Think Spring Event

The Niagara Frontier Chapter, ACBS invites FLC members to NFC's "Think Spring Event," to be held on Saturday, March 31st at the Buffalo Launch Club on Grand Island, NY.

Bill Morgan has agreed to make a special presentation (using movies and still photos) on the accomplishments of George Reis (1917-1962), the owner-driver of El Lagarto, Gold Cup's Racing Champion in 1933, '34 and '35. Not for 30 years would another craft (Miss Bardahl) match El Lagarto's record of winning three Gold Cups in a row. When it won those races, the boat was ten years old, and was known to have a porposing problem that contributed to its record speed of 72 MPH. (El Lagarto means Leaping Lizard in Spanish.)

George Reis was one of the most colorful characters ever to jockey a hydroplane. In addition to racing, he was a poet and stage actor of some distinction who performed at the prestigious Pasadena Playhouse. In 1920, George was an Unlimited Class driver. When racing, he would only pass competitors on his right because he was blind in his left eye!

Building, restoring and racing boats has been Bill Morgan's lifelong passion and occupation. His racing accomplishments include running in one Gold Cup, two National Sweepstakes, two Presidential Cups, two Silver Cups, three Detroit Memorials, one Canadian National Championship, and one World Championship. He has built seven replica Gold Cup race boats (vintage 1924-1935), and for 22 years he owned and operated the Hacker Boat Company at Silver Bay on Lake George, producing over 650 new Hackers.

Cost for the evening is $20. per person with a cash bar. Beginning at 6:00 pm, hors d'oeuvres, a double carving station, soft drinks and desert selections will be available at food stations so that attendees will have the opportunity to browse beforehand a wide variety of photos which Bill has collected. Bill's presentation will begin at 7:30.

Send registrations (with checks made out to NFC, ACBS) to Jennifer Frederick-Kelly at 109 June Dr., Elma, N.Y. 14059. For questions, call Rich DeGlopper at 716-876-7390.

For those wishing to stay overnight, arrangements have been made for a special rate of $99. at the Adam's Mark Hotel, 120 Church St., Buffalo, NY 14202; www.adamsmark.com, 716 845-5100. Mention the Antique and Classic Boat Show to get the special rate. (The Grand Island Holiday Inn is sold out.)

Rideau Canal Cruise

At the request of Parks Canada, the Manotick Chapter, ACBS is organizing a flotilla of antique and classic boats to make the trip down the Rideau Canal from downtown Ottawa to Kingston on Lake Ontario as part of the Rideau's 175th Anniversary Celebration. This will be a three-day cruise over Canada's holiday weekend of Saturday, June 30, through Monday, July 2, 2007. Free lock passes will be available for all participating boats. The Manotick Chapter initially has 20 member boats participating, but would like to have 40 boats total, hence the invitation to other ACBS members. To enable planning for this exceptional opportunity, registration is required by May 15th. For more information, contact John Richardson during the day at 613-992-4813 or Richardson.AJ@forces.gc.ca or evenings at 613-692-2496 or richasu@magma.ca

Did You Know…?

…that Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Susan Dove, was honored for ten years of exceptional service at the Chamber's Annual Meeting in December 2006? Sue (along with Sarah Wiles) is the Chapter's interface with the Skaneateles community when organizing and planning FLC's Annual Boat Show.

…that the newly advocated ACBS Two-track Judging System will be used in the FLC Boat Show this summer? Boat Show Invitations reflecting this change have been prepared and will be in the mail to members in early April. …

that the restrooms beneath the gazebo in Clift Park will be renovated in April just in time for the 2007 boating season? The Skaneateles Rotary Club is spearheading the project based on plans drawn up by FLC VP Janice Miller who is a registered architect and provided the plans pro bono. The Chapter has also made a monetary contribution to the project.