Brad Fisher
LOVES Wooden Canoes
What a remarkable day! Jackie and Andy Hutyera’s home (or carriage house) in Cadiz, Ohio was the site of an ambitious meeting of hardy souls to continue the restoration of one of Joe Seliga’s famous canoes that Andy had began early last year. His progress on the project was interrupted by his sudden death in August in Canada while vacationing with family.
Many ribs had been replaced by Andy; old worn canvas had been removed & replaced after stretching. Realize it is Jackie who is writing this and I am not knowledgeable about these procedures if I have got these sequences mixed up. In attendance were Larry Barth, his guest Clint, Brad Fisher, Craig Johnson, Diane McVey, Holly Hutyera, Ted Hahn, Janet & George Reid, and Jackie.
They first moved the Seliga to the lower level of the carriage house out of the sun where it was cooler. Three fans were in operation. Stirring of the “filling compound” was commenced by Craig with some difficulty. Finally someone brought a crow bar down and things started to mix, but with muscle applied. We brought down a few chairs for those not working at the moment (or kibitzing). A spouted water cooler with good reverse osmosis ice water was placed nearby and Janet arranged red solo cups with names of all participants at the ready. Restroom directions were offered.
Garden tours were extended to those interested with explanations of ‘deer proof fencing’, solar powered electric assist, cardboard weed control as organic gardening strategy and drip irrigation. Also cold brew coffee for those flagging in energy or needing a cool off in the air conditioned house.
When filler was mixed - no small feat- application to canvas began. Someone ( initially George) had to hold the bucket underneath to catch pooling drippage. Many were interested in learning this procedure of filling the canvas. Our most ardent student was Clint. Filler was applied with cute little rollers, brushes (I think) and then, with the first coat, rubbed in judiciously with thick canvas mitts constructed by Diane and Craig. Black plastic gloves were worn under these by some to protect the hands. Much rubbing with &/or against the gain of the canvas was required. Fatigue necessitated switching off of jobs. There was, as usual with our chapter head, Brad occasion for humor ( I believe he called it heckling).
Some of the other numerous canoes in this and adjoining space were viewed as time allowed. I think a good time was had by all. The meeting began at 10 AM and we had lunch reservations at Christopher’s restaurant at 1 PM. When Andrew would complete this filling operation by himself it would take all day and leave him exhausted & needing a shower & nourishing food. With all these willing workers three hours was about right. I offered a pile of clean canoe shirts to any who wanted a change.
Lunch was excellent, as usual at Christopher’s. Lots of fun around the tables. Some good memories shared. We all came back here to do final check & found no great tasks remained. Packing up, Holly & I had found two pairs of Andrew’s still good shoes that needed a home. Amidst much love & laughter & ‘bossiness’ from me, Larry and Clint were encouraged to try them on. Finding that they fit both of them, Larry stated, “ Now I shall have to try to fill Andy’s shoes!” Hardly a dry eye in the place again with love and laughter.
Many ribs had been replaced by Andy; old worn canvas had been removed & replaced after stretching. Realize it is Jackie who is writing this and I am not knowledgeable about these procedures if I have got these sequences mixed up. In attendance were Larry Barth, his guest Clint, Brad Fisher, Craig Johnson, Diane McVey, Holly Hutyera, Ted Hahn, Janet & George Reid, and Jackie.
They first moved the Seliga to the lower level of the carriage house out of the sun where it was cooler. Three fans were in operation. Stirring of the “filling compound” was commenced by Craig with some difficulty. Finally someone brought a crow bar down and things started to mix, but with muscle applied. We brought down a few chairs for those not working at the moment (or kibitzing). A spouted water cooler with good reverse osmosis ice water was placed nearby and Janet arranged red solo cups with names of all participants at the ready. Restroom directions were offered.
Garden tours were extended to those interested with explanations of ‘deer proof fencing’, solar powered electric assist, cardboard weed control as organic gardening strategy and drip irrigation. Also cold brew coffee for those flagging in energy or needing a cool off in the air conditioned house.
When filler was mixed - no small feat- application to canvas began. Someone ( initially George) had to hold the bucket underneath to catch pooling drippage. Many were interested in learning this procedure of filling the canvas. Our most ardent student was Clint. Filler was applied with cute little rollers, brushes (I think) and then, with the first coat, rubbed in judiciously with thick canvas mitts constructed by Diane and Craig. Black plastic gloves were worn under these by some to protect the hands. Much rubbing with &/or against the gain of the canvas was required. Fatigue necessitated switching off of jobs. There was, as usual with our chapter head, Brad occasion for humor ( I believe he called it heckling).
Some of the other numerous canoes in this and adjoining space were viewed as time allowed. I think a good time was had by all. The meeting began at 10 AM and we had lunch reservations at Christopher’s restaurant at 1 PM. When Andrew would complete this filling operation by himself it would take all day and leave him exhausted & needing a shower & nourishing food. With all these willing workers three hours was about right. I offered a pile of clean canoe shirts to any who wanted a change.
Lunch was excellent, as usual at Christopher’s. Lots of fun around the tables. Some good memories shared. We all came back here to do final check & found no great tasks remained. Packing up, Holly & I had found two pairs of Andrew’s still good shoes that needed a home. Amidst much love & laughter & ‘bossiness’ from me, Larry and Clint were encouraged to try them on. Finding that they fit both of them, Larry stated, “ Now I shall have to try to fill Andy’s shoes!” Hardly a dry eye in the place again with love and laughter.
