21 minute read
FISHING WITH THE UNDERDOGS
WITH THE UNDERDOGS
Holden Beach’s Rasta Rocket holds its own on National Geographic Channel’s Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks.
BY DENNIS HETZEL PHOTOGRAPHY BY MEGAN DEITZ
SSpend some time with Zack Shackleton and you quickly conclude two things.
First, he loves to fish. He REALLY loves to fish.
Second, he’s proud he grew up in Brunswick County and wants to set a positive example.
That describes a lot of people in these parts, but Shackleton has a big stage to be that guy. Only in his wildest dreams at West Brunswick High School a decade earlier could he have imagined being a boat captain on a reality television show aired internationally on the National Geographic Channel in more than 100 countries and multiple languages. Shackleton and his partner, Daniel Blank, are part of a four-man crew, along with Shackleton’s dog, Minnie, that recently completed their second season competing on Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks. Their boat, the 28-foot Rasta Rocket, is aptly named after the Jamaican Olympic bobsled team’s sled in the movie Cool Runnings.
“It’s an underdog story,” Shackleton says. “If you look at the movie, that’s pretty much our story. I don’t mind being the underdog. We hang in there with the top guns.”
Originally from Sanford, North Carolina, Shackleton has called Brunswick County home for most of his life. It’s a regular get-together for Shackleton’s and Blank’s family and friends whenever new episodes air on Sunday nights in the fall.
Shackleton appreciates the many fans that the Rocket, its crew and Minnie have, but the occasional celebrity status that comes from being on television and social media interests him a lot less than showing the world that the Rocket crew knows where they’re from and what they’re doing.
Zack Shackleton, Daniel Blanks and Shane Britt on the Rasta Rocket, a 28’ Contender and the smallest vessel in the Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks fleet.
“We wanted to make a good name for Brunswick County and Holden Beach,” he says. “We just want to be the best that we can be. We want people to be proud of us, and I think we’ve done that.”
Shackleton and Blank first met at mackerel tournaments. They started fishing together about eight years ago in a relationship that led to a deep friendship, fishing partnership and eventual purchase of the Rasta Rocket, a well-traveled 1999 vessel that they’ve upgraded, repaired and rewired.
“We really don’t talk a lot,” Blank says, “because we already know everything there is to know about each other.”
The connection with the TV program started when Blank’s girlfriend sent an application to the Wicked Tuna producers.
“She saw they were looking for boats,” Blank recalls. “We didn’t think they would talk to us, but she sent it anyway.” The underdog angle appealed to the producers, and Rasta Rocket was selected for the 2019 season and then invited back for 2020.
The Rocket’s relatively small size creates lots of rooting interest from fans, but it puts them at a definite disadvantage. Shackleton says that winds over 25 mph and seas higher than 5 or 6 feet mean they have to return to port before the larger boats, or they may miss several days when others can compete. Without an enclosed cabin, the Rocket also lacks creature comforts the others enjoy. When they stay overnight on the rolling water, they’re sleeping and shivering on the deck – including the National Geographic videographer who travels with them.
The premise of the show is this: The competing vessels, including top commercial boats from Massachusetts and New Hampshire who fish in the New England waters of the original Wicked Tuna show, go about 40 miles out from the Outer Banks into the Gulf Stream in search of the best, biggest bluefin tuna they can find in the chilly months of January through March.
Why do it at such a chilly time of year? “That’s when the tuna are there,” Shackleton says with a laugh. By rule, they can catch no more than one fish a day with a 73-inch minimum length. At the dock, the bluefin tuna gets weighed and assessed. For example, a 375-pound bluefin tuna would bring $3,750 at $10 per pound. Top-flight fish can earn thousands more. At season’s end, the winning boat is the one that earns the most money.
Shackleton’s easy-going demeanor masks a strong work ethic and competitive streak. One of his favorite sayings, as viewers know, is “you have to grind” to succeed.
The crew is serious about commercial fishing. It’s demanding, expensive and their fulltime livelihood. And, as Shackleton points out on the show, there are mouths to feed back home. If it means sleeping in his aging Silverado pickup or
the boat itself to get an edge, he’ll do it. If it means looking for oysters when the seas are too rough to seek tuna, grouper, snapper or mackerel, they’ll do it.
Unlike much of reality television, Shackleton says that Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks isn’t scripted. What you see is what happened. Show producers spend the summer editing thousands of hours of video to craft a new season that airs in the fall, capturing the most dramatic moments but also showing the long hours and challenges of successful commercial fishing. The Rasta Rocket crew sees episodes at the same time as the public.
At the time of this magazine’s publication, Rasta Rocket had just finished filming its third season, again making their regular six-hour drive to the Outer Banks from their home base in Holden Beach.
