Gio Cardillo, IT and Operations Manager for the Boston Celtics at Navis Cafe Today. He Graduated From RIT, in Rochester, New York, in May of 2023 With a Degree in Electrical Engineering.
Donald Verger, Former Resident of the Eastern Promenade on Munjoy Hill who Now Lives in Falmouth. Because of a Case of Mistaken Identity, Verger Spent Three Days in Cumberland County Jail, Unti Posting a $10,000 Bail to be Released. He was Found Innocent of the Crime he was Accused of in a Case of Mistaken Identity. (Photo by Robert Bukaty, AP)
“We came up here to lend an extra hand in the play-offs. The Maine Celtics are playing in the first round of playoffs tonight at the Expo,” said Gio Cardillo, 24. He is the IT and Operations Manager for the Boston Celtics. He and a friend were enjoying lunch at the busy Navis Cafe, 56 Thames Street, on the Portland waterfront, this afternoon.
“If the Maine Celtics win tonight, the team will go on to play the winner of tomorrow’s game on Sunday. That game is between an Orlando, Florida team and a team from Long Island, New York. “There may be some tickets left for tonight’s game because of the snow storm,” he added.
The pair drove up from Boston last night to get ahead of the snow storm forecasted to hit the Portland area with gusto early this morning. They will be returning to Boston tomorrow morning to catch a Boston Celtics game tomorrow evening at the TD Garden. Roughly six years ago, the Boston Celtics bought the Maine Celtics.
“Portland reminds me of a small Boston because there is a lot to do here,” said Gio. “I love lobster and this is the place to be for lobster.” On several previous visits to Portland he has eaten at the Highroller Lobster Co. and Luke’s Lobsters. Following a recommendation for another seafood restaurant, SCALES, on the waterfront, the two left for the Expo. But before they left, Gio said:
“Last year the Maine team made it to the first round of the playoffs. It’s time for them to do better this year and I have confidence they will. It should be a good game. It will be a competitive one.” Gio said.
Navis Cafe, located in the WEX building on the Portland waterfront, was very busy today because of the closure of other similar cafes due to the snow storm that struck Portland overnight. It is also a favorite cafe for this blogger because of its outstanding haddock chowder which is chocked full of haddock in a milk base that is perfect. In other words, it’s not like eating a pot of thick paste! Among those eating there was Donald Verger, a former resident of Munjoy Hill, who now lives in Falmouth where his photography studio is located. His is a note worthy story as well.
“If I weren’t a well-to do white man, I would still be in jail,” said Donald Verger, who came into the Navis Cafe for lunch because of a power outage in his Falmouth home this morning. Donald spent three days in jail for a crime he didn’t commit fifteen years ago. An experience that has had a profound impact on his life.
Fifteen years ago this blogger read in the local daily newspaper that Donald, a landscape photographer, had been imprisoned because it was alleged that he robbed a Portland beauty salon. That accusation came from an eye witness who was an employee of the 151 Middle Street venue. On court arraignment day, this blogger showed up ito follow up on the local paper’s report. That newspaper account did not sound like the Donald that this blogger knew.
But, Donald didn’t show for his arraignment, much to the concern of this blogger. Verger had posted a $10,000. bond in order to be released from the Cumberland County Jail. Upon an inquiry from this blogger, a court clerk said that the case had been dropped because he was innocent of the alleged crime. It had been proven that he was in another part of town at the time of the robbery. The local newspaper never followed up on Donald’s court case. This blogger did.
About six years ago, Donald was on vacation in Spain where he met a journalist from Moscow, Russia. He visited her in Moscow on multiple occasions. She finally came to the US to visit Donald here in Maine. They just celebrated their 5th wedding anniversary. Because of his experience as a wrongfully imprisoned Eastern Promenade resident, Donald has devoted much of his retirement years to fund raising. for the Innocence Project. The Innocence Project is a non-profit organization committed to exonerating individuals who have been wrongly convicted through the use of DNA testing. It was founded in New York City by Barry Scheck.
“Oh, by the way, I don’t want to be late for my Russian class,” said the 70ish Donald Verger, as he finished up his lunch at Navis Cafe. An emotional reunion it was indeed. Formerly, Donald was employed at the Audubon Society of Massachusetts where he developed statewide educational programs. Donald is also the Founder & President Emeritus of The Childlrens’ Discovery Museum & The Science Discovery Museum, in Massachusetts.
For more background information on the incident, please visit posts herein dated January 3, 2009 and February 26, 2009.