BOAT BUILDING SCHOOL A Marine Trades Institution GREAT ...

WHAT’S INSIDE:

Letter from the President �� 2

Thank You to Our Supporters �� 3

100 Years of the Boss �� 4

New Staff & GLBBS Offers CTE Program �� 6

Visit Day, Snowsfest Edition ��7

The Story Behind the Logo �� 8

Alumni Spotlight �� 9

Halfway Through the Year in CCBB Class ��10

Summer 2021 Events Schedule �� 11

Elk Rapids Marina Scholarship �� 11

Board of Directors �� 12

STEM2STERNNEWSLETTER

GREAT LAKESBOAT BUILDING SCHOOL

A Marine Trades Institution

Years of the BossYears of the Boss

Dear Great Lakes Boat Building School Friends,A sure sign of Spring’s arrival in Cedarville, Michigan is the sight of board member Jason Dunn’s team from Breezeswept installing the high-quality docks they build in the waters of the Les Cheneaux Islands� It won’t be long before it is warm enough for fishing and boating�

In spite of the school’s continuing need to adhere to social distancing and mask rules our students are enthusiastically working on projects in the Comprehensive Career Boat Building program and the Marine Service Technology program� If you follow GLBBS on Facebook, you may have seen lead instructor Matt Edmondson’s post showing two students applying the process they learned for diagnosing engine problems� The hands-on, practical instruction our students get is one of the keys to their success as they graduate�

The Elk Rapids Marina’s Ambassador Scholarship program is highlighted in this issue and it is an exciting model for how a marine employer can build relationships with our students to encourage them to become their employees upon graduation� If you own a marina, a marine retail store or other marine industry business give us a call and we can explore how to design a custom scholarship program that will benefit your business and our students�

There are several exciting events occurring this summer in the Cedarville area including a June 12th Fishing Tournament sponsored by the school; the 100th Birthday Celebration for Boss on August 13th; and the Les Cheneaux Antique and Wooden Boat Show on Saturday August 14th in Hessel, Michigan� We hope to meet up with many of you at one of those events!

GLBBS’ Board of Directors continues its diligent work on implementing the school’s strategic plan which will expand program offerings and increase enrollment which will strengthen the school’s financial future� I’m biting my lip a bit because I have some good news to share, but it can’t yet be shared as it is not all finalized – so look for that good news in the Fall issue of Stem2Stern!

As a friend of the school, you know that we keep tuition as low as possible which requires the school to reach out to its friends for financial gifts� Today I’m celebrating the wonderful craftsmanship that went into constructing Boss� The graduates of our Comprehensive Career Boat Building program will be the craftsmen who will be able to maintain, restore, repair and build such beauties as Boss� In honor of Boss’ 100th birthday I invite you to join me and others in donating $100 to the school� Enjoy the beautiful pictures of Boss and please consider supporting GLBBS students and programs�

Gratefully yours,

Nikki Storey President



2 www� glbbs�edu

We can’t help but be thankful to all of our friends, family, and supporters. Whether you’ve given of your time, supported the school through a monetary gift, or simply spread the good news about the Boat School -THANK YOU!

Jim & Maureen AdgarHenry AlbericoPeter & Susan AllenSusan AndersonJohn AppletonNancy AyresRichard BabcockBill & Pam BachelerBruce & Margaret BallLynda BancroftWesley BarnettSue BarnhillJon BartellRonald BeechemJim & Madge BerryhillDavid BettsJill & Dick BiglerJim & Margaret BingayWayne BlombergGreg & Lisa BohnDoug & Jane BottomleyJason & Sue BowlbyThomas & Polly BredtDaniella BrownSandy & Carole BrysonJoni BurgerJames & Barbara CaldwellJohn CalhounMike CameronJanet CarringtonDaniela & Vanja CemalovicPat & Sheila ChapsAdam CheslinWallace & Barbara ChristyJohn & Jane ClevelandLeon ClinardThomas & Marilyn CollinsLewis & Susan CooperRichard & Susan CottenPatrick & Abigail CudneyArthur CurtisLeonard & Mary Cusick

