Early Morning in the Boat Shop

This morning TV 9-10 visited the ISEA Boat Shop to show its 100,000 morning viewers the student-constructed canoes and the Optimist pram built in the shop. The first program segment aired at 6:15 am, and six more 2-minute segments continued throughout the morning until 8:45. Featured on the program were ISEA's Executive Director Tom Kelly, Boat Shop Lead Instructor Chuck Dickerson, Instructor Larry Winegar, and student Graham Kelly. Thanks to Kayle Iacoangeli and TV 9- 10 for featuring the ISEA Boat Shop.
More photos are posted on ISEA's Flickr site (go to www.schoolship.org and click on the Flickr box on the lower right of the page)

Plankton Station Narrated Slide Show Available on Line

NOAA Photo

Last week's Volunteer Instructor Class program was on the Plankton Station. If you missed the program, or if you wish to review the material, just click on http://www.schoolship.org/membership/?id=861 and you will find the slides and a narration by Christine Crissman.

Next week's (2-24-09) program will cover fishes and the Fish Station.

A reminder of the reception this evening at the Watershed Center in Traverse City:

The Art of the Watershed opening reception for the first exhibit will be held on Thursday, February 19, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at the Watershed Center office. The opening reception will feature mixed media work by Glenn Wolff, a reading from Winter Walks by Jerry Dennis, and fine books by Chad Pastotnik of Deep Wood Press.

I knocked 4" of fresh snow of Inland Seas' and Liberty's winter covers this afternoon.

-Capt. Tom

Seminar This Evening to Address Botulism in Lake Michigan

Botulism - killed bird on shore of Lake Erie

See the Fox 33 News Report & Interview with Chris Crissman: http://www.fox33.com/category/story/?id=148947

Come to the Inland Seas Education Center this evening at 7 pm to hear Ken Hyde of the National Park Service present a program on Lake Michigan botulism and bird die-offs. For full details click here: http://www.record-eagle.com/archivesearch/local_story_041095541.html

Ice cover report: The small bays within in Grand Traverse Bay remain ice covered (Northport, Omena, Bowers), but most of the ice in the West Arm has melted/blown out during the past several days of warm weather and strong winds. The last time GT Bay froze over was in 2003 and before that, 1996.
-Tom K.

Work Continues on the New Boat Shop Roof

Friday, Feb. 6, late afternoon.

Monday, Feb. 9. - Most of shingles are on.

Shot in the Boat Shop earlier last week. The canoe is ready for interior sanding. The Optimist Pram in the background is ready for its bottom plywood. The uncut plywood is leaning against the wall.

Boat Shop Roof Progress - Feb 5, 2009

Here is what the roof job looks like this morning. Thankfully the weather, though cold, has not hampered the work.

And inside the shop, our old Boston Whaler is getting a brand new look. Thanks to Remy and Bob.

Work Begins on New Boat Shop Roof, Inland Seas Almost Iced In

Work began this week on the new Boat Shop roof. The existing roof will be left in place, except for the sheet metal. New 2 x 6 rafters will be added to allow for additional foam insulation (r-51) and 2 new skylights will installed to bring more light into the shop and give a view of the bay from the exhibit area on the upper floor. Seeco Contracting is doing the job, paid for by a generous family foundation.

This photo was taken this morning, when the temperature was 5 degrees F. At least the sun was shining. --Capt. Tom