Old Charles Kuralt Video

[Fitz]

This link to an old video piece showed up on another paddling site. It is an interview with Ray Bozel, a birchbark canoe builder.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/11/13/eveningnews/main4600840.shtml?tag=rightRail

 

[Andy Hutyera]

Fitz,

Thanks for posting this. I'd heard about it, but was unable to find it. One of Bills' canoes is hanging over the bar at the Burntside Lodge outside of Ely. I always make a point of having a beer or two under it when we visit Ely.

Those old Kuralt shows were from the long gone golden days of television before it turned into a piece of furniture with a bunch of chips it it.

 

[Denis M. Kallery]

Ah memories! Kuralt's show was on Sunday mornings -a quiet time! Just about the only show I HAD to watch.
Denis

 

[beaver]

This link to an old video piece showed up on another paddling site. It is an interview with Ray Bozel, a birchbark canoe builder.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/11/13/eveningnews/main4600840.shtml?tag=rightRail

Thanks for the memories Fitz.
In 1980 I made a journey to Big Fork Minn. in my old pickup truck to meet Bill & his grandson-inlaw. That was a great honor to stand next to a real pioneer as he and Ray were building a bark canoe together.
I feel very fortunate to have had that opportunity.

 

[Kathryn Klos]

Love the sounds in this video-- especially the crisp sound of the bark peeling away from the tree.

Thanks for pointing this out, Fitz.

Kathy

 

[Rob Stevens]

Ditto. Thanks for sharing the link. I'd only been vaguely aware of Kuralt (grew up in Canada, and don't watch much TV -or YouTube for that matter)

What an awesome opportunity to have met the man, in his shop, while building a canoe!

A few things I learned from this video;
Harvesting the bark; only reach as high as you can while standing on the ground ie. don't need to fell the tree, nor climb a ladder. Of course, that gives you pieces you'll have to sew together, rather than only gore & stitch.
Build on a platform, and get in the canoe! Ergonomic improvements over building on the ground? I'm sure that's easier on the body as one ages.