up at the school with
a fiberglass, fantail launch hull on a trailer. It was small but
had a very nice shape. In the middle of the boat, taking up
most of the cockpit, was a Kermath, four-cylinder, gas marine
engine and transmission. I’m guessing this engine makes about
40 hp. Hank intended to donate the boat to the school
and said that if he liked what we did with it, he might buy it
back. We got to chatting about what we could do with it and
it didn’t take long for Hank to change his donation into a
commission. This opportunity dovetailed well with our other
second-year project, which was an 18-foot, outboard runabout
(see Stem2Stern’s spring issue).
The first order of business was to remove that big
engine and design a power plant that was more appropriate to the boat. A little research revealed that the hull was
one of Lloyd Beckmann’s, which he calls Rose (visit link
for joinery at www.glbbs.org). I had finished one of Lloyd’s
hulls before, so I gave him a call to talk about power options.
This hull needs less than 1 hp to reach its hull speed, and space
is a real issue so we settled on Lloyd’s 36-volt system with
six, AGM 6-volt, golf cart batteries. Yes, it is essentially a
floating golf cart!
The hull was modified to accept this system and then
work started on the deck and interior. While this boat
appears to be of traditional construction, it is actually very
modern. First, external shear clamps were attached to the hull.
The clamp that goes around that beautiful fantail is laminated
sapele veneers. Sawn plywood deck beams were attached to
the existing inner shear clamp, and a 3/8 inch plywood sub
deck was then epoxied down. This provided a gluing surface
to which to attach the 3/16 inch-thick sapele margin planks
and king planks. Then the Port Orford cedar and sapele deck
planks were vacuum-bagged in place in epoxy. The coaming
is laminated sapele veneers and sapele hardwood. The interior
is marine plywood, painted to match the hull, with bright sapele
fiddles.
This small boat afforded many learning points including
cold molding, vacuum bagging, engine and shaft installation and
wiring, and fine interior joinery. Our students are rightfully
very proud of the way she turned out and deserve the credit
for the award she received at this year’s Antique Wooden
Boat Show in Hessel, where she placed first in the contemporary reproduction class, which was very well represented by some
stiff competition. “Well done!” to Matt Edmondson, Kris
Kindt, Troy Huesdash, and Del Jacob.
- Andy James, 2nd-year instructor
Note: Where are these four students today? Matt is with Reuben
Smith’s Tumblehome Boatshop in Warrensburg, N.Y., Kris is
with Michigan Maritime Museum in South Haven, Mich., and
Troy and Del are with Mertaugh Boatworks in Hessel, Mich.
continued next page
GREAT LAKES BOAT BUILDING SCHOOL 485 S. Meridian Rd. Cedarville, MI 49719
906-484-1081
vwww.glbbs.org
“Quiet Time” continued from cover
From one of the students’ perspectives…
Early on
I was excited to work on Quiet Time ever since the hull showed up in
August last year. It was full of rainwater and leaves, and an overly large
engine and related plumbing, but sometimes you can see that a boat
has potential regardless of first impressions. Balancing aesthetics, performance, safety, and practicality can be challenging on any boat project, but
after some quick eyeballing of the geometry, we realized that this boat would
be quite the puzzle. Fitting in the motor, shaft, and related systems, as well
as reasonably comfortable seating, ended up being a matter of millimeters,
but it forced my classmates and me to think outside the box and come
up with clever solutions to the issues of limited space and building
process. The boat was the perfect teaching tool, allowing us to gain
experience in fiberglass, metal, and fine woodworking.
Having the project become a for-real commission created an excellent
real-world scenario of how a boat shop works with its clients. Quiet Time
quickly became a favorite of both staff and students, and the visitors who stopped by the school. The cherry on top came the day before
graduation when we launched her in Cedarville Bay for her maiden voyage.
The aptly named launch performed excellently, showing that efficiency and style can be found in one hull.
- Matthew Edmondson, 2nd-year student and 2014 graduate
And the owner’s conclusion…
Two of Quiet Time’s builders, Kris Kindt and Matthew Edmondson
page 2
A tribute to the instructor and students who worked on Quiet Time.
Quiet Time’s owner Hank Vander Werp and his granddaugher
Kaitlyn holding the boat show award.
For years, one of my hopes was to one day own a launch to ply the
tranquil waters of the Les Cheneaux Islands. Lo and behold, in the
spring of 2010 while perusing Craigslist , we found just the type of launch
we had been looking for, a beautiful fantail. Unfortunately, the boat was
not really a boat yet… it was just the hull of a fantail launch. In a
moment of weakness, I bought it anyway.
As it turns out the owner of the hull was a gentleman who had
purchased it in 1980 with full intentions of completing the build-out,
himself. Well, a mere 30 years later, not much progress had been made. I
then discovered on my own that completing the design and propulsion
systems for the launch was not the typical work done by most boat
shops, and proceeding in that direction was not realistic. It then dawned
on me to speak to Pat Mahon, the Program Director of GLBBS. It was
my plan to either give the boat to the GLBBS or commission the school to
finish the launch.
