Tom Verde, author of  "In a Class All Their Own: Unique and Historic Boats of New England" (Globe Pequot Press, 2020), will recount the colorful stories of nearly forty classic/unique New England vessels. These include the fabled history of the cat boat; the first fiberglass sailing yacht; a NY ferry boat repurposed as a houseboat; the oldest working fishing boat in Stonington, CT; racing rivalries in the Sound; the French love affair with American boat designs; and the Jazz Age era of luxury yachting, among others. In his presentation, Verde will discuss several boats featured in his book, including their classes and designers, as well as their relationships to the waters in which they sailed, raced, and cruised.

About the presenter:

Tom Verde's specialties include Islam, Middle Eastern history, interfaith relations and dialogue, early Christian history, and comparative religion. Have written and published extensively on religion, culture, the environment, and travel in major national and international publications (New York Times, Boston Globe, AramcoWorld, Biblical Archeology, National Geographic Adventure, Travel & Leisure, Wildlife Conservation, et. al.) as well as broadcast networks including NPR, Public Radio International and the BBC. Worked with the British Council, the Social Science Research Council, and the Ali Vural Ak Center for Global Islamic Studies at George Mason University to develop a secondary school curriculum entitled "Our Shared Past in the Mediterranean." Awards include: Association for Communications Excellence; Religion News Association Award for Excellence in Religion News Analysis and Magazine Writing; New York Festivals, National Headliner, and National Federation of Community Broadcasters awards; Clarion Award, National Federation of Press Women, and Connecticut Press Club Communications Contest; Folio Award for "Best Single Article."