Monthly Archives: May 2017

Steve Derderian

NANTUCKET Kelly Smith and John Morley didn't know each other when they were both at boot camp while training for the U.S. Navy in California.

They certainly didn't know then that almost 10 years later, despite both losing one of their arms, they'd be reunited when they were invited to ride on one of the over 200 boats competing Saturday in the 46th annual Figawi Charity Race from Hyannis to Nantucket.

Corpsman Smith, who also brought along her service dog Cook, a 2-year-old golden retriever, joined chief petty officer Morley, five-year Air Force veteran Heather MacLeod and Army Sgt. Jason Johns as former military members in their first Figawis among the 20 on the 49-inch Jeanneau D/S Perfect Summer, led by captain Bob Solomon.

For four years now Solomon has brought wounded veterans who are connected with the organization Nantucket Holiday for Heroes.

"We did it the first year and it was incredible," said Solomon, who has competed in 26 straight Figawi races. "We got second place in our class. It was almost like a life-changer. I had never been next to people with prosthetics before."

Perfect Summer, which had two American flags flying between red, white and blue flags honoring deceased Chief petty officer Chris Kyle and deceased Marine Cpl. Nicholas G. Xiarhos, plus a Boston Strong flag, began its race just outside the Hyannis Yacht Club at 10:40 a.m. Though Solomon and his crew had to join other ships by retiring around 1 p.m. due to minimal winds, the boat motored past the finish at the entrance of Nantucket Harbor around 3:30 p.m.

Video: Highlights from Figawi race

Photo Gallery: 46th annual Figawi Charity Race

The ships were greeted on the Nantucket beaches, including one man waving a large American flag in the water, as the members on the ship sang the Marines' Hymn.

"That was outstanding," Johns said. "Having the beach lined with flags was fantastic."

Though, Solomon said since starting this tradition four years ago, the result has become secondary.

"Once we're really starting to race and it's a windy day, you know you can get a trophy," said Solomon, a UMass graduate. "All these things, when you cross the finish line, all that is gone. I'm next to people without legs, and I don't even notice. That was really the gift."

"Captain Bob doesn't care if we finish first or last," Johns added. "He's just honored to have us."

Johns, who lives in Madison, Wisconsin, spent 10 years in the army.

Johns' army unit was one of the first deployed to Iraq in 2003, and he said he lived in Arlington, Virginia, and could only watch the damage from a plane that crashed into the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001.

Morley, who retired from the Navy in 2008 and now works for the Semper Fi Fund, moved back to the New England area six years ago and was called in to respond after the Boston Marathon bombings.

In 2006, he lost his right arm when trying to disable an improvised explosive device in Northern Iraq. He said he only survived because the device "low ordered" when it detonated.

"It's the only reason I'm still alive today," said Morley, who took the helm when the boat left Hyannis. "My focus is to get back to the way I was."

Smith, who lives in Florida with her husband and joined Worcester native Daryl on Saturday, had a similar incident when her left arm was severely injured after a house exploded in Iraq and her unit was ambushed.

Smith survived but in 2013 had to have the arm amputated. The Organization Paws for Action donated Cook to the Smith family, helping pick things up and act as Kelly's other arm. He is named after Army Spc. Michael Cook, who was killed in action in 2011 in Fallujah, Iraq.

"It was the best way to reunite and just sit and talk," Smith, a 19-year service member, said of her first Figawi. "We're both doing things and able to be there with one another."

The Xiarhos family was also included, with several wearing either sweatshirts or shirts honoring his passing. Steve Xiarhos, who served during the Vietnam War, in his family also passed on buttons with Nick's face reading "Big Nick's Ride For The Cape Cod Fallen," and "Living the Dream," on the bottom.

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PERFECTion on the high seas - Cape Cod Times (subscription)

The infamous Jack Sparrow is back in the fifth "Pirates of the Caribbean" film, "Dead Men Tell No Tales." The Disney franchise continues in its effort to reel in viewers who love Johnny Depp and his drunken pirate antics. A few new additions join beloved characters in an attempt to keep it fresh, but this version is nothing more than a soggy mess.

