Robert “Bobby” Ives, 64, minister and former island school teacher, announced he will retire in June 2012, after 33 years of shepherding the shop and it’s family of students through good times and hard times, watching people of various ages learn to know and respect themselves in a supportive community setting.
The nonprofit Carpenter’s Boat Shop teaches boatbuilding and boat-handling skills in a holistic program based on living a creative, cooperative and committed life, in harmony with spiritual values of love, faith and kindness.
Ives, who grew up in a Quaker family, said that ever since attending Bowdoin College, he has wanted to help people find themselves through learning practical skills and living in a wholesome, supportive community. This is “true apprenticeship,” he said. “It’s what I wanted to do…so many people just need good basic experience, a grounding in life.”
And Carpenter’s Boat Shop has provided that, helping people of all ages come to terms with themselves, and sometimes with addictions to alcohol or drugs. The Ives lived right beside the barn-shop, on the old farm on a dirt road, sharing meals, chores, songs, saunas and the lives of their apprentices.
For most of this history, Ives’ wife, Ruth, was a full partner in the venture-until her death five years ago from cancer at 59. They have three grown children; Jonathan Ives teaches carpentry at the boat shop and said he won’t apply for his father’s job; he is happier without administrative duties.
Besides Jonathan, Bobby and Ruth had two daughters, Hannah, a social worker for Youth Alternatives in Portland, and Hilda, a school psychologist in Brunswick who serves on the boat shop board of directors. Bobby Ives married Phyllis Lockhart, a good friend who lives nearby, last August.
The shop is known for turning out exquisitely well-crafted, small wooden boats, from a Matinicus peapod or Monhegan skiff to a Joel White-designed Catspaw dinghy.
Apprentices are encouraged to learn by doing, and mistakes are part of the process. Ives wrote in a recent newsletter: “Throughout the year apprentices make mistakes every day. Sometimes the mistakes are simple and easily corrected, while others are a bit more serious. Here we regard mistakes as an opportunity to learn. Wood is forgiving, and mistakes can therefore be corrected with creativity, fortitude and epoxy. Mistakes in our personal lives can be more devastating, but with honesty, courage and forgiveness they can be changed from blemish to blessing.”
The shop, which has certain standards for admission but requires no tuition, says its mission is to help people lead full, meaningful lives. “Whether apprentices are between college and life careers, jobs and new directions, alcoholism and sobriety, or simply transitioning into retirement, the Boat Shop provides a safe harbor before setting sail on a new course in life.” The shop earns money through the sail of boats, Shaker boxes and Adirondack chairs, and relies on outside donors.
The board is starting to build an endowment, but Ives concedes that for years, they just eked out a living for his family and the shop that has become his life. Ives said he won’t be far away, and if the new director doesn’t mind, he will be around to take on chores on the endless “to do” list.
According to shop literature, there is a significant spiritual aspect to the program: “While considering goals and directions, apprentices live in community and learn boatbuilding, carpentry, furniture making, sailing, seamanship, and perform community service. They also explore personal faith through reading, study and discussion.”
Ives acknowledges the spiritual nature of the organization but said there is no proselytizing. He believes in allowing individuals to find their own spiritual meaning in life, he said.
Carpenter’s Boat Shop is asking for recommendations on who might take the helm when Bobby Ives steps down from his long tenure.
For more information visit Carpentersboatshop.org
Steve Cartwright is a freelance writer living in Waldoboro.