News

Cardboard ships about to set sail in N. Barrington

Posted July 30, 2008 11:00 pm

By Chad Brooks

Gabby Bosse and Bradley and Christie Keller of North Barrington prepare their cardboard boat for this weekend's regatta at the Wynstone Country Club. Their boat is named "Ice Cream Dream." Mark Welsh | Staff Photographer

After three weeks of work, the Keller family of North Barrington is ready to see if their creation will sink or swim.

The Kellers, along with a host of other families, are gearing up for this weekend's first-ever cardboard boat regatta at North Barrington's Wynstone Country Club.

Debbie Keller, along with her two children and a neighbor's child, are putting the finishing touches on their "Ice Cream Dream" boat.

"This has brought the family together for a fun event," she said. "It is a whole lot better than sitting around watching TV and playing video games."

Melissa Fearn, a Wynstone spokeswoman, said the club decided to host the event as a way to give its members a fun new activity this summer.

The goal is to build a seaworthy boat - only out of cardboard - that's capable of carrying several passengers. Numerous prizes will be awarded, including one for the boat that floats the longest and one for the boat that sinks the fastest.

Keller said her kids, Bradley, 11, and Christie, 9, along with neighbor Gabby Bosse, 10, have been "very creative" is assembling their 150-pound boat.

Saturday's regatta is not open to the public.

Nathan Bosse, 12, of North Barrington works on his huge boat for Saturday's Wynstone Country Club cardboard boat regatta. Bosse's boat is named "Poseidon." Mark Welsh | Staff Photographer

Gabby Bosse, 10, and Christie Keller, 9, both of North Barrington, put finishing touches on their cardboard boat. Mark Welsh | Staff Photographer

Gabby Bosse, 10, with Bradley Keller, 11, and sister Christie Keller, 9, of North Barrington work on painting their 150-pound cardboard boat Wednesday. The project is for this weekend's first-ever cardboard boat regatta at Wynstone Country Club in North Barrington. Mark Welsh | Staff Photographer

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