On April 30, 2004 the Glacier Lakes Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society Inc., was granted a charter from ACBS.
But the chapter’s origins date back to 1974 when several boat dealers and interested parties got together at the Milwaukee Marine Dealers’ Boat Show to discuss having an antique and classic boat exhibit at future boat shows and the possibility of organizing outings as a club.
Ted Cartner (R) congratulates Frank Petran (L) of the new Glacier Lakes Chapter.
By 1975 the Midwest Antique and Classic Boat Club had been formed. Events included Sell-Swap meets, a Dealer’s Boat Show and others. In 1978, the organization was rebranded to the Midwest Antique and Classic Boat Association with corporation status granted in 1979. New outings and rendezvous were organized, a logo and burgee were designed and the Association continued to thrive.
By 2003, however membership in the Association had started to wane. A meeting was organized to decide whether to continue as-is, join the Antique and Classic Boat Society or disband. The idea of disbanding was not an option. The census of the group was to join the ACBS and then Association president, Frank Petran, agreed to lead the effort. Nineteen signatures were obtained in favor of petitioning to join ACBS during the Association’s annual meeting, a preliminary requirement for acceptance.
Glacier Lakes Chapter members at the 2024 ACBS Vintage Boat week.
A new name was needed for the new chapter, one that would signify a fresh start. A number of names were battered around, with Ken Bourgeois’ suggestion of the Glacier Lakes Chapter being the standout. Neal Aspinall, a Lake Geneva illustrator, created the new Glacier Lakes logo.
A number of requirements had to be fulfilled before the new group would be accepted into ACBS. Letters of support had to be written by surrounding chapters. That support came from The Blackhawk Chapter, Bob Speltz Chapter and the Michigan Chapter. Along with getting these letters, Frank drew up a Constitution, and a set of by-laws. Ted Cartner of The Blackhawk Chapter and chairman of the ACBS Chapter Development Committee at the time, helped Frank through the process.
A petition was drawn up and submitted to the ACBS Board for approval. The officers for the Chapter were Frank Petran, Commodore; Wil Vidal, Vice Commodore; Linda Allen, Secretary; Steve Bunda, Treasurer; John Steigerwald Jr., Ken Bourgeois and Bob Kuntzsch, as board members. The use of Flag Officers rather than business titles kept the boating theme alive.
On April 30, 2004 the Glacier Lakes Chapter of the ACBS was granted a charter. Their first full year, 2005, saw the chapter hosting the First Annual Pewaukee Lake Antique and Classic Boat Show at the Pewaukee Yacht Club. Two years later, 2006, the addition of the Annual Madison Area Antique and Classic Boat Show on Lake Waubesa just outside of Madison Wisconsin was added to the events listing. These two shows along with the Milwaukee Marine Dealers’ Show and several boating outings each year, including the active support of the Wild Eagle Lodge Boat Show in June, made The Glacier Lakes Chapter an up and coming group keeping antique and classic boating alive in Wisconsin.
The Glacier Lakes Chapter of ACBS continues to generate new members and improve the growing Madison and Pewaukee shows. Their dedication to engaging members of all ages and with all kinds of boats is a testament to the chapter’s longevity.