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Log inLooking for an adventure, Mainer lands on 'Survivor'
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Looking for an adventure, Mainer lands on 'Survivor'
by Outspoken on Fri Aug 29, 2008 4:06 am
Looking for an adventure, Mainer lands on 'Survivor'
Gorham High teacher Bob Crowley goes to the wilds of Africa to vie with other 'castaways' for $1 million.
By RAY ROUTHIER
Staff Writer Portland Press Herald
As a teacher, Bob Crowley has always been interested in new experiences and new places to learn about.
But he can't afford most of the trips he'd like to take. So if there's an opportunity for a free trip – one that takes him into the wilds of western Africa, for instance – he jumps at it.
That's how he landed on the new season of the CBS reality show "Survivor," which kicks off at 8 p.m. Sept. 25.
"I always tell my students, if there was a boat going to Brazil today, I'd jump on as long as it doesn't cost me anything," said Crowley, 57, a physics teacher at Gorham High School. "I'm always open for an adventure."
Crowley will be one of 18 contestants on "Survivor: Gabon – Earth's Last Eden." He and his fellow castaways, most of whom are much younger, will be seen trying to survive in the wilderness of Gabon, a country on the western coast of Africa.
Contestants struggle to find food and shelter while battling each other and a series of physical and mental challenges set up by the producers. Each week, the castaways vote one contestant off the show. During the season's finale, tentatively scheduled for December, the last contestant standing will get $1 million.
To survive in the African wilderness, and to survive the back-stabbing fest that a season on "Survivor" usually becomes, a person needs a diverse skill set.
Crowley would seem to have that. He teaches physics – or, as he says, "I stand in front of students and discuss physics" – so he's used to dealing with a lot of different personalities.
He does some lobster fishing, and he has served as a first mate on an ocean research vessel, relocated skunks and other wild animals, negotiated for his teacher's union and raised chickens.
Crowley is not afraid of heights, as evidenced by the fact that he does tree cutting and pruning for people as a side job. His other interests include bone collecting, archaeology, camping and storytelling.
For exercise (as if lobstering and tree climbing weren't enough), he goes canoeing and in-line skating.
And he built his own vacation house out of used building materials, including lots of slate that was discarded when some of the buildings at Fort Williams in Cape Elizabeth were torn down.
"I think he'll be the perfect contestant, because he can flex from being friendly and generous to occasionally hyper-paranoid," said Glenn Cummings of Portland, with a little laugh. Cummings, who is speaker of the Maine House of Representatives, taught with Crowley at Gorham High for about 10 years.
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=207271&ac=PHnws
Photo courtesy CBS Television
Gorham High teacher Bob Crowley goes to the wilds of Africa to vie with other 'castaways' for $1 million.
By RAY ROUTHIER
Staff Writer Portland Press Herald
As a teacher, Bob Crowley has always been interested in new experiences and new places to learn about.
But he can't afford most of the trips he'd like to take. So if there's an opportunity for a free trip – one that takes him into the wilds of western Africa, for instance – he jumps at it.
That's how he landed on the new season of the CBS reality show "Survivor," which kicks off at 8 p.m. Sept. 25.
"I always tell my students, if there was a boat going to Brazil today, I'd jump on as long as it doesn't cost me anything," said Crowley, 57, a physics teacher at Gorham High School. "I'm always open for an adventure."
Crowley will be one of 18 contestants on "Survivor: Gabon – Earth's Last Eden." He and his fellow castaways, most of whom are much younger, will be seen trying to survive in the wilderness of Gabon, a country on the western coast of Africa.
Contestants struggle to find food and shelter while battling each other and a series of physical and mental challenges set up by the producers. Each week, the castaways vote one contestant off the show. During the season's finale, tentatively scheduled for December, the last contestant standing will get $1 million.
To survive in the African wilderness, and to survive the back-stabbing fest that a season on "Survivor" usually becomes, a person needs a diverse skill set.
Crowley would seem to have that. He teaches physics – or, as he says, "I stand in front of students and discuss physics" – so he's used to dealing with a lot of different personalities.
He does some lobster fishing, and he has served as a first mate on an ocean research vessel, relocated skunks and other wild animals, negotiated for his teacher's union and raised chickens.
Crowley is not afraid of heights, as evidenced by the fact that he does tree cutting and pruning for people as a side job. His other interests include bone collecting, archaeology, camping and storytelling.
For exercise (as if lobstering and tree climbing weren't enough), he goes canoeing and in-line skating.
And he built his own vacation house out of used building materials, including lots of slate that was discarded when some of the buildings at Fort Williams in Cape Elizabeth were torn down.
"I think he'll be the perfect contestant, because he can flex from being friendly and generous to occasionally hyper-paranoid," said Glenn Cummings of Portland, with a little laugh. Cummings, who is speaker of the Maine House of Representatives, taught with Crowley at Gorham High for about 10 years.
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=207271&ac=PHnws
Photo courtesy CBS Television
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Plato (427-347 BC)
Plato (427-347 BC)
