Politics & Government
Chesterfield Craftsman Gives Anchor, Wagon to Township
Township resident donates a handcrafted anchor to the township and plans to give an antique wagon to the historical society as a gift to both his family and community.
A longtime Chesterfield Township resident has given his family a gift that will truly last a lifetime.
Dennis Van De Winkle donated a handcrafted anchor to the township that is now displayed on the municipal grounds on Sugarbush Road, imprinting his family’s name in township history. He also plans to donate a handmade buckboard to the Chesterfield Township Historical Society.
“I did it for my parents,” he said. “It’s a gift to them to have their name on a plaque in front of the township hall.
Find out what's happening in New Baltimore-Chesterfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“It’s a gift that will last forever. My kids and grandkids can go down to the township hall and see the plaque with our name on it and I thought that would be cool.”
Township Treasurer Linda Hartman stopped in front of municipal offices last week to admirer the large anchor that had been installed amid landscaping just days before.
Find out what's happening in New Baltimore-Chesterfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
"We're known as the gateway to Anchor Bay so an anchor certainly is fitting," said Hartman, adding she thinks it's a great addition to the community.
Van De Winkle, a 25-year township resident, crafted the donated items with his “hands and hard work,” he said. He cut down trees in his backyard for the lumber and purchased some of the metal he used.
“The wagon’s actually got a lot of historical parts and I just built it all together,” he added.
His father, Chuck Van De Winkle, said he was glad to help with the building alongside his son and two grandchildren, Allen, 9, and Adam, 6. He said it took more than a year to build the buckboard, which is handcrafted from various antique tractor parts.
“I think it’s a great thing,” Chuck said. “It means a lot to me because this was a lot of man work and it was nice bringing the family together.”
Van De Winkle has donated other smaller items to the historical society in the past, including an antique checkerboard with wooden checkers that can be found in the log cabin.
“I try to make an impact on the community, not just live there, but make an impact,” he said.
Eileen Rivard, historical society president, said of the buckboard slated for donation, "We certainly appreciate it and it will fit in very nicely with our historical village. We always appreciate people thinking about us. We can always use donations and help."
Editor Christy Arboscello contributed to this report.
