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<< Previous   of   Next >> (click to enlarge) The schooner Lavengro at Lake Union in Seattle.   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Monday, July 7, 2008 Boeing retiree helps make schooner shipshape By Kristi O'Harran, Herald Columnist A call came in a year ago, to the SnoKing Bluebills, requesting hands to make repairs on a Seattle schooner. Chapter chairman Alan Gale put the word out to fellow retirees from The Boeing Co. No words came back. So Gale took the ship by the horn, er bell, and checked out the job himself. "It was in the water," Gale said. "It didn't look bad." Mark those words. He's been sanding, painting and refurbishing the schooner ever since. The Northwest Schooner Society uses historic ships such as the one Gale's working on, the Lavengro, for overnight trips and day cruises. It's only one of Gale's volunteer jobs. He plans to give time at Paul Allen's Flying Heritage Collection at Paine Field. He already helps Cocoon House teen shelter do mailings and he assists handicapped visitors at the Boeing Tour Center. Raised in New York, Gale, 69, was discharged from the Navy in California. The manufacturing engineer traveled a lot, working in the aerospace industry, and came to Everett in 1992 for a job. Gale stayed on because he likes the area and the people here, he said. He stays busy in retirement. Bluebills serve the community in a variety of ways. The more than 150 members include the Mighty Movers, who help folks pack trucks. The Bluebills have a warehouse in Everett where they store school supplies for low-income children. They also help do interviews for those wanting holiday baskets from the Salvation Army. Members called the Sew and Sews make quilts, donate underwear to homeless shelters and make hats for cancer patients. Boeing retirees and their spouses gave more than 91,800 hours in 2007 to those in need. Gale checks in at the Bluebills' office every morning. He loves his work on the Lavengro, even the back-breaking scraping. Originally known as Helen, the 46-foot vessel was designed and built in 1927 in Mississippi as a shrimp schooner. It later was used as a tour boat in Hawaii before being donated to the Northwest Schooner Society. Lavengro can accommodate six overnight passengers and 22 for day trips. Society member Kitty McKoon-Hennick toils on the ship alongside Gale. "Alan is beyond price," McKoon-Hennick said. "He's been absolutely wonderful this year, completely reliable and never discouraged, despite the obstacles we faced in getting the schooner Lavengro cleaned and painted." There can be ample rewards. For instance, now Gale is learning about sailing. He volunteers on the Lavengro crew. Columnist Kristi O'Harran: 425-339-3451 or oharran@heraldnet.com. Want to help? The Bluebills are always looking for more retired workers who want to lend a hand. Visit www.bluebills.org for more information.

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