July 2020 First Watch

  Hi ACBS Adirondack Chapter members! I hope this monthly First Watch finds you and yours safe and healthy and you can get out on your boat to enjoy the weather while social distancing. Sally & I launched Shooting Star last week for her 90th summer on Lake George. After a few days of my usual anxieties watching her soak up (leaking), we enjoyed a beautiful evening ride looking for shooting stars.

 *****SAVE THE DATE FOR NEW CHAPTER SUMMER EVENTS*****

All events will be held in accordance with the current NYS Covid 19 Guidelines. Please bring face masks and hand sanitizer.

 The following is a list of a few of the events we are planning:

 July 18th Saturday 9- 10:30 am: Join us at Reets Boatworks for a tour of Adam’s shop and discussion of his current projects. Adam and Jessica Retersdorf will provide breakfast. Those that wish, can then join us for an afternoon boat tour of Sacandaga Lake (see below). Please call Jessica at 518-332-3629 ext.3 for reservations, limited to 50 members, by Wed. July 15^th for one or both events (see below).

July 18 Saturday 11am – 2pm: Trailer your boat to Reets Boatworks Marina launch ramp or just come and ride in one of his wooden boats or pontoon boats. We will tour Sacandaga Lake with a stop for lunch. Please call Jessica at 518-332-3629 ext.3 for reservations, limited to 50 members, by Wed. July 15^th for one or both events (see above).

 August 1^st Saturday (August 2nd Sunday rain date): Join us in your boat for a Historical Social Distancing Boat Tour of the Narrows of Lake George. Organized by Ed & Sally Becker, plan on beginning the approximately 2-hour tour at the Southern end of the Narrows, and meandering North through the Narrows, concluding at the Hague Town park docks and boat launch. There you will have the option of purchasing a pre ordered “Dockside” pick up dinner from the nearby Hague Firehouse Restaurant to enjoy in your boat before/during your ride home. Be sure to watch for follow up emails, which will include details of the route, as well as a printable guide explaining the historical landmarks we will highlight along the way. Call Ed at 518-469-3600 for reservations.

August 29^th Saturday (Rain Date August 30^th Sunday) join Ed and Jennifer Scheiber in your boat for a social distancing boat tour of the Southern Basin of Lake George. We will email you additional details as the date gets closer.

Professional Photo Shoot of your boat. Date to be announced. Our member and acclaimed photographer Kent Smith Jr. is offering you the opportunity to have your boat professionally photographed on the water. Kent will donate an online resolution photo or two to each participant, as well as to the chapter.  The participants are welcome to use this photo on social media or the like, if it’s for personal use and not commercial use.Kent will also make prints available for purchase online via a print on demand service where users can choose medium (paper, metal, acrylic, etc.) and frames if desired.We intend to accomplish this in small groups, and it will require significant planning. If you are interested in this opportunity, please let me know so we can schedule it… beckerdvm@gmail.com

 In addition to these updated events, we are open to other creative, safe social suggestions to keep our club connected. Ideas include, but are not limited to, a virtual boat show and/or weekly Web highlights of member’s boats, a Fall workshop at HackerCraft Boats, Keels or Wheels lunches and, of course, our Annual Dinner Meeting. If you are interested in spearheading any of these events or have an idea of your own, please email or give me a call. beckerdvm@gmail.com or (518) 469-3600.

It is with a heavy heart I inform you of the passing of one of our chapter members. Charles (Chuck) Schampier passed away last month. I was fortunate to have known him not only as a mentor, but as a friend.  I purchased Shooting Star from him twenty-nine years ago. His willingness to share his passion and knowledge of boating with me laid the foundation for my love of wooden boats to this day. I would like to share the following tribute to Chuck, submitted by Adam Weisburgh:

I have always looked forward to writing my first piece for our “Watch” or maybe even the “Rudder” someday, but instead I am starting with the most difficult piece I may ever write. On June 11^th we lost one of our longest serving members Charles J Schampier , the man we all knew as Chuck. Throughout his life he served on our board, acted as dock master for numerous events, ran the pits for race boats not only at Lake George but Clayton as well. Always willing to help where he could, offer his knowledge, equipment and yes, his opinion whether you wanted it or not. His dedication to the ACBS and preservation of antique boats was only surpassed by the love for his friends and family who will truly miss him. Having known Chuck all of my adult life and growing up working on boats hand and hand with him, I will forever be indebted for the knowledge and love of antique boats he passed to me.  For all you have done and all you have touched, may you rest in peace.  

Charles J. Schampier 1938-2020

 Respectfully,

Adam J. Weisburgh

Be sure to watch your email for details of upcoming events.

Be well and I look forward to connecting with you all soon.

Seas the Day,

Ed Becker