Donald Teuma-Castelletti
NORWAY BAY Sept. 8, 2018
The pier in Norway Bay saw an unprecedented gathering past Labour Day occur Saturday afternoon, as locals waited upon a visit from a boating club that usually resides downriver.
As the clock rolled closer to 3 p.m., five boats could be seen making their way across the river and those watching from the pier stood up to welcome members of the Manotick Antique Boat Club, as they pulled up to the pier.
“This is the first year we’ve done a big tour [up the river],” said club member Kevin Hayes.
He explained that the lately-arranged outing, organized just a week or so prior, was a chance for club members to explore different bodies of water in the area while promoting the antique boating industry, too. Though just five boats arrived that day, each carried at least four passengers, many members of the Manotick club or the Chats Lake Boat Club.
“This area is known around North America as the Mecca for antique boats,” explained Hayes.
While Hayes himself did not arrive in his antique, he was proud to share that he is working to restore a local favourite – a ’59 Shepherd. This is one that once belonged to Mort Sullivan of Arnprior, and could be seen cruising throughout the river, he boasted.
One classic that was onsite was older than most of the gawkers gathered that afternoon. Carman Keyes’ 1936 “Miss Jane” was a sight that had many asking questions, eager to learn a bit more.
Named after his only daughter, Keyes has owned the boat since he was 18 years old, with this voyage marking the first time it has come this far up the Ottawa River. Featuring an original, four-cylinder Lycoming motor, Keyes has toured it to boat shows, rivers and lakes across Florida, Ontario and many more spots in the 62 years that he’s owned it.
“It’s my baby,” added Keyes.
Joining Keyes on the trip that day was his son, Ted Keyes, who shared just how much that boat means to the family.
He fondly remembers learning to waterski behind it and still looks forward to hitting the water in it as often as he can.
“I went through my teenage years with it, my boys did too,” said Ted.
“It’s like a family member to us,” he continued.