Henry Turner's (Brenton Thwaites) father, Will (Orlando Bloom), has been lost at sea, taken by the curse placed upon him. Young Henry vows to find Poseidon's trident, the one item that can break the curse and return his father to his rightful state. Henry's quest leads him to the dead Capt. Salazar (Javier Bardem) and Sparrow. As with all these movies, there's a young, beautiful damsel in distress who actually is quite smart and savvy on her own. This fare maiden, Carina Smyth (Kaya Scodelario), holds the key to unlocking the map to locate the trident and, in turn, Sparrow's safety. Meanwhile, Capt. Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) makes a deal with the devil of the sea and Sparrow and his gangly entourage must outwit the dumb-witted seafarers and Red Coats.

"Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales" is filled with exactly what you would expect: nonstop chase scenes, spectacular acrobatic stunts and amazing CGI. If you're a fan of this franchise, you're used to quite a bit of humor, too. Unfortunately, this version, in its 2-hour-and-9-minute running time, lacks it. The few laugh-out-loud moments are rather off-color. Double entendres aren't the signature style of Disney. The violence, sometimes graphic, also seems harsh by Disney standards.

Ultimately, it's slow-paced, even in the midst of high action. The film meanders, piecing together subplot after subplot. Between Capt. Salazar's soliloquy and Capt. Barbossa's long-winded mutterings, it is difficult to stay focused. Focus is exactly what this film needed and couldn't produce. And that's not even to mention all the inconsistencies in the story.

While the plots are lost at sea, the one-dimensional characters can't breathe life back into the drowning film. Depp, although the lead, has more stunts than lines, and Rush seems to have lost his edge on this evil character. Bardem, always an intimidating "bad guy," serves his role well, but the CGI upstages his portrayal. Thwaites is the handsome "prince" and hero, and Scodelario counters his looks with her beauty -- and that's as deep as these characters go. There's just no personality.

"Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales" is a lackluster story filled with mesmerizing special effects. The amount of violence and off-color humor gives this film its PG-13 rating, but it also gives Disney a different look as well. Spending your time and money on this one would be like walking the plank. I'd advise against it.

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High seas just a soggy mess - Kankakee Daily Journal

Sean F. Driscoll @SeanFDriscoll

SOUTH YARMOUTH When the waters of Cape Cod turn warm and boaters return to the seas, Dry Dock Marine Corp. gets hopping.

The boat hauling and storage business keeps about 200 vessels on 5 acres at its Old Town House Road facility and, for the most part, sees its busiest seasons right before and after summer as its dry-docked boats move on and off the yard to head nearly anywhere across the Cape.

We handle a lot of big stuff from a lot of all the major boat yards. Were probably one of the biggest boat haulers on the Cape, said Frank Richard, who bought the business with his wife, Marie, in 1977 and continues to work there with his son, Skip, who has taken over the day-to-day operations.

The business allows boats to be stored on trailers in the yard, too, so during the summer theres a steady stream of customers coming in and out to take their boats on the water for the day. The business also allows owners to work on their boats while theyre in storage, giving them an edge on the marinas that typically provide less access during the off-season.

Video:Dry Dock Marine Corp. in South Yarmouth

What is the biggest component of your business? Skip: Boat hauling is our primary business.

How long have you been in business? Marie: We started in August of 1977. We moved to this location in March 2006.

What did you do before? Skip: Ive been involved in the business since I was 10 years old.

How big is your staff? Marie: Six.

How has the market changed since your business started? Skip: The size and price of the boats. Our customers are a lot more demanding. Were still a do-it-yourself yard; we do some work, the owners do some work, they get contractors to do some work. Its a lot more picky. The boats are a lot cleaner, the boats are lot more expensive. Frank: We hauled a couple of boats to the Boston Boat Show this year that were worth $1 million apiece. And they sold it. Some of the stuff we move, its high value.

What are your plans for your business' future? Skip:Who knows? Possibly a little more inside storage.

What's your most memorable moment with this business? Skip:Id probably say moving up here. Frank: The old shop, we had three-quarters of an acre (and) we had outgrown it by 10 or 15 years easy. We were in an old barracks building that was converted. Skip:Now we come here, we dont have any more dirt, we have asphalt and rock, a wash basin for the bottom-washing and water and electricity all over the yard for the customers. Its just a nice facility.

What advice do you have for someone starting out in business? Frank:Theyve got one tough nut to go. If someone went to start this business up in the position we're in right now, Id hate to think what theyd have to have for money just to start off with. Skip:Stay small. You dont always have quality people working for you.

What's the biggest challenge about having a business on Cape Cod? Skip: Employees. You cant find the quality here. Marie: We had a guy come in on a bicycle for a driving job. He didnt have a license.

