from the helm April 2011 Volume LXV, No. 4 PUBLISHER Walter “Bing” O’Meara
Spring is in the Air
EDITORIAL STAFF Editor: Lindsey Johnson Senior editor: Dave Mull Editors-at-large: Heather Steinberger & Roland Schultz Field editor: Tom Thompson CREATIVE STAFF Art director/production manager: Brook Poplawski Creative consultant: Christy Tuttle Bauhs CONTRIBUTORS Elizabeth Altick, Stephanie Baker, Tom Barrat, Dan Bellyk, Chris Caswell, Mark Corke, Mark Dukti, Don Emery, Felicia Fairchild, Mike Harris, Michael Hauenstein, Paul Kemiel, Capt. Frank Lanier, Roger McAfee, Terry W. Phipps, Zuzana Prochazka, Greg Proteau, Jacqui Ronan, Richard Steinberger, Colleen H. Troupis, Dave Wallace
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t’s mid-March, and we are moving—albeit slowly— towards spring. Here in Chicago, we’ve had record snow this winter—including one of the worst snow storms recorded in our city’s history. Fuses are short, colors are grey, and mental states border-line. Note Milt Gallups’ ad. It ran in a 1948 issue of Lakeland Yachting. I never had the pleasure of meeting Milt, though I wish I had. He made me laugh, and as I re-read his ad, I noticed no phone number, no fax, no cell number, no e-mail, no zip code. Simpler times; nice guy. According to Carl Sagan, “We live in a society exquisitely dependent on science and technology, in which hardly anyone knows anything about science and technology.” As I dotted the last sentence of this note, the sun briefly came out. I felt like a new man; gotta call the marina and tell them to paint the boat! Besides getting us into the boating mood, we also know April is famous for yet another important annual milestone: Tax time. We’ve got a great story, authored by Capt. Frank Lanier (pg. 36), that’s sure to help you maximize your tax breaks related to boating. Also with spring comes thoughts of trading up. If that’s your plan, you don’t want to skip Greg Proteau’s helpful piece on boat financing (pg. 34). In the article, industry veteran Proteau walks you through the advantages of pre-qualifying for boat loans and explains how advantageous it is for buyers to know exactly what they can afford before hitting the showroom. Speaking of trading up, new for the 2011 cruising season is the Sea Ray 450 Sedan Bridge (p. 24). This boat is a knockout! I think you will undoubtedly agree. If you’re like me, you’ve probably wondered what’s the story behind the SS Keewatin, docked in Douglas, Michigan. Check out Heather Steinberger’s profile of this remarkable and timeless vessel (p. 58). 4 LAKELANDBOATING.COM A P R I L 2 011
BUSINESS STAFF Associate publisher: David Leli Eastern advertising representative: Mark Conway Regional and classified sales manager: Kirsten Moxley Marketing director: Linda O’Meara Circulation director: Sharon P. O’Meara EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING OFFICE 727 South Dearborn | Suite 812 | Chicago, IL 60605 phone: 312-276-0610 | fax: 312-276-0619 email: staff@lakelandboating.com website: lakelandboating.com CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING 727 South Dearborn | Suite 812 | Chicago, IL 60605 phone 800-331-0132, ext. 21 | fax 312-276-0619
In last month’s issue, we profiled the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw and its new status as the Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum (March 2011, p. 55). Among the many programs the museum is offering, groups can take advantage of an overnight stay aboard this floating piece of American history. Visit themackinaw.org and click on the “Overnight Program” tab to learn more. For details about supporting the museum through a new annual membership program and to learn more about all the wonderful exhibits and offerings, call 231-436-9825 or visit the museum’s website, themackinaw.org. Let’s all hope for an early spring, and remember: Be calm, and carry on!
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