I was excited that Pat immediately embraced the idea of taking on
the project with the upcoming 2nd-year students. He introduced me
to Andy James, their instructor, and as it turns out Andy was very familiar
with this type of fiberglass launch. Pat and Andy then shared their
concept of completing the launch. I was 100% sold on the idea and was
thrilled to commission the school to take on the project.
To put the real icing on the cake, over the course of the next several
months I had the opportunity to meet and get to know the students who
worked so diligently on it. What a great group of guys! Their excitement about the launch fired me up each time I stopped in to check on their
progress. When I made my final stop just before graduation to see the
finished fantail launch, I was absolutely flabbergasted by how beautifully
the guys had completed this project. She not only looks sleek, bright
and beautiful, she slides through the water in a truly majestic fashion. My
kids and grandkids all thought, yeah, a slow boat for grandpa. Guess what
the favorite boat in the family is now? You bet!...Quiet Time. There’s
nothing like gliding down the Snows Channel, around eight in the evening, in
an electric fantail launch. Thank-you to all at the GLBBS. You made the
summer of 2014 very special for the Vander Werp family.
- Hank VanderWerp
Lto R: Instructor Andy James, graduates Gus Bell, Troy Huesdash, Program Director Pat Mahon, Carla Foggin Huesdash, Del Jacob, Adam Breister, Chris Kindt, Nic
Seifert, Matthew Edmondson, Jay Smith, Steve Ridderman, Student Services Director Bud McIntire, graduate Michael Gravatt.
Congratulations abound for GLBBS’s 2014 Graduating Classes
One hundred and twenty guests turned out on
Friday, June 6th, to celebrate the graduation of eight firstyear and four second-year students. They were honored
by Steve Van Dam of Van Dam Custom Boats, a member
of GLBBS’s Program Advisory Committee, who served as
guest speaker. In addressing the two classes, he stressed
that the inevitable mistakes that are made in woodworking
and boat building are what create great craftsmen. Leaving
frustration and defeatism behind, the successful boat
builder uses determination and ingenuity to solve the
problem and move forward. In his thirty-seven years of
producing some of the finest wooden boats in the world, he
actually regards failure as a virtue because of what one
learns from it. He stated that GLBBS offers boat shops a
significant head-start in training new builders.
Program Director and first-year instructor Patrick
Mahon acted as master of ceremonies and spoke briefly
about the unusual and challenging projects that had
made this year particularly rewarding for both the instructors and the students. Second-year Instructor Andy James,
representing his class of the advanced program students,
spoke to the value of tools; the hand-tools that are mastered
in learning the trade and building finely crafted boats, and then
those boats, in turn, becoming the tools for enjoying life.
The program ended on a high note that induced both
laughter and tears. Graduate Gus Bell came up to the
podium to present Pat with a gift from the two classes,
tightly wrapped in a brown paper bag. As Pat opened it, the
surprised looks on everyone’s faces…not just Pat’s…were
wonderful. Gus had stayed up until the wee hours of
the night, finishing carving a bust of Pat. It was Pat to
a T, emphasizing his expressive, bright eyes and distinctive
mustache, and topped with a miniature replica of his beloved
GLBBS cap.
Three major, finished projects were proudly displayed
for the festivity: the 20-ft. sailboat Katie, designed by
Harry Bryan, the commissioned 18-ft. lapstrake speedboat based on a Tad Roberts design, cheekily named Tad
Pole by the students, and the commissioned replica of an
original Petoskey Boat Company 14-ft. rowing boat that
the students had “trued up” the original, lofted, and built,
reproducing every detail including the woods used.
continued next page
page 3
Steve Van Dam, serving as guest
speaker.
Pat Mahon studying the bust created in his likeness by graduate
Gus Bell as a gift from the class.
page 4
continued from previous page
As one guest noted, GLBBS Graduation Day is a remarkable
experience that is becoming a legacy. The students and their families
evoke much warmth and excitement, the volunteers and staff put their
hearts into it, and the community turns out in force to demonstrate its
pride in the students and what the school represents. Traditions are
subtly retained to enhance the simplicity yet deep sincerity of the
occasion.
As examples, every year Julie and John Dyle return to set the tone,
literally and figuratively, with the music of their dulcimers….like
wooden boat building, a classic art that should never be lost. This year,
Laurel Jellison and Deb St. Onge again planted twenty-some clay pots
of themed red, white, and blue flowers, chalking a student’s name on
each one. As always, The Maritime Museum supplied the tables and
chairs that Mike Jellison and Stan Jack transported and set up with
many other hands pitching in. Linda Jack and Pam Ashlin manned the
Bosun’s Locker, with Angela Henley filling in where needed, and Jane
French was the roving photographer. Set at each place was a bar of
incredible Dick-Taylor Chocolate, once again thanks to Nancy
Ayres, who couldn’t attend but was there in spirit. Hessel Grocery and
Deli sponsored the colorful buffet, providing their popular menu of
brats, superb mac and cheese, an assortment of salads such as their
signature smoked whitefish salad and wild rice salad, and, of course,
homemade ice cream sandwiches.
