The Ballad of Alice Dare

About the Book

I had the privilege of covering a newspaper story about the Los Angeles Maritime Institute’s TopSail program in San Pedro, California, cofounded by retired teacher and coast guard licensed captain Jim Gladson and a handful of friends, including Captain Alice Robinson, who is the inspiration behind the ballad. I accompanied them on a weekend trip on the hundred-foot-tall ships to Catalina Island with dozens of preteens manning the two brigantines. Many of the junior-high-age kids were considered at-risk youth. One of the girls had only house slippers to wear on deck while others were clearly neglected-looking and shy. Alice’s first and only rule on board ship was “Everyone is friends here,” meaning everyone was to put any gang-like squabbles behind them and work as a team. By the end of the weekend, under Alice’s funny, carefree tutelage, the bonny crew could rig and raise sails, lower dinghies into the water, cook their own meals, swap the decks, and more. The general transformation was wonderful and bittersweet to behold, and Alice set the mood.

About the Author

• Deborah Paul was born and raised in St. Louis, MO and came to Southern California as a 20-year old American Airlines stewardess. Later, she worked for Flying Tiger Lines for 22 years in various capacities including flying tourist and military charters as an international flight attendant. She returned to university in the 1990s, earning a degree in journalism. Years later she taught journalism and become advisor to the campus newspaper at her alma mater, Cal State University Dominguez Hills. As a newspaper reporter for a community section in the Los Angeles Times and subsequent Charitable Events editor for Orange Coast Magazine, Deborah has always sought out stories focusing on human kindness and compassion. Though retired, Deborah still freelance writes for newspapers and magazines around the Palos Verdes Peninsula where she resides with her husband, Jim.