The Dallas Post oJ a fe —. XX @ P = a = X pe — = a ao — = CY) he poe cD @ ») Em Ce ht pra. J oS S) = St XD = x x "7 * * "By GRACE R. DOVE Post Staff HARVEYS LAKE - Dallas resi- dent Alda Maturi is in charge of bringing a piece of history back to the lake. ‘She's restoring the Gypsy Queen, an antique 40-foot wooden launch, which is resting on the lakefront opposite The Grotto. The old lady resembles the two boats that once plied the lake. "The resemblance is more than coincidence. The Gypsy Queen was builtin 1921 by Richardson's Boat Works of Buffalo, NY. Richardson's also built the lake's two launches and well-known steamers Kingston, Acoma, Wilkes-Barre and the double- decked Natoma. Steamer service between the hotel district at the Inlet and the lake's north corner began during the lake's heyday as a resort in 1891 ‘and continued until 1938. Maturi describes the Gypsy Queen, which is receiving a healthy dose of TLC, as “a comfortable old boat.” She was purchased in Sep- tember, 1994, by Armand Mastioli, Nick Arnone and Dr. Halloran, who brought her to the lake from Lake Seneca, one of New York's Finger Lakes, where she had been in service for many years. The anticipated minor engine work, eaulking, sanding, paint- ing .and rudder replacement on the boat soon mushroomed into a major project, however. “People were amazed at how bad she was,” Maturisaid. “Boats are built like people, with a back- bone supporting ribs, which sup- port- the rest of the boat. The backbone and ribs were rotted, with ribs in some places not even touching the backbone any more. Most of the keelson, which lays on top of the backbone, was also rotten — an unpleasant surprise which we couldn't see until we began to dismantle her.” She compared replacing the bad wood with solid white oak to re- moving pieces of a huge jigsaw puzzle one at a time, cutting a replacement and returning it to its original spot — all without dis- turbing adjoining pieces. Replacing the stem, a large curved piece in the front of the bow, required several days of very painstaking work, Maturi said. “It's 25 layers of 1/4 inch white oak, laminated together using epoxy,” she said. “I could bend and laminate only eight pieces at a time. The original was cut from one piece of wood, but wood like that doesn’t exist any more." While she was working on the stem, she had to prop and sup- port the rest of the bow with cin- der blocks and boards. When she finished the stem, Maturi removed the fuel tank, re- placed the entire keelson in sev- eral sections, then replaced the ribs one at a time. Another surprise was the Dallas, PAt Wednesday, August 28, 1996 3: Dallas resident Alda Maturi is in charge of restoring the Gypsy ‘Queen, a dead ringer for the launches which plied Harveys Lake chined (grooved) piece where the top of the boat meets the bottom, which was rotten and punched into a concave piece. “I was shocked,” she said. thought maybe the old girl would give us a break, but she didn't. I really didn't know what to expect because most of the damage wasn't apparent until we began to take her apart.” . Along the way Maturi also re- placed two warped deck beams, added new top decks made of 3/ 4-inch marine grade plywood and stretched new canvas over the roof of the wheelhouse. Next year, unless the Gypsy Queengives her another surprise, Maturi plans to replace the trim and sole (interior flooring). Then it's time for the mechanics to in- Before she winds up for the season in October, she plans to replace the side decks and ma- hogany planks. stall a new motor and steering system before the old girl hits the water, possibly sometime during the summer. at the turn of the century. She is applying a protective coatingto _ . oh the wheelhouse’s canvas roof. Although boats are her first love, Alda tackles other woodwork- ing projects for a living. She has made tournament plaques and built the beautiful “wood wall” which separates the restrooms from thedining room at the Hunts- ville Golf Club. “I try to take on projects which are a little different,” she said. “I like the challenge.” The daughter of Robert and Doris Maturi, Alda is a Lake- Lehman graduate. She became fascinated with boats while work- ing at a marina in Hilton Head, SC. To learn more about their construction, she completed an intensive boatbuilding course at Eastport, ME, and worked for a year in Greenport, Long Island, POST PHOTO/GRACE R. DOVE before returning to the area. Working