| By Harriet Whipkey
The streets of small town Grantsville, WV were dark and deserted in the
predawn hours of Monday, October 20th. All, that is, except for Market
Street where the Senior Center is located. There, lights shone brightly
and people bustled about, calling greetings, gathering luggage, getting
meal tickets, and asking, "Where's Roy Pursley, our driver?" We were
anxious to leave for Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Brenda McBride, Assistant Director of the Calhoun County Committee on
Aging (CCCOA), had arranged transportation, meals, resort
accommodations, and entertainment; all we had to do was show up.
Our lunch stop at a small out of the way restaurant in North Carolina,
gave us a taste of down home southern cooking. Such delicacies as sweet
potatoe pie, collard greens, and flounder were served by the owner. A
short stocky woman with eyebrows that shot up in an arc, she was totally
unflappable as, alone, she served the busload of guests. She cut her eye
down at me and asked, "You sh'or you can eat all that?"
Compass Cove Oceanfront Resort
Upon arriving at the Compass Cove Oceanfront Resort, we found spacious
suites, each with two double beds, a galley kitchen, and a combination
living/dining room with a balcony overlooking the ocean.
There was little time to do more than freshen up before heading for the
Texas Roadhouse for dinner. Unlike Lizzie's, we found a more formal
setting offering a wide variety of food. I could have made a meal of the
salad and homemade brown bread. I probably should have! Dessert was
cheesecake, and we all groaned but took slices back to our rooms.
Breakfasts were served buffet style in the restaurant adjoining our
building. Tuesday, after breakfast, the group split up, some going on a
shopping expedition at Broadway on the Beach, and others opting for a
stroll along the ocean or taking a splash in the pool or sauna.
The Giant Crab Restaurant provided a magnificent buffet for our evening
meal. All possible entrees of seafood along with ham and roast beef were
provided. There were also salads and vegetables galore.
Then it was on to the Alabama Theatre for a musical extravaganza. The
word spectacular doesn't do the show justice. Scenes from Broadway
shows, like "Phantom of the Opera," "Les Miserables," and "The Lion
King" (Circle of Love), enthralled us. My favorite was "Bo Jangles"
where silhouettes danced across a 3-section screen while a performer,
dressed in baggy clothes, danced the soft-shoe off to our right. The
show ended with a moving salute to America.
On Wednesday and Thursday, after breakfast, some members of our group
shopped, while others enjoyed the ocean or took advantage of the more
than 21 water activities provided by our resort.
Wednesday, dinner was at the Carolina Roadhouse, followed by a show at
the Carolina Opry.
The finale Thursday was unusual. We were invited to step back in time to
the days of chivalrous knights, noble kings and queens, and fabulous
pageantry at the Medieval Times theatre. In keeping with the spirit of
the program, we had to forgo the use of utensils while enjoying the
feast. Thus, we slurped soup from a bowl, and ate chicken (an entire
half was slapped down on our plates) and ribs with our fingers. Just as
my hands became too greasy to applaud, our serving 'wench' brought hot
moist hand towels. During the meal, we were entertained by knights
jousting, Andalusian stallions performing, and a suspenseful story of
intrigue unfolding.
Tired but happy travelers returned to Grantsville on Friday, October
24th.
Comments from the travelers:
 Elva Yoak, (left) who will turn 90 in January, said that she thoroughly enjoyed
the Myrtle Beach tour and was "ready to go back any time." She goes on
"almost all the trips" the CCCOA takes.
Alta Mae Richards: "I loved the whole trip. My fellow travelers were
great."
Carol Swearingen: "I loved it."
Mary Umstead: "I had a great time. It was well-planned, and everyone was
very cooperative."
Jeanne Wilson: "A caring and enthusiastic leader, reliable bus driver,
camaraderie of group, fun shows, and great food made for a wonderful
trip."
Sharon Sampson has taken several tours with the CCCOA, but she called
this the "trip of a lifetime." It was Sharon's first time at the ocean
and she said, "I was surprised at how vast it is." Sharon was especially
moved by the "beauty of the sunrise" and, to capture it, she would take
her coffee and camera out onto the balcony.
Those participating in this year's tour were: Joan Auvil, Bonnie Bird,
Sue Boothe, Jean Cronin, Jeremy Ferrell, Helen Nicholas, Ester Parsons,
Rose and Roy Pursley, Alta Mae Richards, Sandra Richter, Euell Russell,
Sharon Sampson, Brenda Sisson, Bill Swearingen, Carol Swearingen, Mary
Umstead, Stacey Walker (escort), Harriet Whipkey, Jeanne Wilson, Elva
Yoak, and of course, our wonderful tour director, Brenda McBride.
Brenda has received requests to do the Myrtle Beach tour again, and she
says, "I really feel like this will be one of our annual events."
If you'd like to be added to the list of Myrtle Beach explorers, or if
you'd like to learn more about the Center's activities, call Brenda at
304-354-7822.
Brenda McBride, Assistant Director of the CCCOA, said, "We want to be
known as the 'Senior Center Country Club.' We have such a wonderful
group of seniors who want to be involved in planning activities. They
sometimes wear us out coming up with new and exciting ideas, but we love
it." She feels that one of the reasons the Center has become so active
is because the seniors have a voice and a part in what is planned for
them.
In addition to the many excursions, "You can come here [the Center] and
exercise, socialize, surf the 'net, read, quilt, play bingo, hear an
informational speaker, have the nurse monitor your blood
pressure/medicines, join in a fun party on special occasions, such as a
birthday, and so on," Brenda said. The Center's motto might be
expressed, "Increasing the quality of life by living it, not just
watching from the sidelines."
Future objectives include putting in a gift shop and a craft room so the
seniors can make goods and sell them. "Maybe even a bakery in the
future!" Brenda says with enthusiasm.
Trips in the planning stage include Branson, MO in May, and a Bahama
cruise in September of 2004. Call the Center for more details:
304-354-7822.
Photos courtesy of Harriett Whipkey
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