Following lunch, the graduates took their families and guests out to
the docks to see two other projects: The Garvey, a 16-ft. Garvey-style
workboat with a six-inch draft, that was originally designed by Willits
Ansel as a 19-footer and built at Mystic Seaport Museum’s shipyard to
move and assist larger boats; and the commissioned Quiet Time, a
beautiful, electric-powered, 20-ft. fantail launch that had started from
a fiberglass hull (see cover story).
Such a perfect day!!!...proud graduates and families, lovely music
and beautiful smiles, extraordinary boats in an impressive setting, and
absolutely gorgeous weather. And of very special note, every graduate
this year is gainfully employed!
A glimpse of the salad section of the bountiful lunch buffet.
Volunteers John and Julie Dyle setting the tone for the
event with their dulcimers.
GLBBS puts on a good show at the 37th Annual Les Cheneaux Islands
Antique Wooden Boat Show on August 9th.
Six boats built by the school were featured in the ContemporaryReplica Class, three of which had been commissioned,
one taking first place in a class of seventeen (see cover story). Along with Hank Vanderwerp’s Quiet Time, there were Bill
Hunt’s Nepenthe, and Steve Upham’s Ewe Too. Also exhibited were Bonnie, owned by Mary Ann and Michael Van Lokeren
of Harbor Springs, which was the first major project for the school; the little 12-ft., 4-inch Lawley Pop, purchased by Kenn
Spencer of Grand Rapids, and winning the People’s Choice Award at the Bay Harbor Boat Show earlier this summer; the
Willits Ansel design, 16-ft. Garvey-style flat-bottomed scow, re-designed specifically to go to work in the Les Cheneaux
Islands; and the very handsome, one of a kind, 26-ft., 6-inch, runabout designed specifically for the school by Van Dam
Custom Boats. These last two boats are for sale. Contact Pat Mahon at 906-484-1081 for pricing.
Ewe Too - 18-ft. runabout, built this year
Bonnie - Nelson Zimmer-designed electric launch
26-ft. runabout designed by Van Dam Custom Boats
Nepenthe - 19-ft. electric, redesigned Rescue Minor
General style of boat: ____________________________
Length of boat: ____________Desired draft __________
Type of propulsion: gas outboard, gas inboard/outboard,
diesel, electric or sail_____________________________
Additional comments: ___________________________
_____________________________________________
Name: _______________________________________
Phone: ___________Email:_______________________
page 5
SURVEY for COMMISSIONING BOATS
The Great Lakes Boat Building School is interested in
building a boat for you! For the past four years, we have
been accepting commissioned projects, anywhere from a
12-ft. cold-molded cat boat to a replica of a 26-ft. Hacker
racer. Program Director Pat Mahon makes the final decision
to accept a project, basing it on the challenges that will most
benefit the students. If you would like to commission a boat,
use this form to mail in the enclosed envelope or contact
Pat Mahon at 906-484-1081 or [email protected].
Lawley Pop - 12-ft. George Lawley tender replica
Paul conducting a workshop on his models for GLBBS students.
Meet PAUL WILSON…who many regard as the “Godfather” of GLBBS.
page 6
Editor’s note: It was August, 2005, when I first met Paul, sitting in
a tent overlooking Hessel’s harbor, where the 28th annual Les Cheneaux
Antique Wooden Boat Show was taking place. At that time I was
a summer person; I knew little about him other than his dedicated
involvement in maintaining the historical character of the
area’s maritime heritage. A small group of us was developing the
concept for GLBBS, and someone suggested that Paul would be ideal to
lead the way. That person was “right on”!
Paul first headed the Steering Committee, which evolved
into the Board of Trustees, where he served as President for two
years, overseeing the purchasing of the bay-front property, the development
of a million-dollar campaign, and the building of its amazing facility,
and, subsequently, the graduation of its first class. He is credited with
designing the GLBBS logo, that he sketched using a model he had
built of the iconic Mackinaw boat that had plied the northern Great
Lakes from the mid-1700s into the early 1900s. With some pressing
health concerns, Paul relinquished the helm to a fellow co-founder, Bob A.
Smith, in early 2008, but has remained as an advisor and regular
participant in lecture classes
and summer programs to
this day.
Finding myself far from alone
in knowing little about Paul’s
background and remarkable
achievements, I asked his wife
Moira (aka Pat), a published
author, to write his biography
for Stem2Stern. The following
are her words, edited due only to
limited space.
Paul’s artistic side
and his love of boats have
been a life-long journey.
Born November 15, 1938, in Flint, Mich., Paul grew up in
Mount Morris and Flint. Allergies and asthma limited sports
activities but he still could pursue his primary interests…art,
design, and model-building; by high school he had already
built a pram, entirely on his own.
At Flint Junior College (Mott College), he met Pat (Moira). Early in their relationship, he was given an old lifeboat
that had been converted into a duck boat by Pat’s family. In
no time, Paul re-converted the boat into a sailboat! After
they married, Paul continued his education at Central Michigan
University, and the converted boat got replaced by a bigger sail
boat for renovation and improvement. He also took a pottery class to satisfy one of his degree requirements, and this
spawned his artisan career.
