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Oldest canoe club in U.S. seeks out next generation of paddlers By JAsMiNe Lee
The Nottingham Little League 12-year-old District 12 champs (front row) Andrew Fennelli, Evan Rogers, Joey Gargione, Michael Walsh, Joseph Duva, Ben Kostro, Ryan Kell, and (back row): coach Tom Kostro, coach Bryan Rogers, Jeffrey Iorio, Michael Tilton, Jake Kostoplis, Gabe Correa, Ayden Peach and manager Colin Kell.
Hamilton squads win in all 5 District 12 championships By Rich Fisher
It was another sterling summer for young Hamilton Township baseball players, as the three Little League-affiliated leagues swept all five District 12 Tournament championships, while Nottingham’s 10-year-olds added a Section 3 title to the haul. But what’s interesting is the story within the story. As travel baseball sadly continues to tear
away the fabric of little league All-Star tournaments (and legion, and Babe Ruth), District 12 participants have gone from anywhere between 12 and 15 teams from 20 years ago, to around five or six this year. And yet, despite the fracturing, the township programs put teams from all three leagues into their respective tournaments for ages 8, 10, 12 and 11-13 (Intermediate 50-70). The 11s were the lone exception, as
Nottingham had the lone entry. While it is discouraging that other townships can’t assemble one all-star team, it’s impressive that Hamilton consistently produces three. “We have some good people in this area that continue to invest their time and efforts with the kids, which helps them fall in love with the game at a young age, have fun and keep learning,” Nottingham 10-yearSee DISTRICTS, Page 10
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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 8
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