“Elizabeth Marie”
For Lakemore, Ohio resident Kyle Henline it wasn’t about having a boat to take to shows but, to have a boat for family time.
“We use it,” said Kyle. “It is not really a show piece. We take it out every week and run it. It is a small block Chevy so the more you use it, the better it will act.”
Kyle purchased his boat about a year ago and it was in “pretty bad shape.” In fact, he said the entire back interior was missing. He worked to rebuild the part over the engine before the Portage Lakes show so it would look good and then just painted the back interior. Over the winter, he intends to reupholster the back portion.
The “Elizabeth Marie” is a 1979 Formula Thunderbird and is named after his daughters, Gabriella Marie (age 8) and Kadyn Elizabeth (age 2).
“I always wanted a boat,” said the former governorship candidate. Yes, Kyle loves politics and at a very young age made a bid to run for governor of Ohio. However, life changed, and he gave up the political life, at least for the time being. “I am big into conservation. What better way than to pollute the lake with another boat,” he laughed.
His plans are to begin a conservation society to clean trash out of the local waterways––Lake Milton, Portage Lakes, Springfield Lake and West Branch. He will take his Thunderbird out with helpers with nets and try to get as much trash out of local waters as they can. “I would like my kids to be able to enjoy the lakes and have enough fish to catch.”
Kyle said his wife dislikes that he is always “into” something––if it is not politics, it is always some kind of organization. But he said he just has to do something. “I feel like we should all give back in any way we can.”
He is a graduate of Springfield High School and as a student he headed an activist organization. That launched him into liking politics and as he put it–– unfortunately had to stop because of a conflict of interest.
Politics is a passion for him and he thinks about getting back into it, “or I might just stick with the boat.”
Story and pictures by C.R. Rae
