The Ida May Project (IMP) recently invited two boating enthusiasts to join the Ida May board. George Lindsay, Jr. and George Baker are replacing Lawrence Schmidlapp, Centre Island mayor and harbormaster—who joined the board during the oyster sloop Christeen construction and was a Waterfront Center board member—when he decided to step down. Saddened at his leaving but appreciative of all his years of service, the board invited the two new directors, who are bringing their own expertise to the IMP.
“We are so lucky to have found two new board members who love boating and bring a wide range of experience to the project,” said Jack Hoyt, IMP vice president and secretary. “Their contributions will help move us closer to launching the new Ida May.”
Lindsay joined first as a volunteer builder. He fitted many of the bulwark stanchions and is currently working on the engine hatch covers. He also organized a concert by noted folk singer John Roberts, which brought people to Building J where the Ida May was the backdrop for the night’s entertainment. Lindsay had planned on working on the IMP, even before retiring from his job as general manager at Tilles Center for the Performing Arts. At Tilles, he oversaw the stage production departments for professional touring productions as well as coordinating community events such as the All County NYSSMA concerts for Nassau County. As a sailor, Lindsay grew up racing Atlantic Class one design sloops with his father in Cold Spring Harbor, and still owns and races one today.
Of his Ida May experience, he said, “I am brushing up carpentry skills from my early career in the theater and enjoy the camaraderie of the IMP volunteers.”
Baker comes to the Ida May after working on Wall Street for 49 years. Originally from a small town near Pittsburgh, PA, he has been involved with wooden boats all his life.
“I’ve owned a wooden boat, one kind or another, almost all my life,” said Baker. “I have lived on Long Island since 1979. My late wife was a Long Islander. I continue to spend a lot of time of the water, in a classic mahogany boat that I maintain at the OBMC. I have three children and two grandchildren living in the OB/NYC area.
“I really enjoy working on the Ida May because I am convinced it will enhance the success of the WaterFront Center in helping more Long Island citizens understand the value of Oyster Bay and Cold Spring Harbors, and the importance of maintaining them as a vital resource.”
Baker has been invaluable to the board, taking over the tedious job of fine-tuning all the nuts and bolts planning needs for building the Ida May. His financial acumen has cut through the needed data and created a document that provides a blueprint for completing the project.
