Life at Lake X in the '60s

[seeroy]

Chet Strickland hard at work at Siesta Key Test Station in mid 1960's.
We were in deep discussion about hi-tech tools i.e..ball peen hammers.

[Lake X Kid]

I an sure enjoying this thread. In those days I was a small time local privateer and was only exposed to the "Factory" race operation at the big races like the Gold Coast Marathon and the Orange Bowl 6 and 9 Hour events. It was something to see when the Mercury Factory boats came in force and I am enjoying reading the inside stories from those days. My one drive in a "Factory" connected boat was in the 66 9 Hour in Brooke Russel's Miami to New York boat which had some factory backing. I had the misfortune to be in my first stint and struggling with a boat in which I had almost no seat time when Hank Bowman's fatal accident stopped the race. It is fun to hear that you guys didn't always have it all figured out either.

Roy Ridgell tried to prevent, Hank Bowman fatal accident by his own race boat in Miami (1966?).
Even though my Dad's noble effort did not bear the intended outcome. I am certain that most race boat drivers would have attempted the same act, of placing his boat, between a competitor's unmanned boat which is heading back towards it's previous driver now in the water.

[2us70]

The ironic thing about that accident was that Hank Bowman was in what was probably the slowest boat in the race. Even with the my problems coming to grips with my ride I had passed his boat a couple of times before his accident. I have been told that his entry in a factory boat was for the purpose of writing a first person article on the race. When I came up on the scene I saw one of the factory Switzers there so I guess that was the boat Roy was driving. I installed a kill switch in my own SE boat before I put it in the water the next time. The following year they became mandatory.

[doubleeagle]

On the 2nd picture posted, the text of article, is cut off It mentions two other wrecks I think one of those was a Jim Hennington from Bunea Park Ca. Jim was a family friend and had raced boats out of the West Anaheim Marine shop. If I remember correctly he was offered a factory ride with OMC around this time does any remember Jim or can and any information. I do remember my dad telling be he had been hurt shortly after getting the ride.

[2us70]

This race was held as part of the" Orange Bowl Regatta" which was associated with the "Orange Bowl" football game. It was always run during the holidays usually between Christmas and New Years. This particular year it was for south Florida cold with a brisk Northwest wind. This made for pretty rough conditions on the Marine Stadium's long marathon course. About half or a little more of the course was outside the stadium in Biscayne Bay. After the injuries began to pile up and then the fatal accident the race was red flagged and stopped. The race was rerun the following day minus the Mercury Factory boats and a number of others too damaged to continue. Our entry soldiered on to the finish with a slightly different driver lineup and a "riding mechanic". The riding mechanic became needed as stuff began to fail on the boat.

[T2x]

I remember that race well. My oldest son's middle name is Bowman in honor of Hank. Ken Kalibat and I ran a factory Glastron 17' hull in FJJ class with my motors. I can't remember if we were first and John DiPietra second in class or vice versa. IN any event we finished and would have run a awy with the class except for an extended pit stop to replace all of the cowl mounts and clean out aluminum shavings, many of which wound up in the carburetors, reeds and cylinders.

[GrewuponLakeX]

Mr. Sirois,
You all may already know this, but I had the pleasure of meeting the man responsible for the day-to-day operations at "Lake X": Mr. Rich Adair. My Mother and sisters were going to St. Cloud to visit with friends and I asked to join them. Knowing that there is no guard on duty, I expected to just drive up see what I could see from the road and return to St. Cloud. We pulled up to the entrance, and I got out to take a few pictures with my phone. Saw a sign for Osceola County Sherriff Department. This keep me from bypassing the gate and walking in. The sign on the guard house said to push the phone button on the key pad and wait for someone to answer. Upon someone answering, I was to give my name, company I work for and reason for visit. I pushed the button and nothing. I was getting ready to get back in the car, when a A/C and Refrigeration repair van pulled up. The driver got out and pushed the same button I had just pushed. The gate started to open and suddenly a pickup truck came out of nowhere and proceeded to escort the van into the property. I watched the vehicle drive down the entrance and turn right well before the bubble window building. I then went back to the key pad and pushed the button again. This time a voice replied, I stated my name and that I had grown up on the lake during the sixties. The voice said he was at the barn (which was located at the second location of our life on the lake when Mr. Kiekhaefer moved us from off the lake to a corner section of the property next to Mr. Collins' property) and once he was finished putting a horse up he would be right there. Fifteen minutes later, we started the best visit to Lake X I have ever had since 1971 when we moved away to Italy. Mr. Adair spent the next three hours listening to us (1 - His story and 3 - Her stories), him telling us what he knew about the area and driving us around in a Polaris 4-wheeler looking a deer, turkeys and Sand Cranes. He is now a full time employee and a part time deputy sheriff. He would love to hear all of your stories about the Lake because he incorporates everything he learns into his presentation that he gives. He told me he even found this website and has read this blog.

