90-year-old Brunswick County woman continues her adventures

July 11, 2011
Brunswick Forest
Star News Online
By: Phyllis Ellenberg

 
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?

http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20110710/ARTICLES/110719981?p=1&tc=pg