Mentors

by Lee S. Wilbur

There’s an old adage in both business and the military. “Find a rising star and hook on.”

Although I was never in corporate business and my time in the military (2 yrs. 9 mos.15 days) was brief, I have been privileged to know several individuals, perhaps unknown to them, who were instrumental in guiding and shaping my life. This is excluding my parents who were, after all, the most important teachers of all.

One who stands out among all the rest was Leslie “Les” King, manual arts teacher at Pemetic High School in Southwest Harbor. He taught a lot of us guys how to create with our hands in all the multifaceted areas of manual arts. I learned the skill, fun, and sportsmanship of hunting rabbits with Les and his beagle dog, “Cindy”. Then, while going to college after my army tour, he gave my young wife Heidi and I the opportunity to manage a restaurant at the ripe old age of 22.

Upon my graduation from college at age 28, Les, already on the board of selectmen for some 12-14 years and following in his father’s footsteps, encouraged me to run against an incumbent of 17 years. Riding a white horse with all the piss and vinegar of the uninitiated to solve all the town problems, I got a copy of the voting list. Called everyone I knew. Come town meeting, I’d won by a healthy margin. Rode and then reined in that white horse through six years of tangles and hornet’s nests with Les on that 3- and finally 5-man board. I look back on that time and realize not only did I put college learning into experience but it was a great opportunity to give something back to the community I’ve enjoyed living in.

Les was first and foremost a teacher and I’m not sure I realized until later in life how many of life’s important principles I learned from him.

However, the one standing tall above the rest I learned and learned well, the one I use every day of my life, is to treat adversity with a good dose of humor. Through six years of terminal cancer, Les was always able to look for a way to get a laugh. Never take oneself too seriously. Instead of letting himself get down or depressed, he’d often laugh at the doctor’s mistakes made in the course of his medical care. Les could do this. I strongly believe humor carried him through that rough six years.

Ralph Ellis, boat builder (Bunker and Ellis, now Ellis Boat Co.) and next-door neighbor, guided and taught me through early years of boatbuilding. His partner Raymond Bunker would say I “wore down the threshold on the shop door.” Raymond would often give me just enough information to get in trouble. Later that day or early evening I’d hear from Ralph and he’d tell me the whole story. Beginning to end.

Ralph was soft-spoken and one of the hardest-working men I’ve ever known. Kind, honest as the day was long, there was nothing he wouldn’t do for a neighbor or friend.

Just across the street was another boat builder and superb craftsman, Fairfield Morse. Fairfield left me and our boat yard with this simple statement. “If it isn’t right, then it isn’t right.” No “righter” statement has ever been made.

On a short vacation trip in the Bahamas, I met Ron and Aly Munzreider. Ron had been in the insurance business in Minnesota. Decided this really wasn’t his life’s calling. Sold everything. Moved to Florida. Opened a “salvage” furniture store. At retirement he sold a chain of 74 stores. Over the years we’ve been great friends.

Ron, through his quiet, imperturbable and observing manner, has mentored me in another important way. “There’s always a solution, and generally more than one,” he said. Ask questions, lots of questions of anyone you know or cross paths with. It’s there. Time and again Ron and Aly both have saved me from a wrong turn.

Back in 1978, just after moving from a 1-boat barn into a new facility in Manset, we contracted with Curtis Blake, founder with his brother of Friendly Ice Cream, to build a 46’ trawler yacht on a Newman hull. It was soon apparent the reason for his success. Not only was he one of the genuinely most friendly persons I’ve met, but he made everyone who worked for him and did a good job, feel good. He’d shake hands with everyone in the crew. He’d remember their names, ask about families, and make you feel he’d known you all you life. I learned from “Curt” the sweetest word is one’s own name.

A few years later, Wilbur Yachts was treated to another owner of the same high caliber and success: Gerald “Gerry” Lynch, and his vivacious wife Diane. In the course of time, we built six boats for the Lynches – five pleasure, one commercial. Wilbur Yachts became in effect part of the Lynch family. Gerry is a high quality guy. Ran his company, Lynch Sand and Gravel in Falmouth, Mass., in a highly energetic and controlled manner. Loves what he does and shows in the quality of his work.

Right out of college and no idea of a career, I landed, either by default or because no one else applied, a position as teaching principal in Lamoine, Maine. Didn’t even possess the proper credentials. I stayed for two years. The superintendent, Dale Higgins, whom I admired and respected, dropped by to observe my science class one morning. At that time all the rooms had double classes. Mine was 7th and 8th grades. We didn’t get many visitors. I was nervous and showing it.

“Wilbur,” he said to me after the class was finally over, “That was the worst class I’ve ever monitored.”

This too was an invaluable lesson. Though I stayed that semester and the following fall I realized what I’d known all along: teaching 7th and 8th graders was definitely not to be my life’s calling.

I still enjoy teaching and passing along what I’ve learned to employees, friends, and family and hope I can always do more. I am constantly telling young people who have little or no direction “Join the military.” I couldn’t have appreciated what it did for me any more than I have.

Now to think this all came about because I had to wear eyeglasses by the second grade and was teased miserably by my classmates for having “Barney Google” eyes.

Contrary to public opinion, summer is on its way. Does not start on March 10. Grandchildren will be visiting the lake and we like to make pancakes together in the mornings. We’re going to try this one from “Cuisine at Home” April issue.

• R E C I P E •

Blue Corn and Blueberry Pancakes

Whisk together:
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup coarse ground blue or yellow corn meal
3 T sugar
1 T baking powder
1 tsp table salt
1/2 tsp baking soda

Combine/Whisk:
2 1/4 cups buttermilk
3 T unsalted butter, melted
2 egg yolks (reserve whites)
Beat and fold in/add.

Beat reserved whites in bowl with mixer until stiff, fold into mixture just before cooking.

Fold in 1 1/2 cups blueberries. If frozen do not thaw. Or put berries on top of the pancakes after pouring batter on the griddle.

Fair Winds and Good Roads
– Lee Wilbur