May 2015 MAINE COASTAL NEWS Page 21. SEVENTIES MEMORIES: PEOPLE GALLERY By Lee S. Wilbur


In a career of boatbuilding which spanned some 30 years, I had the very real pleasure of hiring ( and occasionally fi ring), doing business with, doing work for, and meeting some very fi ne, fun and interest- ing people. Memories of whom will often come back at the 3 AM wakeup call. Said call still occurring most nights. Hangover from those years of the same appointed hour when concerns over next day’s work load and challenges would swim to the con- scious and tread to be solved. Thankfully these early hours now touch more pleasant thoughts, with memories of friends, peo- ple and events. Occasionally some not so pleasant may surface and must be remem- bered with a sense of humor.


First boat show we ever attended was Miami Beach around 1978. Small booth, tucked way up on the mezzanine at the Jackie Gleason Convention Hall. Won- dered if anyone interested in having a boat built could ever fi nd us? Why wander up here? Place was dated, seen better days, but this supposedly was where the action was. Figured we had to pay our dues. Next year, if there was a next year, we’d put in for a better location. Survived on quick food at the consignments. Hours were 11 AM until 11 at night. Have to break down, catch a cab back over the causeway to Miami, try to fi nd a late night restaurant, then repeat for the fi ve or six days until we could pack up. Last night we only worked until 10 PM, and even that was theoretical. Invariably there’d be someone stop by who’d want to talk as we packed the exhibit. Surviving the fi rst year and enjoying the welcome interest in Maine built boats, we’d take a third per- son along to share time, see a bit of Miami, and most pleasurably to sample some of the great restaurants in town. One restau- rant in particular became an annual event. Looked forward to with shared stories over the coming year. Don’t recall who fi rst introduced us to


Maria’s, an Italian restaurant up in North Miami, only remember the fi rst time when four of us, following the leader drove into an area that resembled what would today


be referred to as a middle east war zone. Located in what appeared to be a partial- ly abandoned strip mall with nondescript storefronts, our fearless leader guided us inside. This boy from Downeast Maine, wasn’t quite sure how a quest for boat show good vegetables had landed us here of all places. Tables and interior “decor” were salvaged chairs and tables, leftover paint, and a few holes in the walls, blending rather well, I reckoned, with the exterior. Guide’s assurances were repeated again as we seated, “expedition would be well worth the effort.” We’d hardly sat among the occupied tables and ordered wine from the solitary waiter when an older lady, graying black hair, fl orid face, with used-to-be white apron wrapped about her girth, and cast-off sauce stained blouse, came out to greet us and make the rounds of her clients. Gave fearless leader a big hug and kiss then hugged and shook hands with we the un- initiated, welcoming us in heartfelt way to her “home”. Thus began an annual event, memories of which I enjoy to this day. This became another reason to include the Mi- ami Boat Show in the advertising budget. Maria was nothing shy of a blast. In the course of the evening, bringing out dish af- ter dish of fabulous Italian food (no menu I recall), regaling us with stories of her life, last of which had brought her to this locale after losing everything, and toasting with us throughout with a glass of the life giving grape. Late evening we fi nally toddered to the parking lot, relieved to fi nd our car still in residence. The entire bill for the evening being so minimal and the food so utterly delicious, we returned later in the week making sure we hadn’t imagined the fi rst night.


Maria owned and kept an accent from the old country. Came to Miami as a child. Worked in and owned various restaurants most of her life. Told of her successes and of trying to help her family or friends, only to be taken advantage of or stolen from and she’d have to start over again. Not a few times had this happened.


As years rolled along and Miami prov- U. S. NAVY N E W S Continued from Page 20.


Future USS John Finn (DDG 113) Launched


From Team Ships Public Affairs


PASCAGOULA, Miss. (NNS) -- The future USS John Finn (DDG 113) was launched at the Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) shipyard March 28.


