July 30, 2010
By Janet Foley
Summer time is, so I now understand, for school reunions and vacations or a combination of both. Well, not sure which category I fall into, but I did both. My college, Mary Washington, now called the University of Mary Washington, is in Fredericksburg, Va. The school decided to hold our class reunion in June. My former roommate, suitemate and I decided not to attend but to do our own thing, since we hadn't seen each other like since the 1960s. That's how long it has been.
My roommate lives just outside colonial Williamsburg in Governor's Landing. We all decided to meet, and I would fly in to Richmond, Va., first and go from there. Dee, my roommate, and her hubby, Al, met me and off we went — road trip — to their home where we spent two days in Williamsburg. Just like old times, we clicked as if we haven't seen each other in two weeks. We looked through all the picture albums from way back when and played the game "who is that and is this what's her name?"
Next day, we took a road trip to Richmond to visit my house, her house, our schools and high school with bars and security gates to get in the front door. It was in total shock especially when we learned that they mounted cameras going 24/7. We had a security guard ask why we were taking pictures of the high school. That will go outside the memory book. Dee and I left shortly after visiting other old haunts, plus the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Maymont Park, the old drug store where I used to work and our favorite movie spot.
Then we did a road trip back to her home and toured William and Mary College, which has grown by leaps and bounds and is still lovely in the old brick style of the Governor's Mansion. Note: Most all homes and state buildings in Virginia are built with brick and the style seems to stay the same wherever you go.
Dinner that evening was a road trip to the Yorktown-Gloucester area. We passed one of the Tall Ships on the York River, which you could board for a tour for $60. That was a no, so we ventured on to dinner in Gloucester to dine on the River York.
The road trip back home was a drive through Jamestown, which is quite commercialized but still a site to see. Sorry to say John Smith, Pocahontas and John Alden were not at home.
Dee and I arrived in Fredericksburg on Wednesday and met our suitemate Rita at the motel. Another click from the past, we settled into our motel and took off for our destination — Mary Washington University. We arrived at College Avenue and parked the car ready to hike down the pavers' path of the official buildings — administration, library, science, etc. But what took us out of remembrance of the area was things have moved and more buildings popped up, but then in brick they all look alike. We had a ball finding old dorms, the student union site, the bookstore, the swimming pool, the ballroom, classrooms of subjects we liked and more. The strangest thing of all we had to get over was that the school was coed. We went to an all-girls school, and the only males on campus were the Marines from Quantico on weekends, and I should say a few from the University of Virginia, our sister school. Times change and we have also. I can't tell you what memories and good times those few days brought back to us. Like all good friends and pals, we have vowed to visit each other again with another vacation-road trip. My good friends are retired from their professions and now enjoy visiting sights around the U.S. The school has enlarged greatly and even now it has extended across U.S. No. 1. We are certainly glad we aren't walking (hiking) to class. Our short vacation — road trip — was a No. 1 on my list. Can't wait 'till the pictures I took get developed!
What is new for activities coming up which you all might want to attend? Saturday, Aug. 14 certainly sounds interesting and something you all might wish to attend — every second Saturday of the month, come out to see a classic movie at the Historic Geneva School House. Enjoy the old-theater ambiance with old-fashioned ushers and concessions. Pizza is served at 6 p.m. and the movie starts at 7 p.m. Cost is $5, $3 for those under 16. Need more information? Visit www.genevaschoolhouse.org.
Freedom Ride will celebrate 10 years with Arabian Nights at its 10th Annual Fundraiser on Sunday, Aug. 15. Guests will experience the Arabian Nights show and dinner, with a pre-show by Freedom Ride, for the discounted price of $25. All proceeds will benefit Freedom Ride, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that provides therapeutic horseback riding to children and adults with disabilities in the Central Florida area. Doors open at 4 p.m. and the show begins at 5 p.m. Children younger than 3 get in free. Need more information? Call 407-293-0411 or visit www.freedomride.com
The other day I took what I call the back road from Mead Manor going on Geneva Road to the Publix store on Lockwood Boulevard and County Road 419. When I turned off Geneva road onto Lockwood, I noticed construction signs saying 'public bike sidewalk trail'. Looked very neat and quite wide, of course this trail is far from being finished by the city, but that was the first I heard of this trail being constructed. I cannot wait to learn more about the finished product. It will be a great place to get that needed exercise- biking or walking.
Feel like walking on Saturday, Aug. 7? Well Starbucks, 355 E. Altamonte Drive in Altamonte Springs, is sponsoring The Mid-Florida Miles Walking Club. This club is a member of the American Volkssport Association and is conducting a walk through the shopping plaza and through the areas north of Cranes Roost Park. Two distances are available: 10k (6miles) or 5K (3miles) and the walk will start between 9-10 a.m. It is $3 for club members who want credit and for others it is free. Need more information? Please call407-695-9181.
A great plant sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 14-15 will be held at the Sanford Garden Club, 200 Fairmont Drive, Sanford. The Seminole Bromeliad and Tropical Plant Society's annual fall plant sale will feature bromeliads in many general, orchids, aroids, plumeria, gingers, heliconias, other tropical plants, gift baskets and hand-crafted slatted baskets in several sizes. Admission is free. For more information, please call 407-366-4860.
The Riverside Park Complex provides a Special Needs Activity Program from 2-4 p.m. the first, second and third Wednesday of the month. The Riverside Park Complex is located at 1600 Lockwood Blvd. in Oviedo at the cost of $2 per month for Oviedo residents, $20 per month for non-residents. For more information, please call 407-971-5591.
A thought
A great book should leave you with many experiences and slightly exhausted at the end. You live several lives while reading it. —William Styron
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