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The Millers are the cofounders of the Madisonville Wooden Boat Fest in Louisiana and are familiar with this type of project.
They are the proud owners of the schooner Maple Leaf III that they bought five years ago in Gulfport. The schooner was used in its time to dredge for oysters and was in pretty bad shape when Jude came across it. He rebuilt much of the boat himself.
It took him a year to get the bottom in shape and two more to refurbish the rest of the schooner, Jude said. The Millers are still working to restore the craft.
The boat “had a lot of history,” he added. It was built in 1952 in the Back Bay of Biloxi by Covacevich Boatyard and measures 58 feet from stem to stem.
It’s the history that draws Jude Miller’s interest and he in turn drew Gray’s interest when he suggested that the society host the rendezvous. It was held in Biloxi last year.
“Wooden boat owners are & t; species unto themselves,” Gray pointed out. -He knows, what he’s talking about, for he once owned a wooden boat.
Invitations to participate in the rendezvous were sent out to
1,000	wooden boat owners in this region. The boats already registered for the activities vary in age. They were constructed from 1911 to 1993 and about 60 of them are waiting to take part. Registration is still going on.
The atmosphere will be alive with history. All volunteers, vendors, exhibitors and boat owners were asked to be in period costumes. Swallow tail coats, fluted top hats and tight
knee pants will be the order of the day for all who have a flair for adventure. A costume contest will name the snappiest dressers.
Antique dealers are invited to sell marine-related antiques because the wooden boat owners collect them to accessorize their vessels.
Boat building exhibits will be set up as well as marine vendor booths and marine arts and crafts. A marine auction, marine art contest and a model boat contest will round out the activities.
Chefs at Casino Magic will be whipping up some splendid food to ward off hunger pangs. There will also be children’s activities. Schooner excursions aboard the Glen L. Swetman and Mike Sekul will be available and visitors can take home T-shirts and posters as reminders of the occasion.
The Hancock County Historical Society will gladly supply additional information about the Wooden Boat Rendezvous. Call 467-4090.