In 1963, upon completion of his Masters, Paul joined
Michigan Technological University’s branch in Sault Ste. Marie,
Mich., to teach mathematics. In the late ‘60s, with their
artisan souls in tune, Paul and Pat became involved with
both the Upper Peninsula
and Eastern Upper Peninsula
Crafts Councils. These fostered new friendships, bringing them in touch with Oliver
Birge, a talented printer,
designer, and model boat
builder in Hessel, and with
respected potters, Annegret
and Gordon Goehring. With
minimal university duties in
the summers, the kiln, the
studio and the Woodland
Workshop (owned by Olive M.
Craig) became primary focus,
Paul working on his current model, the Welcome, Michigan’s historic
and Paul developed into a
1774 armed sloop.
skilled stoneware potter.
Yet, his love of boats could not be denied. His next
boat was the Valkyrie, whose out-of-state kit maker went bankrupt and refused to deliver the paid-for goods. Finally, thanks
to a caring Sault lawyer, the boat was shipped but without
directions or identification of materials, ultimately challenging Paul’s skills. Concurrently, Paul assisted fellow faculty
member Earl Enge in building a sailboat in a shed near the
college. When completed, they attempted to sail it from the
Sault to the Apostle Islands on Lake Superior but the Lake
won out and they wisely elected to stay in port as they both
had time concerns and teaching responsibilities.
Over the years, the summers were split between pottery
and sailing interests, with dockage at Honnila’s in Cedarville
as home base. Even with being honored as a Distinguished
Teacher in his career, Paul is at heart a boat builder, and
the Les Cheneaux Islands’ rich boat building heritage added
greatly to this interest. Eventually, Valkyrie was replaced by
Dandylion, a 27-foot Catalina; her beautiful copper-riveted
Paul and Pat (Moira) with his model of an 1895 courting canoe.
One of the ten caissons he made entirely by hand for the Welcome.
Note: Paul and Pat were named Les Cheneaux Citizens
of the year in 2012.
And of special note again, to those
who have asked “who designed the
GLBBS logo?”…it was Paul! He
drew it, using the model he had built
of the Mackinaw sail boat, and sent it
to his son, Brian, a medical illustrator,
to complete the graphics.
page 7
tender, made by Paul, drawing much attention at local ports.
One summer, Paul took note of a discarded sailboat on
the shore near Oliver Birge’s home. It had once belonged to
the legendary summer resident Sewell Avery, and its lines
and grace touched Paul. No one seemed to know who had
originally built the gaff-rigged, 18-foot boat. Paul and Oliver
discussed building a replica, and Oliver, who had taken the
lines and drawn up the plans for it (as he had with many timehonored boats built in Les Cheneaux), gave a set of plans to
Paul. However, the special brass work gave Paul real pause;
to have the pieces cast would be beyond his financial means.
Oliver surprised Paul with the gift of the original mast, fittings, blocks, bow sprit, and keel, which he had removed
before pulling the boat on shore.
A large boat shed was built in the backyard of Paul’s Sault
home, and the Edna B. (named for Oliver’s wife) began to
take shape. To the delight of everyone, the finished boat
was shown at the Les Cheneaux Antique Wooden Boat Show,
Oliver Birge sailing it back to his dock on Mismer Bay after the
show. Paul particularly enjoys building models based on
Oliver Birge’s plans, one being a scale model of the Edna B. Over time, Michigan Technological University’s Sault Branch
became Lake Superior State University, and Paul retired in
January 2000, moving to Hessel. Since then, he has attended
boat building school classes in Brooklyn, Maine, and a class
in Wisconsin for Birch Bark Canoe building. Every summer,
he builds impressive canoes and kayaks at Les Cheneaux
Historical Maritime Museum in Cedarville with Bob A. Smith
and Mike Jellison, as working exhibits at the museum to be
raffled for fundraising.
Year round, Paul builds remarkable models of notable,
historic boats, each being awarded prizes due to his skills and
painstaking attention to detail. Paul is a member of the Nautical
Research Guild (NRG) and takes part in the annual Wisconsin
Maritime Museum’s Midwest Model Ships and Boats
Show in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, every May. His many awards
include NRG’s Gold Medal award, Journeyman Class, and
two Roger Jackel Best Great Lakes Awards from the Wisconsin Maritime Museum’s Midwest Model Ships and Boats
Contest. This spring (see above photo) his model of the 1895
Racine Yacht and Boat Works courting canoe earned a
gold award.
TIME PASSAGES
Patrick Mahon, Program Director
page 8
As I write this, it seems like summer is
almost over. That’s hard to take since this summer has been one of cool autumn-like mornings
and cloudless skies. Soon enough, it will be
snow again.
Another reminder of how quickly time passes
came this June when I received an invitation
to attend the WoodenBoat magazine’s celebration of their fortieth anniversary of publication at the Mystic Seaport WoodenBoat
Show. As I thought back forty years, I realized
that I started my boat building career that
The GLBBS Crew preparing to row in the parade at New Bedford: Pat and Ed center, Jay port bow.
same summer in 1974. WoodenBoat magazine
has been with me for my entire career, so I felt
boat. A signed copy of the new edition of their book “The
especially honored to be with friends who have contributed
so much to this craft. It was a heck of a birthday party, also! Whaleboat” is now in our library. The GLBBS whaleboat is
pictured and commented on in the new chapters by Evelyn
Looking back can also give us an appreciation of what the
Ansel.