Ruth Ann DaoustMike & June DavisKent DeYoungRichard & Ann DeBoerWilma DegnonKen & Sue DrenthBen DrenthDavid & Jane DunnDale & Lisa DunnJason & Anna DunnJack & Nancy EdwardsNed & Barbara EdwardsAnne EllisMurfy ErnsterEsther GilmanRichard & Deborah FaustBarbara FavretAnne FigleyThomas FloodMike & June FrappierRose Marie FrazerPatricia FreemanJane FrenchJessica FuscoPatrick GallagherHector & Nancy GarciaEd & Kathy GarnerDoug GeenenAdam & Elizabeth GoldJane GoldbergerRobert & Anne GottliebWilliam & Louise GrahamThomas GunnMike & Colleen HambergGeoff HamiltonBrien & Beth HannaMartha HardingEdmond & Cynthia HaslemRobert & Colleen HavenJonathon HawleyPeter HaywoodMark & Martha Helmick

Grant & Carol HesserDouglas & Marylynn HeuckJames & Terese HunterJohn JellisonPatricia JewellMark & Pamela JohnsonJim & Diane KeighleyDavid KendallKeith KesterKyle KingNorman & Kathryn KitchingLaura KohlerJennifer KotheBill KrempelJon & Chrissy KrempelJim & Mary KrzeminskiRidgway ScottFranklin & Peggy LaBelleMargaret LaubertStephen & Gretchen LauerJames LawlerTom & Mary LayherMarty LettsLinda NoyesSherry LovegroveBruce LuomaGretchen MahoneyBeth MalchoThomas & Trudy MayJulie McCreadyJeanne McculloughMargaret & Jo McGee/

WakemanMarcia McGregorBill McIntireSteven McLainGeorge MeehanMichael & Clemence

MertaughAllan MeyerJames MikulskiRonald & Gayle Mitchell

Stephen MoelterBrian & Mary MooneyDonald & Jackie MooreJohn MooreBrett & Jennifer MoorehouseGerald & Dawn MurrayDavid MurrayRichard & Margaret NashGary NicholsStanley & Addie NovacoDavid & Kristina OlsonGary & Cathleen PaddenDavid & Linda ParlinPaul & Robin PenderyEddie & Shaun PirehMargaret PittmanPhilip & Mary PittmanJoseph & Deborah PyshPaul RabautKathy RadatzJames & Melissa RainearJoseph & Jerry ReidEric & Jodi RenshawHolly RingerWilliam & Susan RitchieJeffrey RogersJoseph RossMargaret RussellBob & Michelle RussellJohn & Marilyn RuttenbergJudith SanteiuThomas SantoroJames & Stella SarcheckCharles SchanerChris Schepperly,Mary SchuttePeter ScottEthel SeiberlingMichelle SewardRobert W� SmithRobert & Barbara Smith

Kevin & Kelly SmithDavid & Kathleen SmithScott & Kathleen SpeidelDavid & Debra St� OngeNikki StoreyRichard & Jeanne StormKathleen StraderRoger & Kristine SzeszulskiPaul & Janet TaborGeoffrey & Tammy TaylorDiane TaylorEdward & Jane TerrillScott & Janice ThibodeauDaniel & Amy TotonchiStephen & Elizabeth UphamLarry VanLareNancy VanDeusenNick & Jody VanNockerMichael & MaryAnne

VanLokerenHenry & Joyce VanderwerpTony & Betsy Vandeusen/RoeGerald & Lynda VandeVusseCraig & MaryJo VanSumerenCurtis VaughtHoward & Julie VeneklasenCamilla WakemanDavid & Claudia WallaceMargaret WardAdam WellmanJames & Carol WhiteheadNeil & Lynn WilliamsDonald WillmanPaul & Moira WilsonDamon WilsonWilliam WinnThomas WittkoppDeborah WoithaSally WrightRichard Zyczynski

THANK YOU TO OUR 2021 SUPPORTERS

www� glbbs�edu 3

Article By Shelley Koster

Boss is a 42’ Day Express Cruiser built in 1921 by the Great Lakes Boat Building Corporation of Milwaukee Wisconsin� The Great Lakes Boat Building Corporation built custom luxury wooden yachts in Milwaukee from 1916 until moving to the Chicago River in 1926 where it continued operations until 1994 under the name of Henry C� Grebe & Co� Shipyard�

