September 13, 2021 | THE LAKER | Page 3
The Best Little Steamin’ Event on Winnipesaukee!
of a rite of passage. David laughs as he says, “If you haven’t been to the event, you need to attend because everyone does at one time or another.” David started the event all those years ago to share the hobby of steam boating with other owners of the unique boats and to provide a great spectator event for the public. The event is quite casual, and David says there are no set hours, although the boats are there usually by about 9 am. Steamboat owners love to show off their steamboats and hang out with other boat owners and also answer questions that spectators may have. Leading up to the event, David fields inquiries from steamboat collectors, enthusiasts and from people who don’t know much about steamboats but want to find out more. “We have been getting a lot of calls and inquiries from
spending a lot of time at Goodhue Hawkins Navy Yard in Wolfeboro where his father and grandfather worked on the lake running and fixing commercial steamboats. “My grandfather had steamboats in the early 1900s and my Dad followed. In the 1930s, the last of the steamboats were dying off. After that, they went to gas powered. Then, during World War II with the gasoline shortage, steamboats were a good way to get around,” David says. David learned at a young age how to work on the little steam-powered vessels. Over the years, he has owned many steamboats and he loves to talk about the old-fashioned vessels. Historically, the Lee’s Mill meet started casually and to a large extent, the event has continued to have a laidback, come-as-you-are atmosphere. “I started the meet in the early 1970s after we were down at the Weirs for a boat show.” David and fellow steamboat owners/friends discussed the growing interest in antique boats and steamboats. The group talked about having a cookout. A few steam boater owners showed up and it just grew from there. Those who come to show off their steamboats, to share stories and ask questions about problems they may be having with their steamboat are all welcome, although you must contact David ahead of time at 603-476-2224 • Steamboat continued on page 4
potential guests, and many are telling him they are considering getting a steamboat” which delights him. As president of the Lee’s Mill Steamboat Association, he coordinates steamboat participants and catering and a lot more as he and his helpers prepare for the annual steamboat event. David is a lifelong expert when it comes to anything steam operated and he has passed his love on to his sons Dave Jr., Blair and Brian. His daughter, Kelly, contributes by running the cook nook at the event. The nook will have burgers, hotdogs, other foods and Kelly’s homemade apple pie. The nook will also have t-shirts with the steamboat meet emblem, among other items. Steam boating just seems to come naturally to David and his sons (Dave Jr., Blair and Brian). David grew up
COZY CABIN RUSTICS
Winter Winter Storage Storage Winter Storage
elivery & Setu p
and and
FallFall Boat Boat SaleSale Fall Boat Sale
Cabin Rust ic
y oz
-F ur ni
and and
ture & Mattre
sse s
PLYMOUTH
599 Tenney Mtn. Hwy.
312 Daniel Webster Hwy.
603-238-3250
603-279-1333
Mon-Sat 9-5 / Sun 10-5
Boat Storage Value Package Pricing
MEREDITH Mon-Fri 9-5:30 Sat 9-6 / Sun 10-5
Includes: Haul-Out, Engine Winterization, Shrink-Wrap, Storage, Summerizing and Spring Launch • Inside or Outside Storage Available
Presrt Std Presrt Std US Postage US Postage PAID PAID Laconia, NH Laconia, NH Permit #200 Permit #200
2 BAYSHORE DRIVE Presrt Std MEREDITH, NH 03253 Presrt Std Presrt Std US Postage
C
Presrt Std US Postage US Postage PAID US Postage PAID PAID Laconia, NH PAID NH Laconia, Laconia, NH PermitNH #200 Laconia, Permit #200 Permit #200 Permit #200
—FURNITURE & MATTRESSES— F EE LocaR lD
s
Winter Storage
OPEN DAILY • COZYCABINRUSTICS.COM
and
Fall Boat Sale
P.O. Box 119, Wolfeboro Falls, NH 03896
603-569-5257 in NH 1-800-339-5257 FAX 603-569-5258
pressreleases@thelaker.com • lkr@thelaker.com • www.thelaker.com
This newspaper assumes no financial responsibility for typographical errors but will reprint that part of an advertisement in which the typographical error affects the value of same. Advertisers will please notify the management immediately of any errors which may occur. All rights reserved. No reproduction in part or whole without expressed written consent.
PUBLISHER Dan Smiley ADVERTISING Phil Ouellette Maureen Padula
EDITOR Kathi Caldwell-Hopper
2 BAYSHORE DRIVE MEREDITH, NH 03253
Smiley Publishing Group, LLC dba Panoramic Publishing Group/The Laker
Subscribe to our Boat-tip Newsletter – Visit www.MeredithMarina.com
Low Prices and Great Service ® Save up to 20%! Certified Techs for Mercury/MerCruiser Volvo Penta & Yamaha
2 BAYSHORE DRIVE 2 BAYSHORE DRIVE MEREDITH, NH 03253 MEREDITH, NH 03253
2 BAYSHORE DRIVE MEREDITH, NH 03253
MEREDITH, NH 03253
Presrt Std US Postage US Postage PAID PAID Laconia, NH Laconia, NH Permit #200 Permit #200
By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper The Lee’s Mill Steamboat Meet founder and organizer, David Thompson, recalls the early steamboat meet “back in 1972” that came about after some guys that liked antique boats got talking about having a get-together. It was planned for some boat lovers to meet up and show off their boats and maybe have a picnic or cookout. That was 49 years ago, and while the world has changed, the charming little steamboats beloved by many haven’t changed that much. In the past, steamboat enthusiasts from all over the world attended the popular event at the Lee’s location in Moultonboro. Although the recent pandemic made things a bit uncertain everywhere, the Steamboat Meet is a great event, and David is hopeful the attendance of those with steamboats will be good this year. The meet will be held September 10 to 19. As the calendar turns to September, thoughts turn to fall activities, such as apple festivals, fairs and pumpkin carving. And if you live in the Lakes Region or are interested in old steamboats, you are in for a treat at the unique event when steamboat lovers bring their boats to Winnipesaukee for the chance to share stories, get suggestions on repairing an engine, and to show off their steamboats and generally have a grand old time. According to the event founder/ organizer, if you are into steamboats, attending the Lee’s Mill Meet is a bit
PROD. MANAGER/GRAPHIC DESIGN Gina Lessard CIRCULATION (603) 279-7921 (603) Kathy Larson
(603) 279-7921 ®
Wrap & Go Winterization Plan Winterization and/or Shrink-Wrap get it done right
www.meredithmarina.com
® ®
®
279-7921www.meredithmarina.com www.meredithmarina.com SALES • RENTALS www.meredithmarina.com •(603)SERVICE • VALET 279-7921 www.meredithmarina.com (603) 279-7921 www.MeredithMarina.com (603) 279-7921
603-279-7921• www.meredithmarina.com
