Autumn in Carolina

[Guest guest]

Dear Friends,

Autumn in Carolina was great. The weather forecast early in the week was proven wrong, and the weekend was beautiful.

and Craig drove into Winston-Salem Wednesday afternoon, and set up their motor home. I stopped by on the way home from work to make sure that they were not too tired for going out for dinner. I picked up Bettie Jo, then returned to the campground for and Craig. We caught up on the news and their trip while we ate.

I spent most of the day Wednesday putting the final touches on preparations for the meeting. and Craig did some sightseeing. Lavon and Mark Lockwood arrived in the afternoon. and Ann Beckner from Wilmington, NC, driving their motor home. They were staying at the same place as the Gentners and Ann asked how to check in. During the conversation Ann mentioned the meeting. New friends were made early.

Bettie Jo and I invited all six out to our home for dinner. We talked, then ate, then talked some more.

and Craig came out for lunch on Friday. Craig help prepare the soup for Saturday and I started making pumpkin pies. Participants started arriving in the early afternoon. Ronnie got there and her recliner arrived to insure that she would have a good night's sleep. She did have to run someone out of it, however. By late afternoon a total of 24 had arrived. Twenty-two gathered at a nearby restaurant, taking over one large room. Jane Ann and King were exhausted from the trip and elected to "eat in". Talk about talk, the room was abuzz the whole evening. Everyone was talking to everyone all the time.

The meeting started with Krispy Kreme Donuts, coffee and spiced cider. Were the donuts good? Ask Ken Auer. Dixon's program was beautiful. The people planning to come for just the day arrived, bringing the total to 35, with 17 PLSers, or at least with symptoms in the same category. Johanna Kiricoples shared information about massage, and how cells can be urged to help themselves. Lucky Ken got a massage, perhaps to help move those donuts around.

The sun was warm, the leaf color great. A number of folks decided to have lunch outside. Our friends, Kathy and Rick Kupreanik, from West Virginia along with Ronnie and Jeanne Ann, came to help prepare and serve lunch, and did a great job helping with everything. Lunch went very well, and then Amy Sonntag demonstrated different aids to communication. And everywhere there was talk, renewing old friendships and forging new. Hints were exchanged, along with ideas and experiences. Those attending who were not members of PLS- FRIENDS were excited to be seeing so many others. The meeting began to break up at 4:30, but that was just a brief break. We met at a different restaurant, 24 of us. We continued conversation, kidded around a bunch and generally had a great time.

By the time everyone left, all were tired, but happy. Folkes started drifting our Sunday morning, but a few stayed on to sight see or shop.

With one exception, Autumn in Carolina was successful. The success was due only to the efforts that everyone made to attend, along with the excitement and friendship that they brought with them. I am responsible for the exception. It seem that nearly every map or set of directions, with only a few exceptions, were less than perfect. The trips to restaurants or the meeting place could be called Autumn in Mystery. I did not know that there was no Exit 117 on the north bound direction of Highway 52. I was a block on on the location of the meeting place, too. And me a Scout. Unbelievable.

Bettie Jo and I extend our deepest thanks for everyone who went to the trouble to attend. We hope that the trip was fun and of benefit. If you are in our area again. please stop in.

Don