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

by | Jun 12, 2021 | 2021-2022, Home Page

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

MARY B Film Trailer

by | Dec 19, 2020 | 2020-2021, Home Page

Via Don Sanford and the Ice Boat Foundation:

News Flash! We enlisted Madison-based filmmakers Gretta & Aarick at Downtown Dailies back in January of 2020 to help us tell Mary B’s story in a short film. They’ve plowed through hours and hours of archival film, inspected hundreds of images and shot hours of interviews. We believed there was a good story here—not just about a big iceboat, but about her hometown, Madison, WI. The preview is ready. Watch for the premier sometime in January of 2021.

New Mary B Ice Boat Foundation Website

by | Nov 26, 2020 | 2020-2021, Home Page, WSSA

Announcement: We are pleased to announce a new Mary B Ice Boat Foundation website!!
iceboatfoundation.org

 

The Ice Boat Foundation, Inc., current owners of the famous Mary B, announce the launch of our new Mary B website iceboatfoundation.org

 

We’re thankful for the great design work of Deb Whitehorse and everyone who provided photos, videos and content. We’re especially thankful on this day for all of our supporters who provided the funds to help us purchase and restore the fastest piece of Madison history. If you haven’t made a contribution to the effort, you’ll find a place on the website to do that.

 

Mostly though you’ll find stories and photos that tell the story of Madison’s famous iceboat, the Mary B.

 

And a special thanks to O.T. Havey, Frank O. Tetzlaff and Carl Bernard. Without that dream team there would be no Mary B.

 

See you on the ice.
Don Sanford

See the “B” This Week

by | Oct 11, 2020 | 2020-2021, Home Page

Ritz the puppy is intrigued by the MARY B being assembled.

In addition to the autumn colors, apples, and pumpkins, fall in Four Lakes means setting up your iceboat to make sure everything fits. The MARY B group set her up in a Westport field on Saturday.. Daniel Hearn also took advantage of the beautiful day and the large area to set up his C Skeeter. If you’d like to see the MARY B, she’ll be up all week. Don Sanford sends the following:

Mary B is waiting for you! Have you ever wanted to get an up-close and personal look at the Mary B but just haven’t felt up to braving the cold and hiking out onto the ice?

Well, here’s your chance. Our volunteers set her up today and now you can even visit from the comfort of your car.

She’s waiting for you in a wide-open field near the intersection of Hwy 113 and County Hwy M.

Set your GPS for 5341 W. River Road., Waunakee 53597. Once you’re on River Road, just follow the Mary B signs.

Volunteers will be there to show her to you, answer questions and maybe tell you a story from 1 pm – 4 pm as follows:

  • Sunday, October 11
  • Tuesday, October 13
  • Wednesday, October 14
  • Thursday, October 15
  • Friday, October 16

Come on out this week, you won’t need a winter coat, gloves or your ice creepers!

Sorry about the late notice, but you know how it is with iceboats—conditions are always changing.

See you on the ice grass.

Please wear your mask.

Don

Frankie Hearn tests his dad’s C Skeeter.

Who was MARY B?

by | Jul 10, 2020 | 2019-2020, Home Page, WSSA

MARY B draws a crowd on Lake Monona in 1952

The Dane County Historical Society Newsletter has published an article by our own Don Sanford about the historic stern-steerer MARY B.

The Mary B was fast, really fast, but just who or what was she? A racehorse, a track star, or maybe a downhill skier? None of the above, she was an iceboat…She was the dream of one of Madison’s largest electrical contractors and public-spirited citizens, Orvin “OT” Havey.

Read the whole story here.