Great Lakes Boat Building School has accomplished in our much
The last event of that remarkable weekend was a “Whale
shorter history. As we enter our eighth year, we can be proud
Boat Parade” in New Bedford, Massachusetts, birthplace of
that we have, in such a short time, established a fine reputathe Charles W. Morgan. With the Morgan at her home pier and
tion among the marine trades’ professionals for our quality
programs, and for the caliber of our students working in boat a crowd of thousands
watching from the wabuilding and restoration shops around the country. And as
terfront, the new whaleour reputation grows, we will see other opportunities for GLBBS
boats paraded around
and our students that we never thought possible.
the harbor, preceded by
One opportunity that I never would have imagined, and I
a fireboat and followed
personally feel gratified to be part of, was the culmination of
by over two hundred
the Whale Boat project. Along with other whale boat builders,
other vessels. All the
we attended a special reception for the Ansel family of boat
whaleboats were named
builders, hosted by Steve White, the president of Mystic
as they (we) rowed past
Seaport Museum. Willits Ansel and his son, Walt, and grandthe Charles W. Morgan,
daughter Evelyn Ansel were honored for their contribution to
and I heard a nice
the history of maritime America, and particularly the documenapplause as people
tation of the history and construction of the American whalelearned we were from
that faraway place
in the Great Lakes,
called Michigan.
Ed and Bud with U.S.S. Constitution
Captain Sean Kearns.
GLBBS graduates
Ed Greiner and Jay
Phelps, and I were joined by Sean Bercaw, second mate on
the Morgan, acting as our steersman, and two accomplished
New Bedford rowers during our first four-hour tour around
the harbor. As the oldest member of our crew, I was happily
surprised how easily our whaleboat rowed, and, with the
exception of some sunburn, was delivered safely ashore.
Now, very soon, another new class of boat building
students will be arriving to settle in for the fall and winter to
begin their adventure learning new skills and with a new career
awaiting them. I know you will join me in wishing them a very
hearty, “Welcome and good luck!”.
Charles W. Morgan at the pier in New Bedford.
NOTE: GLBBS Graduate Ed Greiner and Student Services
Director Bud McIntire had the honor of being on board the
USS Constitution as part of the celebration (see above photo).
Adam Burks working with a paddleboard student.
Katharine Wells with her Cocktail Racer “Pirate Girl” and
her father, Tony, in costume.
John Wilson explaining a Shaker box detail.
Brian Nettleton’s Wood Duck class.
Suzie Garner and her dad, Ed, of California and Georgian Bay, taking a break from their Wood Duck Class.
Pablo Encinias of Brooklyn, NY, and Henry
Hickman of Petoskey, MI, with their Shearwaters.
Summer
flies by at GLBBS!
.
is involved, but they almost all come away with a great sense
of satisfaction in having. built a beautiful boat in just 5 ½
days.
In July, Pete Mathews of the Michigan Maritime
Museum and Traditional Small Craft Association taught two
back-to-back classes. One of his students in Marine Finishes
and Finishing commented, “Pete made major changes to my
painting and brush techniques. He changed my brush direction, length of stroke, how to end the stroke, how to paint off
the edges, etc., etc. Thank you, Pete Mathews!” His Waterfront Photography class also brought in all fives.
The first week of August, Program Director Pat Mahon
gave a five-day class in Classic Hand Tool Woodworking
that involved some repeat students who recognize and appreciate his exceptional teaching abilities. This was followed by
second- year instructor Andy James’s CLC Cocktail Class
Racer workshop. Their comments: “We’re having a ball!”
It was obvious when you see the pic of Katharine Wells with
her father, Dr. Tony Wells of Toronto, Ontario. He said that
she loves racing boats and her signature color is pink, so she
brought her own special burgee and Andy supplied Tony
with a pirate’s wig he had from the recent Pirates Day
festivities. Needless to say, her racer will be painted pink!
Brian Nettleton’s CLC Wood Duck students seemed
to instantly bond. “Great classmates! All very helpful and
friendly.” “People in the class were the best group you could
ask for!”
In summary, as is the case with the nine-month classes, great
instructors are vital but it’s the students who really make it!
page 9
A nice mix of artisan and boat building classes takes place from
mid-June to early September, bringing together participants from
.coast to coast. Usually we have a wealth of photos and stories covering the entire program but this issue needed to devote more space
than usual to Boat Show coverage, so here’s our peep show version.
Under the tutelage of Adam Burks, GLBBS’s satellite Kaholo Paddle Board Class in Charlevoix, Michigan, was a sell-out,
with students coming from Wisconsin and New Jersey and Hawaii.
GLBBS plans to conduct one on its own premises next summer. We’ll announce the date this fall. The first week of August,
Adam conducted a CLC Shearwater Kayak class at the Maritime
Heritage Alliance in Traverse City, with the usual praise for his
patience and knowledge.