So, what happens when the Wicked Tuna experience is over? “We’re a well-oiled machine now,” Shackleton says. “We love being on the show, but we’re going to fish either way.”
He’d like the resources for a bigger, better boat. But, then again, it wouldn’t be the Rasta Rocket. He sees an opportunity to get into charter fishing. “A lot of people would like to fish on the Rocket after seeing the program,” he says.
Shackleton pauses on that thought and notes that he doesn’t believe chartering is what he’s meant to do. A good crew, the water, the fish and Minnie — that just might be all he needs.
Play On!
For the past 24 years, the Children’s Museum of Wilmington has opened its doors to young imaginations.
BY ASHLEY DANIELS PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMY CONRY DAVIS
PPlaytime is essential for our kiddos! The Children’s Museum of Wilmington (CMOW) was closed for six months due to COVID but is thankfully open and available as a creative, interactive outlet once again.
A local option for childhood learning and fun since 1997, CMOW has grown so much over the years that it moved to a newer, bigger location in 2004: the three buildings in downtown Wilmington that were the former home to St. John’s Museum of Art.
The newest exhibit, which opened on January 29, is called The Wonders of Water and is sponsored by Duke Energy Water Resources Fund. The interactive water table is chlorine based.
“It basically teaches about water filtration, the way the rain system works and also about like taking care of our planet and why it’s important to not pollute and all that good stuff,” says Jamie Longshore, marketing coordinator at CMOW.
Marketing Coordinator Jamie Longshore and Front Desk Administrator Sellers Hill staff the front desk at Children’s Museum of Wilmington.
Other hands-on exhibits currently open at CMOW are:
Ahoy Wilmington, a pirate ship the kids can climb aboard.
Toddler Treehouse, an actual treehouse for ages 4 and younger. The Studio Featuring The Lawson
Learning Center, where kids can paint, sculpt, draw, weave and more. Community Market, a re-creation of
Publix Supermarket, where kids can grab a cart and shop in the aisles. Kid Power, sponsored by Planet Fitness, an area that features a long jump, vertical jump, balance beam, hand bike, stationary bike and aerobic area.
Discovery Diner, an interactive exhibit teaching kiddos about making healthy eating choices, complete with a life-like dining area and cafeteria stocked with foods from all five food groups. Toothasaurus, where kids can learn about oral care, brush model teeth and take a seat in the dentist’s chair.
Port CMOW, a smaller scale display of all the North Carolina ports; kids can move the freighters up and down the river and load cargo on the trains. Animal Alley, where kids take on the role of pet groomer, trainer and pet owner. The Science of You, an exhibit that teaches all about the human body, from head to toe.
Wellness Way, an exhibit that focuses on infant care, anatomy and wellness. Bone Health & Healing, a newer area centered around a life-sized skeleton on a surfboard inside a curling wave that allows visitors to hold up their smartphones up to the skeleton to identify bones.
Matching Wall, an interactive game that pairs with The Science of You.
80 North Brunswick Magazine
Imagination Playground, a play area filled with life-size blue blocks, remains closed because of the high-contact nature.
In addition to the hands-on exhibits, CMOW offers eight educational programs Tuesday through Friday, and these are included with admission. Programs include story time for all ages, toddler play time and explore topics, like
save TIME and money
Four Seasons Dry Cleaners and Laundry in Leland provides the highest quality care at the lowest prices… Always
$1.17 per shirt on orders of 10+
Conveniently located in Waterford’s commercial plaza at 497 Olde Waterford Way #106 910.859.8394
Yes! We accept that insurance.
Unlike most practi ces, Carolinas Oral & Facial Surgery Center is in network for an extensive number of insurance plans. Find your insurer on our website, carolina-surgery.com, and call 910.762.2618 for an appointment with one of our specialty-trained surgeons.
IN NETWORK DENTAL PLANS:
• Ameritas • BCBS • Federal Employee Plan • State Employee Plan • Cigna Dental • Delta Dental • Military Retiree Plan • Guardian • Medicaid • Medicare • MetLife • TriCare (active duty) • United Concordia Participating
Dental Networks: • DenteMax • Connection Dental
STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) and nature.
An upcoming event that CMOW will be hosting is the Teddy Bear Tea on September 12. Bring your favorite doll or stuffed friend and enjoy a teddy bear and dolly parade, dancing and games, Bundt cake decorating, fun food and a mimosa bar (for the grown-ups, of course).
For event or admission tickets or to become a member of CMOW or donate to the museum, visit playwilmington.org.
SAFETY FIRST
Your best friend. Our best care.
