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| J. D. Barrett - has canoe, will paddle |
Canoeing in December? Was there ice on the
water? You bet, but not enough to deter J.D. and some well-wishing fellow paddlers
who were on hand to help commemorate the occasion. On that day the group of
seven launched their solo canoes in Churchville Park and paddled upstream a few miles before stopping for a celebratory hot lunch on shore.
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| The man in his element. |
One might figure that given J.D. Barrett’s
yearly quest, last year, at age 90, he would make ninety paddling trips on the
waterways he so enjoys. Not quite. “God was willing” as J.D. might say, to see
him complete 105 canoe outings on the lakes, creeks and rivers he favors.
Some years J.D. meets his “quota” and other
years, well, let’s just say age throws unforeseen snags in his path. This year
shoulder problems prevented him from pursuing his outdoor endeavors as much as
he would have liked. Still, he put in ample time both canoeing and fly-fishing.
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| Regardless of the weather, there's nothing better than being on the water. |
In addition to paddling, J.D. has
fashioned many a canoe and kayak from scratch and is well known for his custom
paddles which he often presents as gifts to friends. A skilled and meticulous craftsman, the time
J.D. has spent making canoes and kayaks or helping friends do so is
considerable, yet it is surpassed by the time he spends on the water in pursuit
of one of his favorite pastimes.
J.D. doesn’t spend all his
time on the local lakes and streams or in his woodworking shop. A Stafford resident who is highly regarded in
both the canoeing and fly-fishing communities, he has also been a member of Grace Baptist Church in Batavia for the better part of six decades. In addition to serving as a deacon
and on various committees, J.D. has used his musical talents as an accomplished pianist as part of the worship service for many years at Grace.
The look of genuine contentment.
A devoted family man, J.D. and his wife, Dorothy celebrated their sixty-ninth wedding anniversary earlier this year. To those who know him best, his attributes are many; good
husband & father, adept canoeist, skilled fly-fisherman, talented musician, and a faithful
servant of the Lord. A diverse and laudable repertoire indeed, one befitting a great
American and a Godly man.
Until Next Time,
Jim & Claudia
