Harry and Jobeth Yarbrough enjoy lunch
The Whole Group Showing Off Their Hats |
Nancy Davis was exchange director for an exchange to Shelby, North Carolina, November 3-6, 2011.Twelve people went on the exchange: Wiltses, Yarbroughs, Williamses, Johnsons, Tredways, and Davises.
Activities included a visit to the North Carolina Railroad Museum at Spencer Shops that, as it happened, Harry Yarbrough had helped establish. It is at the halfway point between Washington DC and Atlanta and was where trains used to need maintenance and repair between the two cities.
The group had lunch at a charming restaurant called Carolina Lily, where they were served lunch in straw hats and then were allowed to keep the hats. There was a nice gift shop there, too. In the afternoon, the group visited the Billy Graham Library, at the site of his family home. Unfortunately, there was not time to tour the home, but the library was interesting and impressive. It even had the most realistic talking and singing cow the group had ever seen (reflecting Billy Graham's childhood on a dairy farm). That day was rainy, but since the activities were mostly indoors, it was not a problem.
The next day was beautiful--perfect for an excursion to Grandfather Mountain. It was a rather long drive, but so beautiful that no one minded (except maybe the drivers...). The group was surprised at how much fall color was still evident. At the top of the mountain they were able to cross on the swinging bridge, which wasn't swinging too much because it was not as windy as it often is up there. Picnic lunches were eaten at the restaurant at the visitor's center, because they kindly allowed the group to bring in food and eat in a pleasant solarium.
On Thursday and Friday evenings ambassadors were hosted at club members' homes for dinner. Each dinner party consisted of 4 ambassadors (2 couples), their hosts, and several club members, including the person/people whose house the dinner was in, plus a couple of assistants. It was a very nice way to get to meet and visit with more people and to be in their homes. It also made it easier on the people who were hosting ambassadors, who only had to contribute one dish. In fact, the only meals eaten at the hosts' homes were breakfast on Friday and Saturday.
Saturday night was the farewell dinner, with a lavish spread provided by club members. The group was very impressed with the level of participation of club members who were not hosts.
On Sunday, ambassadors were all on their own with their hosts. Several people went to church, and they all took their hosts out for breakfast/brunch/lunch individually. The Davises then visited Kings Mountain, which is claimed to be the site of the turning point of the Revolutionary War (Scots/Irish came out of the mountains and, using guerilla tactics, defeated the British army there).
Two couples stayed over until Monday--the Williamses and the Johnsons. The Johnsons were taken to Lake Lure by their hosts and enjoyed a boat ride. The Williamses went to Hendersonville after church and took their hosts out to dinner. Huw and Marie stopped at Biltmore House on their way home on Monday.
The ambasssadors all agreed that they had a great time. They found the Shelby club to be very congenial, and we hope that we will have a chance to host them here next year. They are going to look at possible dates and see if any of them would work for us.