Boss was commissioned by Alvin D� Goldman of St� Louis, Missouri� At that time, Mr� Goldman was reported to be the largest cotton broker in the United States� He and his family spent summers in Charlevoix, Michigan where he owned properties on Lake Michigan, Round Lake and Lake Charlevoix� Mr� Goldman authorized his friend Chicago millionaire Al Pack, to negotiate the purchase of his cruiser for delivery by June 1st of 1921 to Goldman’s boathouse on Round Lake� A letter from Goldman to Great Lakes Boat Building dated January 26, 1921:

“Gentlemen: This will authorize Mr� Albert Pack of Chicago to buy for my account a Day Cruiser at a price satisfactory to him� He understands the size of my pocketbook, and is authorized to close the trade for my account� Yours very truly, A�D�G�”

The Boss was constructed in the winter of 1921, the finest example of yacht construction for its day� White oak frames supported a hull of cypress with mahogany interior trim the cabin sides and house were varnished mahogany, brass and copper hardware were used throughout, the large berths could accommodate four people for sleeping, and the modern galley included a sink and large icebox�

Mr� Pack eliminated the forward cockpit to permit the cabin to be extended to accommodate upper and lower berths instead of Pullman berths� This modified layout -which was unique to Boss, making her a one of a kind boat – is still in place today� In fact, very little has changed about the Boss in the 100 years since she was built� With the exception of cushions for the berth and an outside curtain, the interior is a time capsule of the highest quality yacht craftsmanship available in 1921�

Goldman chose to power Boss with the 6-cylinder Sterling GR-6 engine, the first of which (serial #085) failed during a test drive and was replaced at the factory with a Sterling originally planned for installation in Horace Dodge’s newly-built 54’ I�O�U� (serial #065)� In 1937, Boss was repowered with her third Sterling engine (serial #644), a Dolphin Special 6-cylinder inline which provided 300hp @2000 RPMs � With scrupulous maintenance, this Sterling engine remained in service for the next 70 years until 2007�

Arthur Ranger, the 20-year-old caretaker for Goldman’s Charlevoix properties and boat captain was dispatched to Milwaukee to run sea trials and eventually drive Boss to Charlevoix, Michigan� Goldman’s trusty representative Al Pack met him there on June 3rd, 1921 and advised that they should try different propellers until optimal speed was achieved before taking off

for northern Michigan waters� After a few runs, they settled on a 22 x 22 Michigan Wheel propeller which provided the speed of 24-26 mph� Pack had had a similar experience with fitting a propeller on one of his own boats as a letter from him to Goldman dated June 1st, 1921 states:

“One of the best speed merchants, John Hacker at Detroit, figured out my first, second and third propellers, and the last one is a peach and gives me some speed�”

Boss created a big sensation in Charlevoix waters upon her arrival in Northern Michigan� She was featured in the August 1921 editions of both Yachting Magazine as well as Power Boating Magazine� In her day, the Boss was reportedly the fastest yacht on the Great Lakes�

The Goldman family used Boss as a commuter to go between their properties on Lake Charlevoix and Horton Bay (best known as Ernest Hemingway’s boyhood home)� Boss was the perfect yacht for hosting large day parties, with the spacious canopied rear deck and wicker chairs providing protection from the sun while cruising�

During WW II the U�S� Navy purchased private yachts from their owners to use as patrol boats, with the owners given an option to repurchase their yacht after hostilities had ceased� A letter dated April 29th, 1942 to Al Pack:

“Dear Al, I took your advice last year about the boat, ran it, had a swell time out of it, although I didn’t go as much as usual� But, now that we are in the war with taxes and everything else, I am not going to run it at all any more� …if the government wants it, they can have the “Boss�” Sincerely yours, A�D�G�”

100 YEARS OF BOSS 1921 DAY EXPRESS CRUISER


2021

THE ROOMY AFT COCKPIT

THE BRIDGE DECK

Mr� Goldman provided the U�S� Government with the required specifications on the Boss but she was never expropriated for war efforts and his ownership continued until Goldman passed away in the mid-fifties� His son Jack took care of the boat in Charlevoix where it did not leave the boathouse slip after 1956 until he sold it in 1968� Art Ranger remained captain of Boss until his death in 1965� In 1968, a partnership consisting of William Dykstra, Herbert Lantinga and Robert Brandt purchased Boss from Jack Goldman and a new chapter opened in her remarkable life�

