OCH Member Mark Folkerts shared this beautiful story of love behind this heartwarming video:
“This past winter I built an Atkins designed rowboat, “George”. I think I saw the original in a video at Mystic Seaport. Part way through construction, my dad was admiring the progress (even though he is legally blind) and wondered, at 90 years old, if he’d ever have a ride in it.
In his dating days 70 years ago in the Netherlands, he would rent a rowboat and take my mom out for a row on the town lake.
Well, this past weekend we were able to recreate that experience. With the help of my wife, youngest daughter, and her partner, and the enthusiastic blessing of the park superintendent who allowed us to drive up to the beach to offload my frail 89 year old mother, we got my parents into the boat and gave them a joyous ride on the gem of a little lake near Paris Ontario.
My daughter was the videographer, taking a lot of the footage from our old cedar canoe my wife’s grandfather built over 50 years ago.
The smiles on my parents’ faces was priceless, and proof that the joy of being on the water in a simple boat never fades.
Thanks for all the how-to videos that made this boat not only possible, but beautiful.”
Earl Hall says:
What a soul satisfying combination: a sunny day, a lovely little lake, family times, the joy of caring for the older generation, the thrill of launching a new made-by-these-hands boat, floating gently, quiet propulsion and memories of good times in the past. Priceless!
Tom Vogel says:
Mark, thanks for honoring your father and mother in such a special way. Well done on the boat.
OCH, thanks for passing this video along to us all.
Norman Palmer says:
I was 95 last week and my rowing and sailing days are long gone. In Maritime training I rowed bow oar and later as coxswain winning many races. We ailed the same boats which had. From down center board and dipping lug rig. Last sailboat I owned was a 14’ Falcon class. Prior to that a sailing canoe, a 17’ sailing kayak. Also in 45 two weeks on the three master Velma. Crewed on a low number wooden Lightning and a 35’ Morgan. I watch your videos with jealousy and longing.
David Flanders says:
That was the sweetest. We can all learn from that. Many thanks./
George Hill says:
Last summer, a year ago, my 13 year-old grandson and I bought a kit for a 14-foot, “stitch-and-glue” rowing and sailing skiff from Chesapeake Light Craft and built it on his back porch. Shortly thereafter, his family moved to Belgium and took the boat with them. They joined a small, modest family yacht club on a small urban lake where they row and sail it. The boat is enjoyed by the extended family and admired by the other club members. I enjoy sailing with my grandsons whenever we visit.
Anthony Botsman says:
This is a great reminder that life’s greatest pleasures are not expensive ; what a great gift and recognition of what the parents gave all those years ago, well done all concerned!!
Ed Altonji says:
Moments, and stories, like this do a lot to remind us there’s so much good all around us. Thank you for sharing!
Michael Vaughan says:
Eximious!