The Columbia

Junior Crafstmen continue to excel

The Antique and Classic Boat Society’s Jr. Craftsman Youth Program was started in 2000 by Les Demaline. This past winter members of the ACBS were given information on the Jr. Craftsman Program and by spring many of the ACBS chapters were interested in taking part. Les selected this year’s trophy from a local trophy shop in Elyria, Ohio. The trophy is a very prestigious diamond-cut shape made from a clear jade-green acrylic. The inscription on the trophy reads:

Presented By
Antique and Classic Boat Society, Inc.
Award of Excellence
Jr. Craftsman

Best in Class

Each chapter’s boat show chairman received the criteria for the Jr. Craftsman Award about six months before their show so that they would have time to set up and follow the guidelines of the program. This year inquiries came in from at least nine chapters but for various reasons they could not all get ready in time for their shows. The chapters that did participate were: Southwest Chapter, Paul Merryman; Jim Shotwell, Chesapeake Bay Chapter; Arnold Rubenstein, Finger Lakes Chapter; and Les Demaline, North Coast Ohio Chapter.

This year’s recipients of the Jr. Craftsman Award were: Daniel Merryman, 16 yrs. old, Southwest Chapter. His boat is a 1957 16’ sea fly. This is a molded mahogany boat and motor called Another Generation. Eric Demaline, 12 yrs. old, North Coast Ohio Chapter. His boat is a 1955 13’ Lyman lapstrake outboard and motor called Rocky. Chuck and Dennis Knight, 16 yr. old twins, Finger Lakes Chapter. Their boat is a 12’ Thompson outboard called Thomboy. William J. Nash, 16 yrs. old, Chesapeake Bay Chapter. His boat is a 1940 wagemaker outboard and motor called Murphy.

The Jr. Craftsman Program is a great asset for the ACBS; it will encourage our members to get involved with youths and it is a great way to help guarantee the preservation of antique boating.