90-year-old Brunswick County woman continues her adventures
By: Phyllis Ellenberg
Contributed Article
Published: Sunday, July 10, 2011 at 11:05 p.m.
Last Modified: Sunday, July 10, 2011 at 11:05 p.m.
Grace Ellenberg celebrated her 90th birthday on May 28th. However,
her celebration continued when she visited her nephew Ben Ellenberg and
his wife Phyllis.
During this visit, Ben
arranged with Greg Darrow and his biker companions of Brunswick Forest
to be a part of her birthday gift by giving her a ride on a Harley
Davidson.
Grace had mentioned she wanted to ride a Harley as part of her “Bucket List” and her dream came true.
At
2 p.m. Monday, June 20, five bikers showed up at our front door ready
to ride. They came well prepared with a “doo rag” for her, a
HarleyT-shirt and, of course, a helmet. She got to keep the “doo rag”
and T-shirt, much to her delight.
A
petite woman, Aunt Grace was easily lifted on the bike by the big arms
of Jay Shockley. The engines reeved up and off she went, with Jay
leading the parade of bikers, Vicki Shockley, Greg Darrow, Mack Mitchell
and Mike Wallace. Ben and I followed by car.
What a joyful and exhilarating ride.
When asked how she liked the ride, she replied, “I am beginning to like being 90!”
Aunt
Grace has always been adventurous. She left the small town of
Ninety-Six, S.C., after receiving her undergraduate degree from Newberry
College, and ventured to Middleberry College in Vermont to obtain her
master’s degree in French.
This led to 20 years in Paris, teaching French to the French.
During
her stay she toured the country as a single woman, often camping during
her travels. She has always been an extraordinary woman who embedded
herself in the French culture, including picking grapes with gypsies.
We love to listen to her many stories of her travels.
Ben and I would like to give a
great big, “Thank You!” What a great group of people. They were
fun-loving, gracious, and extremely safety conscious.
Both
Ben and I only hope there will be some bikers like this group from
Brunswick Forest when we turn 90, or maybe younger to give us a bike
ride as thrilling.
What do you say, guys: Any one game in the near future?