Dr. Dan Field’s Metal Casting Class in June again brought rave
reviews. It was held in his little foundry by his summer cottage in
Cedarville. His teaching received five stars but so did his wife
Linda Henderson’s great lunches!
Also in June, known author and teacher John Wilson of Charlotte, Michigan, conducted two unique classes, back to back, in the
making of wood tools and Shaker oval boxes. Surveys are given
out to all summer students at the end of their workshops, asking for
suggestions for improvement and their evaluations of their experiences, based on scorings of 1 to 5. John accumulated all fives for
both sessions! Needless to say, we are counting on his returning next summer.
Brian Nettleton’s CLC Shearwater Kayak class drew equally
positive comments: “Hard work but top-notch instruction.” “Good
work environment.” “Great location.” With the CLC boatbuilding
kits, the students often mention the hard work and fast pace that
THANK YOU for responding to our survey…
page 10
…regarding your opinions about mailing Stem2Stern’s summer issues to the general readership but reserving the
other issues just for Contributors, GLBBS Members, and the maritime trade. The vote ratio was three to one to continue
sending all issues to the general readership. We were looking at cost cutting but we can also look at the other side of the
coin. The web site offers free access but there are many who still choose not to use that media, and wish to be able
to have the newsletter in hand, or to tuck into a desk cubbyhole or by the bedside, to read at leisure. Some commented that
they collect Stem2Stern, going back to the very first issues. This warmed our hearts! So, we will continue as we were
for the time being but with the knowledge that we still need to manage our costs as effectively as possible. It would be wonderful if we could find an underwriter!!!
Shortly, you will be notified of the launching of a one-year campaign to raise monies for additional scholarship support but primarily to cover the costs of the accreditation process that the Board of Directors and staff feel is critical to bringing in funds from additional sources such as government grants. This will help ensure that the School can
continue on an even keel without having to continually reach deeper into those “pockets” that have been so loyal and
generous. — The GLBBS Board of Directors and Staff.
2014 MEMBERSHIPS
William Anshutz
Nancy Ayres
Pam and Bill Bacheler
Renee and Stephen Barkel
Bonnie and Roger Bauer
Michael Bremer
Barb and James Brewer
Hanna Brien
Julie Broadbent
Charlie Brown
Carol and Norris C. Bryson
Lois and John Bush
Bertha and Richard Carr
Val and Evans Cayce
Susan and Jim Cheever
Michael Claus
Dorothy Cruickshank
June and Mike Davis
Elizabeth and Charles Denoyer
Tim DeWick
Kent DeYoung
Emil C. Doerr
Lisa and Dale Dunn
Jane and David Dunn
Robert A. (Bob) Dunn
Julie and John Dyle
Nancy and Jack Edwards
Mike Frappier
Nancy and Hector Garcia
Kress Goldner
Bonnie and Russell Goldner
Jeri and John Griffin
Barb and Clint Groover
Thomas H. Gunn
Marianne Kost and
Richard Gupman
Martha and James Haines
Gordon Haskins
Gayle and George Herron
Mary and Ron Hill
Robert Johnson
John S. Karliak
Mary and Lawrence Kitchens
Kathryn F. and Norman E. Kitching
John D. Kovach
Bill Krempel
Mary and Jim Krzeminski
Lakeview Family Chiropractors, Inc.
Gretchen and Stephen Lauer
Kelly and Joe Lehman
Patricia Lynch
Gretchen Mahoney
Gary Malone
Bob Metzger
Bonnie Mikkelsen
Mike Miller
Peter Miller
Fawn and John Moeller
Cindy and Randy Morris
Steven R. Norkus
Cathleen and Gary Padden
Dave Parlin
Robin and Paul Pendery
Jack O. Petzoldt
Morton Pomeroy
Deborah and Joseph Pysh
Joseph S. Ross
Phyllis and Ed Rusk
Karen and Paul Sabatine
Debra and David St. Onge
Carol and Thomas Santoro
Stella and James Sarcheck
Eric Seefeld
James George Sergeant
Helen Shoberg
Barb and Kevin Smith
Julie and Paul Smith
Richard B. Smith
Robert W. Smith
Frank Taylor
Dana and John Torsky
Jacqueline T. Upham
Karen and Mark Upham
Lynda and Gerald Vandevusse
Sharon Blair Van Every
Margaret R. Ward
Carol and James Whitehead
Scott B. Williams
Donald E. Willman, D.O.
Holly and Steve Wittman
Karl Wixson
Jesse Wolff
DONATIONS
ACBS Michigan Chapter
Maureen and James Adgar
Nancy Ayres
Carol and Norris C. Brison
Tom Cochrane
Joanne and Bruce Evans
Bonnie and Russell Goldner
Hagerty Classic Marine
Insurance Agency
Kelly and William Kindt
Les Cheneaux Historical Assoc.