Boss’ new owners negotiated a deal for continued storage under the protection of the Goldman boathouse each year with Alvin’s son J�D� Their families and friends traveled Lake Michigan extensively each summer as far south as Saugatuck and up to the Canadian North Channel� On the way, the Boss made regular stops in the protected waters of Les Cheneaux Islands, frequenting the Les Cheneaux Antique Wooden Boat Show, and stopping by friends’ boathouses to spend the night� By 1980, the Brandt family had exclusive ownership of Boss and continued the tradition of summer family cruises in northern Michigan�

The Les Cheneaux Islands is a resort area composed of thirty-six islands along the northern Lake Huron Shoreline in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula� Famous for its vibrant wooden boat community, it has attracted summer guests since the 19th century who travel north to enjoy boating through its sheltered channels and vacationing on its pristine lakeshore waterfront�

As a young girl, GLBBS Board Director, Janet Carrington saw the Boss docked at E�J� Mertaugh Boat Works and admired her gleaming mahogany varnish and sleek lines� Ms� Carrington is a lifelong resident of the Les Cheneaux Islands, spending summers at her family cottage on Marquette Island� She never forgot about the beautiful wooden cruiser she had seen at the docks and promised herself she would own it one day� Years

later, she was able to locate Boss and purchased the boat in 2006, returning it to Les Cheneaux, where she had first fallen in love with it�

Ms� Carrington has continued the tradition of keeping Boss as original as possible� When she took ownership, it was still powered by the 1937 Sterling Dolphin #644 engine that periodically required an engineer in addition to the captain to maintain peak performance while under way: one person on the bridge to control the throttle and steering, and one below to adjust the spark advance and carburetor settings� Ms� Carrington had hoped to make frequent trips to nearby Mackinac Island, so decided to update the engine in Boss� A new fuel-injected Crusader was installed, thereby streamlining the driving process and making more frequent day trips to neighboring islands possible�

In recent years, there have been repairs made to Boss’ keel and stem, as well as a few individual planks� For her 100th birthday celebration during the summer of 2021, Boss will have a freshly painted interior, metal will be refinished and polished to a bright sheen, and newly-sewn upholstery will cover the berths and outdoor seating� The original davit system will be refastened in order to mount Boss’ original 1925 Thomas Fleming Day dinghy�

Perhaps nowhere is there as fine an example of antique yacht craftsmanship still being piloted today� One thing is sure, were it not for Boss’ diligent owners who were each dedicated to maintaining exceptional standards of originality and quality, we would not be able to enjoy the vision of such a beautiful vessel in the water each year, to the continuing delight of all who see her at the E� J� Mertaugh Boat Works dock each summer� For 100 years, Boss has faithfully provided her owners’ families with wonderful summer memories of boating in the Great Lakes�

Boss’ 100th birthday will be celebrated with a variety of events coordinated by the Great Lakes Boat Building School and E� J� Mertaugh Boat Works throughout the summer of 2021� For more information please contact the President, Nikki Storey at Great Lakes Boat Building School (www�glbbs�edu) at 906-484-1081 or nikki�storey@glbbs�edu�

THE FORWARD CABIN LOOKING FORWARD


Meet Our New CTE Instructor Chris PearsonChris will be teaching the Small Engine CTE course to area juniors and seniors starting September 2021� Chris’s interest in boats began as a child when he spent his summers at Barefoot Resort founded by his grandparents in the 1950’s� During summer break from college in 1992, Chris opened Independent Marine Service in the boathouse at the family resort� After college, in 1995, Chris moved to

Cedarville permanently and began teaching fifth grade at Rudyard Area Schools, while continuing to repair boats during the summer months� After the passing of his grandfather in 2003, Chris took over as manager of the resort and boat rental, while continuing to repair boats for others as time allowed� Fast forward to 2020 where Chris has retired from Rudyard and is looking for a new challenge� “I am excited to combine my passion for boats and my teaching experience in this new role with GLBBS and Cedarville Schools�”

Meet Our New Admissions Advisor Matt StoleMatt Stolle was born in Dayton, OH� The Stolle family business was in the tool and die industry� Large scale machinery and manufacturing were familiar surroundings� Additionally he spent much of his childhood exploring rural outdoors with his father� Matt’s earliest memories are of rambling on the family farm and camping out on his dad’s boat� He has been a regular visitor to the Les Cheneaux area his entire life and always

looked forward to helping prep the family Chris Craft for the annual Les Cheneaux Antique and Wooden Boat Show� Matt considers Northern Michigan to be in his blood� Growing up in proximity to the foundry with all of its furnaces, machines, and parts, imprinted in him an intrinsic fascination with craftsmanship and the construction of specific objects�

Matt has pursued a lifelong career in the visual arts, earning a master’s degree from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and maintaining a studio practice spanning from Chicago to New York City and now, Les Cheneaux� He holds additional experience in the handling and preparation of delicate art collections for display at the Art Institute of Chicago and the Museum of Modern Art in New York City� Boat building is another art form to be studied and practiced, a marriage of thought and form� This perspective and a love of the outdoors brought Matt to GLBBS�

As a recent graduate of the Comprehensive Career Boat Building program and a currently enrolled student in the Marine Service Technology program, Matt hopes to offer his breadth of experience and enthusiasm for the school to prospective students� It is his steadfast belief that the incoming students of varying backgrounds and experience will further enhance the program and the community that supports it� He is grateful for his unique training at GLBBS, and feels that the school is an incredible resource, much like the incomparable outdoors that surround it�

GLBBS PARTNERS WITH CEDARVILLE SCHOOLS TO OFFER SMALL ENGINE CTE PROGRAM

Article By Chris Pearson

We are proud to announce a program designed to address a critical trained labor shortage in the marine trades� Great Lakes Boat

Building School, in partnership with Les Cheneaux Community Schools/Cedarville High School, will provide a Career and Technical Education (CTE) Small Engines course� This course will provide area juniors and seniors with the fundamental knowledge of all small engines� The emphasis of the program is on the service and repair of gasoline outboard engines and related systems found on recreational and light commercial watercraft� The small class size will allow most of the time to be spent performing hands-on skills-based projects that are linked with GLBBS’ new 12-month post-secondary program in Marine Service Technology� In fact, graduates of the CTE program will qualify for a $1500 scholarship if they choose to continue their education at GLBBS after high school� CTE students that successfully complete all 12 segments will receive a certificate of completion from GLBBS, NMIA, and ABYC as well as, credit towards graduation�

The first half of the course includes segments on shop safety, basic 2&4 stroke operation, fuel systems, ignition systems, equipment and technology, and measuring and conversions� The second half of the course covers electrical systems, drive systems, chassis systems, maintenance, troubleshooting, and employability and professional skills� The curriculum utilized to meet these requirements is the Fundamentals of Marine Service Technology, by ABYC, the American Boat and Yacht Council� The Small Engine CTE program will be located at Cedarville High School and will be provided with all the tools and equipment needed to cover the segments in the program focusing on outboard motors 25 horsepower and under� The students will be exposed to older 2 stroke, as well as, state of the art 4 stroke technology� The CTE course will be included in the Mercury University partnership between Mercury Marine and GLBBS and will provide students access to Mercury’s High School Curriculum� The CTE students will also participate in activities at the GLBBS campus that are not possible in a traditional high school classroom� The students will practice safe docking, launching, trailering, and fueling techniques in the fourth grading period� Class trips to area industry specific locations will be taken to enhance student exposure and understanding of the marine industry�


As the northern winter edges into mid February, the combination of cabin fever and the desire to observe other humans, coaxes even the most hunkered down of area residents out into the cold� Even though the temperature outside hovered near zero, prospective students and their companions gathered from their various parts of the world to participate in the on-site GLBBS visit day� The award for longest distance traveled went to a gentleman from Rapid City, South Dakota, which according to the odometer, is essentially Wyoming�

Lead/Marine Service Technology Instructor Matt Edmondson welcomed the visitors as they entered the shop and led a hands on demonstration about servicing marine water pumps� Depending on the application, this is a seasonal maintenance item in a boat� Visitors were invited to take apart, inspect, and reassemble various versions of these pumps� Immediately following, visitors took part in a mini wiring session and were instructed on how to wire their own bilge pumps and make the proper connections�

The steam bending workshop was led by Comprehensive Career Boat Building instructor Eric Renshaw� Steam bending wood is an old process that is shared with other skilled craft industries such as the fabrication of musical instruments and furniture making� The steam box was loaded with pre-cut lengths of wood and quietly hissed as Eric detailed the chemical changes that occur in wood when heat and

steam are applied to it� It was particularly calming as the steam unfurled from the box, pushing back against the raw February air� It simultaneously humidified the shop and dispersed the pleasant aroma of warm wood� The instant association was of being in a sauna, which at that point in the morning, everyone would have most likely welcomed� The wood was pulled from the steamer, and then carefully bent around a jig and clamped until it cooled� A few copper rivets later, prospective students had made their own snowshoe frame�

The next hands-on activity was about how to properly caulk a carvel planked boat� The workshop was led by GLBBS alumni (2010), Grant Oliver, owner of Oliver Woodcraft in Charlevoix, MI� The process begins with the ‘laying in’ of cotton or oakum fibers in between the boat’s deck seams and hull sides� Specifically shaped, metal ‘irons’ of differing thicknesses and a caulking mallet are used to drive the material into the seams between the planks� This is a skill that requires much practice in order to master the correct feel and technique� If too much material is driven in at too great of force, the long term effect can be negative, effectively prying the boat apart� Experienced craftsmen can gauge the precision of their progress by the audible tone that the mallet makes as it strikes the caulking iron� Oliver explained that the function of caulking in a traditionally built boat, “Is primarily a stop gap for when the boat first goes in the water so that the cotton

swells with the planks� Additionally, the caulking keeps all of the planks aligned as one single unit, acting like a spline, and tightening up the boat�”

Various small group tours were led throughout the day by Kelly Emigh, Sherry Lovegrove, Eric Renshaw, and Nikki Storey� Kelly and Sherry also held down the essential front of house operations, making sure that the logistics of the event flowed smoothly�

The visitors took a break for lunch and made their way out into the community with box lunches in hand for the annual outhouse race� The school was well represented this year with both programs participating in the event� The Comprehensive Career Boat Building students took second place� Their outhouse was a fine example of the classic western aesthetic, complete with a crescent moon cutout in the door and a single pitch roof made of corrugated steel� The Marine Service Technology students came in third place, opting for the more literal, Yooper deer camp style, sporting a 2x4 framed structure sheathed in rigid, blue insulation�

After the outhouse race, the school hosted a ‘winter warm up’, serving hot chocolate and s’mores outside in the parking lot with two campfires burning for a bit of warmth and ambience� Many thanks to our volunteers who helped keep the event flowing with plenty of warm beverages and sweet treats�

GLBBS ON-SITE VISIT DAYSnowsfest 2021 Edition WORKSHOPS MEET INSTRUCTORSFACILITY TOURS


Written in collaboration with a detailed account from Paul Wilson, Founding Boat School Chairman

Every good story has interesting characters and that’s true of the story behind the Great Lakes Boat Building School’s logo� There’s Paul Wilson and Bob Smith and Janet Carrington and many more…each having different careers, cheering on different sports teams, and having different favorite foods and yet all sharing two important values� First, a deep appreciation for the beauty and unique character of the Les Cheneaux Islands and second, a desire to see the area thrive�

It wasn’t “once upon a time” – it was 2004 - at a meeting at Clark Township’s offices where a discussion took place about possible sustainable business ventures for the Les Cheneaux area that the idea of a boat school came up� With the area’s rich boating history and the boat repair and restoration work being done here it seemed reasonable to consider that a boat school could be successful� And they were right – the school is a success!

Paul Wilson, Bob Smith and their wives traveled to the Northwest Boat Building School in Port Hadlock, Washington to find out more about what they would be getting into if they moved ahead with starting a boat school� Excitement for the project grew as they toured that school and spoke with its director who offered to give any assistance they would need� The first sketches of the boat school’s

building were done that night on napkins during dinner� When the couples returned to the upper peninsula, they discovered there were other people who saw the benefit of creating a boat school in Cedarville, Michigan�

Fast forward to 2005 when the planning, organizing and fundraising efforts were all underway� Paul Wilson became Chair of the boat school’s first board of directors� The board was made up of the original set of folks who had come up with the idea along with others who believed in the value the boat school would bring to the community� At one board meeting that year, it was suggested that the school would need a logo to brand the school� While no formal action was taken at that meeting, it did get the wheels in Paul’s head turning; wondering what type of logo would work best for this new school�

Logos are visual representations - a type of shorthand to help a person know what an organization is and does� Logos can communicate values and build positive first impressions� The logo’s colors, typography, picture and tagline, when working well together, are worth a thousand words�

One evening as Paul was watching TV he was also doodling� As his eyes looked around the room, he was inspired by the many models of local small boats he had built from scratch and had on display� As he doodled a boat,

he began to think it was too complicated to work as a logo for the school, so he put his eraser to work� When he had finished taking out unnecessary lines, he thought he might have a workable image for a logo�

Paul took the image to the board of directors for discussion and found it was not initially universally accepted – however with a little discussion the board opted to proceed with this initial design� Paul’s son Brian Wilson, a professional medical illustrator, suggested that using a calligraphy style might improve the image so the change was made� Once that was done, Paul added in the blue wave in a stylized M for the state of Michigan� The board approved the image, and it was Bob Smith who took the logo and had it carved into the sign that currently hangs on the building�

The logo design, with its sense of energy and movement, represents the school well as it expresses the dedication of the school, the students and to being a leader in maritime workforce development in the Great Lakes region� Whether students are enrolled in the Comprehensive Career Boat Building program or the Marine Service Technology program they are all receiving exceptional, hands-on instruction focused on the broad knowledge and skills required for careers in the maritime industry� Yes, this logo really is worth a thousand words�

THE STORY BEHIND THE LOGO


How did the time you spent at GLBBS prepare you for your new job?

GLBBS changed my perspective on the marine industry� Now I view my role more as a caretaker of history�

My philosophy over the years is that you’re not the first person to own this boat and you’re not going to be the last� It’s your responsibility to take care of it� My goal is to maintain historical integrity for the next generations�

What is the most important or valuable thing you learned at GLBBS?

I take safety very seriously� Marine professionals have a responsibility to the boat as well as satisfying the customer� A boat is the occupants’ primary life saving device while operating on water� My professional opinion will always weigh on the side of caution and the boat owners’ safety first�

What do you love the most about your current job?

One of the reasons I enjoy working in the marine industry is that it’s full of variety� The guys joke because we have our projects and day/week planned and I will come out and say “NEW PLAN”� There are so many unscheduled events that occur at a marina and we must be prepared to change directions and address those needs as they arise�

What do you think was the biggest benefit of attending GLBBS?

Attending GLBBS is a gateway into the marine industry� After graduation I was offered an internship at Mertaugh Boat Works� I ended my training at GLBBS and started at Mertaugh’s the next day�

What do you miss about your time at GLBBS?

Training at GLBBS was a very controlled pace for a learning environment� It wasn’t the typical stress or pressure of a job but the instructors also didn’t let you take all day to do something� As a student, you’re encouraged to be successful in a timely fashion� It was understood that you were in a learning environment� On the job, you are required to fix things as efficiently as you can because there’s more work waiting behind it�

What words of wisdom would you share with prospective students?

I would encourage students to pay attention, work hard, and leave drama at home� Gather as much information as you can from your instructors� The instructors have great life experiences� When they mention something in passing or conversation in the shop - WRITE IT DOWN� You won’t realize it at the time but someday it will save you hours on the job�

Also, use the time in school to figure out where you see yourself fitting in an industry� Be honest with yourself and your future employers� I (and other employers) appreciate that everybody has their strengths and weaknesses�

Anything you would change about your time at GLBBS?

When I came through the school, there was only the wood boat building program� Had there been the marine service technology program, I would have signed on for another program� Versatility in the marine industry is key and makes you more valuable as an employee� I would encourage students to consider all the programs at GLBBS to expose themselves to every ounce of training the school has to offer�

Anything else you’d like to share about your time at GLBBS or your position/company?

Going to boat school was a great opportunity for learning and finding my career path� If I hadn’t decided to go to boat school, I wouldn’t have been exposed to the area, started my family and found an excellent employment opportunity� All of these things fell into place as a result of attending the School� It’s set my life on its current trajectory�

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

Geoff Hamilton 2011 Traditional Boat Building Graduate General ManagerE.J. Mertaugh Boat WorksHessel, Michigan


Six months into the year long course Our students are learning the more difficult concepts along with the application of finesse. Basic wood working skills have been learned and now the students are starting to look at the details and honing their skills to expected levels. Having a variety of projects at different stages helps cycle students through the different phases of the process. They have built a traditional IRS skiff and now halfway through the second semester have been introduced to vacuum bagging, cold molding, and strip planking. All the students have been thoroughly baptized in the pleasant, if somewhat sticky, joys of working with epoxy.