What's the best thing about having a business on Cape Cod? Skip:In this business, its being independent. Our business slows down for the summer, so we can enjoy it a little bit more.

Follow Sean F. Driscoll on Twitter: @seanfdriscoll.

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Take 10: Keeping boats safe from the high seas - Cape Cod Times (subscription)

World travelers Bob and Linda Bilec took a step back in time to an era of elegance and sophistication on the high seas when they boarded the Queen Mary 2 last October.

They sailed to Southampton, England, to visit their daughter, Jennifer, and her family for the Christmas holidays.

As they stood on the deck of the QM2, they watched the skyline of New York City fade into the background. For Bob, it was the realization of how small Manhattan Island really is, a mere 22.82 square miles of land inhabited by 16.36 million people.

For Linda, it was watching the Statue of Liberty on Ellis Island shrink in size as the boat pulled away from New York Harbor. She said she couldnt help but think of all the people who immigrated to the United Sates on a ship, seeing Lady Liberty for the first time, and hoping for a better life.

The Bilecs are residents of the world. They have traveled and lived all over the globe for pleasure and work. But this was their first transatlantic crossing on an ocean liner. So when Jennifer asked her parents to spend the holidays in England, Bob knew right away that they didnt want to fly.

I wanted to take the Queen Mary, he said. I wanted the experience of sailing on the boat.

They started planning for their trip a year in advance, watching fares and looking for the best and most economic time to travel. They even downloaded a schematic of the ships decks to find the right mid-ship state room to help mitigate the potential for seasickness.

While Bob wanted a themed crossing, Linda said she looked forward to the elegance of a bygone era of dining and dancing the night away in the ships formal restaurant a stark contrast from the downhill skier and outdoor enthusiast she is.

I was really excited about the dancing, Linda said, admitting that she and Bob took private foxtrot and waltz lessons before they sailed.

I was thinking about Titanic, the movie, Bob said. I looked at the staircase, the chandelier its all very elegant.

Their search led them to Road Scholar, a nonprofit organization that offers educational and adventure tours, domestic and abroad, with an intellectual twist for seniors 50 and older. Not only did Road Scholar have a trip planned for Southampton with a murder-mystery theme, and four nights in London, it also included return airfare to Austin for both of them.

The RMS Queen Mary 2 is a transatlantic ocean liner and not a cruise ship so the crowds are not as big (around 4,000 people including staff and passengers). There is a strict set of guidelines, including casual and formal dress codes. On formal nights, men must wear a tuxedo and women must wear a gown or after-five dress.

If you want to enjoy the experience, get a tuxedo and (for the ladies) a formal dress, Bob said. You can pick up deals at thrift stores and discount stores.

Bob found a designer tuxedo jacket and pants in a thrift store. After adding a white tuxedo shirt, tie and cuff links, he had a tux for under $100. Linda, a former costume designer, picked up a basic black dress at a discount store and embellished it with sequins across the neckline. With a change of accessories and jewelry, she was able to make the dress look different for each of the formal evenings.

All the women have on a black dress and (they) drip in pearls, every pearl they own. They wear lots of pearls, Linda said, smiling her smile that never seems to fade.

The passage took seven days and followed the same route as the Titanic, in reverse, when it sailed from Southampton on April 12, 1912, on its way to New York, a destination cut short by a collision with an iceberg.

I actually looked for icebergs, Linda said. There were none.

The weather cooperated the whole way sunny skies, calm blue waters and smooth sailing. When it was time to retire for the evening, they chose an inside cabin, above the water line but with no portholes to look out onto the sea.

We wanted the experience of sailing on the boat, Bob said. When you are sleeping, you dont need an outside window. When you look out the window, all you see is ocean.

The views didnt change for seven days, Linda added.

Although jet lag is often a problem when flying through time zones, Bob said sailing on the ship wasnt so hard to deal with because time advances one hour every day. By the time they reached Southampton, they were adjusted to the time change.

It takes two or three days to recover from jet lag, Linda added.

Linda Bilec was born in Colorado, grew up in Michigan, and attended college in Utah, before transferring to Lake Superior State College (now University) in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., on the border of Canada.

An avid downhill skier, during winter Linda spent as much time on the Michigan slopes as she could, either skiing by herself or coaching a high school ski team during her college years.

