70 p o r t l a n d monthly magazine Cheers I caught my perseverance from Mr. Knott. At Riverdale Mills, he hung a banner that still reads, “Can’t Is a Word that was Never Used at Riverdale Mills, or Riverdale Mills Wouldn’t Be Here. We Can, We Must, and WE WILL!” I never forgot those words in my 25+ years in the wine business and have reflected on them so many times. According to the Press Herald, Knott re- ceived an honorary doctorate degree from the University of Maine in 2006. The uni- versity recognized his “commitment to the future of the lobster industry, innova- tive spirit, perseverance and positive lead- ership, willingness to share his knowledge and ideas, and his outstanding support of UMaine’s Lobster Institute.” “Jim Knott was a well-respected vision- ary and an ardent supporter of the lob- ster industry,” Bob Bayer, executive direc- tor of the UMaine Lobster Institute, told lo- cal media. “His impact cannot be under- stated. The technical changes he introduced to lobster fishing in Maine and throughout North America were profoundly signifi- cant. He single-handedly changed and bet-