Don Sanford Recognized for Historic Preservation


4LIYC Nite sailor, author of On Fourth Lake, and producer of the MARY B, Madison’s Legendary Iceboat documentary (he’s a busy guy!) Don Sanford was recognized last night by the Madison Trust for Historic Preservation as a “Friend of Preservation.” Congratulations Don and we look forward to your next projects.

Don Sanford at the one block where it’s always busy with spectators and paparazzi.

Bucky on the B

Photo: Don Sanford

Bucky on the B

University of Wisconsin mascot Buckingham Ulysses “Bucky” Badger was seen yesterday at the Frozen Assets Festival kicking the tires on the stern-steerer, the MARY B.

Bucky’s been around campus for a while, and no doubt remembers the fleet of stern-steerers that Bill and Carl Bernard kept for university students.
Today is the last day of Frozen Assets Festival at the Edgewater and your chance to see the MARY B.

See the MARY B at Frozen Assets Festival Feb 5 – 6


Ice Boat Foundation

Make a plan to show up at the Edgewater Hotel on Lake Mendota this weekend (February 5, 2022) for this year’s edition of the Clean Lakes Alliance Frozen Assets festival.

In addition to all of the activities, displays and exhibits, you’ll have a rare opportunity to see the MARY B where she belongs—on the ice! Volunteers from the Ice Boat Foundation will be there to show her off and tell you everything you want to know (and more) about this legendary icon of Madison’s long and storied history of iceboating. MARY B was designed and built right here in 1948 by Carl Bernard and Frank Tetzlaff for O. T. Havey. Skippered by Carl Bernard and Jimmy Payton, she was the fastest thing on the ice.

MARY B Film News


Via Don Sanford:

The Ice Boat Foundation is thrilled to announce that our documentary film, Mary B: Madison’s Legendary Iceboat has been accepted into the Green Bay International Film Festival. Plan a trip to Title Town (Green Bay) on Thursday, February 10, 2022. We’re screening the film at the Green Bay Distillery. There’ll be good food, good drinks and plenty of talk about iceboats—what a combination. The filmmakers will be there and look forward to seeing you. More info here.

“Mary B, Madison’s Legendary Iceboat” Film Released

Screen shots from the documentary film.

Is there a better way to cool off on a sweltering summer day than by streaming a film about iceboating? Strap on your virtual helmet and creepers and watch Mary B, Madison’s Legendary Iceboat on demand, or order the DVD. Details here.

The 43-minute documentary film, produced by Donald P. Sanford, Gretta Wing Miller and Aarick Beher for the Ice Boat Foundation, Inc., tells the story of this Madison icon, the men who built and raced her and the efforts of the Foundation to restore and preserve her. It uses recently restored archival footage and interviews with sailors and Foundation members.

The DVD and the download include these special features:

  • The Stuart Cup
  • The Hearst Cup
  • On the Ice with Mr. Wright