If I can figure out how to load my pictures, I tell you what I saw.

[GrewuponLakeX]

Attachment 331101Mr. Sirois,
You all may already know this, but I had the pleasure of meeting the man responsible for the day-to-day operations at "Lake X": Mr. Rich Adair. My Mother and sisters were going to St. Cloud to visit with friends and I asked to join them. Knowing that there is no guard on duty, I expected to just drive up see what I could see from the road and return to St. Cloud. We pulled up to the entrance, and I got out to take a few pictures with my phone. Saw a sign for Osceola County Sherriff Department. This keep me from bypassing the gate and walking in. The sign on the guard house said to push the phone button on the key pad and wait for someone to answer. Upon someone answering, I was to give my name, company I work for and reason for visit. I pushed the button and nothing. I was getting ready to get back in the car, when a A/C and Refrigeration repair van pulled up. The driver got out and pushed the same button I had just pushed. The gate started to open and suddenly a pickup truck came out of nowhere and proceeded to escort the van into the property. I watched the vehicle drive down the entrance and turn right well before the bubble window building. I then went back to the key pad and pushed the button again. This time a voice replied, I stated my name and that I had grown up on the lake during the sixties. The voice said he was at the barn (which was located at the second location of our life on the lake when Mr. Kiekhaefer moved us from off the lake to a corner section of the property next to Mr. Collins' property) and once he was finished putting a horse up he would be right there. Fifteen minutes later, we started the best visit to Lake X I have ever had since 1971 when we moved away to Italy. Mr. Adair spent the next three hours listening to us (1 - His story and 3 - Her stories), him telling us what he knew about the area and driving us around in a Polaris 4-wheeler looking a deer, turkeys and Sand Cranes. He is now a full time employee and a part time deputy sheriff. He would love to hear all of your stories about the Lake because he incorporates everything he learns into his presentation that he gives. He told me he even found this website and has read this blog.


Kenneth Kirchman Foundation, Inc.
7555 Old Melbourne Highway
Saint Cloud, FL 34771

Office: 407-892-2446
Fax: 407-891-6446
lakexranch@kirchmanfoundation.org

Mr. Rich Adair
rich@kirchmanfoundation.org

[jeabraham45]

Regarding a West Palm Beach to Freeport Race:
My name is Jim Abraham and I remember this as I was co-piloting with Roy Ridgell for this event. My main job at Lake X was in the tower above the motel. As you know, we were multi-tasked persons and we did many different things at Lake X. An example was helping to install the round windows in the new building. Also the ones in St. Cloud at Plant 9. Mr.K and Ted Collins would authorize us for some overtime, to earn more money as we were "family men". They were custom made at the St. Cloud plant, just for the building additions that were going on at the time. I just found your thread and am enjoying your stories, memories, of some great times. I worked at Lake X from 1965 through 1971. Moving back to Wisconsin to work for my Dad at Vulcan Mfg. Company, a structural steel company. Anyhow Mr. K, John Backus wanted an engine sawed in half and came to us and used our equipment to do so. My Dad's steel is in a lot of Mr. K's buildings. Anyhow, you're telling of these stories is very accurate. I have many, many fond memories of you, Ralph, Chet, Odell, John Steinbach, Jim Harkins, Mike Ramsey, Charley Rush, Jim Leak, Ed Luthey, Charlie Bevins, your brother, Joe Anderson, Gene Wagner, Wayne Meyer, Dave Adams, and many others. I used to break in engines for your brothers and other boats. Never got to race them as I was to young and married with 2 kids. Your stories are very accurate as I mentioned before. Very great reading and bringing back memories of times past. When I moved back to Wisconsin, I heard the Ralph and I believe you, maybe Rich Powers, were in Oshkosh staying in a motel, there for some Mercury doings. I knocked on the door and you guys were partying. Maybe it wasn't you as memories are fading. Ralph would not invite us in as he was not alone, if know what I mean. Have many more stories about Ralph and I believe Chet, coming back from the beach on Nova road, and playing demolition derby. Great times had by all. Roy Ridgell and I coached a Little League team in St. Cloud. John Steinbach and I played on softball teams in St. Cloud and Kissimmee. Attended a lot of parties that you guys were at, your stories were always entertaining and good for a laugh and still are. I remember a lot of things that are being posted by others. Again great times, great memories. Thanks for sharing. Will try to post some of my memories in the future as I was one of the guys that drove you guys, sometimes, back to the base in my 1964 Tan Chevy 409 Supersport. Wish I still had that car. Sometimes Jim Emerson would let me put in some Pure racing fuel...