Dr. David Beauchamp Dr. David Brazik Dr. Jaime Collier Dr. Alexia Nogueira Because of COVID, of course, certain safety measures have to be played out for our precious children. “We’ve actually had to make a lot of changes, such as our capacity limits,” says Jamie Longshore, marketing coordinator at CMOW. “All of our programs can have up to 10 people, including the parents. And that is also the same for our birthday parties, which can have up to 10 people.” Longshore adds that CMOW also boasts a really nice courtyard that can accommodate up to 20 people, which is the perfect setting in the Sign up for Pet Portal today on our website and manage your pet’s health online. summer weather. “We have also implemented new 910.371.3440 Emergency: 910.791.7387 sanitizing techniques,” Longshore 508 Village Rd. Leland LelandVetHospital.com says. “We basically sanitize everything in the museum twice a LELAND VETERINARY HOSPITAL day. We use natural solutions and a sanitizing fogger to deep clean each area, but we also continuously sanitize pretty much everything that’s being touched, of course, because we’re a high-touch facility.”
Additional safety protocols at CMOW include:
To limit crowding and to control the number of guests in the museum, all (including members) are required to purchase tickets online. Event tickets are also limited.
All guests older than the age of 5 are required to wear a mask.
New hand sanitizer stations have been installed throughout the museum.
There are no costumes in the exhibits.
The water fountain is closed; water bottles can be purchased at the front desk.
Specializing In Luxury Coastal Home Sales
SERVING BUYERS AND SELLERS ON THE NC & SC COASTS
Angie Wilkie
Broker/REALTOR®
(336) 451-9519
(910) 777-7945 angiewilkie@kw.com
“Angie was “Angie was recommended to us by another member of her team out of Wilmington to help us in Holden Beach. From the first contact we were extremely satisfied with Angie and her support staff! She worked hard and professionally guided through the process…. We highly recommend Angie Wilkie to be your agent. In addition to being professional and knowledgeable and effective, she is also a very nice person!” - C. Lackey
“My wife and I have worked with Angie and her team on several real estate transactions over the last 5-years. Angie is very experienced and was able to handle all aspects of the transactions with ease. We wouldn't consider working with another agent and recommend Angie to anyone who inquires.”
- J. Webster
WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED
Taking Flight for Veterans
Honor Flight of the Cape Fear Area, a chapter of a national group that provides all-expenses trips to Washington to salute veterans and recognize the importance of their service, needs your help.
BY DENNIS HETZEL PHOTOGRAPHY BY LAURA GLANTZ
TThe pandemic messed with everyone’s plans, including local efforts to reinstate Honor Flights to Washington, D.C., in 2021 to honor Cape Fear-area veterans. Still, just like military leaders facing a mission in which failure isn’t an option, organizers Ruth Ravitz Smith and Kevin Parker won’t take no for an answer. Smith and Parker are passionate volunteer leaders in the newly formed Honor Flight of the Cape Fear organization, a chapter of a national group that provides all-expenses honor flight trips to Washington to salute veterans and recognize the importance of their service. Group members are tackling the myriad tasks required to restore an ILM flight after a long absence. They’re determined that a charter flight will ascend from ILM to give local vets a day they and their families will never forget. Just recently, as pandemic restrictions finally gave way, the national
Ruth Ravitz Smith and Kevin Parker, organizers of Honor Flight of the Cape Fear
organization gave a “wings up” for a Wilmington flight on April 30, 2022.
Now the real work begins, which is why more volunteers must enter the picture.
“If you’ve ever been at the airport when the vets return, you’re just overcome with emotion,” Parker says.
Tears, laughter and applause all mingle as passengers with no connection to the flight often join volunteer greeters as the line of veterans, some no longer able to walk on their own, pass through. (The author speaks from experience.)
That’s what motivated Smith, the founder and president of the Cape Fear chapter, when she encountered a group at Reagan National Airport as she awaited a flight to Connecticut. That drew her into the Honor Flight program,
Honor Flight volunteers Norm Berth (top photo, on right) and Ruth Ravitz Smith (bottom photo, on right) share information with veterans outside of Mission BBQ, one the organization’s big supporters, in Wilmington.
first as a greeter. Like many volunteers, she didn’t come from a military family, although her father was in the Air National Guard. The sacrifices of veterans simply spoke to her.
Plus, she says with a chuckle, “I went to a women’s college, Hood, in Frederick, Maryland, and dated midshipmen from the nearby U.S. Naval Academy.”
Fast forward to six years ago when she moved to Wilmington.
