Photos by Forrest Bryant & Recap by Kathy Parker
The Grand Finale of the Heartland Classics Seven Event Season is at Grand Lake o’ the Cherokees in northeast Oklahoma. As a Chapter, Heartland Classics is 27 years old, however this was the 32nd Annual Mahogany & Chrome Boat Show because it was started earlier by the Oklahoma Boat Club. “Mahogany & Chrome” continues to be the name of this event, the Chapter Magazine, and the Mahogany & Chrome YouTube video series co-sponsored by the Chapter.
Heartland Classics officially includes five middle-of-the-country states and memberships include many bonus assets from surrounding states as well. The members are as varied as their addresses; ages, skills, focus of interests, and types of boats from antiques through current home built wooden boats. To encourage active participation, events are held in each season and in various regions.
The Show continues as the Chapter’s only event where boats are “judged” by ACBS standards. Heartland members Clay Thompson, John Maddox, and Dan Diehl, three of the ACBS International Judging Team, did the honors.
Top Awards were:
- Most Original – “Woodwind”, 1940 Chris Craft Barrel Back owned by Buddy & Sherri Butler
- Best Restored – “Selah”, 1959 Century Coronado owned by Jim & Rhonda Wolfe
- Best Non-Wood – “ ’68 ”, 1968 Century Resorter FGL owned by Phil Wolff
- Best Retro-Mod AND People’s Choice – “In the Mood”, 1930 Chris Craft 102 Cadet owned by John and Mary Markt
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- Best Restored – “Selah”, 1959 Century Coronado owned by Jim & Rhonda Wolfe.
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- Most Original – “Woodwind”, 1940 Chris-Craft Barrel Back owned by Buddy & Sherri Butler.
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- Best Non-Wood – “ ’68 ”, 1968 Century Resorter FGL owned by Phil Wolff.
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- Best Retro-Mod AND People’s Choice – “In the Mood”, 1930 Chris-Craft 102 Cadet owned by John and Mary Markt.
Three of our youngest members had award winning boats in the show; Callen Foster with “Pappy’s Legacy”, 1979 Caravelle Stingray Deluxe, Aiden Hopper with his 1957 Cadillac 14’ Coronado aluminum outboard, and Lane Fure with his 1959 Cutter Avon, one of the most unique boats at the show.
Participants were asked why they participated in this show. Members often cited the venue of Cherokee Yacht Club with its great show dock and famous banquet. Some liked having a day to cruise as a guest on Grand Lake. Many came to have time with boating friends that they only get to see at events. And there is safety in numbers knowing that OLD BOATS sometimes break down.
The Diehls cruising in their 1955 Chris-Craft Cobra.
ACBS Members who came from other Chapters say they love the friendliness of the Heartland members. Their ACBS membership is a ticket for getting to see lakes and scenery they otherwise would never have experienced. Public spectators often say they come to look for boats like those in their memories and meet owners who listen to and understand their own boat stories.
This photo was at the end of a crab legs & shrimp boil at Blind Swine on the Lake. Oh my!
Food was often mentioned – after all, going to eat somewhere is another excuse to go for a boat ride to the restaurant. The agenda included a pasta dinner, dock side bar food, a seafood dinner (crab legs & shrimp boil), breakfast featuring “maple/pepper” bacon, and then a prime rib banquet.
The Heartland Classics Chapter’s organization seems to run from one event to the next – relying on event chairs and their committees. The Grand Lake Mahogany & Chrome Show was chaired by Kasey Rideout, Chuck Gibbs and Dan Diehl who created one more great memory for all participants.
The 2026 Calendar on the Heartland Classics website is already filling in. Come and join us any place and time – just be prepared for a great time.