STEVE CLEMENTS
A LIFETIME OF MEMORIES “As I entered the shop in the back section of the garage I couldn’t help but think of the hundreds of critters that had been brought through those doors.” In 2003 my dad, Howard Clements, had a stroke, at which time he lost 80% of his eyesight. Knowing that he was no longer able to trap and work in the fur shed inspired him to publish an article for the “American Trapper” titled “Go Make Some Memories”. Recently I sent a copy to Jeremiah Wood and he suggested that I write a story for the magazine. What could a small time trappah’ from Maine come up with of interest? Then it occurred to me that many stories have already been written in my mind and could be recalled by reviewing the notes and numbers written on the rafters of my dad’s former garage. I would make that trip to our old fur shed to do some reminiscing. With the goal of reading through those numbers I made that trip to our longtime fur shed. The trip next door to my dad’s former garage / saw sharpening shop / fur shed was short, but encompassed a lifetime of memories. As I entered the shop in the back section of the garage I couldn’t help but think of the hundreds of critters that had been brought through those doors. Dad was a proud fur handler and wanted to make each and every pelt look its very best. As a result, we had received quite a few NAFA “Top Lot” certificates through the years. He would express his willingness to do our best by saying that we needed to “put a smile on every pelt.” 70
