We have tallied the votes, and the winners of the first ever Madame et Monsiuer Bateau de Bois are:

Orie Mendoza, Monsieur Bateau de Bois

Annie Mendoza, Madame Bateau de Bois

Husband and Wife, the Mendozas have been instrumental in promoting the Antique Wooden Boat “movement” and are deserving of this honor. We asked for nominations of the person who has shown outstanding achievement in preserving or restoring traditional South Louisiana vessels, especially those indigenous to the Atchafalaya Swamp region. These two dignitaries will be honored at a special ceremony during the Acadian Memorial Festival on March 17th.  In addition, we will interview them to record the story of their preservation and restoration efforts and publish the stories in local newspapers and on our website.