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Each year at the Gathering, Lauren and Bill Edmundson put together an “Awards” ceremony. Now, before visions of Academy Awards and red carpets start filling your mind, let me ‘splain.
These are totally fun awards that cannot be sought after or earned by any measure. They are completely at the whim of Lauren and Bill. In past years there have been awards like Best Legs, Nuts & Bolts, No Show Joe and Tom Sawyer.
As always, Bill was the emcee for this year’s Awards ceremony and he started off by saying, “if we offend you, we did good!” So, you get the idea…
The first award was left over from two years ago and Bill asked Brian Dow to come forward to present it.
Brian started off by asking his “son” Denzil to come up and he handed him the award. Denzil said that this was his award from the Gathering in Guntersville which was held in October and very cold.
At that time, while the awards were being given out, Denzil piped up and said that he should get an award for the best tan in October and everyone howled. Denzil’s “best tan” award also came with sunscreen and he really got a kick out of that!
Veta and Denzil Duncan–Best Tan Award
The next award was a tie for “The Cutest Tugboat Captain” which went to Abby Wilson and Elly Eason. These girls had lots of fun in the mini tugboats and Abby’s grandpa also built a full size tug, the Bo Jest.
Elly, Daisy & Abby–Best Tugboat Captains
Terry Mac (McIntyre) was called to the front and Bill had a “story” to tell. He related that apparently Terry wanted his wife to come with him to the Gathering, but she refused. “She didn’t want to come because we are all a bunch of rednecks!” as Bill tells the story. Terry said that she actually referred to us as “Internet Boatbuilding Rednecks!” And, that’s what his award was for—the “Best Internet Redneck”.
Terry, the “Best” Internet Redneck
Michael Romanick received the “Most Unique Boat” award. His boat is a beautiful canoe with a canvas awning that is really striking. Michael thought his award was so sweet… awwww.
Michael’s Most Unique Boat
The “Deck Swabber” award went to Colonel Wiley Ashley who as a newcomer to the event, worked his sweet patooti off cleaning up and helping out.
“Deck Swabber” Wiley & me in Lola’s boat
“Party of the Year” award went to Keith MacLean (Gaffrig) because all of our partying took place on and around his Stevenson weekender sailboat. His special gift with award was one that everyone wanted—the famed hammer/bottle opener combo.
Keith McLean on his Stevenson Weekender–Official Party Boat!
Bruce Dow referred to the docking of his Monaco as a “controlled crash” throughout the weekend. So his dad Brian got the award for “Best Deck Hand” for always being at the ready to keep Bruce’s beautiful Monaco from being a crash test dummy.
Best Deck Hand Brian Dow with Bill
Kevin Brown won the “Fastidiots” Award for the best boat name. His jet-powered Squirt doesn’t disappoint in living up to its name!
Kevin Brown’s award-winning boat name
Kevin’s “Fastidiots” jet-powered Squirt
Bob Maskel almost didn’t make it to G4 in spite of trailering his Sea Knight from Minnesota for each past Gathering. Not too long before this year’s event, a jet ski launched itself into the side of Bob’s boat, damaging it and coming darn close to him as well. Bob got the “Crash Dummy” award.
Bob the Crash Dummy (almost)
The “Not-quite-the-Iron-Chef” award went to Bill Shaw for organizing all the food for the event. This is quite a chore and a well deserved award!
Bill in his not-quite finished Malahini won the Not-Quite-The-Iron Chef Award–ironic
Ray Macke won the “Big Dog” Award for having the largest boat, the True Grit names “Sea Quinn”. Bill said he’s getting tired of calling Ray up for yet another award as he’s won several times in past years.
Ray’s True Grit–the Big Dog
Jimmy Gilbert is active on the Forum and has shared over the years of his health issues. He brought along a whole lot of boatbuilding treasures to give away this year because he’s not sure he’ll be able to build another boat. Yet, he continues to come to the Gatherings—one year he came with a cast on his arm because he fell off an 8′ ladder while building a shed! Jimmy got a watch plus the “Timex” award because he takes a lickin’ and keeps on tickin’.
Jimmy Takes a Lickin’ and Keeps On Tickin’ and we’re glad he does
Dave Lott had his Riviera, “Midnight Cry” at G4 and everyone on the Forum had been watching his progress over the past year during the build. Well, he got the “Colonel Sanders” award and a tee shirt that reads “sand, varnish, sand, varnish, sand varnish!”
The boat that earned Dave the “Colonel Sanders” award
Colonel Sanders still has fingerprints
This was Gary Steinkamp’s first year at the Gathering and he brought along his Missile. He got the “Matching Tie and Handkerchief” award because his boat, motor and even clothes all match!
Matching Tie and Handkerchief Award–Gary’s Missile
I talked about Bernard and Mary in a previous post and they got the “Living The Dream” Award. They were so thrilled to be able to take a ride in Bill’s Tahoe that afternoon.
Mary & Bernard Living the Dream
Debbie Oatman, Jessica Haywood & Ashley Oberstrum received their awards together as they are mother and daughters. Each year these ladies have serenaded us with their lovely voices so Debbie got the “First Chair” award and Jessica and Ashley got the “Harmony Award”.
Debbie, Jessica & Ashley–First Chair & Harmony Awards
After awards, it was on to more singin’ ‘round the boat and just having a great time! As far as I’m concerned, each and every one of you deserve an award for being some of the best darn folks I know… Congratulations!
The G4 Party Group
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