[FUJIMO]

My name is Jim Abraham and I remember this as I was co-piloting with Roy Ridgell for this event. My main job at Lake X was in the tower above the motel. As you know, we were multi-tasked persons and we did many different things at Lake X. An example was helping to install the round windows in the new building. Also the ones in St. Cloud at Plant 9. Mr.K and Ted Collins would authorize us for some overtime, to earn more money as we were "family men". They were custom made at the St. Cloud plant, just for the building additions that were going on at the time. I just found your thread and am enjoying your stories, memories, of some great times. I worked at Lake X from 1965 through 1971. Moving back to Wisconsin to work for my Dad at Vulcan Mfg. Company, a structural steel company. Anyhow Mr. K, John Backus wanted an engine sawed in half and came to us and used our equipment to do so. My Dad's steel is in a lot of Mr. K's buildings. Anyhow, you're telling of these stories is very accurate. I have many, many fond memories of you, Ralph, Chet, Odell, John Steinbach, Jim Harkins, Mike Ramsey, Charley Rush, Jim Leak, Ed Luthey, Charlie Bevins, your brother, Joe Anderson, Gene Wagner, Wayne Meyer, Dave Adams, and many others. I used to break in engines for your brothers and other boats. Never got to race them as I was to young and married with 2 kids. Your stories are very accurate as I mentioned before. Very great reading and bringing back memories of times past. When I moved back to Wisconsin, I heard the Ralph and I believe you, maybe Rich Powers, were in Oshkosh staying in a motel, there for some Mercury doings. I knocked on the door and you guys were partying. Maybe it wasn't you as memories are fading. Ralph would not invite us in as he was not alone, if know what I mean. Have many more stories about Ralph and I believe Chet, coming back from the beach on Nova road, and playing demolition derby. Great times had by all. Roy Ridgell and I coached a Little League team in St. Cloud. John Steinbach and I played on softball teams in St. Cloud and Kissimmee. Attended a lot of parties that you guys were at, your stories were always entertaining and good for a laugh and still are. I remember a lot of things that are being posted by others. Again great times, great memories. Thanks for sharing. Will try to post some of my memories in the future as I was one of the guys that drove you guys, sometimes, back to the base in my 1964 Tan Chevy 409 Supersport. Wish I still had that car. Sometimes Jim Emerson would let me put in some Pure racing fuel...

Wow Jim! Great memories & stories & knowledge! Can't wait to read anything else that comes to mind regarding the "X". Welcome to Scream and Fly!

[jeabraham45]

Regarding the landing of a plane on the houseboat:
I was there the day this picture was taken.. There were a lot of military people there also. Trying to prove that something like this could be possibly used in Vietnam. I used to work in the timing tower...

[seeroy]

Jim - Thank you for your post. Excellent comments. It is very obvious to me that you were there during a wonderful time in all of our lives, times that will always be fondly remembered. I couldn't draw picture of you, but I do remember you. Welcome aboard - Steve Sirois

[jeabraham45]

I remember John very well. His wife Kitty and my wife Judy hung out. Also Phil Sheink and his wife, at that time was Lorie.. John and I played softball in Kissimmee and St. Cloud. Those were great times. Great parties with great friends.

[jeabraham45]

Hello Steve, I worked from 1965 to 1971, transferring in from Fond du Lac. Drove endurance for awhile, then worked mainly in the tower above the motel. My Uncle Augie Abraham helped build and start Lake X in the late 50's, Have many great memories of working with all and am enjoying the posts. Brings back a lot things I almost forgot about.. I lived in St. Cloud across the street from Jim Harkins and his wife Linda. We were great friends, pooling our money to buy a 6 pack every once in a while. So many names of people I associated with. Thanks for the putting this thread together. I don't know why I haven't found it sooner.

[jeabraham45]

They use to call me running Jim because I would run all over the place. To the boat shop, to the parts dept, etc.. I co-piloted with Roy Ridgell one time in a race from West Palm Beach to Freeport. I helped put engines up in the museum/meeting room. Among many other things we all did. We were multi taskers... In later life I helped set up conventions all over the country. Two which you might be familiar with. Lakeland, Fl. Airplane Fly-In Sun and Fun at Lakeland Linder Airport. EAA Fly in Oshkosh at Wittman Field. One time I had to drive a car that was purchased from Poffenbauh Ford in St. Cloud to Jacksonville, to give to the head of the National Guard, Took me about 3 hours to drive there. Mr. K sent at that time the company jet to pick me up and flew me back to Lake X along with Mrs. K I swear in only took 20 Minutes to get back on the Jet. Many other fine memories which I will try and post in the future...