It's a Golden Day: Still Hopes

Sunday, May 2, 2010

A Command Performance

Every year, the first Sunday in May, I make sure my boys' hair is combed perfectly, their madras or seersucker shirts are pressed, and their manners are fit for the queen. Today is the "command performance" of the year, for today is the annual picnic at Still Hopes, the Episcopal Retirement Home where GrandMuz resides. The flowers are blooming in the manicured beds, and it is the day where all the lovely, little old ladies show off their families... especially the grands and great-grands! (It is a day that is a "reoccurring" event on my calendar.)

I had to giggle as we arrived. I thought of Tickled Pink and Green's "I Spy a Preppy" posts. She would have had a field day here. Little boys in their Vineyard Vines polos and belts. Bigger boys in madras (mine in Kelly's Kids). Girls in their Lilly Minnie shifts with great big grosgrain bows in their hair. Babies in smocked bubbles and jon jons. Women in their Jack Rogers and Lilly skirts (oh, wait... that was me too!). Men in Lacoste, Southern Tide, Brooks Brothers, and Masters (guess that is a southern thing!) polos. All here for the "command performance" at Still Hopes.

I used to wonder why it was named Still Hopes. As a child, I always thought it was an absolutely horrible name. I could just hear someone say, "It's ok, Mrs. Jones... there's still hope..." Actually, the land was an old plantation named Still Hopes on the banks of the scenic Congaree River. The mansion still stands and has lovely dining and drawing rooms where the residents can hold elegant catered dinner and cocktail parties. With this, the lovely Bistro and formal dining room, and state-of-the-art Wellness Center, Mike and I are ready to put our deposit down as we are ready to move! LOL

My grandmother also loves it here. She has a precious apartment on "the floor" as she says. The way she talks, it reminds me of my college days in my all-girls college. They leave little treats at each others doors. They get together to go to the symphony or choral society. On birthdays, each lady takes turns holding the birthday brunch. So reminds me of Converse!

But I digress... GrandMuz loves to show us off. She loves to introduce my boys to her friends, have them walk her to the dessert table, introduce them to her friends, go on the carriage ride, introduce them to her friends. You get the idea! And both boys rose to the occasion, as my mother loves to say. They were sweaty hot. They wanted to untuck their shirts. But they smiled and hugged, and complied with every request. Even posed pictures for their mama!

The staff put together a wonderful event. Valet parking with men in bright turquoise polo shirts driving golf carts greeted us at the gates. Huge white tents were set up all over the front lawn. Blue table cloths covered the tables. For lunch they served barbeque with all the fixins' and too many desserts to count, including my personal southern favorite: peach ice cream. Perfect for a warm spring day! Other events to celebrate the first of May were...

A horse-drawn carriage took the residents and their guests

for trips around the beautiful grounds.