Pirates - Modern Day Style

By B. Clark

Chapter 1

Many an Adventure begins where land meets rolling waves

For those in the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Georgia and bordering Tennessee the Ocoee River is something nearly all of us have set eyes on. Alongside the Ocoee River in Copperhill, Tennessee is

Ocoee River Cafe

“Adventure. I live it every day. It can be as simple as just walking out your front door and taking in what you see,” Rob Gale tells BRMNews. I'm waiting for the often added 'life's an adventure.' It never comes because unlike the overused expression, he and his wife have found new, exciting, and fulfilling ways to add adventure and purpose to their lives.

Over the past few weeks, BRMNews has visited with Rob and Laura Gale, owners of Ocoee River Cafe in Copperhill. Now, as this reporter sits sifting through notes, pictures and reference material, there's more to this story than just one article.

We'll start with their cafe in Copperhill on the Ocoee River. Within minutes of opening each day, the locals, knowing where the best place is in town to go, begin filling the empty seats. It's more than just the clean, rustic setting with a big picture window to watch the river flow by. Rob and Laura are like family to the regulars and everyone who walks in the door are like family to them. Often caught up in the kitchen cranking out the meals, when a chance does come, Rob or Laura will sneak out to greet customers. Most people can use the good dose of cheer they also serve.

Just around the corner on December 26th, Ocoee River Cafe will celebrate their 4 year anniversary. “We love our residents that make up our quaint town.” It's obvious how much Rob and Laura care about the residents, tourists, and supporting the community.

On more than one occasion the Ocoee River Cafe has given without question. Recently they served 63 members of the youth organization called “Beyond the Front Porch“. They are a Georgia Non-Profit Organization bringing back educational field trips for children. Often reaching out beyond their current settings to bring non traditional activities to economically disadvantaged teens.

(above photos courtesy of Rob & Laura Gale)

Generosity is something that comes from the heart and of listening to its words of encouragement. You don't always need to belong to a formal organization or group to be driven to give.

BUT...sometimes, yes those sometimes...it's just a whole lot of fun to belong to a group of like minded individuals hell bent on Adventure, Giving and FUN for the whole family!

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Chapter 2

The Museum

"When people think of museums, most often come to mind ~

solemn places where visitors stand in silence contemplating neat rows of artifacts or historical memorabilia. But, all museums have a history to tell. Museums are more than containers of things; rather, they are complex reflections of the cultures that produced them, including their beliefs, social structures, and systems."

Rob & Laura Gale

"Being excited about this project, we jumped on it quickly with no hesitation. We purchased a building and began painting, insulating, installing power, and set the floor. Once finished, we placed display cabinets and then we were ready for people to view, visit, and enjoy. We have worked hard to make this dream of ours a reality and our Grand Opening was last September 5th."

Be sure to sign the "Guestbook" Rob and Laura have come up with. It's not your average "book" and comes with a story. You'll need to visit them to hear it.

You'll also find a unique Poker Chip - specially designed that cannot be purchased in any other way than dropping anchor and entering the museum.

For Modern Day Pirates it's worth any extra effort you might need to make in order to knock this museum off your bucket list. Ocoee River Cafe is right next door.

You can take home an array of souvenirs from patches to stickers, variety of hats and t-shirts and new items as they're added.

Pictured standing in front of the Modern Day Pirate (MDP) Museum are owners of both the museum and Ocoee River Cafe, Rob and Laura Gale.

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Chapter 3

Let The Adventure Begin!

Do you recognize these people who've made their name into the annals of history; Vincenzo Gambi, Anne Bonny, Henry Every, Stede Bonnet or Edward Low? It's okay if you don't because they represent an old, not so honorable way of approaching life.

BRMNews has been leading you to this point, taking you from the old stereotype of the image of pirates to what it means to be a Modern Day Pirate.

Someone to know is "Trucker" Billy Robertson. Around 2003/2004, he began to notice a lot of similarities among fellow paintball enthusiasts. They all enjoyed a variety of outdoor activities; hunting, fishing, motorcycles. A concept began developing for a group or club where everyone could come together and make a difference while having fun doing the things they liked to do already.

It wasn't until 2012 when Rocky Cagnoni went into Treasure Island Tattoo, where his buddy and tattoo artist showed him a pirate design. "It just fell into place," Cagnoni said, referring to having been asked what initials he wanted to include in the tattoo. Being a sea-loving, modern-day pirate, he chose the initials MDP.

Having seen the pirate tattoo, Trucker and then other members of the group also received their versions of the pirate. It continued to evolve, and with many members sharing the same core values, including a love of adventure, Modern Day Pirates was soon to be the name of the group formed years ago.

Trucker went on to create an organization around the name. Creating t-shirt designs, memberships, and goals. Two shirts, in particular, are worth noting here and are for members and non-members.

Geoffery (as spelled on MDP website) is the male pirate you'll see on t-shirts, badges, and other items for sale. The tattoo artist, an ex-marine named Geoffery, who gave Rocky the first pirate tattoo, died a few months later of brain cancer. It was in his honor a shirt was created featuring the pirate which they named Geoffery. From the sales of those shirts, MDP donated to brain cancer research.

Females have Proud Beauties while the males have MDP. The female pirate representing Proud Beauties is named Gertrude in honor of Trucker's wife Rachel and her sister Jessica's (both also founding members) grandmother. Their grandmother died of breast cancer, and from sales of shirts, MDP donates to breast cancer awareness, research, and for a cure.

"Our simple mission is to help everyone realize that this life is an incredible gift and to not forsake it. Helping motivate the masses to seek adventure and create memories building lasting relationships with fellow thrill-seekers/adventurers is our goal."

Modern Day Pirates is an adventure society with a mission to get out and experience life while sharing adventures with others. "Everybody dies, not everyone lives," Trucker said.

Are you a Modern Day Pirate? Just getting out of the house or away from work at lunch to experience the beauty all around you makes you a Modern Day Pirate!

"Adventure. I live it every day. It can be as simple as walking out your door and taking in what you see," Rob Gale, owner of the MDP Pirate Museum in Copperhill, TN told BRMNews in an earlier article.

Modern Day Pirates are far from the pirates whose names listed above made history for all the wrong reasons. Second to adventure is charity and third, helping communities to become a better place. Mentoring and self-improvement round out the top five and are also qualities not often associated with pirates, but for Modern Day Pirates, they are a part of life.

"We are best described as a mix between the best parts of say: Elks, H.O.G , Scouts & AAA (we have retailer vendors providing our Order members discounts).

We are in no way a militant, political, religious, Car or Motorcycle, club, gang or organization, etc…..we strictly condemn any negative or criminal activity.

Now with our members' interest being so vast. You will see us at bike nights, rides and rallies. Concerts out on fishing boats at paintball fields, shooting ranges, camping, fishing, hunting, hiking, so on and so forth…

You will find our members to be among the friendliest individual you happen upon, always willing to offer a warm welcome and lend a hand, possibly attend, and if scheduling permits, assist in charity events and functions."

Take a few minutes and head to MDPcrew.com. Locally you can visit the MDP Museum in Copperhill, TN. It's next to Ocoee River Cafe and was created and is managed by the owners, Rob and Laura Gale.

From MDP Creed:

"...be a light, a beacon for others wherever your adventures take you so that they can know the serenity that can only be found in truly living and being in the moment."

Love Adventure? Enjoy camaraderie? Motivated to help others? Join the Crew and become a true Modern Day Pirate!