Ice sailing enthusiasts know that the Hudson River and its Stern Steerers are where it all started in North America. A short film about the historic Stern Steerers still sailing the Hudson is being showcased at the Woodstock Film Festival. A group of talented high school students from the Hudson River area created the film.
Nathan Burger & several classmates made a short film on ice boating for their American Studies class at FDR High School in Hyde Park, last spring.
It was accepted at the 2023 Woodstock Film Festival, going on this week. film summary Link here: https://woodstock2023.eventive.org/…/on-the-ice…
The teen shorts showing will be Sunday, October 1, 2023 6:30 PM at the Woodstock Community Center. ticket link here. https://woodstock2023.eventive.org/…/teen-shorts-youth… you can buy a virtual ticket which allows you to stream until midnight Sunday.
Nathan is 3rd generation ice boater in the Burger family; The film is also a beautiful tribute to his grandfather Emerson.
Congrats to Nathan Burger, Mia Ferrara, Frances Gorres, and Kalighan Pelish, for their film!!
Tim and Peter McCormick sailing Renegades on Lake Kegonsa, March 2023. Photo Credit: Ethan Brodsky
JOIN THE 4LIYC
It’s time to start sharpening runners and renew your Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club membership for the 2023-2024 season. We are excited to introduce our new online payment option. Whether you are a first-time member or renewing your membership, we’ve streamlined the process by offering online payments. However, if you prefer to make payment by check and mail, you will still be able to access and print our membership form. Your support is instrumental in advancing the sport of ice sailing. By joining, you’ll get the coolest yacht club membership card in sailing in electronic or hard copy.
Wisconsin Iceboat Swap Meet – Hosted by the Green Lake Ice Yacht Club, Green Lake, WI Date: Sunday, October 22, 2023 Time: 9 AM – Noon Location: Town Square Community Center, 492 Hill St., Green Lake, WI
Map Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZV4newyeK9DatiaW9
The Wisconsin Iceboat Swap Meet is the perfect place to check out iceboats and components for sale. The Iceboat Swap Meet is a chance to meet and learn from experienced iceboaters who are more than willing to share their insights into the sport.
The Green Lake Ice Yacht Club is hosting this year’s meet and will start with a party on Saturday night for early arrivers and club members.
Questions? Contact Joe Norton nortonboatworks@gmail.com
SIPS & BITES – SATURDAY PARTY
Social gathering from 4:00 – 7:00 at Bierman’s Boat Palace
W3360 Orchard Ave, Green Lake, WI.
The Green Lake Ice Yacht Club members will provide appetizers. Please bring your own beverage of choice and a chair. Weather permitting, we’ll share ice boat stories around the fire pit. Questions? Contact Debbie Bierman debralakereal@gmail.com
SWAP MEET – SUNDAY
Water Street will be blocked off so that long trailers are easy to park.
Vendors and sellers use the Mill Pond Terrace lot.
Town Square Tap will be open for breakfast and beverages.
The GLIYC will continue with Jane Pegel’s classic raffle tradition. Bring your raffle items.
LODGING
Green Lake Inn – W1970 S Lawson Dr 920-294-3417
Heidel House – 653 Illinois Ave 920-807-0300
Green Lake Suites – 488 South St 920-393-9944
Bayview Motel – 439 Lake St 920-294-6504
SOLD!Vintage Skeeter
Includes trailer with full box that will hold 1 sail and the boom and any necessary rigging equipment.
Ready to hit the ice. Asking $2000 obo
$1000 obo
Screen shot from USA: ICE YACHTING ON FROZEN RIVERS IN ILLINOIS (1949) British Pathe. Harry Melges sails a 4-runner Skeeter.
Previous: Iceboat Tech That Never Caught On Early ISA 1941 – 1942 Video Watch the 1949 Newsreel here
Iceboat researcher Henry Bossett has unearthed yet another interesting discovery: a 1949 newsreel chronicling the International Skeeter Association regatta held on Fox Lake in Illinois. This vintage footage, accompanied by newspaper clippings, documents the presence of a four-runner iceboat helmed by Harry Melges, who happens to be Buddy’s father and a member of the Skeeter Iceboat Club. Observe that the fourth runner was positioned at the stern, deviating from the standard practice seen in other configurations where two runners were typically placed at the front. Adding her own memories to this historical account is Jane Wiswell Pegel, a high school student at the time.
Jane Pegel remembers:
I think the 4-runner boat belonged to Bob Ferris. I was in high school. My first iceboat race was at the Fox Lake ISA. I was first at the windward mark in the ladies’ division in a 20 foot Mead (skeeter.) But I did not know how to sail downwind and ended up second in ladies overall. It snowed for the drive home.
Ben Lampert’s 4-Runner Skeeter Plan
Illustration from Wings On The Ice
Ban Lampert’s 4 Runner Skeeter from the Carl Bernard Scrapbook Collection