2nd-year Scholarship
Bonnie Mikkelsen
Stanley F. Novaco
Chris Smith
W. James Taylor
Sharon Blair Van Every
Mary Ann and Michael Van Lokeren
DONATIONS through
Les Cheneaux Community
Foundation Annual ASK Drive
Madge and Jim Berryhill
Mary and Richard Burney
William Calhoun
Campbell Foundation
Barbara and John Collins
Janet and David Dunning
Karen and James Dunning
Audrey and Robert Dunning
Stuart and Mary Galbraith
Elizabeth and Adam Gold
Audrey and Robert Fisher
Martha and James Haines
Shauna and Parker Hall
Judy Hamel
Beth and Brien Hanna
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Harding III
Frances and Mark Herdon
Jean and Kip Horsburgh
Mary Lou Hughes*
Elizabeth Ingram
Olivia Maynard and Olof
Karlstrom
Ann and Frank Morgan
Barbara Murray*
Stella and Ken Pendery
Deborah and Joseph Pysh
Margaret and Robert Russell
Alessandra and Peter Spieles
Martha Tassier
Mary Ann and Michael Van Lokeren
JoAnne and John Walker
Bernice Weiss
Rhonda and Peter Weyer
Jan and Allen Williams
R. C. Whittaker
*Note: directed to Tommy Mertaugh
Memorial Scholarship Fund
FOUNDATIONS/GRANTS
Janet A. Carrington Foundation
Hagerty Education Program
Highfield Foundation
McCormick Family Foundation
Chris Hunt, Trustee
Oak Lodge Foundation
William O. Hunt
Petoskey-Harbor Springs Community
Foundation: Marana Webber Tost
Charitable Fund
Renaissance Charitable Foundation
Patricia and Mark Preneville
FUNDING THE WHALE BOAT
FUTURE
Sharon Blair Van Every
MEMORIALS
In memory of Elaine Altmeier
Kerri Mertaugh
In memory of Albert Reilly
Jeri and John Griffin
Kerri Mertaugh
THE TOMMY MERTAUGH MEMORIAL
GLBBS SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Autore Oil Company
Kerri Mertaugh
Robert W. Smith
BOAT DONATIONS
Hand-built Ron Paquin birch bark canoe
Shelley and Glenn Hughes
Driftboat - Jim Abel
9-ft. wood rowboat - Steve Malette
Alden 16-ft. ocean shell rowing boat
Sue and Evan Noyes
1963 Cruisers Inc. lapside runabout
Bruce Benter
1956 Century Palomino - Rickey Chase
Lightning sailboat - Bill Stewart
Crestliner Sabre 22-ft. cabin cruiser
Robert Trombley
Jet 14-ft. sailboat
Kate Shepard and family
1966 19-ft. Lyman
1956 18-ft. Lyman
1964 16-ft. Cruiser, Inc.,
Kress Goldner
1957 16-ft Century
Elaine Heile
THE DUKE HARDING SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Editor’s note: A telephone call came into the school from Duke Harding’s daughter Elizabeth, just a few days following his death, stating that she was representing her mother, Martha,
and her sister, Kate, to let us know that one of her father’s wishes was to support the School
and the Les Cheneaux community. The outpouring of gifts in his memory has been a huge
reflection of the love and admiration that was felt for this man. The family has given much
thought to the scholarship fund, visiting the school and meeting with the staff to best determine
how it should be structured. The fact that they have chosen to have it endowed speaks to their
belief in the school’s credibility and its mission. It is most gratifying to all parties that Duke’s
rich life and passions will be imparted to others who share the same understanding and
appreciation of how boats and nature are so deeply connected, thus benefiting their lives
just as he had envisioned.
Frank “Duke”
Harding,
lover of wooden
boats, longtime admirer
and summer
resident of the
Photo by Linda Wilson of Duke in his cherished
Les Cheneaux
Lyman, Porcupine.
Islands, died this
June before he could make his annual trip to Cedarville. It
is a great pleasure to his family to announce that they,
along with the many memorial donations from friends,
have endowed the Great Lakes Boat Building School
with a scholarship bearing his name - The Duke Harding
Scholarship Fund.
Duke’s love of wooden boats began in the basement
of his family’s winter residence in Cleveland, Ohio,
where he and his father built two wooden boats. The first of
them blew out to sea and returned as splinters during one
of Lake Erie’s sudden storms. The second, a small pram,
survives him. It is being refurbished and will be used
by his grandchildren, as they learn to fish and row, to
create another generation of memories.
Duke’s relationship with the Les Cheneaux Islands
began in 1952 when he, his sister Ellen and his parents
made an exploratory visit to LaSalle Island. The next sum-
mer his family bought a cabin in Government Bay. Duke
never missed a summer from then until now.
He lovingly maintained his father’s 1954 Lyman Porcupine.
He sailed endlessly on his Ensign Grace and greeted many a
morning fishing for salmon on Lake Huron. His two daughters and his seven grandchildren will remember him baiting
their hooks, helping them learn to fish or patiently teaching
them to drive the boats. Duke spent each afternoon walking
to the “Little Lake” with his beloved dog, Blaze, and many
evenings brought stories and laughter with his life-long
friends. Duke’s favorite location for a summer lunch was
sitting on the dock, tucked under the shade of a birch tree,
just admiring the view.