Sault Ste. Marie was less than 200 miles from the town of White River, Ontario, Canada, where her aunt had a summer vacation trailer park. White River was also Bobs hometown. He and his twin brother, Michael, are known to be the first set of twins ever born in this small town of about 1,000 people. He also has three older siblings.

The population hasnt changed in 40 years, said Bob, a U.S. citizen since 2009.

White River is also known as the coldest spot in Canada. Bob recalls one morning when he looked out the window of his home and the thermometer read -68 Fahrenheit. Summer temps can reach as high as 75, but the season only lasts four weeks.

Summers in White River were short and recreation was scarce. For fun teens would cruise the parking lots of businesses, listening to their music, looking to see what was going on in their small town where the sun didnt set until after 10 p.m. One summer evening while Linda and her cousins were working at her aunts trailer park, Bob and his friends drove through the lot. Bob was in the back seat. Linda saw the boys in the car and intercepted their fun. I threw them out of the park. I made them leave, she said.

While Linda didnt see Bob tucked away in the back, he saw her.

The next day Linda took a break from work to walk over to the service station where her car was towed after it ran out of oil. Bob was up on a scaffold at the service station painting a sign that read, White River, the Coldest Spot in Canada. Linda didnt notice Bob, but he noticed her as soon as she walked by. He remembered her from the trailer park. Calling down to her he asked, Hey, do you want to go to a party?

She looked up and said, Yes. Later that evening, Bob walked over to her aunts house to pick her up for their date. They walked back to his familys home for the party, but his parents were not there and as it turned out, the party was intended just for two. His parents returned home, interrupting their first date, but that didnt stop the young couple from spending time together that summer.

When the season ended, Linda started classes at Lake Superior State College in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., and Bob headed to Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario.

Though 400 miles apart, their romance ensued and they traveled by bus back and forth between colleges to see each other, splitting the fare.

Linda graduated from Lake Superior State College in 1972 with a B.A. in English and emigrated to Thunder Bay as a landed immigrant to be near Bob. She took a job as a porter at a psychiatric hospital for two years before entering Lakehead University to earn her B.A. in English, so she could teach.

On one of her days off from the hospital in 1975, they married.

Both graduated from Lakehead University in 1976 and moved to Alberta, Canada, where Bob pursued his MSc in chemical engineering while Linda taught school. Following graduation, Bob was hired by Exxon Mobile and the couple stayed in Alberta for eight years until Bobs job transferred him to Toronto for two years, then New Jersey for one year before he was transferred to Spain. That is where their life of travel really began.

Travel is definitely in Bob and Lindas DNA. Over the years, theyve traveled extensively as a couple to China, Peru, Ecuador, Argentina and the southernmost point of Chile, where they sailed around Cape Horn. As a family living in Spain, they traveled extensively throughout the European continent.

Moving around the world with two children was challenging but Linda always made it an adventure. She got Jennifer into kids acting and their son, Chris, continued hockey.

In Spain, they visited the beaches often and traveled around the country, learning the history. Christopher and Jennifer played soccer in the courtyard of a 12th or 13th century castle, and on a side trip to Greece one of Bobs most memorable moments was when the children ran across the finish line at the original stadium in Olympia, where the first Olympic Games were held.

The family also skied downhill in Kitzbhel, Austria, the children learning from their mother who has been skiing since she was 12. Linda did an excellent job of moving, leaving family and friends, Bob said. She would always find something the children could do in their new home that they couldnt do in their previous home.

When their assignment in Europe ended in 1989, the family returned to Ontario, Canada, where Bob continued his career with Exxon. In 1992, Exxon Mobil transferred Bob back to New Jersey. During that same period, Linda entered Rutgers University where she earned her law degree and served as Deputy Attorney General for the State of New Jersey. Bob retired in 2006, after a career working in the oil and gas industries at refineries around the world. They stayed in New Jersey until 2012. When Linda retired from her job and they moved to Texas.

But of all their travel adventures, except for their latest trip on the Queen Mary 2, most trips come in second to Lindas love of Disney World. Shes been 14 times, including a side trip to Paris Disneyland on their recent trip to England, with their daughter and grandson.

Bob said traveling has expanded his horizons and made him more understanding of people. He said it has given him a new world view and a new appreciation of how others live.

Travel has enriched my life. It has given me a new perspective, Bob said.

You learn tolerance, understanding and not to be so judgmental, Linda added.

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Elegance on the high seas - The Killeen Daily Herald