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01 May 2007 |
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What's In a Name: Intriguing Stories Behind Boat Names by Jerry Hale “Gemutlichkeit”—Anne and John Mohaupt A boat name that doesn’t exactly roll off most tongues, “Gemutlichkeit” is, according to Anne Mohaupt (“AnnieMo” to friends, as most all of her acquaintances instantly become) “…a German word that doesn’t really have a one-word English equivalent.”Says German-blooded John: “My translation dictionary offers words like ‘coziness,’ ‘good natured,’ ‘comfortable.’ But our favorite explanation came from a good friend, Gunter Glander, during one of our visits to Germany. A group of friends were sipping Schnapps and singing and dancing…there was a warm feeling of camaraderie among us. Gunter, who had previously tried several times to explain the word’s meaning, turned to me, spread his hands and said, ‘This is Gemutlichkeit.’ And how does it apply to a 24’ Sea Ray deck boat? “It’s simply the mood we often find ourselves in while out enjoying Smith Mountain Lake,” explains Anne. Welcome aboard! “Smile on a Dog”—The Fischell Family Cruising SML aboard their Azure deck boat puts smiles on the faces of every member of the Fischell family—Scott, Felecia, children Rachel (13), Jason (8), Cassidy (7) and even dog Sugaree, a Golden Retriever who turns 4 this December and loves to ride in the bow (considers it a bow WOW!, don’t ya think?—Ed.) Anyway, noticing how a wind-blown Golden’s face appears to be smiling, the family turned to lyrics from an Eddie Brickell song for boat-name inspiration: “Philosophy is a walk on slippery rocks; religion is a smile on a dog.” It was a unanimous choice. From Howard County, Md., the Fischells bought their Lake home up near R47 in September 2005 and spent the first summer renovating. “Now we’re taking time to enjoy skiing and wakeboarding with the kids,” says Felecia. Sugaree smiles her delight at the whole watery scene. “POPNDD”—Jack and Doreen Balzarini Proudly painted across the stern of a 22’ Bayliner, “POPNDD” is the phonetic abbreviation for owners Jack and Doreen Bazarini—who are “Pop and DeeDee” to the three grand kids (Alex, 8; Josiah, 5; Emily, 3). Their previous home was New Hampshire; Jack acquired an early love for boating while growing up in Cape Cod. “He reads maps like I read novels,” says Doreen. “He found SML during one of his on-line excursions south. We fell in love with the area the first time we vacationed here.” A search for property ensued and, “…in what we consider an answer to our fervent prayers,” the couple found a lot in The Waterways. Jack and Doreen arrived here last New Year’s Eve and, with the weather being unseasonably warm and sunny, caught own-a-boat fever immediately. “We picked the boat up on a really cold day, but we went out on the Lake anyway. We froze our fingers…but no matter: we were finally BOAT OWNERS!” Doreen recalled.Oh, yes. The Balzarini’s cars have near-matching VA vanity plates: POPNDD for his and DDNPOP for hers. The grandchildren, no doubt, approve! Does your boat name have an interesting meaning or history that you’d like to share with other Laker.com readers? Please let us know by dropping a note, including your boat name and phone number, to
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Last Updated ( 20 April 2007 )
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