for more than two sea+ sons on the Gypsy Queen, which she describes as “like wearing a: - well-broken in pair of old loafers,”. has been her most challenging - project. Maturi credited several people with helping out during the past two seasons: Barry. Ferguson, Heather Freeman, Larry Radel, Scott Townsend, Alex: Frederick and Pete Johnson. . “Some days are very frustrat- 1 “ ing and others just fly right along,” said the soft-spoken young woman, smiling and sunning her. hand gently over the stem. “I know, f) this boat inside and out - her » strengths and her weaknesses. It's almost like being married 10, her.” POST PHOTO/GRACE R. DOVE The Gypsy Queen sits on blocks at Harveys Lake, across from The Grotto. The 40-year-old boat is being restored from stem to stern, and owners hope to float her next summer. Come...be amazed by the Incredible Magician! Kids' county fair contests announced | ‘Kids ages 2-5 are invited to enter the annual Luzerne County Fair Costume Contest. A Prince and Princess will be selected and all kids receive a prize. The event is September 8 at the Fair. Register in advance by calling 675-1761 for an entry form. There is no fee to enter. Young ladies ages 6-8 are invited to enter the Luzerne County Fair Princess event. Talented girls ages 9-11 and talented teens aged 12-15 are invited to r _ enter the Luzerne County Fair's annual Talent Contest to select a Junior Star and County Teen. Register in advance by calling 675-1761 to have entry mailed to you. Fair Queen contestants sought - Last call for young single women between the ages of 16 and 20 years of age to enter the 1996 Luzerne County Fair Queen competition. Judging is based on an essay, on-stage personality, general groom- . ing and poise, and the ability to promote and host the 1996 and 1997 Fair events. The winner receives a $500 U.S. Savings Bond, plus an assortment of lovely prizes, and the opportunity to represent her County and community at the PA State Fair Association's convention in January in Hershey, when the state queen will be selected. ' For more information to be mailed to you, please call 675-1761, today. | The Bagel Sandwich i lho bubinet Towel Stop in today and choose from our tempting new gourmet sandwich menu: The Californian with turkey, avocado, sprouts and tomatoes; The New Yorker BT SEAT BI GR = SRR Je PERE Pp J Bring Your Kids To Meet The Back Mountain's Newest Pediatrician At Her New Office, 16 Church St., Dallas. Dr. Andrea Taroli is the newest member of the Mercy Physicians Network. Through this Network, Mercy Health i PRIZES Refresh Nl Enterta pT and M° PRIZES » A Board-Certified Pediatrician and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics with over 10 years experience treating with hot lean corned beef and pastrami . i s . . . nts swiss cheese, Thousand Island dressing; System provides area residents with children and adolesce and our four other delicious sandwiches: A Cum Laude graduate of Temple The Turkey Club, The Italian, The Big efficient, convenient, quality health care. Apple Combo and The Vegetarian. All are served on a fresh baked bagel of your choice! Available in six delicious varieties. University with a Medical Degree from The Medical College of Pennsylvania * An intern and resident at the University of Michigan with a clinical fellowship in hematology/oncology Dr. Taroli is just one of our dedicated, highly qualified physicians who serve the children of this community. Dr. Taroli will be seeing patients at Dallas Shopping Center Labor Day Rt. Yop pi g s 16 Church Street, Dallas. « Recipient of the 1992 Merylene A. 3 Lay 3 ; 84 7 A. -M. -12 Noon _ oe -6667 - « Fax 675-1236 Stevenson Community Service Z at Aol & : Award from Children and Youth or | 00 TY FR EE B AG ELS ; New patients are welcome to Services and a member | ail I | schedule an appointment by of the Multidisciplinary M a0 When you bu twelve calling (717) 675-1617. Team of Luzeme County ERCY od I 3 Gourmet Sandwich | at oy hee : Children and Youth Physicians Network "aks I Limit one coupon per person per day. Good at participating stores only. This coupon may not be used with any other offer. [oer good until §/50e0 Limit one coupon per person per day. Good ary | participating st ly. Thi ( al participating stores only. This coupon > | may not be used with any other offer. Offer good u until 9/30/96 - - Sa . Ea ; en ge. = Aa 1
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