During launch the drydock was fl ood- ed allowing the 637-foot fl oating dock to slowly submerge until the ship was afl oat. Once the drydock was fully submerged, the ship was pulled by tugs to HII’s south berth where the ship will continue outfi tting in preparation for test and activation and even- tual delivery to the Navy. The next major milestone is the ship’s Aegis system light off planned for later this year. “This is the fi rst DDG 51 class ship to launch in almost four years and we’re both proud and excited with the progress the program is making,” said Capt. Mark Vandroff, DDG 51 class program manager, Program Executive Offi ce (PEO) Ships. “I look forward to John Finn joining the fl eet and the other ships of her class to continue in the legacy of success that is the Arleigh Burke destroyer.”


John Finn is the 63rd Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) class destroyer, and the fi rst of the DDG 51 Flight IIA restart ships. HII currently has three DDG 51 destroyers under


construction at the yard and an additional four under contract. The keel of DDG 113 was laid in November 2013, and the chris- tening ceremony is planned for May 2. “DDG 51 production is in full swing at the shipyard,” said Vandroff. “The Navy and shipbuilder are working closely together to ensure continued quality and value as production continues on the restart ships.” John Finn will be equipped with the


Navy’s Aegis Combat System, the world’s foremost integrated naval weapons system. Once operational, the multi-mission surface combatant will serve as an integral player in global maritime security, engaging in air, undersea, surface, strike and ballistic missile defense. DDG 51 Flight IIA ships will provide increased capabilities over previous fl ights of Arleigh Burke destroyers, including advances in anti-submarine war- fare, command and control, and anti-surface warfare.


As one of the Defense Department’s


largest acquisition organizations, PEO Ships is responsible for executing the develop- ment and procurement of all destroyers, am- phibious ships, special mission and support ships, and special warfare craft. Currently, the majority of shipbuilding programs man- aged by PEO Ships are benefi ting from serial production effi ciencies, which are critical to delivering ships on cost and schedule.


A person picking up lobsters in a drained out lobster pound at Stonington.


ing as a sales show, “Maria’s” became one of two restaurants we usually frequented. Ate the good food, drank the wine and wit- nessed Maria rebuild her reputation and physical surroundings. Our groups were diversifi ed: engine companies, clients, ma- terial vendors, our window manufacturers, advertising companies, magazine guys and gals, formed these evenings as Wilbur Boats gained a measure of show notoriety as well. Soon, one manufacturer in partic- ular, Caterpillar Marine Engine Division came to stand out above the rest. Food lov- er and head of Eastern Boat Show advertis- ing for Caterpillar, Gene Wineland, intro- duced and included by my great friend and goose hunting compatriot Tom Peacock of Maine’s Arnold Machinery hosted what be- came an annual event. We’d gather up, end of show day around six—by this time we had only the in-water display of a real boat. Gene would have invited whoever of his crew off-du- ty with requisite relish of Italian fare, and I’d take whoever was doing the show with me, usually Dave Larson, and 45 minutes later we’d pull into the parking lot at Ma- ria’s. Surroundings were never measurably better. One of Maria’s sons working at the restaurant confi ded of being held up and robbed of the day’s receipts and now went armed accompanied by another employee, armed as well. By now, we’d become an annual event. Walk in. Maria would learn we were there.


She’d literally burst from the kitchen (by now wearing more “chef-ly” clothes). “Meester Cat-er-pillar” she would loving- ly scream. She’d give Gene, tall handsome guy, commanding presence, and the one who’d pay the bill, a special hug. She’d hug the rest of our assembled group, ensuring the newcomers felt like family as well. I was always pleased for Gene. He was gen- erous with his show budget, treating eight or more to this fun/crazy evening. And, we appreciated it. Still never knew what the next dish would be, only that it would be great and wine would fl ow. Somehow we’d fi nd Miami Beach again and our sleeping berths. We’d have new stories to tell, and next year to look forward. With success again in hand, Maria and her two sons leased space for a new restau- rant located in a shopping center further north. Dave and I drove up to see her one night and reported back to “Meester Cat- erpillar”. Food was still great, there were menus now, someone else cooked, but ex- perience wasn’t the same. Longer drive af- ter an exhausting day no longer computed, though as Gene later said, he’d often drop in on Maria when in the area just to say hel- lo. Maria and her sons struck a deal with one of the Miami based airlines to supply pasta meals which I’d heard later was not successful. By then she had to be of the re- tirement years I hope she was able to enjoy. Maria, not only an outstanding “chef”, was a true “Italian Momma” and we loved her.


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