The Cape Codder Friday, May 16, 2003

Seven Years of Success for Eagle Wiing Rescuers
By Debi Boucher Stetson
reprinted with permission of "The Cape Codder"
(staff photo by Debi Boucher Stetson)

It's a classic Cape Cod story: Two washashores who came here and changed their lives. Nine years ago, Gerry and Mary Orris were living fairly conventional lives outside Boston. Having raised two children, the Orrises both worked for large companies: he in the technology sector and she for a large hospital. Now he's a disc jockey and she's and artist, and they are both innkeepers, running a small motel they completely renovated and continue to upgrade. The Eagle Wing Motel was in sad shape when the Orrises bought it, and was in foreclosure. Deciding the property had potential, the Orrises took a gamble on it. They put a lot of work into the property, completely revamping all the rooms, installing a new septic system, re-paving the parking lot and doing extensive landscaping themselves.

They also remodeled the residence that sits squarely in the middle two wings containing a total of 19 rooms. They added a deck along the rear of the building, where visitors can enjoy the sound of bird songs from the nearby wetland.

Early on, their labors were rewarded with a two-diamond, triple A rating from the American Automobile Association.

Gerry is proud of their success, because he knows that first-time entrepreneurs don't always make it. "I know a lot of people buy businesses down here with good intentions, and sometimes it's a lot more difficult to do what they want than they thought it would be," he says.

Not that it hasn't been more difficult than they anticipated. It was, but they have persevered. In retrospect, Not that it hasn’t been more difficult than they anticipated. It was, but they have persevered.
In retrospect, “There were a lot more problems with the property than we thought,” Gerry says. But if they had to do it over again, they would.

“ It’s work – it’s hard work,” says Mary. And the Orrises have learned a lot over the last seven years. As she reflects, “Well, you know, that’s life, you’re always learning.”

Although they’ve accomplished major renovations, the couple continues to work on upgrading the property. Mary insists on fine linens, and plans on hanging some of her original art in some of the rooms. Gerry’s latest project is installing closets.

Aside from the physical aspect of the facility, the couple has learned to run a small business – and run it together, which can be a challenge for a couple.

“ Sometimes the dynamics work and sometimes they’re a little more difficult to work out,” Gerry says. “We each have certain areas of expertise. Color scheme, design, that’s her area. Technology, marketing, finances – Mary sort of leaves that to me. Where things get tough is when we get into things where we both think we are the experts.”

They’ve worked out a deal that solves most dilemmas: “Whoever’s on the desk that day makes the decision,” Mary says.

Since the Eagle Wing is closed during the winter, the Orrises have time to pursue their hobbies – which in Gerry’s case, has evolved into an avocation. He’s a DJ at WOMR in Provincetown, and also serves on the community radio station’s board of directors. And he’s also a DJ for the oldies station the WAVE. He uses a radio name he didn’t want printed, because although he takes requests on air, he doesn’t want them coming at home.

Gerry also serves on the Eastham Finance Committee, which he finds challenging and interesting. Asked if he misses his old life, he says no.

“ I don’t miss it. Sometimes I miss the camaraderie, and I guess the intellectual stimulation. But some of the other things we do make up for that,” he says, citing both radio and town government as two such areas. “You’re always learning.”

Mary, likewise, says she rarely looks back. “Health care has changed so much,” she says, noting the outpatient department where she worked in at Newton-Wellesley Hospital no longer exists.

“ Some of it I miss,” she concedes. In one respect, life was easier before, when she and her husband went to work in the morning, and then came home at night, dividing their worlds. “Here, it’s constant, you’re always on.” But she enjoys the integrated nature of her life, as does Gerry.

Even his radio work dovetails with his work as an innkeeper. On the air, “I like to play things I haven’t played in four or five months – the least I can do is try to keep it fresh. It’s the same thing with the business,” he says. “We’re always trying to find new ways to do thing.”