Jim Wicks memories...

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Pat Gregory

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Pat~


What a fine looking gunner. With that broad beam and that swing keel, I'll bet it serves wonderfully well.


A grand keepsake to be sure!


SJS

 
Jim was an excellent raconteur, particularly sitting near the fuel-oil fired heater at Jen's Rustic Resort, which too exists only in history. The copper wire that formed the swing keels on those birds came from a wiring reconstruction job at the Steve T. Mason building, home of the MDNR where Jim worked in the Parks and Recreation unit. Jim gave me a pair of insulation encased pre-cut sections which I split apart and put to use. Rick Pierce, John Armsman, and Margie Wicks were frequent hunting companions on Munuscong Bay. I am trying to track-down Jim's layout boat which he sold over a decade ago. These boats were built by a couple down in the Marion, Mi. area who were chased out of business by the USCG. You could row or paddle them, as well as have them under tow. There were a lot of naps taken in that boat, tucked-up in the shoreline vegetation of Allard's and Fowler's Bays.

Jim was most fond of his ringnecks. I preferred his redheads. He often told a story of the redheads that responded to the "calls" those decoys would make as they rocked in the chop with the keel weights swinging away.
 
Pat
I was deeply saddened to read your post about Jim. My family has a place on the bay across from the Wicks home. I met Jim and Margie 20 years ago when I finally said lets go see what the decoy shop is the small sign pointed to. Within 45 minutes after stopping ( they were closed by the way ) we were setting on their deck talking not like potential customers but like friends that had stopped by for a visit. My Grandfather used to call people like them " feel good people ". A true pleasure in life when you meet someone like that. Over a couple of years I stopped in and became the owner of a couple of their carvings which have always graced my home since. Over the years though you let life get to busy and you always have to much work to do so you don't get back to visit. For the last few years I have thought many times that I need to stop in and say hi if nothing else but didn't. Shame on me. I was just here last weekend and didn't hear of this so I am glad you posted this. Time marches on but a big loss for his family, the community and all who knew him. Thanks for sharing.
Paul Selvidge
 
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