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Oldest canoe club in U.S. seeks out next generation of paddlers BY JASMINE LEE The gentle lap of water against a canoe, the rhythmic dip of a paddle, the call of birds overhead – these are the sounds that have filled the lives of Mohawk Canoe Club members for more than 120 years. Founded in 1903 by a group of Trenton businessmen, the Mohawk Canoe Club has survived two world wars, the Great Depression, floods and fuel crises. It was originally a men-only organization dedicated to the sport of canoeing, which named itself after the Mohawk people, who were renowned for their canoeing skills. In its early days, the club thrived, even boasting of a magnificent mahogany clubhouse. The club adapted over time, opening its doors to women and families of all ages in 1968. “We had families coming in with their kids and those kids grew up with the club and brought their kids. It was good, it was good,” says Ruth Gibson of Hamilton, the current and first female president in the club’s history. Gibson recalls that it was a spur-of-the-moment inflatable tube ride on the river that
turned comical for herself and a friend one Fourth of July weekend that sparked her interest in canoeing. The oars malfunctioned, leaving them paddling with their hands. Witnessing the limitations of their inflatable vessel, Gibson’s friend declared, “If we’re going to do this, I’d rather have a canoe.” Little did they know, the situation would be the start of a lifelong passion for Gibson, leading her to eventually become a leader in the very club that would turn them into skilled paddlers. Hamilton resident Tom Wilkins, a longtime member and instructor at the Mohawk Canoe Club, highlighted that this is the oldest canoe club in the United States, with members historically seen paddling down the Delaware River in wooden canoes. Mohawk Canoe Club experienced its glory days throughout the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s. It had more than 100 members embarking on adventurous trips ranging from peaceful flatwater paddles to exhilarating whitewater rapids. The club’s members and See CANOE, Page 10
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BLL 10’s clinch dream softball season with Section 3 trophy BY JUSTIN FEIL The Bordentown Little League 10-year-old all-star softball girls already have plenty of big wins in their young careers. But winning the New Jersey Section 3 tournament to advance to the New Jersey State Tournament was something completely new. “They’ll definitely always
remember this,” said Bordentown manager Jeremy Martino. “Whether we win or lose, to be able to go this far, it’s just an awesome story. A lot of these girls, it’s their last chance of 10U. And so now this is their last opportunity at this and some of them only get one opportunity. “We’ve played a lot of tournaments in travel and everything and they won’t remember every
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single tournament, but they will always remember as they get older, they’ll tell their kids about it and grandkids if they’re playing ball, I made it this far in Little League.” The Bordentown 10s team consists of: Amber Barkosky, Lily Cooper, Giuliana DeClerico, Agnes Gendek, Teagan Harris, Skylar Keating, Olivia Kelly, AshSee SOFTBALL, Page 12
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