Students Jake and Brandon applying coats of paint and learning the

fairing process to get a glass smooth coat of paint on the hull� Multiple

layers with different colors help visualize high and low spots Ben and Jeff finishing the clinch nails and rivets in another IRS skiff before removing it from the mold

The whole class had hands on getting the composite Indian River Skiff ready for strip planking� It will be all hands on deck again when the planking is finished, and it is time to apply the fiberglass re-fabric inside and outside of the hull�

HALFWAY THROUGH THE YEAR IN CCBB CLASS

A 2’ x 3’ section of a hull mock-up strip planked and waiting for 2 layers of diagonal fir veneers

and fiberglass to be vacuum bagged on�


ELK RAPIDS MARINA AMBASSADOR SCHOLARSHIP

The new Elk Rapids Marina Ambassador Scholarship has selected Gabrielle Inham (aka Gabby) as its first recipient� As

Gabby starts the Marine Service Technician program this coming fall, she will not only receive substantial financial help from this scholarship, but she will have the chance to see what it is like to work at the Elk Rapids Marina� Gabby’s love for boats began when she was young, but it wasn’t until she was in high school that she realized she could take her love for boats and her mechanical aptitude and pursue a career in the marine industry� When she is not working at one of her three part-time jobs Gabby loves to fish, jet ski and eat toasted coconut ice cream�

Lewis & Susie Cooper, owners of Elk Rapids Marina, expect that as Gabby gets to know the Elk Rapids team and the marina’s operations, she will naturally become an ambassador for the marina; helping other students consider working at Elk Rapids after graduation� Lewis & Susie Cooper are renovating the marina’s facilities with an eye towards building a community space; a place where those who own boats, and those who just love water and boats can enjoy being outdoors�

The idea for this Ambassador Scholarship came from Elk Rapids Marina’s owners, Lewis & Susie Cooper, who contacted Nikki Storey, GLBBS President, to see what type of scholarship program might fit their goals of financially supporting GLBBS students and helping students at the school learn about career opportunities at Elk Rapids Marina� If you are interested in learning how a scholarship program might benefit students as well as your business give Nikki a call at (906) 484-1081 or email her at Nikki�Storey@glbbs�edu�

GREAT LAKESBOAT BUILDING SCHOOLA Marine Trades Institution

Upcoming Events A T G L B B S

ONSITE VISIT DAYSSaturday, June 5, 2021

10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

• Tour the facility

• Meet instructors, students, and alumni

• Explore the Les Cheneaus Islands

LCI BASS FISHING TOURNAMENTSaturday, June 12, 2021

7:00 AM – 1:00 PM

• All proceeds benefit GLBBS

• Visit glbbs�edu/2021-bass-challenge/to register or sponsor the tournament

ELK RAPIDS HARBOR DAYSSaturday, June 12, 2021

10:00 AM – 3:30 PM

• Come visit GLBBS at the Harbor Days to learn more about our programs and join us in the Grand Reopening celebration of Elk Rapids Marina!

LES CHENEAUX ANTIQUE & WOODEN BOAT SHOWSaturday, August 14, 2021

10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

• Stay tuned for an announcement of a special event hosted by GLBBS!

DON’T MISS THE BOAT!

ON-SITE VISIT DAY!


MISSIONGreat Lakes Boat Building School prepares students for rewarding careers in the marine industry�

VISIONTo be the leader in marine workforce development in the Great Lakes region�

BOARD OF DIRECTORSNikki StoreyPresident

Joseph ReidChair

Chris Gutowski Treasurer

Katherine TassierSecretary

Patrick SchusterExecutive Committee Chair

Donald Moore Audit Committee Chair

Thomas May Strategic Planning Committee Chair

Daniel Totonchi Development Committee Chair

Jason Dunn Boat Sales Committee Chair

Janet Carrington Director

Jessica Fusco Director



485 S� Meridian Rd�Cedarville, MI 49719 906-484-1081www�glbbs�edu

Electronic Service Requested

CONNECT WITH US!485 S Meridian St� - Cedarville, MI 49719

www�glbbs�edu I 906�484�1081

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