PONTOON SEAT FRAME FINISHED

The frame for the pontoon boat seat has been completed. If I can get the upholstery back on without damage it'll be ready to install. RMB

COLONEL TODD A. BROWNE

Jenni & Todd at West Point graduation 1985.

Today Todd was promoted to the rank of Colonel.

FAWNS

A bit difficult to make out but under the trees are a couple of fawns seen this evening. No sight of the mother but she was probably near by. RMB

THE CLASSIC WOODEN RUNABOUT

In the 1920’s a type of powerboat known as a runabout came into being. Featuring mahogany construction and automotive inspired styling elements such as steering wheels and windshields they were built mostly for day sailors who seldom lost site of land. Besides styling cues they also borrowed production methods from the auto manufacturers and like that industry many of the companies such as Chris-Craft, Century, Hacker, Gar Wood, and Lyman were located around the Great Lakes. Well known designer/builders included Christopher Columbus Smith, Garfield Arthur Wood and John Ludwig Hacker.

The name Chris-Craft became synonymous with speed, style and luxury. This Continental Utility is representative of the boats they were producing in the 1950's.

The Century Boat Company was founded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1926. Two years later it moved operations to Manistee, Michigan where they stayed for sixty years. There they built a reputation for producing reasonably priced quality wooden boats such as this Sea Maid. By the late 1960's Century, like most of the other surviving manufacturers, had turned to fiberglass hulls. The company now owned by Yamaha, is located in Florida. RMB

LIBERTY

Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote! -Ben Franklin

WINDMILL POINT LIGHTHOUSE

Considering our common culture and ease of exchange it's hard to believe that Americans have probably been involved in more conflicts with Canadians than with anyone else. Not only the French and Indian War, American Revolution, and the War of 1812 but lesser known events as well.

This rubble stone structure, located near Prescott, Ontario, is sometimes called the “Alamo of the North” having played a part in a mostly forgotten event of American-Canadian history . It was converted into a lighthouse in 1872 but was originally built as a wind powered grist mill.

In the mid to later 1830’s Upper Canada (Ontario) was rebelling against British rule. Americans know as “Patriot Hunters” along with Canadian rebels wanted to form a Canadian republic. In 1838, a group of Hunters crossed over from New York in an attempt to capture Fort Wellington which was located near Prescott. When the invasion attempt went bad they took up a defensive position at the windmill with the expectation that they would be reinforced by insurgent Canadians. Instead they found themselves pinned down in a hopeless battle with Loyalist forces. After five days and several deaths they surrendered and were taken to Fort Henry at Kingston where 11 of their leaders were executed.

ELK FARM

Elk herd along State Route 571 outside of West Milton, Ohio.

www.miamivalleyelk.com