~ Community Involvement in Traditional Boat Building Projects Preserving Oyster Bay’s Maritime Heritage ~
ThisConstructionofamodeloftheIdaMayoysterharvestingboatisthesecondprojectoftheChristeenCorpwhose missionistopreserveOysterBay’smaritimeheritagebyinvolvingthecommunityintraditionalboatbuilding.Thekeelwas laid on December 9, 2011.THEPAST:TheoriginalIdaMay,builtin1925,workedonthe watersofOysterBayfor75yearsandwashistoricallysignificant becauseshewasoneofthefirstoysterdredgestobepoweredbyan engine as opposed to a sail.THEPRESENT:TheProjectisalsouniquebecauseconstruction ismostlybyvolunteers.Underthedirectionofalocalshipwright,acore groupofengineers, carpenters,and businessmenaremakingtheProjectapriorityintheirlives.Mostare retiredandenjoythechallengesandcomplexityofbuildingaboatby hand.Theyalsoappreciatethecamaraderieofworkinginagroupto contribute to something worthwhile and enduring. Financially,muchoftheIdaMayProjecthasalsocomefromvolunteers. ManyBusinessesandOrganizationshavekindlydonatedtheircash, goods, services or discounts to this Project. THEFUTURE:Whensheiscomplete,theIdaMaywilltakethepublic outon OysterBaytoenjoyandlearnaboutitsecologyand maritimehistory.Shewillbemanagedbythe WaterFrontCenter,acloselyaffiliatednon-profit organizationthatconnectspeopletothewaterby providingeducationandrecreationalprogramsand rentals.