Duke loved the northern woods and waters. Although
he was only a summer resident, the Les Cheneaux Islands
were never far from his mind and he considered himself
a member of the community. His interest in wooden boats
extended throughout his life. In another time or under different circumstances, Duke would have relished taking any of
GLBBS’s many summer course offerings. He was a supporter of GLBBS since its inception, and his family and
many friends hope that the Duke Harding Scholarship
Fund will attract future boat builders to the school, will
empower them to pursue their own careers in boatbuilding and will continue the maritime heritage of the Les
Cheneaux Islands. — Written with love by Duke’s family.
The Duke Harding Memorial Scholarship Fund
Isabel and Burton Gold
James B. Griswold
Shelley Lazarus and
Ned Grossman
Susan and John Gruel
Karri and Paul Haffner
Martha Harding
Stella and John Hassan
Lawrence H. Hatch
Martha and Chris Hitchcock
Gregory T. Holtz
Jann and Kenneth Holzman
Nancy B. Jarvis
Douglas L. Kapnick Trust
Dove and Robert S. Kessler
Robin K. Kurtzner
Kate and Brinton Lincoln
Linda and J. Roderick MacDonald
Gretchen Mahoney
Marcine F. McCarthy
Kerri Mertaugh
Rita J. Moore
Janet and Robert Neary
James F. Negrelli
Linda and Dave Parlin
Jennifer and Ken Pendery
Judy and Robert Prosser
Melinda G. Raff
Carter Sharfstein
Ellen M. Stepanian
Meg E. Stites
Jane and Edward Terrill
Diane Thompson
Julia and Larry Titley
The Shierson Donor Advised Fund
The Toussaint Club
The University School and
Board of Trustees
Hannah and Michael Well
Cynthia and Adam T. Wellman
Cyrus Wellman
Katherine S. Williams
Denise and Michael Williiams
Lynn and Neil Williams
Linda and Peter Wilson
page 11
Carol and Michael Anderson
Charles H. Aymond
Arthur D. Baldwin II
Jeanie and George Belhobek
Margaret and James Bingay
Elizabeth and Edgar Boles
Louise and Peter A. Borden
Scott F. Brown
Lucille M. Burkett
Barbara and Evan Corns
Jane and David Dunn
John Edwards
Jane and John Favret
Thomas P. Favret
Ruth and Vin Fiordalis
Elizabeth and Adam Gold
GLBBS Directory
Executive Board of Directors
Ken Drenth, President
Jack Edwards, Vice President
Bonnie Mikkelsen, Secretary
Greg Malcho, Treasurer
Jim Krzeminski
Joe Reid
Mike Van Lokeren
Staff
Patrick Mahon, Program Director
Andy James, Instructor
Bud McIntire, Student Services
Bonnie Mikkelsen, Administration,
Stem2Stern Editor
John Mills, Administrative Asst.
Debra St. Onge, Accounting
GREAT LAKES BOAT BUILDING SCHOOL
485 S. Meridian Rd.
Cedarville, MI 49719
906-484-1081
www.glbbs.org
Address Service Requested
Program Advisory
Committee
Sandy Bryson
Tom Flood
Bruce Neiderer
Brian Nettleton
Steve VanDam
GLBBS Associate Board
Last year, the Executive Board of Directors approved the
formation of an Associate Board as a non-governing but
valuable asset to the Executive Board and the school in
addressing areas that are critical to maintaining a smoothly run
organization and to promoting the school and serving as an arm
for the community.
The membership consists of individuals who are
passionate about supporting the mission of GLBBS and
are willing to provide various means of service as related to sundry needs of the school, community relations, and fundraising.
Laurel and Mike Jellison agreed to co-chair the Associate Board but they wished to maintain their role as a simple one
of coordinating, guiding and assisting its committees. Each
committee has a chairperson who provides written reports as
needed, and its members do not necessarily belong to the
Associate Board. The committees are: Volunteers, Annual
Events, Grant Writing, Docents, Library, Fundraising, Grounds
Maintenance, Bosun’s Locker (retail shop), and Community
Relations.
Although still very loosely formed and operating, the
Associate Board has been instrumental in organizing and supporting special events such as Graduation, the students’ Fall
Picnic and Christmas Party, and Beer Fest. They recruit volunteers and tend the Bosun’s Locker and the School Library, as
well as grounds maintenance when possible.
The membership is a very upbeat, positive, non-selfserving group of people who love working together for the
school and the students. It plays a huge role in maintaining the
energy and camaraderie that makes GLBBS so special.
Our deep appreciation to the Associate Board, along
with its volunteers who have contributed much to the
success of many of our events. A fun lunch and meeting
is being planned for the Associate Board members in the fall
to celebrate its being. The next issue of Stem2Stern will list the
members and their respective committees. Serving on this
board requires genuine commitment and dedication to the
School. Those of you who are interested, let us know how you
best wish to participate.
Co-Chairs,
Laurel
and Mike
Jellison, in the
Northeaster
Dory they built
together.
Volunteers
getting ready
for Beer Fest.
Setting up
the Silent
Art Auction.
Susan
Cheever and
Pam Ashlin
happily at
work in
the kitchen
during Beer
Fest.
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
Cedarville, MI 49719
Permit No. 007