Ode to Joy!

In less than two weeks Dave Joy will retire from the Boothbay Harbor Hannaford grocery store after 49 years in the business.

Growing up in Westbrook, Dave chose to enroll in a Cooperative Ed program offered by his high school. As a freshman at age 15, he left the hallowed halls each day at 11 o'clock, to attend "Ready for Life" courses at what today might be referred to as a vocational school. His alternative classes prepared students for life in the real world. He gained knowledge and experience studying taxes, family finances, cooking, cleaning, sewing and at the end of the school day went to work at Martin's Food in the meat department, working a 40-hour week! At age 16, he moved on to preparing meat when he was allowed to use a knife. After years of experience as an apprentice meat cutter, he became fully qualified and continued in this line of work for 25 years until a neck disc condition forced him to take a different path within the industry.

For years he moved from store to store learning the operation of different departments, i.e., meat, produce, deli, etc. He worked in Westbrook, Boothbay Harbor, South Portland, Brunswick, Topsham, Damariscotta, Falmouth and Rockland. All this experience finally led him to his first role as assistant store manager at the Mill Creek store in South Portland. He has been with the Boothbay Harbor Hannaford for 21 years and now lives here without a need to commute. Mileage was always an issue! But the Hannaford organization tried to help work it so management staff could live close to the mother ship. For Dave, living near the ocean was a high priority and an extra bonus.

From a very early age Dave spent time on the water in Owl's Head where his family had a cottage. At age 6 he set out in the family skiff and paddled around the nearby islands. His father had a small sailboat which only served to further Dave's interests on the water. He now owns a 30-footPierson he bought in 2014. He's thinking a 34' Hunter might be a next step. He and one of his daughters, who lives in Portland, sail often in season from their mooring in Linekin Bay just off from Butch and Mary Brewer's old house.

Recently Dave was honored with recognition at a "Manager of the Year" Hannaford gathering.

There are not many at Hannaford with his length of service. His role as assistant store manager was a big step for Dave. That job has changed over the years to be more of a somewhat "HR"position which involves training new hires, sorting out issues with disgruntled staff and general public relations. Dave told me that a big part of his job is that of a "behavior coach, encouraging positive attitudes, creating a fun shopping atmosphere for customers, and promoting a good experience for Hannaford employees. It's about being helpful and considerate to the people who shop at the store and being responsive to customer needs.

Dave always seems to be a helpful sort. During my visit at the store, several people came up to him and said hello, exchanged a comment or two and seemed genuinely pleased for the interaction. He, in turn, called them by name and wished them well, without escorting them to some item in aisle six!

Fair winds Mr. Joy. May your next chapter be satisfying and productive. You've earned it.

Tugs

My first Maine water tour was on the Argo with Captain Eliot Winslow. It was a glimpse of things from a different perspective which included loads of wit and wisdom, with a few odd-ball comments thrown in for good measure. Anyone who ever crossed paths with Captain Winslow, be it on the Argo, on tugs, or in the Robinson’s Wharf parking lot, knows what I am talking about. Eliot had some stories and some rather unique points of view! You never quite knew when the next curve ball might arrive! 

My next most interesting interaction with Captain Winslow occurred during a visit with Eliot at home for a “portrait” session. He and his much loved Irish setter were quite a chore to organize, but we managed to salvage a few frames for safe keeping. It was the start of a long relationship with the Winslow family. I would be called upon for future photographic adventures, one of which I have chosen to share this week. 

I am not at all reluctant to say that I have limited nautical experience, especially during my early years here on the peninsula. So when Eliot decided that he wanted to have some photographs made of the tugs to help promote the business, I got a call. At the time, the Winslow tugs were helping to move frigates around at Bath Iron Works. That project provided an opportunity to capture all the then Winslow fleet at work with a backdrop of multiple BIW ships. It seemed like a good setting to show off the tugs at work. Coordinating such an adventure, however, was another matter. Imagine, if you can, trying to get five tugs organized in the Kennebec River on a blustery winter day!

The photograph I have shared today is from a postcard we made back in the 80s, but not the composition I had in mind to help promote the Winslow organization. I wanted all the tugs to be closely aligned with the Iron Works in the background. Easier said than done.  

I was transferred to the small boat BIW used for around the yard waterfront work. It was cold and windy and I, with radio in hand, tried to suggest to all tug captains how I would like them to move in order to get the image I had envisioned. We struggled to get everyone lined up, but in the wind, the currents and with large, not easily maneuvered tugs, it was taking some time. Through my radio chatter and instructions came the abrupt announcement from Captain Eliot: “All right, that’s enough! Do you know what this is costing me? We’re done!” 

During my various visits with the Winslow organization I met some wonderful tug personnel who I will now try to recall because they were very kind and helpful to me anytime I worked with the boats. Here we go. And please understand that my memory from those days is subject to review, but I will always be grateful for the  kindness and consideration. My recollections include David and Eliot Winslow, Jeff Lozier, Pete Ripley, Bob Goodspeed, Ed Mitchell, Greg Hartley, John Smith, Phil Roberts, Glenn Hodgdon,  and I am certain there are others. Over the years and more recently when David was running the company, Mark Stover, Bill Sherman and Hugh Thompson come to mind. I do also recall that Earl Walker of Southport was often heard over the radio during ship movements at BIW