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Mr. Mayor Goes to Sea
A trio of daughters take their papa on his first cruise
I
love October for so many reasons. The sky mellows. The air is crisp and fresh with the scent of cookouts. Store clerks are busy handing out samples of hot apple cider. Fairytale pumpkins and assorted mums are displayed next to dried-up corn stalks. And with Halloween just around the corner, candy and costumes abound. I also love the beach in October. For one thing, it’s less crowded, which means more shells to find, more quiet time to read and more available parking. October is truly the most reflective month for me, personally. This year I love October more than ever. In a few weeks, I’ll be sailing out of Charleston, heading to the Bahamas — but not with my husband, Russell. I’ll be accompanied by an older man, tall, silverhaired, handsome and kind. In fact, Russell isn’t even jealous. You see, that older man is my daddy. At 86 years old, Daddy’s never been on a cruise, but he’s quick to tell you that he has been on a ginormous ship, back in the 1940s when he served in the Merchant Marines aboard the S.S. Malcom M. Stewart. This was early during my parents’ marriage when he traveled to both South America and Russia. I don’t think he could’ve dreamed then that he’d ever be able to afford or enjoy a commercial cruise vacation. Yet his generosity is overwhelming, as this is a gift to us, his family. Also going on the cruise are my sisters, Cathy and Nancy. My brother, Steve, is staying behind to be close to Mama, who resides in a nearby assisted living facility. But don’t feel badly for him: Steve and his wife, Lori, have already booked their fourteenth cruise. They’re going to Bermuda in 2015. I’ve been on six cruises, but who’s counting? Oh that’s right, I am! And I’m not only counting. I’m hearing Enya sing “Sail Away” in my head. It’s impossible to say who’s most excited about this vacation of a lifetime. Our family is very close and we get along great, thankfully. As adults, we siblings have rented beach cottages for our families, having squeezed as many as two dozen of us under one roof. But this trip will be even more intimate. The Art & Soul of Wilmington
We’ll be together 24/7, or close to it. And let’s not forget: We’ll be waited on hand and foot as we make dizzying choices about all the activities, entertainment, dining and shore excursions. The part I’m the most excited about is watching Daddy become a kid again. Ever since I can remember, he has been fun-loving, energetic and friendly. We call him “Mr. Mayor” because he’s so quick to make friends with a handshake or a pat on the back. He’s also an avid outdoorsman, so I’m hoping we’ll book a shore excursion on a glass-bottom boat to see the marine life. It’s also going to be great watching his reaction to the smorgasbord of food, notably the desserts. My dad never met a chocolate dessert he didn’t love. When we sisters go home to visit, one of our great joys is cooking for him, because he’s always so grateful and complimentary. (Plus he never learned to cook and will tell you flat out he has no intention of doing so now.) The live evening shows should dazzle and impress all of us, but especially Daddy. Growing up, we watched Harvey Korman, Tim Conway, Paul Lynde, Jonathan Winters and many other performers on TV. He’ll love the staged comedies and even the mini-Broadway shows. Nancy will want to take him into the casino. I’ll want him to play bingo with me. Cathy will take him to the ship’s library, where they’ll research books on the history of the Bahamas. What’s not to love? (Did I mention this is also Cathy’s first cruise?) The first day of the cruise, when we embark, I’ll be taking pictures and recording Daddy’s reaction. Thank goodness for my 13 megapixel Android, which rivals any camera I’ve ever owned. When we all stand at the edge of the ship, goombay smash in hand, swaying to reggae music, watching the tugboat guide us out to sea and waving to the folks left behind, I’ll want to freeze those moments forever. Yeah, Mon, October never looked so good. b Ann Ipock is an award-winning Southern author, humorist and speaker whose books include the Life is Short series. She may be reached at amipock@ec.rr.com.
uncw. edu/ ARTS 11.06.14
BASETRACK LIVE upcoming performances
By Ann Ipock
Part of a nationwide tour inspired by a 2010 mission to Afghanistan by the 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, BASETRACK LIVE tells the story of ordinary people changed by extraordinatry circumstances.
12.02.14
JOHN PIZZARELLI QUARTET Swing into the holidays with the world-renowned jazz guitarist and crooner credited by the Boston Globe for “reinvigorating the Great American Songbook and re-popularizing jazz”.
world-class performances without traveling the world
Tickets & Info 910.962.3500 UNCW is an EEO/AA Institution. Accommodations for disabilities may be requested by contacting the box office at least 3 days prior to the event.
October 2014 •
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