“I knew they had started an ILM flight, but then I learned the hub
“was no longer in existence,” she says. “I made a commitment
I knew they that we’d get it had started restarted here.” an ILM flight, Drawing on her contacts, the result was but then I the creation of a fully learned the certified local hub, one hub was no of about 130 in the national Honor Flight longer in network. The new existence. flight will, for the first
I made a time, be open to Vietnam and Korea-era commitment vets as well as older that we’d get ones. Many Vietnam it restarted vets are well into their 70s now and might be here. in particular need of a warm greeting, as they returned to a sharply divided America in the late 1960s and early 1970s. As Parker notes, many Korea-era veterans didn’t get much of a homecoming either.
The Wilmington Honor Flight will work like this: 75 veterans and 75 accompanying guardians will leave ILM early in the morning on a charter flight to Washington. Police-escorts will greet them as charter buses take them to various war and veterans’ monuments throughout the day. All expenses will be paid, including food, backpacks and t-shirts, and there will be an accompanying medical team and any medical equipment, wheelchairs and other mobility gear they may need to enjoy the trip. They can expect big
OAK ISLAND NAVY VET LOOKS FORWARD TO HONOR FLIGHT
To understand how much an Honor Flight can mean to a veteran, spend a few minutes talking to Bill Bruce of Oak Island.
Bruce, who was an Aviation Electrician 2nd Class in the years between the Korea and Vietnam conflicts, makes it a point to say that going on the flight isn’t just about recognizing his own service.
“My late father-in-law was with Gen. Patton through Italy into France,” he says. “I want to go to the World War II Memorial to honor him. And I have quite a bit of Navy in my family. My oldest brother is a retired chief in both Korea and Vietnam.”
Bruce, a Lumberton native, says he served from 1957 through 1964 and was part of transport flight crews in places such as Morocco, Spain and Pakistan. He transferred back to Norfolk, Virginia, and saw duty on the aircraft carriers USS Valley Forge and USS Randolph before going to the Brunswick Naval Air Station in Maine.
After his military service, Bruce used his training in electronics to work as a contractor. He later taught future electricians at community colleges and also worked in Salem, Virginia, as the city’s electrical inspector. When he and his wife, JoAnn, first moved to the area, it didn’t take long for him to find work as Bald Head Island’s building inspector, a position he held for 10 years. He still does fill-in inspections for local communities.
Some of his flight crew work involved submarine hunting and other observations. He was on duty during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, in which the world stood on the precipice of nuclear war as President John F. Kennedy insisted that the Soviet Union remove nuclear-capable missiles from Cuba and ordered a shipping blockade. Bruce is certain they saw materials related to the missile installations bound for Cuba.
“They sent us to the Azores Islands to watch for Russian shipping,” he says. “The funniest thing was that we would fly about 50 feet over the Russian ships. The crew members on the ships would throw things at us.”
Ruth Ravitz Smith and a Vietnam veteran discuss Honor Flight opportunities at Mission BBQ.
send-offs and other surprises upon departure, arrival and return that night.
That can’t be done without lots of volunteers and monetary support. Guardians are asked to contribute $500 toward their direct expenses for the trip. A one-day honor flight costs around $100,000.
Parker, an IT specialist for Corning in Wilmington, is the Cape Fear chapter’s secretary. He first got involved with the original honor flight from Wilmington 10 years ago. For him, it’s about saying thanks and making memories for the vets.
The volunteers make lasting memories, too.
“I was a guardian on the second Wilmington flight,” Parker recalls. “Then it was three veterans per guardian, and I was responsible to take care of anything they needed, including travel to and from the airport and on the trip. I stayed close to those three vets for years. Two have since passed away. One family asked me to be a pallbearer. The impact on you lasts for years.”
Longer-term, the Cape Fear chapter is committed to making an ILM Honor Flight an annual event.
“The biggest advertisement will be when the vets return and see the airport welcome,” Parker says. “Nothing beats the airport return.”
HOW TO SUPPORT THE 2022 HONOR FLIGHT FROM WILMINGTON
Honor Flight of the Cape Fear Area (HFCFA) is seeking both veterans and volunteers for their planned flight from ILM Airport on April 30, 2022. HFCFA also accepts tax-deductible contributions and donations from individuals and sponsors as each flight is estimated to cost about $100,000.
Volunteers are needed to join the flight as guardians and to help in Wilmington on departure and return, which includes giving the vets a big welcome home after landing. Guardians are asked to contribute $500 to cover their airfare, meals and other expenses for the day.
If you know a Vietnam-era or older veteran, anyone who served prior to 1975, in the Cape Fear region, including Brunswick County, who might be interested in going on the Wilmington flight, encourage them to contact Honor Flight or pass the veteran’s name along. Veterans go on the flights for free.
Honor Flight is always looking for opportunities to tell its story and recruit volunteers at events and meetings. If you would like to host a volunteer to learn more, reach out to the organization.
To learn more or make contact, go to honorflightcfa.org, send email to info@honorflightcfa.org or call (910) 344-1050.
