Restoration 

During the first part of my life, I learned that working on / restoring boats was extremely satisfying. When you have family members or people who knew my family as part of Long Island boat-building and fishing history, doors were open to me being a yard flea.  Sadly, I grew up in a house where the Verity tradition was not only a bad word, but if I was hanging out at the docks, my Dad ensured I knew he disliked my choices.   Ok, for those who read that last line, I must say it was the biggest blessing.  Before I was out of elementary school, with the aid of my mom and grandmother, I had learned to embrace my heritage. That started my drive to spend any minute I could working on boats and working the docks.  My first real fishing job was on my 8' tender with a 3 hp motor; I supplied the local marines with bait.

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The opportunities were endless.  Many old times loved a free tool runner, an extra set of hands. In retrospect, I was interested in skills that were dying.  Most had stories of my family.  So, I had a very big family outside of my home.