A mini-reunion of sorts took place in The Low Country of South Carolina in late May. John and Elizabeth Beck arranged to spend a couple days in Sun City Hilton Head with Dudley Kay and Jill Ford on their trek from their Naples, FL, retirement home to their cooler summer home in CT. Jill, who had just earned her Master Naturalist certificate, thought it might be a good idea to get together with Jerry and Missy Schulz. It was a pre-Covid ecotour given to us by Jerry on his boat, during which he spoke of his own Master Naturalist credentials, that had inspired Jill to take the 6-week course . At that time we had not realized that John and Jerry were Gamma Delt fraternity members, so “doing the gator(s)” was especially pertinent.
Arriving mid-afternoon the first day, John was thrown into a 5:00 PM tennis game with Dudley while Elizabeth schooled Jill in 2-person Mah Jong on a nearby picnic table. Dinner was enjoyed afterwards at seafood favorite Skull Creek Restaurant on Hilton Head Island. The next day Jill gave the Becks a brief tour of the stunning aviary within the Cypress Wetlands of Port Royal. Afterwards, all three couples met up at the popular waterside restaurant Fish Camp for lunch, laughs, and reminiscences. Then it was on to the beautiful Schulz home on Cat Island for the pleasantly smooth but speedy ecotour on Jerry’s comfortable motorboat. A sunny day, the beautiful marsh and waterways, and the abundant wildlife all supported Jerry’s knowledgeable narrative. What a great day for ’69 classmates and our wives! Following a sumptuous waffle, bacon, and eggs breakfast prepared by Jill at home the next morning, the Becks were back on the road. So, if you’re traveling, reach out to classmates for such pleasurable gatherings.
