by Deb Whitehorse | May 26, 2026 | 2025-2026, Home Page
Last year, Mauretta Mattison generously donated the Mattison photo archives to the Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club. Well, technically to me, because somehow I’ve become the person people send these things to. I’m glad to have them gathered in one place.
Given that Bill and Mauretta owned Star Photo and spent years in the photo developing business, the archive is extensive. Bill and Mauretta photographed everything, and we’re fortunate they did. There are boxes upon boxes of prints, negatives, and snapshots of iceboating life. It’s time to start digging through them and sharing some of the more interesting finds.
The first photo that caught my eye features another kind of classic American engineering: heavy Detroit iron. Back when cars like this early 1950s Ford hardtop, likely equipped with Ford’s Flathead V8, ruled the roads and hauled iceboats to the lake without complaint.
I believe this photo was taken at John “Pop” Bluell’s house near Yahara Place, though Jerry Simon will probably correct me if I’m wrong.
Fortunately, either Bill or Mauretta labeled the photograph. From left to right: John Bluell Jr. “Johnny,” John Bluell Sr. “Pop,” Herb Krogman “Herbie,” Dave Rosten (my father), and Bill Mattison.
You can almost reconstruct the scene, one still played out today, though the trailer may now be enclosed. The gang gathers at Pop Bluell’s house on a cold morning, loading hulls, spars, and runners onto the trailer and roof rack before heading off either to a regatta or simply out onto Mendota.
This photo is another reminder of how ordinary iceboating once was, and still is, around Madison.
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by Deb Whitehorse | Dec 26, 2025 | 2025-2026, Home Page
There will be no 4LIYC racing this weekend, December 27 and 28.
With rain in the forecast and recent warm temperatures, we’re taking a break to protect the Kegonsa landing and the racing track. That gives us more racing later. To be clear: Lake Monona looks good but has many holes. We still have Lake Mendota is still in the bank as well.
It’s also a good weekend to slow down and watch Wizard of Zenda, the Buddy Melges documentary. The full film is now on YouTube.
The screenshot here shows Buddy with 4LIYC’s Bill Mattison at an ISA regatta in Lake Geneva, around 1999 with other familiar faces in the background.
As Buddy would say, keep your runners sharp.
Winter looks ready to return Sunday night. We still have a big season ahead. If things line up, we may even be able to race the historic Bloody Mary Eye Opener on January 1, a long-time 4LIYC favorite. Stay tuned.
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by Deb Whitehorse | Jun 20, 2025 | 2024-2025, DN, Home Page
Sunset over Lake Mendota, early 1970s. Bill Mattison’s HONEYBUCKET DN, built for his children and photographed by Bill himself.
As we mark midsummer this weekend, iceboaters know we’re one step closer to ice-making.
In about 20 weeks, DNs will gather in Finland for the annual Week 46 regatta. Just four weeks later, the DN Western Challenge kicks off the North American season on the first weekend of December in Minnesota.
That’s less than five months until we line up on the ice again. The season is turning. Time to check your gear—winter is coming.
If you are new and want to try ice sailing, get in touch with us!
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by Deb Whitehorse | Mar 17, 2025 | 2024-2025, Home Page
4LIYC Skeeter guys Paul Krueger, Bill Mattison, and Dave Rosten with a pile of hardware. From the Bill & Mauretta Mattison collection.
Mark your calendars! The Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club Awards Banquet will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2025. Let’s celebrate the incredible season of 2024-2025.
More info to come!
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by Deb Whitehorse | Mar 14, 2025 | 2024-2025, Home Page
Here’s another gem from the Bill and Mauretta Mattison collection: a vintage Harken Vanguard Christmas card starring a Nite iceboat in cartoon glory and a clever poem with a unique ending.
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